Kitchener-Waterloo Attractions
The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo are situated about 100 km / 60 mi west of Toronto.
Kitchener, known as "Berlin" until the First World War, and renamed after General Lord Kitchener, is Canada's biggest center of German immigration.
The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo were founded in the late 18th C by the Mennonites, originally a German sect and named after its Friesian founder, Menno Simons (1492-1559). Some of its members emigrated straight to Canada, while others came here from Pennsylvania in 1783 during the American War of Independence. Like the Amish - named after their founder Jakob Ammann - the Mennonites are Anabaptists, a sect founded in Zurich in 1525 and persecuted from the outset because of their beliefs in adult baptism and pacifism, who finally found a new homeland on the North American continent. Today the orthodox Mennonites still speak an old German dialect and wear plain, unadorned dress with no buttons, collars or pockets.
They ride in horse-drawn buggies as they are not allowed to own cars; neither can they own telephones or other such products of modern technology, and live by farming without machinery, as they did 150 years ago. They still sell their produce on local markets in Kitchener and Waterloo.
Kitchener, known as "Berlin" until the First World War, and renamed after General Lord Kitchener, is Canada's biggest center of German immigration.
The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo were founded in the late 18th C by the Mennonites, originally a German sect and named after its Friesian founder, Menno Simons (1492-1559). Some of its members emigrated straight to Canada, while others came here from Pennsylvania in 1783 during the American War of Independence. Like the Amish - named after their founder Jakob Ammann - the Mennonites are Anabaptists, a sect founded in Zurich in 1525 and persecuted from the outset because of their beliefs in adult baptism and pacifism, who finally found a new homeland on the North American continent. Today the orthodox Mennonites still speak an old German dialect and wear plain, unadorned dress with no buttons, collars or pockets.
They ride in horse-drawn buggies as they are not allowed to own cars; neither can they own telephones or other such products of modern technology, and live by farming without machinery, as they did 150 years ago. They still sell their produce on local markets in Kitchener and Waterloo.
Doon Heritage Crossroads
Doon Heritage Crossroads is an open-air museum showing life in the town in the days of the pioneers. Its thirty or so buildings on a site of 23ha (57ac) provide an insight into what life was like here in the 19th C.
Doon Heritage Crossroads
10 Huron Road
Kitchener, ON N2P2R7
Canada
10 Huron Road
Kitchener, ON N2P2R7
Canada
Phone 1 (519) 748-1914
Fax 1 (519) 748-0009
Hours
May 1 to September 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
September 2 to December 23
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and Gallery
Joseph Schneider House is a Mennonite home with original 19th C furnishings. As "living history" the "inhabitants" of the house, in traditional costumes, offer visitors biscuits baked in the old German manner, and re-enact life as it was lived in the 19th C.
Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and Gallery
466 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON N2G1W7
Canada
466 Queen Street South
Kitchener, ON N2G1W7
Canada
Phone 1 (519) 742-7752
Fax 1 (519) 742-0089
Hours
February 15 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 2 to September 3
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 1 to December 23
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Parking
Free
Woodside National Historic Site
Woodside House, built in 1853, was the parental home of Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada from 1921 to 1930 and from 1935 to 1948, and is furnished as it was in the late 19th C.
Woodside National Historic Site
528 Wellington Street North
Kitchener, ON N2H5L5
Canada
528 Wellington Street North
Kitchener, ON N2H5L5
Canada
Phone 1 (519) 571-5684
Fax 1 (519) 571-5686
Hours
May 19 to December 23
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Bingemans
Bingemans is a large facility that serves as an amusement center for families, and also offers a conference center for weddings and events. There are also camping facilities. The water park area has a wave pool, waterslides, bumper boats, batting cages and a children's water park.
Bingemans
425 Bingemans Centre Drive
Kitchener, ON N2B3X7
Canada
425 Bingemans Centre Drive
Kitchener, ON N2B3X7
Canada
Phone 1 (519) 744-1555
Fax 1 (519) 744-1985
Hours
June 1 to September 7
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close |
Homer Watson House and Gallery
The Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchner was the home of this noted landscape artist. His studio contains his original palette, easel and paint box. In 1894 he painted a large frieze on the wall containing names of 13 European artists whom he admired.
The gallery also offers classes and school programs.
The gallery also offers classes and school programs.
Kitchener and Waterloo - Markets
There are several long running markets in Kitchener-Waterloo. The Kitchener Market has been operating since 1839. The St Jacob's Farmers Market, north of Waterloo is also a favorite with many unique items. A third option is the Waterloo Market on Webber Street.
Besides selling farm produce and such specialties as maple syrup and maple syrup products, these markets also sell Mennonite handicrafts and their home-produced remedies and cosmetics.
Besides selling farm produce and such specialties as maple syrup and maple syrup products, these markets also sell Mennonite handicrafts and their home-produced remedies and cosmetics.
Kitchener Surroundings
Read More
Elmira Park
Elmira Park has numerous walking trails, picnic areas, and campsites. The river running through the park is a popular place for canoeing.
Baden - Castle Kilbride National Historic Site, Canada
The mansion at Castle Kilbride National Historic Site in Baden once belonged to James Livingston who was known as the Flax Mill King. The mansion is known for its painted ceilings and walls in the library. The house was built in 1877 and has since been restored, including the furniture.
In the basement of the castle is the Wilmot Historical Museum.
All values are in Canada Dollars
In the basement of the castle is the Wilmot Historical Museum.
Castle Kilbride
60 Snyder's Road West
Baden, ON N3A1A1
Canada
60 Snyder's Road West
Baden, ON N3A1A1
Canada
Phone 1 (519) 634-8444
Fax 1 (519) 634-5035
Hours
March 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 |
April 1 to December 24
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
| Family | $ 19.00 |
| Adult | $ 6.50 |
| Child 18 & under | $ 5.50 |
| Senior over 65 | $ 5.50 |
| Child 4-12 | $ 4.50 |
Mennonite Villages
Around Kitchener and Waterloo there are still a few Mennonite villages, such as Elmira and Elora.
Some of the stores in the area sell hand crafted Mennonite items.
Some of the stores in the area sell hand crafted Mennonite items.