Here you can read about some of the highlights our visitors have enjoyed
Of course, every journey includes many opportunities to socialize, to enjoy food together and to learn about each other's culture.
We seek out meaningful experiences for each group--whether it is dropping in on a local school and teaching the students
about your country, dancing and singing songs we share along with a performer, or meeting
New Canadians who were born in our guests' home countries. We provide opportunities to enjoy activities Canadians
traditionally enjoy--like playing horseshoes, practising yoga poses, or competing in car rallies
that take us to the scenic back roads of our region.
We are ready to personalize your experience to satisfy your curiosity about Canada
and send you home with many stories to tell.
Attractions are listed in alphabetic order to help you navigate the page.
Make sure you follow the links if you wish to learn more.
Of course, every journey includes many opportunities to socialize, to enjoy food together and to learn about each other's culture.
We seek out meaningful experiences for each group--whether it is dropping in on a local school and teaching the students
about your country, dancing and singing songs we share along with a performer, or meeting
New Canadians who were born in our guests' home countries. We provide opportunities to enjoy activities Canadians
traditionally enjoy--like playing horseshoes, practising yoga poses, or competing in car rallies
that take us to the scenic back roads of our region.
We are ready to personalize your experience to satisfy your curiosity about Canada
and send you home with many stories to tell.
Attractions are listed in alphabetic order to help you navigate the page.
Make sure you follow the links if you wish to learn more.
Agricultural Tours
Experience one of Canada's richest agricultural regions, from bright yellow canola and lilac lavender fields in the spring to pumpkin patches and tall corn stalk mazes in the fall. Known for mixed farming, dairying, and pork production, Perth County's agribusiness alone generates 1.5 to 2 million dollars a day -- more than six of Canada's ten provinces. We can arrange tours of local farms to see just how those grocery store shelves get filled. A favourite of our visitors is seeing one of our state-of-the-art dairy farms, where Bessie decides when she wants to be milked. Her needs are accommodated by on-demand robots. Problems? The farmer gets a call on his or her smartphone.
For more information: www.springridgefarm.com/ http://www.lfpress.com/2015/02/08/good-things-grow-in-southwestern-ontario applehilllavender.ca/ www.bonnieheathestate.com/ http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-april-5-2016-1.3521055/cows-that-milk-themselves-farmers-turn-to-high-tech-for-help-1.3521084
For more information: www.springridgefarm.com/ http://www.lfpress.com/2015/02/08/good-things-grow-in-southwestern-ontario applehilllavender.ca/ www.bonnieheathestate.com/ http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-april-5-2016-1.3521055/cows-that-milk-themselves-farmers-turn-to-high-tech-for-help-1.3521084
Automobile Assembly Plants
Southwestern Ontario has a thriving auto industry, including a General Motors Plant and two Toyota Motor Manufacturers. In addition, there are hundreds of autopart manufacturers, transport companies, and warehouse facilities which support these auto assembly plants. Visitors can take a motorized tram for an hour long tour through South Weld and North Assembly line at the Cambridge Toyota facility. These are two visually impressive automotive shops as robots and workers work seamlessly together.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobiles_manufactured_in_Ontario
https://canadasindustrialheartland.com/key-industry-sectors/automotive www.tmmc.ca/en
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobiles_manufactured_in_Ontario
https://canadasindustrialheartland.com/key-industry-sectors/automotive www.tmmc.ca/en
Bayfield
With a population just over 1000, Bayfield attracts tourists, not just because it is on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron. Many come for its marina and beaches, but others come to wander the historic main street with its well-preserved old buildings, most of which now house boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and art galleries, An interesting nearby stopover is the viewing of a wind turbine, one of almost one hundred green electricity generators in the Bluewater region.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayfield,_Ontario http://www.villageofbayfield.com/
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayfield,_Ontario http://www.villageofbayfield.com/
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Who cares what the weather is like outside when you can step into a tropical paradise under glass? Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory boasts 2000 free-flying butterflies and moths representing 40 different species. Other critters on display are dozens of tropical insects and arthropods of all shapes and sizes including walking sticks, tarantulas, and scorpions. The fauna make their home in some beautiful flora with 100 species of exotic plants. Get out your camera!
