Things to Do in Kitchener, Ontario
Discover All that Kitchener Has to Offer
Let The Walper Hotel be your home base for discovering all the Kitchener, Ontario region has to offer. There is never a shortage of fun things to do in Kitchener and across Waterloo Region, and many of the best are just a short walk or drive away. The hotel is walking distance from the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Centre in the Square, Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts and THEMUSEUM. Or, take a short drive to The University of Waterloo, The University of Wilfrid Laurier and Conestoga College.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE DINING SCENE
Enjoy exceptional contemporary cuisine in Downtown Kitchener, inside and outside of the hotel. Our boutique hotel is home to a highly skilled team of culinary experts, who design, prepare and serve the onsite offerings including breakfast in our Barrister's Lounge and dinner in TWH Social, and custom menus for couples in our stunning wedding venues.
TWH Social Bar | Bistro
Located in the geographic, cultural and social hub of the Waterloo Region, TWH Social is our farm-to-table restaurant for dining enthusiasts who seek forward-thinking, conciously sourced and seasonally inspired food and drinks. Experience warm, personal service in an upscale casual atmosphere.
Downtown Dining
Downtown Kitchener, or "DTK" as the locals call it, is home to a fantastic collection of restaurants featuring food from across the globe, unique bars and nightclubs, and even a hidden speakeasy... all within a short walk from The Walper Hotel. Just a short drive away, Waterloo, Ontario also offers many restaurant options, ranging from fine dining to casual eateries to late-night fun. Just a 20 minute drive from the hotel, visit the Village of St. Jacobs to get a glimpse of Mennonite culture and unique shops & restaurants.
We're committed to making your visit the best one possible, so when you book with The Walper Hotel, we are delighted to provide suggestions on the best restaurants, top entertainment venues and other interesting things to do in Kitchener and surrounding areas.
ATTRACTIONS
Below, you will find some of our favorite attractions and things to do in Kitchener.
Distance from hotel: 250 meters
The best shops, theaters, restaurants and nightlife are just steps from our front door. Stroll into downtown Kitchener and find out why “Awesome Happens Here” isn’t just a catchphrase.
Distance from hotel: A Hop, Skip + A Jump!
THEMUSEUM is directly across from us on King Street!
The current feature exhibition "ALARM" focuses on Climate Change and explores ecological change at the intersection of science, technology and art. Additional exhibitions include: Beauty in Islamic Art and Land Back Camp: Our Voices.
For hours and events calendar please visit THEMUSEUM website here
Distance from hotel: Right beside THEMUSEUM!
Home to the Kitchener Symphony, this state-of-the-art venue stages an astounding array of theatrical, musical and dance performances throughout the year.
Hours: Currently closed due to COVID-19
Distance from hotel: 700 meters
“KWAG,” as it’s known to art lovers near and far, is the region’s leading contemporary public art gallery. In addition to exhibiting the works of regional, national and international artists, the gallery offers educational programs, specialized workshops and more.
Hours of operation may vary.
Distance from hotel: 700 meters
One of the world's most renowned acoustic spaces is only a walk way! For more than 30 years, the Kitchener-Waterloo area’s leading performing arts venue has hosted performances ranging from Melissa Etheridge and the Barenaked Ladies to Blue Man Group, Broadway musicals, The Nutcracker, and beloved children’s entertainers The Wiggles.
BOX OFFICE
519 578 1570 or 1 800 265 8977
Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Summer Hours (2 July to Labour Day):
Monday to Friday: 10AM – 5PM
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Distance from hotel: 2.5 kilometers
This multi-use arena is home to Kitchener’s OHL Hockey team, the Rangers, and stages ice shows, concerts, dog shows and more.
For event info and hours of operation please call the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Box Office.
519-578-1570
Distance from hotel: 8.2 kilometers
For nearly 80 years, this popular winter and summer resort offers skiing, snowboarding, summer camps, tennis, beach volleyball and more!
Guest Services Hours:
Guest Services is open for you: to pick up your Memberships/Passes/Cards, Lesson Tags, book your Private Lesson, sell you a gift card or offer free smiles!
