3 things to do in Waterloo Region for a fun Ontario day trip
It’s great to have an idea for an awesome day trip in your back pocket, especially on rainy days or between seasons. We’ve got just the ticket: try a quick visit to Ontario’s Waterloo Region. Many of the top things to do in Waterloo Region are open year-round and can be enjoyed in any weather. This means you can confidently plan a fun road trip to Waterloo Region all year long!
Waterloo Region includes the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge and the surrounding townships of Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich and North Dumfries. This destination is within an easy hour’s drive of the west end of the Greater Toronto Area. Here’s our road trip guide to spending a fun and family-friendly afternoon exploring Waterloo Region.
We’ve visited Waterloo Region many times, most recently on a trip hosted by Explore Waterloo Region. Have questions about planning your own day trip to Waterloo Region? Join our Facebook community!
Discover local treasures at St. Jacobs Farmers Market
St. Jacobs Farmers Market is the largest farmers market in Canada. It’s open year-round on Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. During the summer, the market is open on Tuesdays as well. This makes St. Jacobs Farmers Market a great destination in every season.
Inside the three large buildings and among the many stalls that line them, the market is a symphony for the senses. You’ll find colourful seasonal produce, fresh meats and cheeses, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, local products like honeys and jams, handmade artisan creations, local beer and wine, and much more.
Set aside at least two hours to give yourself plenty of time to explore, especially if this is your first visit. Bring a cooler along so you can safely transport your refrigerated finds!
Looking for even more farm-fresh cheesy fun? Check out the Oxford County Cheese Trail >
Find a tropical paradise at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Prepare to feel like you’ve landed in a fairy tale! Inside the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, hundreds of exotic butterflies flit through a curated jungle scape. Some blend into their surroundings like the leaves on the trees, and others create pops of blue, orange, yellow and green as they fly past. Add in basking turtles, a chorus of songbirds, and friendly chatter from Cheecho the green-cheeked conure parrot, and you’ll notice something new with every turn.
At the back of the conservatory, rows upon rows of chrysalis hang in the emergence window. As butterflies emerge, they stretch and dry their wings before taking their first flight. Here, staff members are on hand to answer questions. They can even bring out some of the conservatory’s many interesting insects for you to hold and see up close!
Two insect galleries are located outside the main conservatory, along with an on-site café and a beautiful gift shop. The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Note that timed tickets are required for entry and must be purchased in advance from the conservatory’s website.
The butterfly conservatory itself is kept very warm and humid to provide the best environment for the butterflies. If you’re visiting on a cold day, be sure to dress in layers so you can make use of the free coat check.
Fuel up after a busy day at Beertown Public House
When it’s time to grab some dinner after a busy day, head to Beertown Public House. This is now a well-known chain of restaurants across Southern Ontario, but the Cambridge location is the original!
Beertown has become famous for its well-executed classic pub fare and fantastic beer selection. It’s also a fabulous restaurant for people with special diets as it offers plant-based and celiac-safe gluten-friendly menu options, including dedicated fryers and plenty of desserts.
We started our meal with a massive plate of nachos, then dug into burgers, wings, and macaroni and cheese. We found a little bit of room for the sticky toffee pudding, which is to die for! Beertown Cambridge is a go-to and a must-visit when you’re exploring Waterloo Region.
Bonus things to do in Waterloo Region in fall and winter
If you’ll be visiting Waterloo Region during the autumn or winter, consider adding these seasonal stops to your itinerary.
See inside the Victorian mansion at Woodside National Historic Site
Woodside National Historic Site is a beautifully preserved Victorian-era mansion that was the boyhood home of Canada’s longest-serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King.
The wooded grounds and trails at this Parks Canada managed site are open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM year-round. If you visit between early October and mid-December, you can tour inside the home on Wednesdays through Sundays between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, Woodside National Historic Site is decorated for the holidays in traditional Victorian style. Be sure to check out the special events that run while the house is open such as holiday celebrations and murder mystery nights.
See a digital light show at Cambridge’s Old Post Office
From summer through to the holiday season, the City of Cambridge hosts a digital light show after dark on Thursday through Sunday evenings. These shows are projected onto the side of the Old Post Office in downtown Cambridge, and the content changes seasonally.
These all-ages shows can be viewed on their own, or you can park in the public lot across the street and tune your car’s radio to 92.5 FM to watch with choreographed music. Each show runs for 15 minutes and repeats every half hour.
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