Summer Fun In Guelph On A Budget

It's finally summer here in the Royal City. And it's about time too! After two very damp and much cooler summers, we're due for some hot weather. Summer, can also be expensive. The financial cost of going out and doing things in the nicer weather can add up. We here at Visit Guelph came up with a list of fun things to do if you're in Guelph for the summer but you're on a budget. After all, having fun doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money! 

Movies in the Square

The family favourite Movies in the Square is back again this summer! This year's movies include Minions, Big Hero 6, The Avengers, and How To Train Your Dragon. Seating is BYOC (bring your own chair) and first come first served. Don't forget the snacks!

Check out the new skate park

Guelph finally has an outdoor skate park! Located across from the old OPP station, where the volleyball courts on Wellington Street used to be, the new skate park is already proving to be popular. It's always buzzing with activity when I drive by! Check out this awesome 360 video of the new skate park! 

Play a round of disc golf at the Arboretum

Admission to the Arboretum is free and the disc golf course is open to the public without reservations. Challenge your friends to see who can get the best score! 

Grab a copy of Ispy

After last year's successful relaunch, the Ispy challenge is back again this year. This year's theme encourages people to explore their own city in a way they might not have before. Grab a copy of Ispy from your local library branch, the brochure racks at the Civic Museum, or download a copy to print at home. Bring your completed card to the main branch of the library any time in August for a prize!

Go for a hike or bike ride

Guelph is covered in hiking trails. Many of the trails in town are level and easily accessible. Some are even paved! Don your favourite pair of walking shoes, grab a friend, and hit the trail. You can literally walk from Clair Road all the way up to Guelph Lake on the trails!

Canada Day at Riverside Park

Always a hugely popular event, admission does require a small donation to the Rotary Club of Guelph. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family, and the money does go to local charities. Canada Day in the Park has events going on all day for people of all ages.

John Galt Day

John Galt Day is a family friendly event that takes place over the Civic holiday weekend in August. Carden Street is shut down to traffic and open to fun. Run through the splash pad or check out the live entertainment. Admission to the civic museum will also be free that day! 

Grand River Raceway's Weenie Race

It was such a big hit last summer, they're doing it again this year! Take the short drive north to Grand River Raceway on July 8th to watch the second annual Wiener Dog Races. Hilarity will unfold as dachshunds race to their owners on the finish line. Last year's champion, Junebug, has entered again to defend his title! There are no losers at this event, only wieners! 

You Know You're From Guelph When...

• You've had to explain to someone how to pronounce 'Guelph' 

The spelling and pronunciation of Guelph don't correlate. If they did, we would still be spelling Guelph as 'Gwelf'. English is not the most concise language and likes to throw in extra and silent letters for fun to mess with us. At some point over time, the spelling of the name changed, but the pronunciation stayed the same. Trying to explain to someone how to pronounce 'Guelph' can sometimes be a challenge, though often an entertaining one.

• You've used Church of our Lady as a point of reference for getting around town or giving directions

Admit it, we've all done it. There are still bi-laws on the books that say that no buildings can be higher than the church. Whether or not that will still be the case in the future as more condo buildings are built in the downtown area, remains to be seen. Still, it is nice to know that our skyline is unique and that our most iconic building can be seen from most parts of town.

Peek-a-boo!

• If you don't know everyone in town, you know someone who does

Even though the population of the city is almost 130,000, Guelph still has that small town feel to it. My best friend's grandfather was the youngest of ten children, and because of that we're always running into people she knows when we go out. If your family has been in Guelph for a few generations, the chances are pretty good that you're going to know a lot of people. The Six Degrees of Guelph is a real thing, just ask someone who's been here for a while!

Whether or not you can connect to Kevin Bacon is another thing all together

• You're curious what the Begging Bear is dressed up as when you walk or drive by

The Begging Bear has become such an iconic part of Guelph, that we're always curious how he'll be dressed up. When the students are around, almost every day it's something different, so it comes as a surprise to us when he's not dressed up! During the summer months, he spends a bit more time aux natural, but that doesn't mean we're not curious what look he'll be sporting next!

He's quite the fashionista

• The sight of heavy farm equipment on the road doesn't phase you

You don't have to drive very far out of Guelph to find farm land. Because of that, it's not uncommon to occasionally find the farm equipment driving around on city roads. While we usually see it more in the winter to help with snow removal, it's not uncommon to see the occasional tractor on our roads. Getting around them on roads with a solid yellow line, mind you, can be a challenge!

• You know we were the largest community in the country without a Walmart for a very long time

For a very long time, Guelph had no Walmart. Soon, we'll have two. The battle to get a Walmart into the city lasted ten years and cost millions of dollars. It was a very polarizing issue. People who were pro-Walmart, were tired of driving over to Cambridge. Those who were anti-Walmart argued environmental concerns, and that Walmart would destroy local businesses. Eventually the big box store won out, and while there was some protest on opening day, we haven't heard much since.

• You can name several famous or well-known Guelphites

Guelph has other famous people besides John McCrae. One of the city's best known Guelphites is an American who didn't move here until 1975! Robert Munsch, author of childhood favourites including The Paper Bag Princess, and Love You Forever, initially moved here to work at the university, but eventually left to focus on his writing full time. He is the recipient of the Order of Canada, and has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Not bad for someone who almost became a Jesuit priest!

Other well known Guelphites include Olympian Victor Davis, author Jean Little, and actress Neve Campbell. Olympian and athlete Cassie Campbell attended the University of Guelph from 1992 to 1996, and is an honorary Guelphite!

