Hi there!
On this page you'll find a list of various fun activities unique to our local area. This is by no means an exhaustive list and if you find anything that you really enjoyed let us know about it!
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
Address: 878 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9
From their website:
“The St. Jacobs Market District is home to the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the largest year-round indoor/outdoor farmers’ market in Canada. Established in 1975 and one of the Region of Waterloo’s most beloved attractions, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market welcomes more than one million visitors each year. Located just down the road from the historic Village of St. Jacobs and several other day trip worthy destinations including Waterloo Central Railway and Drayton’s St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, the area is known for its Mennonite heritage and authentic rural experience. The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market is open Thursday's and Saturdays year-round and for ten Tuesdays in the summer months. Most of the other establishments in the area including the St. Jacobs Outlet Mall and Market Road Antiques are open 7 days a week.”
Check out more on their website
(Photo is of the main vendor building from their website)
Elmira Farmers Market
Address: 384 Arthur St. S., Elmira, ON N3B 2P6
This cute farmer’s market is just one of the things that make Elmira so special. Every Saturday during the warm season, local vendors from the area come to sell their fresh produce and baked goods. Stop by from 8am-1:30pm, between May and October, for a true taste of small town Ontario.
For more information, check out their website
(Photo from their Facebook)
Market Road Antiques
Address: 845 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2V 1V8
From their website:
“Market Road Antiques is a 20,000 square foot indoor destination antique mall with over 100 antique dealer booths under one roof in a bright, clean facility with friendly, knowledgeable staff. Featuring quality furniture, glassware, tools, estate jewelry, collectibles, art and books, vintage clothing, toys, and more. Open every day with new merchandise arriving daily.”
Check out more on their website
(Photo from Explore Waterloo Region)
Woolwich Memorial Centre
Address: 24 Snyder Ave S, Elmira, ON N3B 1Z1
The Woolwich Memorial Centre is a multi-sport recreation facility comprising two NHL-sized ice surfaces, two pools, a fitness centre, and a walking track. Go for a skate, swim, get in a quick workout, or catch a hockey game. There’s always something to do here!
Information on pricing and opening hours can be found on their website
(Photo from Woolwich Township)
The Mennonite Story
Address: the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Log House (878 Weber St N, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9)
Curious about Mennonite culture in the region? Well, you wouldn’t be the first. Before its establishment in 1979, Old Order Mennonites found trouble in tourists being shocked at their culture and, thus, taking their pictures or disturbing their religious practices (such as walking unexpectedly into meeting houses during ceremonies). The Mennonite Story was established as a place where Mennonite culture and history could be shared with everyone in a respectful, fun, and creative way. A great experience for anyone wanting to know more about the rich culture of the Mennonites!
More info and where to buy tickets
(Photo from The Village of St. Jacobs)
Waterloo Central Railway
Address: 330 Farmers Market Rd, St. Jacobs, ON N2V 1K8 (Farmers’ Market Station)
From their website:
“Waterloo Central Railway is a heritage railway offering historic [and scenic] passenger train rides between Northfield Drive in Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the village of St. Jacobs and the town of Elmira. We are proudly operated by the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS), a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization. All ticket proceeds go to supporting operations and restoration programs that our volunteers complete at our restoration and maintenance facility in St. Jacobs.”
Learn more at their website
(Photo from Wikipedia)
Local Theatre
Elmira Theatre Company
Address: 60 Arthur St S, Elmira, N3B 2M9, Wyatt Street entrance.
From their website:
“Elmira Theatre Company, as a vibrant community group, exists to promote diverse theatrical opportunities through a commitment to skills development and artistic excellence.”
For more info on upcoming shows, check out their website
(Photo from their website)
St. Jacobs Playhouse
Address: 40 Benjamin Rd E, Waterloo, Ontario N2V 2J9
From their website:
“Located in the heart of the Market District, bordering the city of Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse is a source of tremendous pride for the community. Operating year-round, this venue features turn-of-the-century masonry and heavy timber character associated with traditional Mennonite architecture. The outdoor courtyard is a tranquil place to gather before the show or during intermission.”
