Kitchener

Travel Guide

Guelph featuring a statue or sculpture, a fountain and a city
Kitchener
Kitchener showing street scenes
Kitchener featuring a bridge and a park
Kitchener which includes street scenes

Hundreds of parks, Mennonite pioneer houses and one of the largest Oktoberfests in North America make this city just outside of Toronto worth visiting.

Head southwest through Toronto’s surrounding farmland to reach the extensive twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Kitchener is the southernmost of the pair and features an array of parks, museums and historical sites. Once known as Berlin, Kitchener has a rich German heritage. Visit a heritage German house and try a local pilsner at the city’s fun-filled Oktoberfest.

Kitchener is known for its lush green spaces. Find nearly 220 parks in this leafy city, including golf courses, nature preserves and urban parks. During the winter, ski within the city limits at the Chicopee Ski and Summer Resort.

Victoria Park is Kitchener’s centrally located park. This park dates back to 1896 and its clock tower is one of the city’s essential heritage structures. The tower stood atop the now-demolished old city hall. Visit nearby Kitchener City Hall to see the modern civic building. Take the Iron Horse Trail by foot, bicycle or on horseback from Victoria Park into Waterloo Park, the main park of Kitchener’s twin city.

Learn about the history of Kitchener’s settlement and development at its interesting museums. The Joseph Schneider Haus is a history museum located inside the city’s oldest house, which was built in 1816 by a German Mennonite pioneer. Tour the interior to see period furnishings and German-Canadian folk art in the exhibition space. The Waterloo Region Museum provides details on the rest of Kitchener’s history, including the First Nations people who once lived here and the city’s prosperous manufacturing industry.

Visit Kitchener in October to see the city embrace its German heritage in one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in North America, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year. The 9-day festival culminates with Canada’s much-loved Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Drive an hour or take a 3-hour bus ride out of Toronto to reach Kitchener. Surrounded by farmland and dotted with idyllic green spaces, Kitchener is a peaceful respite from urban Toronto.

Where to stay in Kitchener

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Saint Jacobs

You'll enjoy the museums and riverfront in Saint Jacobs. You might want to make time for a stop at St. Jacobs Scoolhouse Theatre or Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario.

Saint Jacobs
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Elmira

Elmira is well-liked for its festivals. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Township of Woolwich area, you might plan a trip to West Montrose Covered Bridge or St. Jacobs Scoolhouse Theatre.

Elmira
Kitchener showing signage

Downtown Kitchener

While visiting Downtown Kitchener, you might make a stop by sights like Centre In The Square and Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.

Downtown Kitchener
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East Galt

While there might not be top attractions in East Galt, you can explore the larger area and discover places like McDougall Cottage and Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.

East Galt
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Rockwood

Travelers like the parks in Rockwood, and Rockwood Conservation Area is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Rockwood
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Ayr

If you're spending some time in Ayr, Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area is a top sight worth visiting.

Ayr
Quality Inn

Quality Inn

2.5 out of 5
2899 King St E, Kitchener, ON
The price is P4,088 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P4,088
P4,805 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,309 reviews)
"Love it and somehow they remember me"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Quality Inn
Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG

Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG

4 out of 5
105 King St E, Kitchener, ON
The price is P6,919 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
P6,919
P8,132 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,247 reviews)
"Definitely an older building right downtown but so grand, clean, bright and modern when you step into the lobby. Very busy at time of check-in, staff were friendly and quick. We would definitely stay here next time we are in the area."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs

2.5 out of 5
55 Benjamin Road, Township of Woolwich, ON
The price is P5,164 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P5,164
P6,069 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Township of Woolwich. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,017 reviews)
"Lovely hotel"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo

Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo

2 out of 5
99 Conestoga College Boulevard, Kitchener, ON
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.2/10 Good! (533 reviews)
"as said it was ok ! The elevators need to be replaced!"

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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