Kitchener Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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

Rockwood
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Hespeler

Hespeler is well liked for its churches and riverfront. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory and Cambridge Golf Club are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

Hespeler
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Ayr

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

Ayr
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 AU$156 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$156
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,343 reviews)
"Very good staff. Excellent bar options. Had to change room due to issues in bathroom."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo by IHG
Quality Inn

Quality Inn

2.5 out of 5
2899 King St E, Kitchener, ON
The price is AU$109 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$109
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,399 reviews)
"Rooms were clean. Good room service."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Quality Inn
The Walper Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt

The Walper Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt

4 out of 5
20 Queen St S., Kitchener, ON
The price is AU$199 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$199
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Nice shower and comfortable bed."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

The Walper Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt
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.
Couples paradise! Calming space in downtown Elora.

Couples paradise! Calming space in downtown Elora.

Elora
Stay at this apartment in Elora. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Elora Gorge Conservation Area and Elora Mews ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
"Great location, had a great time, would recommend to anyone!"

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2025

Couples paradise! Calming space in downtown Elora.
Union Towers Condo with City Views and Patio

Union Towers Condo with City Views and Patio

Kitchener
Stay at this condo in Kitchener. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions St Jacobs Farmers Market and Kitchener Market ...
9/10 Wonderful! (13 reviews)
"Property is in a good location and is a good size and well laid out. The parking we found awkward because we our plat didnt seem to be entered so we ended up having to use the phone line provided to get the gate open each time which took a while."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Union Towers Condo with City Views and Patio
Elora Gingersnap rental

Elora Gingersnap rental

Elora
Stay at this condo in Elora. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Elora Gorge Conservation Area and Elora Mews ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
"A great spot in a great location."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Elora Gingersnap rental
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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