For more information on shows, check out their website
For more information on shows produced by the Drayton Entertainment Company (the parent organization that owns St. Jacobs Playhouse), check out their website
(Photo from Ultimate Ontario)
Drayton Festival Theatre
Address: 33 Wellington St. S., Drayton, ON N0G 1P0
From their website:
“The Drayton Festival Theatre is a renovated 1902 Opera House, boasting wonderful acoustics. This former Town hall has a rich history of entertaining audiences with the finest talent in professional theatre.”
For more information on shows and tickets, check out their website
(Photo from Drayton Entertainment)
Outdoor Activities
Kissing Bridge Trailway & Kissing Bridge
Address: Woolwich, ON N3B 1Z9 (Elmira entrance parking lot)
1 Covered Bridge Dr., West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0 (Kissing Bridge location)
This 45km trail that runs straight from Millbank to Guelph takes you through beautiful mennonite country. A beautiful trail to take a walk at any point of the day (personally, though, sunrise is the best time to go). If you’re not feeling up for a long-winded hike to the kissing bridge, we definitely suggest driving out to take a look. As one of the last and oldest covered bridges in Canada, it gets its name from the fact that horse and buggy riders were offered a rare chance to share a kiss under the privacy offered by the bridge. Today, locals and tourists alike still visit the historic bridge to share a kiss with their loved ones, as it’s said to bring good luck!
(Photo from Wikipedia)
Kate’s Place (Gore Park)
Address: 18-42 First St. W., Elmira, ON N3B 1G4
Great park built by volunteers at Kate’s Kause, a charitable organization that works towards Angelman Syndrome awareness and creating a more inclusive community for all children.
(Photo from Accessible Playgrounds Ontario)
Bolender Park
Address: 38 Church St. E., Elmira, ON N3B 1M5
Great park featuring an accessible play structure and splash pad.
(Photo from Accessible Playgrounds Ontario)
Elora Gorge
Address: 7400 Wellington County Rd 21, Elora, ON N0B 1S0
From their website:
“The Elora Gorge is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural areas in the Grand River valley. The Grand River rushes past 22-metre high cliffs. Riverside trails (with safety barriers) and scenic overlooks provide hikers with stunning views of the water far below where kayakers and tubers make their way through the rapids.”
There are other fun activities if hiking is not your thing such as white water tubing in the gorge or going for a swim at the Elora Quarry.
For more information on tickets and open season, check out the Grand River Conservation Authority Website
(Photo from Wikipedia)
Conestogo Lake Conservation Area
Address: 6580 Wellington County Rd. 11, Moorefield, ON N0B 2S0
From their website:
“Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is located in the heart of Mennonite Country. It offers visitors the chance to camp, boat, sail, waterski, canoe and fish on a y-shaped reservoir that stretches six kilometres up each arm. The reservoir is created by Conestogo Dam, which has a viewing area providing a unique vista of the river and surrounding forests and farms.”
For more information on open season and outdoor recreational activities, check out their website
(Photo from Conservation Ontario)
Woolwich Trails Group
From their website:
“Founded in 1992, the Woolwich Trails Group promotes hiking and biking on trails for health, recreation and as a low-impact transportation alternative. The group is also involved in trail maintenance and development. The Township boasts more than 10 public trails totaling more than 100 kilometers. Trail uses in the Township include walking, running, cycling, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling where designated. Our volunteers lead organized hikes between March and November. We also distribute A Guidebook to Woolwich Trails which includes maps and descriptions of all the local trails.”
For more trail information, check out their website
(Photo from Woolwich Healthy Communities)
Elora Zipline & Canopy Tours
Address: 140 Victoria Cr., Elora, ON N0B 1S0
From their website:
“Jump off of our 200-foot zipline and rappel down 80 feet directly into Elora’s Grand River. Learn how to safely rappel side-by-side with our experienced and trained instructors. Zipline and rappel as often as you like until 4pm. End the day with face-first ziplining.”
For more information, check out their website
(Photo from Tripadvisor)
Elora Rapids Inc.
Address: 29 David St. W., Elora, ON N0B 1S0
Discover the stunning Elora Gorge and Ontario’s largest river, the Grand River, like never before. Enjoy Kayaking tours or tubing in an experience not to be missed.
For more information, check out their website
(Photo from Narcity)
As well, for more info on other fun activities in the area, be sure to check out these helpful links from Explore Waterloo:
https://explorewaterloo.ca/area/township-of-woolwich/
https://explorewaterloo.ca/about/township-of-woolwich/