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Lift Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
PLEASE NOTE: Chicopee reserves the right to close a portion or part of its operation, without notice, due to weather or slowdowns in business.
Distance from hotel: 11.9 kilometers
Located an hour outside of Toronto, the nearby countryside is home to many local farmers and crafters who bring their products to this iconic market. Since 1975, visitors have enjoyed St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market where over 300 vendors gather each week inside three main buildings and in an outdoor area that swells as the growing season progresses.
HOURS:
St. Jacob's Market:
Open Thursday and Saturday, year-round (7 am – 3:30 pm)
Market Road Antiques:
Open daily (10 am – 6 pm)
St. Jacob's Outlets:
Monday – Friday (9:30 am to 9:00 pm)
Saturday (8:30 am to 6:00 pm)
Sunday (Noon to 5:00 pm)
Distance from hotel: 1 kilometer
Looking for a thrilling adventure? Choose your team size for your best escape rooms experience! All escape games are unique in that they are not created based on specific themes or storylines, but for the puzzles contained within them. All escape rooms are neutral in theme in order to appeal to, and be appropriate for, all players.
Open Monday - Sunday from Noon to 11:00 pm
Distance from the hotel: 12.4 kilometers
Situated on a 107 acre site which includes the environmentally-sensitive Kossuth Bog, the 25,000 square foot facility includes a 10,800 square foot indoor tropical garden featuring 1000’s of free flying butterflies from all over the world, over 100 different varieties of tropical plants, waterfalls, streams, reflecting pools, tropical finches, Chinese painted quails and red-eared slider turtles.
Open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Last entry at 4:00 pm)
Distance from the hotel: 3.5 kilometers
Celebrate the diversity of Canada's contemporary clay, glass, and copper enamel artists with dynamic exhibitions representing Canada's landscape and touching on contemporary issues.
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Distance from the hotel: 11 kilometers
Homer Watson was Canada's first notable landscape painter, even selling his pieces to Queen Victoria. Now, his house and gallery preserve and celebrate his creative spirit, displaying both his works and those of contemporary local and regional artists. There's heritage properties, a rich history of notable artists, and the works of the present day to discover.
Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Distance from the hotel: 650 meters
Kitchener's oldest house - in the heart of the city! Built in 1816, this Georgian farmhouse was home to the region's first non-indigenous settlers. Now, it is a dynamic living history museum, with hands-on activities, changing exhibits, interactive tours, special events, and more.
For hours, events, and more information, visit their website here.
Distance from the hotel: 8.3 kilometers
Experience the stories that connect Waterloo Region together - from 12,000 years ago to the present day. Then, step out from Ontario's largest community museum and back in time to 1914 with the Doon Heritage Village, a picturesque 60-acre living history village.
For hours, events, and more information, visit their website here.
Distance from the hotel: 1.7 kilometers
Enter a portal to the Victorian age through the boyhood home of Canada's longest-serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Located on 11.5 acres of mature forest, this home is filled with family heirlooms with grounds to walk and explore.
For hours, events, and more information, visit their website here.
Distance from the hotel: Varies
Want to immerse yourself in the city? Get out and walk! With a vast array of curated, private tours, uncover the touchpoints from 150 years of the region's history, or explore the diverse creativity of the community through its urban art and murals. You'll be discovering the stories of Kitchener-Waterloo from those who know it best: The locals!
Distance from hotel: Varies
Visiting the region? Get out there and learn more! Handling the process from start to finish, Your KW Host offers customised, personal tours of Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding area, guided in real time from your own vehicle. Learn all about the region, its attractions and amenities (past and present!) through first-hand knowledge.
Staying for UNZIPPED? Ask about the special UNZIP the City Tour, and take yourself off the beaten path to discover some of the city's hidden gems and unqiue history!
Distance from the hotel: All Around Us (3.3 kilometers)
Explore iconic buildings, great green spaces, epic sculptures, and more on this part-tour, part-game, all-adventure exploration of Kitchener's landmarks. You'll collect points (and can even make a competition of it!) as you complete challenges and make discoveries, all through the downloadable Let's Roam app for your phone.