For more information: http://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/
Grand Bend and Lake Huron
Grand Bend is situated on the shore of Lake Huron, the 2nd biggest Great Lake and the 3rd largest fresh water lake on Earth, at almost 60,000 square kilometres of surface area (or 23,000 square miles), The lake has many moods, from storm-tossed power to gentle serenity to ice castles galore in the winter. In the summer, Grand Bend attracts up to 50,000 visitors and cottagers to a small town of 2000 permanent residents. With only five very small cities along its 6000 kilometre (3800 mile) shoreline, the waters are pristine and welcome swimmers in the summer. In fine weather, some of its beaches are crowded with sunbathers, sandcastle builders, and swimmers while other beaches are always deserted.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bend https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Huron https://www.northernontario.travel/algoma-country/top-10-facts-about-lake-huron http://www.grandbendtourism.com/
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bend https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Huron https://www.northernontario.travel/algoma-country/top-10-facts-about-lake-huron http://www.grandbendtourism.com/
Hensall District Cooperative
What happens when 5000 farmers get together? In the case of Hensall District Cooperative (HDC), they gain local control of a high-volume agri-business. That way, marketing power stays in the hands of the rural communities where the food is produced. The focus is also on research and the education necessary to foster sustainable crop and animal practices. Organic beans and grains bring farmers into the future. Remaining innovative has allowed HDC farmers to work cooperatively and prosper in a global marketplace. Tour their huge mechanized facility where ten thousand bushels of beans can be received and processed every hour. Picture that!
For more information: http://www.hdc.on.ca/
For more information: http://www.hdc.on.ca/
Heritage Villages
Step into the past by visiting one of the heritage villages in our area. Early Canadian buildings have been preserved, transported, and then clustered to create a village of yore. Costumed interpreters bring the streets to life as you stroll through the living history museum discovering 20 historic buildings, period furnishings, farm animals, heritage gardens, and demonstrations of everyday chores. Find out how Canadian pioneers survived and thrived.
For more information: http://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/doon-heritage-village/doon-heritage-village.aspx http://westfieldheritage.ca http://fanshawepioneervillage.ca/
For more information: http://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/doon-heritage-village/doon-heritage-village.aspx http://westfieldheritage.ca http://fanshawepioneervillage.ca/
Iceculture, Inc.
What do you do if you are in Dubai and want a bar made out of ice to impress some petro-billionaires? What do you do if you are a NASA scientist and want to test the space shuttles' capacity to withstand ice debris on launch? What do you do if you are a Hollywood star and want a massive punch bowl with the happy couple crafted from ice at your wedding on a hot LA day? Why, you contact Iceculture, Inc. in tiny Hensall, Ontario. The forty employees here have provided ice creations to 27 different countries, and sent specialized tools they have invented to 58 nations in all. Don the winter parkas provided and get up close to the ice carvers making magic in ice.
For more information: http://www.iceculture.com/home
For more information: http://www.iceculture.com/home
Lucan Area Heritage and Donnelly Museum
Death came in the still of night, sweeping in from the Cedar Swamp Schoolhouse, ironically delivered by the so-called Peace Brigade. Vigilante justice was behind the infamous murder of five of the "Black Donnellys", an Irish immigrant family who had been feuding with just about everyone in town for decades. No one would ever pay for the blood that was spilled that night but the tale lives on and so many questions remain. Learn the details of the massacre, see where it happened, and learn more about the Irish immigrant community that went on to build a peaceful and productive life here in Canada.
For more information: http://www.donnellymuseum.com/
For more information: http://www.donnellymuseum.com/
Old Order Mennonites
Most people would be mystified to see a hitching post in the paved parking lot at the local Home Depot. Yet, here we just know it's there for the convenience of our local Old Order Mennonites. See a farm without any electrical wires going to the house? It's obviously a Mennonite homestead. There is a certain charm added to our landscape by the horse drawn wagons and traditional dress worn by this strict religious order that favours the old way. However, The Old Orders add more than that to our culture with their beautiful quilts, yummy foods, and handmade toys and furniture. Our visitors can learn more by visiting their museum "The Mennonite Story", by eating one of their dinners that really "schmecks", and by taking a horse drawn trolley to a farm and maple sugar bush and shack.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Order_Mennonite https://www.canadianmennonite.org/stories/10-things-know-about-mennonites-canada https://stjacobs.com/Culture-Heritage-The-Mennonite-Story.htm http://www.stjacobshorsedrawntours.com/ www.woolwich.ca/en/discover-us/Tours-and-Self-Guided-Tours.aspx
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Order_Mennonite https://www.canadianmennonite.org/stories/10-things-know-about-mennonites-canada https://stjacobs.com/Culture-Heritage-The-Mennonite-Story.htm http://www.stjacobshorsedrawntours.com/ www.woolwich.ca/en/discover-us/Tours-and-Self-Guided-Tours.aspx
Ontario Gleaners
Service is a key part of the Friendship Force Mission. To quote International, "Exploration leads to understanding. Understanding leads to an acceptance of our common humanity and the desire to serve our global village—with words and actions." In this spirit, we offer our visitors the opportunity to serve by preparing food for a hungry world with the Ontario Christian Gleaners. We join the sixty volunteers who work each week to trim, dice, and dry 4000 -7000 pounds of donated fresh produce thereby creating 25,000 – 30,000 servings of soup each day. Packages of dried fruit, chocolate, and granola are also delivered around our globe. In a decade of volunteering, Ontario Gleaners has served up over 40,000,000 meals to the hungry.
