THERE’S MAGIC IN THE SQUARE

Some city squares have a kind of magic to them, and Market Square is definitely one. Pretty in winter when ice skaters twirl, and sweet in summer when the rink turns into giant splash pad. At any time of year the historic limestone buildings make it a charming place to watch the world go by. The charm is partly by design — it’s a modern take on the original 1800s market district. Also, Market Square is home to Guelph’s impressive City Hall, live performances, and events including the annual fall Jazz Festival. Plus, there are plenty of tasty treats nearby, with downtown restaurants just steps away. (A few possible spots to choose from: Planet Bean Coffee, Eric the Baker, La Cucina, Eat Thai, and Rise and Shine Island Flavour.) Guelph, it should be noted, is serious about food! Not surprising given its agricultural roots and embrace of culinary diversity.

THE JUNCTION AND THE WARD

Two of Guelph’s most intriguing neighbourhoods are adjacent to downtown. To the east, it’s St. Patrick’s Ward and St. Georges (sometimes just called “The Ward”) with architecture ranging from war-time bungalows to stately Victorian homes. The Ward is also where you’ll find Guelph Little Theatre, which lives up to its slogan: a little theatre with big productions. GLT has a big history too, bringing outstanding amateur performances to theatre-goers since 1935. Next, head west to the Junction & Sunny Acres neighbourhood, the “junction” part of the name a nod to the former Guelph Junction Railway. You can see a living celebration of local railway history via “Blossom Junction,” a train made entirely of flowers. Also, don’t miss Heritage Hall nearby, current home of the Guelph Black Heritage Society. It holds a powerful history, having been built by former fugitive slaves who arrived via the Underground Railroad. Check the Heritage Society’s calendar for events that speak to that history through music, spoken word and more.

ARTS ON THE RIVER

The River Run is Guelph’s premiere performing arts centre, beautifully situated on the banks of the Speed River. The entrance alone is worth the visit with its copper wall a creation of Guelph artist Peter Johnston, and one that traces the history of those who’ve lived along the river from its earliest days. The centre itself opened in 1997, but a former inhabitant of the site, the Speed Skating Rink, provided entertainment of its own right. Once upon a time, orchestras played graceful waltzes as skaters circled the rink. Today, The River Run Centre is the place to go for a full range of performing arts including concerts, musicals, plays, dance and shows aimed at the whole family.

A WORLD OF TREES

Open from dawn ‘til dusk, the outdoor Arboretum is a living classroom for University of Guelph students and faculty but it’s also a relaxing place for all to stroll. The extensive gardens, forests and trails include thematic collections like Native Trees of Ontario, centred around the conservation of the province’s native woody plants. And “World of Trees” is truly that — more than 400 species of trees and shrubs that help connect the dots between the similarities and differences of the northern hemisphere’s woody plants. There are plenty of walking trail possibilities, including The Trillium, a loop through ten plant collections, and the Mtigwaaki, designed in collaboration with Anishinaabe elders, knowledge holders and environmental scientists to share an understanding of the forest from an Anishinaabek perspective.

ART IN THE GALLERY, ART IN THE GARDEN

The AGG is one of Canada’s leading galleries and sculpture parks, so naturally you’ll want to visit both. The only question is: where to start, inside or out? The Donald Forster Sculpture Park is the largest sculpture park at a public gallery in Canada, with diverse work by Canadian as well as international sculptors. Inside, there’s a strong focus on Indigenous and contemporary Canadian art, including a unique collection of Inuit drawings. Don’t miss the contemporary Canadian silver collection, the only one of its kind at a public gallery in Canada, and a top-notch showcase of the beautiful art of silversmithing.

“THE LARKS, STILL BRAVELY SINGING…”

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow…There is no more famous Canadian poem from the First World War — or possibly ever! Poet, doctor, and soldier John McCrae wrote it after a young friend died in the wake of the 1915 battle at Ypres, Belgium, not knowing the incredible impact his poem would have. Red poppies came to symbolize the soldiers who died during that war — including McCrae himself. McCrae House is the stone cottage where this extraordinary man was born in 1872, and it offers visitors a chance to learn more about the man behind the poem: from family life to his many medical and military accomplishments.

