Kitchener showcases its rich German heritage with traditional Bavarian beer houses and the second largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich. Alongside the pretzels and European town planning, Kitchener is also home to one of Canada’s oldest farmers’ markets and a thriving music scene.

Things to do

Visit the Waterloo Region Museum and retrace over 12,000 years of history in the Main Gallery, from the First Nations people to the European pioneers and 18th-century industrial boom. Step back in time at the Doon Heritage Village, which brings to life Kitchener in 1914 through period-dressed interpreters, farm animals and historic buildings within a quaint 20-hectare park.

Beer enthusiasts should visit Descendants Beer and Beverage Co. The award-winning Ontario craft brewery embraces its European roots with a traditional “BierHalle” complete with communal tables and a Bavarian kitchen with salty pretzels, sauerkraut and sausages. Take a tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.

Discover the slopes at Chicopee Ski Resort, Kitchener’s premier winter destination for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. In summer the park opens for mountain biking, rock climbing and a range of outdoor sports. Play volleyball, tackle the high ropes course or practice your coordination on the 18-hole Frisbee course.

For an action-packed day of family fun, visit the Bingemans Big Splash Waterpark. Race your friends down Torpedo Bay, experience the centrifugal force of The Cyclone and keep your adrenaline going on the hurtling Boomerang. You can also show off your skills at the Kingpin Bowling Lounge or King Raider Paintball.

Getting around

Kitchener is 1.5-hour drive from Toronto via Highway 401. The town is serviced by cross-country buses and trains, as well as the Waterloo Region International Airport, which is a 20-minute taxi ride away. Once in Kitchener, buses and taxis are available.