VOL.26 I NO.3 I SUMMER 2004 MID-WESTERN ONTARIO S WHAT, WHERE & WHEN GUIDE Mid-Western Ontario: Acton, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Elmira, Elora, Fergus, Guelph, Kitchener, Shakespeare, St. Jacobs, St. Marys, Stratford, Tillsonburg, Waterloo, & Surrounding Countryside YOUR SUMMER GUIDE TO MID-WESTERN ONTARIO For Calendar of events go to: www.visitor.on.ca
CONTENTS Contents Contents Contents Conte 7 Brampton VOL.26 l N0.3 l SUMMER 2004 20 Attractions 28 Kitchener Publisher - Jon Rohr Editor - Paul Knowles Creative Director - Laurie Martin Art Director - Diane M. Johnson Advertising Manager - Dave Glofcheski 519-886-2831 Administration/Circulation - Leanne Rohr 519-886-9953 Published by Jon R. Group Ltd., P.O. Box 41030, Waterloo, ON N2K 3K0 519-886-2831 Fax 519-886-6409 CITIES & TOWNS 6 Acton 54 Baden 7 Brampton 10 Brantford 12 Cambridge 54 Crosshill 16 Elmira 17 Elora 17 Fergus 23 Guelph 54 Heidelberg FEATURES MAPS 58 Accommodations 11 Antiques 20 Attractions 16 Bed & Breakfast 59 Calendar of Events 61 Camping 28 Kitchener 54 New Dundee 54 Petersburg 31 Shakespeare 54 St. Agatha 40 St. Jacobs 38 St. Marys 44 Stratford 46 Tillsonburg 47 Waterloo 54 Wellesley 54 BackRoad Adventures: Stratford Route & St. Jacobs Route 26 Festivals, Fairs, Doors Open & Canada Day 62 The Power of Three 34 Cambridge 32 Mid-Western Ontario 35 Guelph 37 St. Jacobs 36 Kitchener - Waterloo 37 Stratford For more area maps go to: www.visitor.on.ca PLACES TO EAT, STAY & DO 39 Dining 20 Galleries 51 Golf 41 Great Getaways 52 O Outlets 20 Theatre ON OUR COVER: Grand River Dinner Cruises in Caledonia, Picnic in the Park in Stratford (Photo: Richard Bain) and Kanata Village in Brantford. Date of issue: June 1, 2004 Display this issue until Oct 4, 2004 Internet: www.visitor.on.ca Copies of Visitor Magazine are available free of charge in area hotel and motel rooms, Tourism Cambridge, Tourism Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism, Tourism Stratford, Woolwich Chamber of Commerce, Acton, Elmira, Elora, Fergus, and Paris Tourist Information Centres, Ontario Travel Centres throughout Ontario and at the Border Crossings. Three issues are distributed: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Subscriptions are available for $12.00 per year (plus GST). Send cheque or money order to Visitor Magazine, P.O. Box 41030, Waterloo, N2K 3K0. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Information about dining, accommodations, and other activities is provided by our paid advertisers. 44 CONTENTS l www.visitor.on.ca l Summer 2004 l VISITOR GUIDE l
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ACTON Acton Acton Acton Acton Acton Ac www.outsidetoronto.com/wetherbys Extensive Supplies for Cross-Stitch, Needlepoint & many other embroideries, Custom Framing & Finishing Services. Classed offered. A Stitcher s Paradise Mon-Sat 10-5pm, Sun 12-5pm 43 Mill St. E, Acton 519-853-5245 email: info@needlegnome.com Fairy Lake, where the outdoors comes to an urban setting in Acton; left, the town s classic architecture. A Acton s unique downtown streetscape. cton is renowned as the last small town in the Greater Toronto Area; and the attractions and opportunities on offer to visitors are as unique as the community itself. In Acton, visitors will find surprising shops and boutiques, from the unique, British-flavoured Wetherby s to stores geared to family shopping at Giant Tiger to a shop like The Needle Gnome, known as a stitcher s paradise. Acton is a perfect place to start your search for unique gifts, antiques, or clothing. Acton is also home to relaxing, natural locales in an urban setting. Visitors always enjoy Acton s centrally located Fairy Lake and Prospect Park. Nearby, outdoor lovers will find the incredible selection of Halton Hills Conservation Areas, some of the most intriguing and varied outdoor settings in all the province, offering everything from cliff-top hiking to a walk-through waterfall, to a raptor rescue centre. In addition to the year-round attractions, such as the shopping and the unique natural environment, Acton also hosts a number of seasonal special events; there will often be wonderful surprises awaiting the visitor. All in all, it remains true: it s always worth the drive to Acton. www.downtownacton.ca actonbia@aztec-net.com Getting There: Located east of Guelph, take Hwy. 7 and follow to Acton or North off the 401 on Hwy. 25 Information: Acton BIA: 519-853-9555, email: actonbia@aztec-net.com or www.visitor.on.ca/acton/ 66 ACTON l www.visitor.on.ca l Summer 2004 l VISITOR GUIDE l