For more information: www.ontariogleaners.org/
For more information: www.ontariogleaners.org/
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Paris, Ontario
Yes, Ontario has its own Paris, and while it has neither the Eiffel Tower nor the Seine, it does have a charm all of its own. Chances are a little piece of Paris is in your home country since "Plaster of Paris" made from the gypsum mined from the beds and banks of the Grand and Nith Rivers have been widely exported. Known as the "Cobblestone Capital of Canada" because of its unique cobblestone buildings, Paris was voted "the prettiest little town in Canada" by Harrowsmith Magazine. Paris offers its visitors open-air cafes, bakeries, cheese and candy shops as well as a hiking/biking trail along an old rail line and kayak and canoe excursions along the Grand River.
For more information: http://www.brant.ca/en/discover-brant/paris.asp www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g155006-Paris_Ontario-Vacations.html http://downtownparis.ca grand-experiences.com/ www.heritageriver.com/
For more information: http://www.brant.ca/en/discover-brant/paris.asp www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g155006-Paris_Ontario-Vacations.html http://downtownparis.ca grand-experiences.com/ www.heritageriver.com/
St. Jacobs
The Village of St. Jacobs has enough charm to be worthy of a visit, just for the beauty of its pastoral setting along the Conestoga River and its shops selling original arts and crafts, antiques, clothing, jewellery, toys, and gifts. However, it has even more to offer. First it is the centre of the Old Order Mennonite community about which you can read on this website. Secondly, it has two professional live theatres to offer, St. Jacobs County Playhouse and St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre. Thirdly, for train aficionados, Waterloo Central Railway offers a train shuttle and there is an award-winning O-scale exhibit on show at St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway. However, most tourists come for the Outlet Shopping Malls and, even more remarkable, Canada's largest year-round farmers' market. St. Jacobs Farmers' Market offers delicious cheeses, breads, grass-fed beef, unique gluten-free pastas, lamb from down the road, preserves from each year’s harvest and regional staples like summer sausage and maple syrup! This is the place to come for unique goods like alpaca wool, rare vinyl records, Celtic art, and Mennonite quilts and woodwork.
For more information: https://stjacobs.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionsNear-g499298-d2402442-St_Jacobs_Farmers_Market-St_Jacobs_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g499298-St_Jacobs_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario-Vacations.html www.draytonentertainment.com
For more information: https://stjacobs.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionsNear-g499298-d2402442-St_Jacobs_Farmers_Market-St_Jacobs_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g499298-St_Jacobs_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario-Vacations.html www.draytonentertainment.com
St. Marys
St. Marys may have just over 7000 people but it dreams big, hence Friendship Force Stratford and St. Marys originated in this close community far from the pressures of big city life. Surrounded by countryside, St. Marys got its start in the 1840s quarrying limestone for building materials and cement. Hence, it got both the nickname "Stonetown" and a streetscape featuring beautiful white limestone buildings. St. Marys Cement, founded in 1912, is known around the world. Its quarry has also given residents the biggest outdoor freshwater swimming pool in Canada. St. Marys is home to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, perhaps because the first game of baseball was played in nearby Beachville, not Cooperstown, USA. Incoming groups are often introduced to the Canadian way of life in St. Marys, learning about social services, the education system, and municipal politics through interesting activities which put them in the heart of the community.