REFLECTION BY THE RIVER

A five-minute walk from McCrae House brings you to Royal City Park, an ideal place to contemplate all that’s come before. The Sacred Fire Space located here was created by local Indigenous peoples, and is used for spiritual gatherings of prayer, gratitude, and personal healing. Walk the park’s nearly five-kilometre recreational trail to discover another way of experiencing the tranquility of the riverside.

BREWTIFUL, SPIRITED GUELPH

Some around Guelph say that “beer built this town,” given the importance of early breweries to the city’s commerce. Perhaps most famous is Sleeman Breweries, which dates back to the late 19th century. Today, Guelph is famed for its craft beer, and you’ll find new favourites across the city including Brothers Brewing Company, Royal City Brewing Company, Fixed Gear, and Canada’s oldest independently owned microbrewery Wellington Brewery – all of which warmly welcome visitors. And if beer isn’t your thing, not to worry, Guelph is also home to two distilleries – Spring Mill Distillery and Dixon’s Distilled Spirits. Cheers!

GALLERY HOPPING IN PORT PERRY

Hard to think of a nicer lakeside spot than Port Perry with its Victorian-era downtown that brims with boutiques, restaurants, galleries and antique shops. (Its charm makes it a frequent film and TV shoot location.) Port Perry is also a base for festive goings on, including Theatre On The Ridge, The Dragon Boat Festival and the award-winning Port Perry Fair. Make time to gallery hop though, since there’s an abundance of possibilities: Meta4 Contemporary Craft Gallery, Croftbeg Studio/Gallery, and Kent Farndale Gallery, among others. Be sure to visit Scugog Arts, a community arts hub featuring cultural events, local art – including the work of artists from Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation – and more.

AN AFTERNOON IN THE PARK

Palmer Park is part of Port Perry’s appeal, a scenic waterfront right downtown. Perfect for a picnic, it’s also conveniently close to restaurants and cafés, including the lakeside Boathouse Grill, Piano Inn and Café, and The Pantry Shelf. Water is a theme, with a splash pad for the kids and plenty of folks fishing nearby. (In winter the lake is dotted with ice fishing huts.) Summer Saturday visitors will want to check out the Port Perry Lakefront Farmers’ Market for its local products and artisanal goods. Adjacent Bird’s Eye Park provides tranquil walks with stunning views of the lake.

VISIT THE VINES

Just a twelve minute drive south west of Port Perry you’ll find Durham Region’s only grape grower, with twenty-five varieties of fruit and six varieties of grapes. Ocala Winery & Orchard dates back to 1912, and you can still enjoy the century-old apple orchard — and maybe a wine tasting too. (If beer’s the thing, drop by local craft brewers, Old Flame Brewing Co. back in town.) Dinner in Port Perry is always a good option. A few popular spots include The Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Pickles and Olives Bistro, and Marwan’s Global Bistro.

GO TO TOWN (HALL) FOR ENTERTAINMENT

The Town Hall Theatre building has been a Port Perry landmark in the community throughout its century-and-a-half history. And what a history it is: it’s served as municipal town hall, fire station, courthouse, roller skating rink, undergarment factory, movie theatre, and, since the 1970s, a live performance venue. Today it’s a prime spot for award-winning plays and musicals, live jazz, blues and classic rock, comedy, improv, kids shows and more – check the events calendar for more. No wonder it’s considered the centre for performing arts in Durham Region.

ART IN THE VALLEY

Uxbridge Township is officially designated “The Trail Capital Of Canada,” given its 220 kilometers of managed trails. But the town of Uxbridge itself, located in an Oak Ridges Moraine valley, is also known for its art and artists, as a self-guided downtown walking tour reveals. Uxbridge also has a strong music history, with one of its earliest industries the Uxbridge Organ Co., established in 1872. Its legacy as a music town lives in in the Music Hall, known for excellent acoustics and beauty, its balcony graced by original opera chairs behind a carved iron railing. Should you need caffeination one favourite is The Bridge Social with its pithy slogan: “Coffee. Trails. Repeat.” Uxbridge is also chockablock with restaurants of all kinds, from tacos to sushi to deli to burgers, making it an ideal lunch stop.

