The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Waterloo, Ontario Now
BY TRIPVEEL EDITORIAL STAFF | January 2020
Consistently voted as one of Canada’s smartest cities, Waterloo, Ontario is a dynamic urban centre located in the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle that attracts students and thinkers from around the world. Rich in cultural diversity, Waterloo incorporates an energetic blend of intriguing culinary destinations, boutique shopping, art galleries and the outdoors.
Image courtesy of Explore Waterloo Region
1. THE HIKING
The Waterloo Region is connected by a series of urban and rural trails that wind their way through scenic countrysides, forests and city parks, and past historic sites. Waterloo has three picturesque trails that are a part of the “Uptown Loop.” The Lake Walk Trail takes you past Waterloo's first school house and grist mill replica, on the North Walk Trail you’ll see the old train station and shopping district, while the South Walk trail leads you by the old Seagram Distillery, Waterloo Public Square and Brewmesiter Green.
Image courtesy of Explore Waterloo Region
With more than a dozen different trails that wind throughout the city, you’ll enjoy your journey through the heart of Waterloo no matter which trail you choose. Click here for a viewable guide.
2. THE ART
When it comes to art in Waterloo, quality is over quantity. The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is situated on the Haldimand Tract—land promised to Six Nations. Critically-acclaimed exhibitions that challenge ideas and perceptions of the definitions of art, craft and design are on display. With permanent and rotating exhibits, this is Canada's only gallery dedicated to contemporary ceramics, glass, and copper enameling.
Image courtesy of Explore Waterloo Region
With an emphasis on Canadian artists, the exhibitions also support international artists. In addition, the Gallery Shop is recognized on its own merits as a fine craft gallery, showing the best of Canadian ceramic and glass work.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Tucked away in a cozy “red house” within the heart of Uptown Waterloo, Red House Restaurant offers a fun, energetic and never pretentious atmosphere of gastronomic selections and locally inspired libations. We recommend trying the Uptown Sour for your artisanal, handcrafted cocktail fix—concocted with Dillons white rye, Dillons Cassis lavender, simple syrup, egg white and hand-squeezed lemon juice.
Red House Restaurant in Waterloo, Ontario
Passionately focused on fresh food with a contemporary spin inspired by quality ingredients and international flavors, Red House Restaurant favorites include McIntosh Farm Beef Bavette Steak with potato & goat cheese croquettes, shaved asparagus & watermelon radish salad with red wine jus, Coconut Shrimp Curry with mango, bamboo shoots, ginger & cilantro, as well as Pan-Roasted Lake Erie Perch with quinoa, shaved fennel, toasted almonds and preserved lemon rind.
And for those craving something sweet, indulge on one of their rotating desserts, such as the Broken Lemon Meringue Pie prepared with lemon curd, puff pastry shards, vanilla & white chocolate mousse and blueberry anise compote. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
The Peter Russell Rock Garden is both beautiful and educational landmark located in the heart of University of Waterloo’s campus. The garden has grown steadily over the years to contain over seventy large specimens of notable rocks and minerals, mainly from Ontario.
Peter Russel Rock Garden in Waterloo, Ontario
The specimens include a Frank Slide boulder, anthracite coal and Wawa gold ore. Each specimen is identified with a cast bronze plaque, providing information about the geological name, age, location and the name of the generous donor.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Constructed in 1892, the Seagram Barrel Warehouse was where Seagram Distillery stored its whisky barrels. It was prohibition in the neighboring United States which made the Canadian company the largest producer of spirits in 1928, as during the "dry years" the smuggle of whisky from the Waterloo Distillery into the United States flourished. The windows on the warehouses were necessary at the time for ventilation, as during warmer weather, whisky vapors would concentrate on the upper floors, occasionally leaving workers intoxicated.