For more information: http://www.townofstmarys.com/en/index.aspx https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g984029-St_Marys_Ontario-Vacations.html http://www.stmaryscement.com/ http://baseballhalloffame.ca/
For more information: http://www.townofstmarys.com/en/index.aspx https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g984029-St_Marys_Ontario-Vacations.html http://www.stmaryscement.com/ http://baseballhalloffame.ca/
Stonetown Cheese |
Immigrants pack dreams in their suitcases when they come to Canada. The founders of Stonetown Artesan Cheese were inspired by their dreams. First they dreamed of owning a dairy farm on the outskirts of St. Marys, but they wanted more. They wanted to produce cheese just like they had enjoyed when they lived in the Swiss Alps. With the help of another Swiss immigrant, a Master Cheese Maker, Stonetown Artesan Cheese came to life. The family have opened the cheesery to us so we can watch the magic happen, from milk to curds to delicious cheese--and taste the final results.
For more information: http://www.stonetowncheese.com/index.html
For more information: http://www.stonetowncheese.com/index.html
Stratford
Straddling the Avon River, Stratford was crowned in 1997 by Nations in Bloom as "the prettiest city in the world". Perhaps that's a bit over the top, but there is no doubt that Stratford is a city built on dreams and inspired by the arts. Look at the history of impossible dreams in this place. How else would a local journalist with only $125 of city money in his pocket manage to get Sir Alec Guinness to star in Richard III under a tent in a town of 20,000 souls deep in farm country? That was 1951. Now Festival Theatre has four venues and annually attracts 600,000 theatre-goers to a repertoire theatre that stretches from Shakespeare to Jesus Christ Superstar. Then there is the Music Festival, a multiweek celebration of diverse music, hosting 100 events featuring 350+ artists. Wasn't one festival enough? Apparently not, now there is a festival in honour of garlic, as well as a crowded culinary calendar of events. No wonder the Stratford Chefs School, which is still the only culinary institute in the country which is operated by working restaurant professionals, chose Stratford for its home. Stratford is a mecca of opportunities to experience all the arts, but take time to admire the gardens throughout the town and to picnic on the Avon as graceful swans glide by. As Lonely Planet writes: "Charming, cultured and classy, with a bunch of other festivals to boot, Stratford packs more punch than cities twice its size. . . Whatever the season, you'll enjoy nature, arts and architecture, and the proud local welcome."
For more information: http://www.visitstratford.ca/ https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/ https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g155015-Stratford_Ontario-Vacations.html ttps://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/ontario/stratford http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/ www.stratfordcanada.ca/en/insidecityhall.asp
For more information: http://www.visitstratford.ca/ https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/ https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g155015-Stratford_Ontario-Vacations.html ttps://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/ontario/stratford http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/ www.stratfordcanada.ca/en/insidecityhall.asp
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Whistling Gardens
Whistling Gardens, located deep in Norfolk County, are 20 acres of botanical bliss, with 4000 different species. Notably, this privately owned botanical gardens claims to be the home of North America's largest public Peony Collection, with over a thousand varieties, as well as the world's biggest public display of conifers! The conifer collection not only surpasses 2,500 different species, hybrids and cultivars, but also has one of the only three Baishan Fir (Abies beshanzuensis) in existence. As spectacular and extensive as the florals and trees are, Whistling Gardens offers more. The Aviaries house 43 birds on site including Peacocks, Royal Mute Swans, Egyptian Geese, 9 species of Ornamental Pheasants and Ringneck Doves. What makes this botanical garden most interesting, however, is how it represents the drive of the owner to create something unique and spectacular. This is epitomized by the dancing fountains. A miniature version of Las Vegas's Fountains of Bellagio, the waters dance to the music the owner himself composed, It's always a work in progress!
For more information: http://www.whistlinggardens.ca/index.php
For more information: http://www.whistlinggardens.ca/index.php
AND EVEN MORE . . .
