Kitchener

Travel Guide
Kitchener featuring a garden as well as an individual femail
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 St. Jacobs Scoolhouse Theatre or The Mennonite Story.

Elmira
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Ayr

Ayr might not have many top sights, but Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area and Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Ayr
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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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East Galt

While East Galt may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like McDougall Cottage and Galt Little Theatre.

East Galt
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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
Quality Inn
Quality Inn
2.5 out of 5
2899 King St E, Kitchener, ON
The price is RM328 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM328
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free parking, WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Overall good and safe environment"

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

Quality Inn
Kitchener Inn & Suites
Kitchener Inn & Suites
2.5 out of 5
4355 King Street E, Kitchener, ON
The price is RM434 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM434
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,341 reviews)
"Under renovation but will still return"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Kitchener Inn & Suites
Best Western Plus Cambridge Hotel
Best Western Plus Cambridge Hotel
2.5 out of 5
730 Old Hespeler Rd, Cambridge, ON
The price is RM448 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
RM448
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Property need updating and the main lobby smelt like smoke."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Best Western Plus Cambridge Hotel
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.
The Laundry Rooms Augusta Hamilton
The Laundry Rooms Augusta Hamilton
3 out of 5
18 Augusta St, Hamilton, ON
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (117 reviews)
"Such a nice place to stay. All the additional amenities in the room allowed me to cook a lot of my own meals, however the location has MANY great spots to eat near by. Great communication. Will certainly stay again."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

The Laundry Rooms Augusta Hamilton
Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo
Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo
2 out of 5
99 Conestoga College Boulevard, Kitchener, ON
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Kitchener. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (413 reviews)
"It was a nice service"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2023

Residence & Conference Centre - Kitchener Waterloo
Boardwalk Homes Executive Suites
Boardwalk Homes Executive Suites
4 out of 5
University Ave. & Fischer-Hallman, Waterloo, ON
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Waterloo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Waterloo Visitor & Heritage Information Centre and ...
7.6/10 Good! (13 reviews)
"The condo was truly beautiful. It is a great 2 bedroom apartment."

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2024

Boardwalk Homes Executive Suites
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kitchener

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
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4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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