There are so many reasons to love living in Guelph!

Guelph, affectionately called the Royal City, is unquestionably one of the most-desired medium-sized cities to live in Ontario.

Whether its Guelph’s rich history, its beautiful architecture, a world-renowned university, proximity to the GTA and Waterloo Region, or, of course, its incredibly welcoming residents, Let’s explore what makes the Royal City stand out:

Everything is Close!

There’s a lot packed into Guelph’s relatively small footprint. Everything Guelph-related in this blog is no more than a 10-minute, low-traffic drive from your front door at Woodlands Preserve.

Shopping

For a mid-sized city, there are plenty of quality shopping choices in Guelph. The flagship shopping centre is Stone Road Mall, nestled in the city’s centre, a stone throw away from the Woodlands Preserve. Offering 150+ brand name stores, you will find everything you need — with plenty of free parking.

Old Quebec Street Shoppes and the downtown core provides some of the best boutique shopping you’ll find in any city across the province. From clothing to treats to plants, if you’re looking for local artisans, you won’t be disappointed.

Pergola Commons in Guelph’s up-and-coming south end offers something to accommodate every day-to-day need. Grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment, and big box stores are all located at Pergola Commons and the walkable design makes it the perfect one-stop shopping experience.

Eating & Drinking

If Guelph ever changed its nickname from the Royal City, it would be named the Foodie City.

The number of quality restaurants, from local operations to national food chains, is astounding. The downtown area alone has dozens of restaurants, cafes, desert places, and bars, that will delight every palate.

Local Restaurant Highlights include: Buon Gusto, Bread Bar, Baker Street Station, 39 Carden Street, Miijida Cafe + Bistro, Manhattan’s, Bin 23, La Cucina, Artisanale, Sugo on Surrey, the Wooly, and many more.
National Restaurants Include: The Keg, Fionn MacCool’s, Kelsey’s, Montana’s, Milestones, State & Main, Angel’s Diner, and more.

Did you notice how many breweries there are? Guelph’s brewing history runs deep, from Sleeman Brewery’s beginnings in 1894 to the multitude of successful microbreweries we have today. If you’re a lover of beer, you’ll feel at home in Guelph.

Local Breweries include: Brothers Brewing Company, Fixed Gear Brewing Co., Royal City Brewing Company, Sleeman Brewery, Wellington Brewery.

One thing is certain: You’ll never run out of places to eat, menu items to try, and beers to sample. That’s a promise.

Things to See & Do

Simply put, Guelph has something for everyone.

Our Ontario Hockey League team, the Guelph Storm, plays throughout the fall and winter at the Sleeman Centre, which is right across the street from the Guelph Concert Theatre where many fantastic concerts are held. Other sporting teams include The Guelph Royals (IBL) and the Guelph Nighthawks (CEBL).

Guelph has a unique architectural history that really shines through when you enter the downtown or take a walk through the University of Guelph campus. Take a tour through the Basilica of Our Lady, The McCrae House, the Guelph Museum, or the Art Gallery of Guelph.

Proximity to Everything

Guelph is central. Just over one hour from downtown Toronto and 30 minutes to downtown Kitchener and uptown Waterloo, your new home is nestled comfortably between two of the nation’s biggest educational and economic hubs, which brings with it a diverse community of people from all walks of life.

Connect with one of our agents to learn more about Woodlands Preserve and the City of Guelph.