THE TAJ MAHAL OF ONTARIO

The Taj Mahal in India, dating back to 1632, was the vision of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Thomas Foster Memorial, dating back to 1935, was the vision of one-time Uxbridge boy Thomas Foster, who’d visited the Taj Mahal and was inspired to construct his own mausoleum. Foster, who went from working as a butcher’s boy in Toronto to becoming the city’s mayor in 1925, left behind this eye-catching monument, a startling sight on a hilly road in rural Ontario. A beautiful one too, with marble, frescoes, stone pillars and stained glass. During summer months you can hear live music, from folk to jazz.

ANNE OF LEASKDALE

Beloved children’s book author Lucy Maud Montgomery is best known for Anne of Green Gables, set in Prince Edward Island. But she wrote 11 of her 22 published novels in Leaskdale (just north of Uxbridge) from 1911 to1926, where she lived with her minister husband and her sons. Today her husband’s church, St. Paul’s Presbyterian, is a museum filled with L.M. Montgomery memorabilia and the manse has been restored to reflect what it was like in the famous “Anne-with-an-e” author’s time. If you want to explore the area a little further, try driving the Leaskdale Loop, a 20 kilometre cornucopia of maple syrup, farm fresh vegetables, baked goods and local honey.

THE VILLAGES OF BROCK

Durham Region’s northernmost township is Brock, bordered by Lake Simcoe on the west and home to three distinct villages. Why not visit each one as you make your way to the shores of Lake Simcoe. Sunderland, in the midst of farmland, is home to the historic Sunderland Town Hall (1871), the hundred-plus years fall fair, and the popular Maple Syrup Festival. Cannington has both the charm of Victorian era architecture and the practicality of being a great jumping off point for hikers. Finally it’s Beaverton, where the Beaver River and Lake Simcoe meet. Cottagers and day trippers alike enjoy Beaverton’s harbour by summer, and winter months bring avid ice-fishers to its shores. Have a peek at The Old Stone Church, a modest yet striking building from the mid-nineteenth century, and one of the few original stone churches in Canada.

LET THEM ENTERTAIN YOU

Local theatre with a heartfelt motto: “Let Us Entertain You,” The Beaverton Town Hall Players put on concerts, musicals, comedies and dramas in the restored 1910 town hall-turned-performance space (check for dates and times before visiting). Boasting a friendly, intimate atmosphere, the theatre group’s mix of professional and amateur players has delighted audiences for the past three decades.

POWERED BY WATER (AND APPLE CIDER)

Alternatively, spend the first half of the day out at Tyrone Mills. For over 170 years Tyrone Mills (a thirteen minute drive north of Bowmanville) has served as a grist, flour and lumber mill. Today, it still uses water power for lumber manufacturing and flour production. Take a tour of the mill or sample local wares and baked goods (apple cider donuts, anyone?). Speaking of apples, en route to the mill drop by Archibald’s Estate Winery, specializing in apple wine recipes. Discover the many temptations of apple-based wines, from sweet to dry, in a complimentary tasting.

NOSH IN OSHAWA

Opened in 2021 in a downtown Oshawa landmark, the former RBC building, URBN MRKT has quickly become a favourite spot, with tasty snacks ranging from Korean barbeque to classic Quebec poutine. It’s the place to shop for farm-fresh local produce and artisanal products — more an experience than a stroll through your average grocery store! If a sit-down restaurant’s your thing, downtown Oshawa has plenty on offer, including Street MoMo’s Indian-Asian cuisine or The White Apron’s “comfort classics.”

