If you’ve ever met someone from Guelph, there’s a solid chance they tried to convince you it’s one of the best cities in Ontario. And you know what? They’re not wrong.

I’ve lived in Guelph most of my life — long enough to remember when the Stone Road Mall felt like a destination and when Market Square used to host Friday night skate parties. These days, Guelph’s still got that “small city with a big soul” energy. We’re a mix of students, artists, families, and farmers, all woven into one community that knows how to keep things real.

So if you’ve got a weekend to spare or a curiosity about where the locals like to hang, here’s a guide to the Guelph I know and love — starting right by the river.

Royal City Park & The Covered Bridge: Slow Moments on Speed Dial

One of my favorite things to do — especially on a Saturday morning — is grab a coffee from Red Brick Café and wander down to Royal City Park. The trails here wrap along the Speed River and lead you through shady trees, open green spaces, and the city’s iconic Covered Bridge.

The bridge is a wooden beauty that looks like it belongs in a fairytale — or at least a wedding photo shoot. You’ll find joggers, cyclists, and the occasional busker strumming guitar chords that echo just right under the beams. It’s peaceful here. The kind of place that makes your shoulders drop a little.

Bring a book, toss a blanket down, and you’ll see why so many Guelphites consider this spot their happy place.

Downtown Guelph: The Heartbeat

Downtown Guelph is where the old meets the new, and it works so well. You’ve got 19th-century limestone buildings lining the streets, paired with coffee shops, plant stores, indie bookstores, and restaurants that feel more like hangouts than dining rooms.

The Bookshelf is one of my staples — part bookstore, part cinema, part café — it’s a Guelph institution. I’ve seen poetry slams in the back room, grabbed late-night pizza after film screenings, and stocked up on more than a few guilty pleasure novels from their shelves.

Then there’s Miijidaa Café + Bistro, where you’ll get modern Canadian food with Indigenous roots and local ingredients. I had a smoked trout bannock dish there that genuinely made me pause mid-bite. It’s thoughtful food, beautifully plated, without a hint of pretension.

And just down the street? Wellington Brewery and Royal City Brewing Co., two local breweries that keep the taps flowing and the patios packed. Guelph is a beer city, full stop — and it shows in the pride behind every pint.

Market Mornings & Garden Days

Every Saturday, Guelph’s Farmers’ Market brings the city together in the most wholesome way possible. It’s been around since 1827, and it still has that community-first feeling. You’ll see everything from organic kale and homemade soaps to butter tarts, fresh pierogis, and local honey (shoutout to the guy with the cinnamon honey — you’re doing the Lord’s work).

Right nearby, you’ll find Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House, the childhood home of John McCrae — yes, thatJohn McCrae who wrote In Flanders Fields. Both museums give you a deeper sense of the city’s roots without feeling like a history lecture.

And if you’re craving more green? Head to the University of Guelph Arboretum. It’s open to the public, and it’s a peaceful maze of forests, meadows, and tree collections from around the world. Bird watchers love it. So do couples on long walks. So do I.

Music, Festivals & Backyard Energy

There’s a chill, artistic current running through Guelph — you can feel it in the music, the murals, and the spontaneous performances that pop up at random. If you’re in town during Hillside Festival, you’re in for a treat: it’s a weekend of music, art, environmental love, and dancing barefoot in the grass. Pure joy.

Even when there’s no event, Guelph has this "backyard party with all your favorite people" energy. It’s never flashy, but it’s always authentic.

You can grab tacos from La Reina, catch a local band at Silence Sounds, then end the night sipping wine under string lights at Atmosphere Café. Guelph nights are low-key, laughter-filled, and full of people who genuinely enjoy where they are.

Final Thoughts: Guelph Grows on You (Fast)

It’s easy to overlook Guelph if you’re scanning a map. We’re not Toronto-big or Muskoka-famous. But that’s the point. Guelph isn’t here to show off — it’s here to welcome you in.

It’s the kind of city where baristas remember your name, where the river invites you to pause, and where every weekend offers a chance to connect — with nature, with neighbors, or just with yourself.

So if you’re in Ontario and looking for a place that’s just the right mix of charming, curious, and chill… make your way to Guelph. You might come for the day, but don’t be surprised if you start browsing real estate “just for fun.”