Take this opportunity to explore beautiful Ontario!  Plan a family vacation around the conference and explore vibrant cities, head outdoors, tour charming towns or relax at a resort … the possibilities are endless!

Guelph Attractions

The City of Guelph was founded in 1827 by John Galt, a Scotsman and an organizer of the Canada Company.  Pronounced "Gwelf" and named in honour of the British Royal Family, Guelph is still known as "the Royal City".  Century-old limestone buildings and downtown avenues are set in natural surroundings of beautiful parks and trails, rivers and rolling hills.  Today, Guelph is known for its rich architectural heritage and its vibrant cultural life.

Riverside Park, Floral Clock and Gardens: The City of Guelph boasts many fine parks.  You should not miss the pleasant, green acres of Riverside Park.  It has one of the largest and most beautiful mechanical floral clocks in the Province.  Forty-four feet in diameter, it contains 5,000 - 7,000 flowers, 14 varieties and a calendar on which the date is changed each day.  Also, there is a scale model of John Galt's house (the founder of Guelph), the John Galt Gardens and a replica of the original map of Guelph.  Snack bar, picnic areas, playing fields, band shell.  Located at Woolwich, south of Woodlawn.

Col. John McCrae Birthplace: Situated at 108 Water St., Guelph, near the Speed River, the house has been restored to the 1875-1890 period and contains many of the original furnishings as well as a museum of the writings and personal belongings of the famous soldier, physician and poet who wrote the poem, "In Flanders Fields".  The McCrae Memorial Gardens are adjacent to the birthplace which became a National Historic Site in 1968.  Closed Mondays.
Phone: (519) 836-1482

Guelph Civic Museum: The museum is located in a newly restored nineteenth-century limestone building at the corner of Dublin St. and Waterloo Ave.  It houses a fine collection of local, domestic and industrial artifacts, costumes and furniture that illustrate the story of Guelph from pre-settlement times to the present.  6 Dublin St. South.
Phone: (519) 836-1482

Kortright Waterfowl Park: A wildlife area and waterfowl research centre, where 200 birds represent 90 species of waterfowl and other wildlife.  Interpretive displays, observation tower, nature trails, and picnic area.  305 Niska Road off of Kortright.

Church of Our Lady: Modelled on the great Cathedral of
Cologne and built in 1888, the church dominates the city from its position on the highest hill.  Located on Norfolk Street at Macdonell.  Open for public viewing during non-service hours.

Nearby Attractions

Elora — approximately 15 minutes from Guelph
A picturesque village right on the Grand River Falls.  Just below the village is a spectacular limestone canyon, with many caves, waterfalls and rapids.  The Native people believed their spirits lived between the walls of the Gorge.  This 300 acre park is operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Fergus — approximately 15 minutes from Guelph
A pleasant little town on the Grand River, Fergus was originally known as Little Falls, but was changed for its founder Adam Ferguson, a Scottish immigrant.  Scottish limestone architecture is reflected in several nineteenth century buildings, including the Breadalbane Inn which is the original home of Adam Ferguson.

Mennonite Country — approximately 20 minutes from Guelph
Visitors can be in the heart of the fascinating heritage and locale of the Mennonite community of St. Jacobs and environs.  Originally called "Jakobsteller" (little town of many Jacobs) by the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, this village is the home of many artisans and their studios.

Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge — approximately 20-40 minutes from Guelph
The "tri-city" area has many interesting destinations for day trips.  Kitchener's Sportsworld and Bingeman Park are two large water parks and entertainment complexes.  African Lion Safari in Cambridge is a wildlife park housing over 1500 exotic animals and birds.

Niagara Falls — approximately 80 minutes from Guelph
This world renowned area is host to many attractions including its most famous - Niagara Falls.  Besides simply viewing the Falls, visitors can cruise to the base of the Falls on the Maid of the Mist tour boat; ascend 236 metres up the Skylon Tower for a panoramic view; or see a spectacular film about the Falls at Niagara's Imax Theatre.  Other activities can include enjoying the beautiful 40 km Niagara Park System or spending an afternoon at Marineland, a marine park with impressive dolphin, sea lion, and whale shows.

Niagara-on-the-Lake — approximately 70 minutes from Guelph
This charming 19th century town overlooks Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the Shaw Festival which is an annual theatre series of plays and musicals by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.  Fort George National Historic Park is a fascinating place to learn of the border conflicts between the United States and (then) Upper Canada.  The area surrounding Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of Canada's principle wine growing regions, with many wineries offering tours and tastings.

City of Toronto — approximately 60 minutes from Guelph
As Canada's largest city and cultural and financial centre, Toronto has countless sights and events to enjoy.  One of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse cities in North America, Toronto allows for international eating and shopping experiences.  From a historical perspective, Toronto's many museums and heritage sites provide examples of the areas' British colonial past.  Cultural and scientific institutions include the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the McLaughlin Planetarium, and the Ontario Science Centre.  For more lighthearted visiting, the CN Tower is a popular destination.  This is the world's tallest free standing structure.  Ontario Place is an entertainment complex on Lake Ontario consisting of islands and futuristic buildings on long steel legs and lined by walkways.  The Toronto Skydome stadium, with its fully retractable roof, is the home of the city's football and baseball teams.  Toronto has joined London and New York as the third largest centre in the world for English language dramatic productions with more than 115 professional companies promoting plays, cabarets, opera, and dance in the city.