BOOKEND YOUR DAY WITH ART…

Visit Oshawa’s Robert McLaughlin Gallery, known for the most extensive collection in Canada of the Painters Eleven — Ontario abstract painters who helped popularize the art form. While the gallery’s main focus has historically leaned European-ward, you’ll also find striking work by Indigenous artists. As for the gallery’s name, it’s a tip of the hat to the founder of what became General Motors Canada. (The auto baron’s former residence, The Parkwood Estate, also makes for an interesting visit.) The RMG itself was expanded in 1987 by famed architect Arthur Erickson, who created its dramatic, light-filled lobby.
…OR BOOKEND YOUR DAY WITH HISTORY

Oshawa is sometimes viewed as the eastern anchor of the Greater Toronto Area, and it’s rich with history. For example, the automotive legacy — it’s historically known as Canada’s Motor City, as a visit to the Canadian Automotive Museum demonstrates. You’ll find another significant vehicle display at the Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum, with the largest collection of military vehicles in North America. To learn about the history of Oshawa residents, including the area’s Indigenous past and the history of its Black population (the latter dating back to at least 1850), head for the Oshawa Museum, nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario.

THE OLDEST HOUSE IN DURHAM

Whitby is home to the Lynde House, named for Jabez Lynde, a United Empire Loyalist who served in the war of 1812. During that time his home became an inn, a tavern, and a supply depot where the British and First Nations militia could load up heading to battle. Since then the house has moved twice (with thousands lining the streets to watch) to its current location. In summer, savour Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden, with plantings typical of the 1800s — chamomile, calendula, yara, savoury and the like. Or drop into the little brick building next door, the Warren General Store, for gifts, home décor and sweet treats.

ART IN THE GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY STATION

Arts and culture abound in the region, and the Station Gallery has been celebrating that fact since 1967 when passionate arts enthusiasts opened the first community gallery. Next, they bought the local Grand Trunk Railway Station (for a dollar — it was slated for demolition) and made it the gallery’s new home. Today the renovated station features exhibitions by emerging, mid-career and established artists, as well as classes, workshops, performances and special events, making it “a champion of all things empowering and creative.”

WEND YOUR WAY ALONG THE WATERFRONT TRAIL

Before exploring Ajax’s impressive 400 hectares of open space, parks, playgrounds and conservation areas, consider a lunch stop. Two possibilities: The Portly Piper for classic pub fare, or Maimana Naan & Kabab for its cultural crossroads of Afghani, Indian, Greek and Iranian-inspired cuisine. After that, yes to exercise! No better place than the Waterfront Trail, winding through Ajax’s lovely parks. Along the way, linger at Veteran’s Point Gardens. It’s a contemplative spot where you can absorb the history of Ajax and World War ll, and its intriguing design conjures up the shape of a ship.

RELAXING IN THE VILLAGE

Frenchman’s Bay is home to the unique waterfront community of Pickering Nautical Village. Between the beach, the boardwalk, and the boat launch there’s something for everyone. (Including a splash pad, swings and slides for the kids.) Open Studio Art Café has live art (life drawing) and live music (open mics and concerts). Dining choices range from North American bistro fare at Port, with waterfront views, the Mexican-inspired Chúuk, and Zeera By The Bay for traditional Indian food. (Note too that Pickering is home to mouth-watering Caribbean deliciousness, found at Beryl’s Pepper Pot, Roti N’Ting and Yardies Carribean Cuisine, among others.) For afters consider GrandDad’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour, home to every conceivable flavour of Ontario favourites: Kawartha Dairy, Chapman’s, and Central Smith.

BE ENTERTAINED IN A FORMER CHURCH…OR BARN

Have a look at what’s on at St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts & Culture or the Herongate Barn Theatre. St. Francis, built in 1871, is an excellent example of High Victorian Gothic church architecture. It’s also an excellent example of a state-of-the-art performance space for music, theatre and comedy. A fifteen-minute drive away you’ll find another unique entertainment setting: Herongate Barn Theatre, housed in a century-old dairy farm. Dine in a former bull pen or hay manger then head up to the renovated loft for laughs or gasps — the Herongate specializes in staged comedies and mysteries. Check the event calendars to keep up with the wide variety of events at these venues.