African Lion Safari, Hamilton www.lionsafari.com/home
Banting House, London bantinghousenhsc.wordpress.com/
Boating, Dragon Boating, and Canoeing www.avonboatrentals.ca/boat-rentals/ ; getonthegrand.com/ ; grand-experiences.com/ www.heritageriver.com/ ; www.stratforddragonboat.com/
Cambridge, Ontario www.visitcambridgeontario.com/ www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154985-Activities-Cambridge_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html
Castle Kilbride, Baden www.wilmot.ca/en/Castle-Kilbride-Museum.aspx
Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo www.cigionline.org/
Communitech Hub, Waterloo www.communitech.ca/who-we-are/
Elora, Ontario elora.info/; www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g679248-Activities-Elora_Ontario.html oneaxepursuits.com/courses/elora-skyrider-zipline-near-toronto-ontario/
Grand Theatre, London www.grandtheatre.com/
Hiking and Nature Centres www.grandriver.ca/en/learn-get-involved/nature-centres.aspx avontrail.ca/ www.walterbeantrail.ca/riminfo.htm; www.waterloo.ca/en/contentresources/resources/gettingactive/east_side_trail_map_amenities.pdf; www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/wildwood-lake-paddle www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Rockwood.aspx; www.waterloo.ca/en/gettingactive/ironhorsetrail.asp
Joseph Schneider House, Kitchener www.schneiderhaus.ca/en/index.aspx
London, Ontario https:///www.londontourism.ca; www.londontourism.ca/treetrunktour/#Partnership
Millbank Family Furniture, Millbank www.millbankfamilyfurniture.ca/about-us/
Milton, Ontario www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g499275-Activities-Milton_Ontario.html
Mountain Oak Cheese, New Hamburg mountainoakcheese.com/
Quilting www.eandeclothandcreations.com/; www.heartnhomecreations.com/ www.millbankandarea.com/what-we-ffer.html ; www.stjacobsmennonitequilts.com/ www.hyggeligt.ca/ yeoldefabricshoppe.blogspot.ca/; www.quiltingbydesign.ca/
Ten Thousand Villages www.tenthousandvillages.ca/
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Stratford uwaterloo.ca/
Waterloo Region www.explorewaterlooregion.com/ www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g181736-Activities-Waterloo_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g181747-Activities-Kitchener_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html
Waterloo Regional Museum, Waterloo www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/index.aspx
West Montrose Covered Bridge (Kissing Bridge) historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=8291&pid=0
Woodside National Historic Site, Kitchener www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/woodside
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo and Brantford www.wlu.ca/life-at-laurier/experience-campus/come-visit-us.html
Banting House, London bantinghousenhsc.wordpress.com/
Boating, Dragon Boating, and Canoeing www.avonboatrentals.ca/boat-rentals/ ; getonthegrand.com/ ; grand-experiences.com/ www.heritageriver.com/ ; www.stratforddragonboat.com/
Cambridge, Ontario www.visitcambridgeontario.com/ www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154985-Activities-Cambridge_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html
Castle Kilbride, Baden www.wilmot.ca/en/Castle-Kilbride-Museum.aspx
Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo www.cigionline.org/
Communitech Hub, Waterloo www.communitech.ca/who-we-are/
Elora, Ontario elora.info/; www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g679248-Activities-Elora_Ontario.html oneaxepursuits.com/courses/elora-skyrider-zipline-near-toronto-ontario/
Grand Theatre, London www.grandtheatre.com/
Hiking and Nature Centres www.grandriver.ca/en/learn-get-involved/nature-centres.aspx avontrail.ca/ www.walterbeantrail.ca/riminfo.htm; www.waterloo.ca/en/contentresources/resources/gettingactive/east_side_trail_map_amenities.pdf; www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/wildwood-lake-paddle www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Rockwood.aspx; www.waterloo.ca/en/gettingactive/ironhorsetrail.asp
Joseph Schneider House, Kitchener www.schneiderhaus.ca/en/index.aspx
London, Ontario https:///www.londontourism.ca; www.londontourism.ca/treetrunktour/#Partnership
Millbank Family Furniture, Millbank www.millbankfamilyfurniture.ca/about-us/
Milton, Ontario www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g499275-Activities-Milton_Ontario.html
Mountain Oak Cheese, New Hamburg mountainoakcheese.com/
Quilting www.eandeclothandcreations.com/; www.heartnhomecreations.com/ www.millbankandarea.com/what-we-ffer.html ; www.stjacobsmennonitequilts.com/ www.hyggeligt.ca/ yeoldefabricshoppe.blogspot.ca/; www.quiltingbydesign.ca/
Ten Thousand Villages www.tenthousandvillages.ca/
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Stratford uwaterloo.ca/
Waterloo Region www.explorewaterlooregion.com/ www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g181736-Activities-Waterloo_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g181747-Activities-Kitchener_Region_of_Waterloo_Ontario.html
Waterloo Regional Museum, Waterloo www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/index.aspx
West Montrose Covered Bridge (Kissing Bridge) historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=8291&pid=0
Woodside National Historic Site, Kitchener www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/woodside
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo and Brantford www.wlu.ca/life-at-laurier/experience-campus/come-visit-us.html