BRAMPTON Brampton Brampton Brampton Bra B rampton has it all while Brampton s history dates from 1843, Brampton is also a modern city with all of the amenities popular shopping malls and outlets, comfortable accommodation, an abundance of parks and conservation areas, lakes, trails, live theatre, museums and art gallery, a grand sports and entertainment center and much more. Brampton hosts many festivals, celebrations, carnivals, special events, and tournaments throughout the year. With eight golf courses to choose from, lakes to sail on, and a beach to sun on, there are many relaxing and fun summertime things to do. One notable attraction is Professor s Lake, an immense, man-made lake with groomed sandy beaches, water slides, windsurfing, canoeing, and paddle boating. Visitors will enjoy The Country Apple Store, featuring pick your own applies and strawberries. Brampton is the surprising home of a great variety of outdoor summertime activities and events. Brampton is home to The Great War Flying Museum, with a collection of fullsized flying replicas of WWI fighter planes and artifacts from WWI. Visitors can experience the thrill of seeing these fighter planes in action, talk to the volunteers who build, maintain and fly these magnificent flying machines, and enjoy the museum s excellent collection. Brampton has long been known as a centre of horticulture; that tradition is alive and well at Humber Information: Tourism Brampton: 905-874-3601 www.tourismbrampton.ca or www.visitor.on.ca/brampton A SEE PG 4 8 8 BRAMPTON l www.visitor.on.ca l Summer 2004 l VISITOR GUIDE l
mpton Brampton Brampton Brampto BRAMPTON Getting There: Located west of Toronto north of the 401. Take the 401 to 410 North, continue to Brampton. Nurseries, with the 4,500 square foot Humber Nurseries Butterfly Conservatory, home to 30 species of native butterflies, and all the food plants essential for for these flying jewels. Historic Bovaird House, built circa 1840, is an excellent Canadian example of a Georgian-type farmhouse, and is filled with 1850 to 1920 furnishings. Special events and historic exhibits are held at the house. And continuing the rural theme, enjoy Brampton Farmers Market every Saturday between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., from the third weekend in June through Thanksgiving weekend. The Market is held in downtown Brampton, on Main Street N. and S., between Nelson and John. Also in Brampton s historic downtown, visit Gage Park for the summer series of evening concerts and a variety of popular weekend festivals. As well, Chinguacousy Park is home to many events, celebrations, and facilities including volleyball courts; tennis courts; skateboard park; sports fields; paddleboats; a farm complete with a petting zoo and pony rides; mini golf; batting cage; tennis courts; children s splash pool; picnic shelters; a band shell for concerts and a renowned greenhouse, chapel and botanical garden. For less leisurely recreation, visit Wild Water Kingdom, Canada s largest water park, or Formula Kartways, a controlled indoor track featuring NASCAR style cars. Brampton is also home to the meaningful Korea Veterans Wall of Remembrance, a national memorial, at Meadowvale Cemetery. And visitors will enjoy the Peel Heritage Complex, comprising the Region of Peel Museum, old Peel County Courthouse and the highly regarded Art Gallery of Peel. Enjoy all that Brampton has to offer! l VISITOR GUIDE l Summer 2004 l www.visitor.on.ca l BRAMPTON 9
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