• You might have put your arm in a cow's stomach at College Royal 

The University of Guelph's College Royal, is the largest university open house in North America. Started back in 1925, College Royal is a 12 day long event that is 100% student run. There are a lot of events happening over that 12 day period, but it is also an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at the OVC. It's a rare opportunity to take a look at some of the animals that the university works with, including the cannulated cows. The cows aren't always available to the public to see and if they are, be sure to take the opportunity to check it out. If you're brave enough, put your arm inside one. Be careful though! It's a bit smelly! Mike Rowe demonstrates how it's done

It's weird, but interesting

Top 10 Place to Take a #Guelphie This Summer

It's Tourism Week once again here at 1 Carden. One of the several things we're doing this year to promote tourism within the city, is encouraging people to take a #Guelphie and post it to social media using the hashtag. Where is the perfect place to take a #Guelphie? Anywhere in Guelph! We do, however, have a few favourites and recommendations to get you started. Read on!

With the Begging Bear 
With almost a thousand followers on Twitter, Guelph's Begging Bear is certainly one of the more vocal members of the Guelph statuary community. Dressing up the bear to advertise community events, or just because you can, is a big part of life in Guelph. Particularly for the University of Guelph students. We're always curious as to how he'll be dressed when we walk or drive by. Located at the bus stop at the Art Gallery of Guelph, the Begging Bear is highly accessible and loves taking selfies with anyone who wants one. And unlike Justin Bieber, he never says no!










At Hillside
The Hillside Festival is often ranked among one of the top ten music festivals in the country. Every year thousands of festival goers flock to the island at Guelph Lake to listen to live music over a three days weekend at this multistage venue. Now in its 32nd year, Hillside has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a one day free event in Riverside Park that promised an "11 hour celebration for all the ages." In addition to being one of the top festivals in the country, Hillside is also praised as one of the greenest music festivals. Every year, over 1200 people volunteer their time to work tirelessly to help keep the conservation area clean and tidy for everyone's enjoyment.

Painting Pottery at Play with Clay
Located in St. Georges Square, Play with Clay has become a fixture among downtown Guelph. It's a popular place for people of all ages. At any given time, you can find children's birthday parties, grandparents with their grandchildren, and couples on dates. They have hundreds of unfinished pottery items to choose from, that you then paint however you want. The friendly staff take care of the glazing process and you pick up your art a week later. Want to do more? Play with Clay offers pottery classes for adults, and pottery camps for teens and children.

Playing a game at the Round Table
Relatively new to the Royal City, the Round Table Gaming Tavern is quickly becoming a hot spot. With a library of over 300 games, the Round Table has games for everyone, regardless of what you enjoy playing. No tavern would be complete without food and drink, and the Executive Chef has you covered. With unique, geeky twists on classics snacks, such as Shredder's Nachos or the Dark Side Brownie, you won't go hungry while you try to win at Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, or whichever game suits your fancy. So come, sit, eat, and drink, as you enjoy an evening of fun and merriment. And be sure to snap your #Guelphie with Kilgharrah, the resident dragon!

Enjoying the splash pad at Market Square
The splash pad at Market Square is a multi season venue. In the winter it doubles as an ice rink. In the summer months, the splash pad is a great place to beat the heat. Grab some ice cream from Sweet, or Gelato from Planet Bean, kick off your shoes, and wade through the cooling waters. You'll feel much better!









At Ribfest
Ribfest is one of Guelph's most popular festivals. Every August, for three days, Riverside Park is transformed into Ribberside Park. Vendors from across the province turn up with their smokers and custom sauces to compete in various categories that the public votes on. In addition to the ribs, there is also a classic car show and an entire lineup of musicians to entertain you while you eat. It's the yummiest three days at Riverside, by far!






At one of the many festivals 
Guelph plays host to many festivals besides Hillside. There's the Dance Festival (which is coming up this weekend), the Jazz Festival, and Guelph Music Fest, to name a few. The festivals in Guelph and the surrounding area are a great way to get out into the community, meet new people, or volunteer your time. There's a festival out there for everyone!









At Movie Night in the Square

Not only is Market Square used in all seasons, it's also multi purpose! Every summer, in July and August, a giant screen is erected twice a month and family friendly movies are shown for for free for all to enjoy. This year's movies include Minions, Big Hero 6, The Avengers, and How to Train Your Dragon. So grab a lawn chair, some snacks and a blanket, get nice and cozy, and enjoy a relaxing evening!





While enjoying the sun at Guelph Lake

The conservation area at Guelph Lake has both day use, and over night use facilities. The warm sandy beaches are perfect for sandcastles and to dig your toes into, while the cool water of the lake will be refreshing on a hot summer day. Located only a five minute drive north of Guelph, the Guelph Lake conservation area is the perfect place to take a summer #Guelphie!










With a donkey from the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
Located just south of Guelph, lies the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, a quiet farm that is home to almost 100 donkeys and mules, as well as several goats, and at one point, a llama! As this is a working farm, the sanctuary is only open on Sundays May 1 to October 30, and on Wednesdays in July and August. Still, there is lots to see and do! Be sure to stop by the on site learning centre to learn about all the care and work that goes into keeping these gentle animals happy and healthy, as well as the difference between a donkey, mule, and a hinny! You can also take the opportunity to brush the animals. And they'll never say no to a #Guelphie!


We want to know: Where is your favourite place in town to snap a #Guelphie? Let us know in the comments, and share your pictures with us, using the #Guelphie hastag!