Your guide to exploring the core
As a student, it is often convenient to stay on campus, especially because all the amenities are within reach. If you eventually manage to escape the grasp of campus and head downtown, it is likely because you’re hitting up the bars at night with your friends. But downtown Guelph has so much more to offer, and it’s quite the vibrant and bustling place. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, wanting to listen to some new music, or looking for cool knick-knacks to furnish your living space – downtown has it all. Here is a selection of what it has to offer:
Dis-a-Ray
An antique shop which deals with the unusual. It’s a great place to go exploring for knick-knacks – things like chalkboards made from old window frames, rotary phones, Star Trek collectables, and so on. It’s always an adventure and definitely worth a visit.
The Patch
This second hand clothing store just opened last summer, and was a much-needed addition to the downtown core. The clothing is targeted towards younger women (sorry guys), and it’s a great place to find unique clothing and accessories for a reasonable price. Bonus: You can trade in your clothes for cash or store credit.
Ouderkirk & Taylor
It’s a cheese shop – need I say more? A great place to pick up artisan cheeses, freshly baked bread, homemade soups, and drug and hormone free meats. They also let you sample cheeses, and will provide suggestions if you’re overwhelmed by the selection.
Eric the Baker
A bakery and cafe serving fresh croissants, breads, pastries, and more. All items are inspired by what one might find in a cafe in France – all items are made in-house, and are all incredibly fresh and buttery.
Red Brick Café
A super cute cafe tucked away in a red brick building, serving the typical cafe fare such as coffee, tea, and other fancy drinks and snacks. The atmosphere alone makes this cafe one of the best places to hang out in Guelph.
Baker Street Station
Love pub food and beer? This is the place for you. They offer a huge beer selection and a menu that changes several times a year, so you’ll never get bored of the same-old. Also, everything is delicious.
Sweet!
Ice cream, chocolate, candy, and soda pop – all-in-one little sweet shop with a cute retro vibe. Great for satisfying a sweet tooth.
The Bookshelf
Not only is this a bookstore, but it also houses a small movie theatre upstairs. They often play lesser-known films and documentaries, so it’s a nice break from the norm. Plus, if you stop by the Ontarion office you can pick up a Bookshelf membership card, which means you save $4 off the price of a movie ticket.
Play with Clay
An interactive pottery studio which offers pottery painting classes and fresh clay building. Makes for a fun experience that offers something a bit different than your usual daytime activities.
Grey Rock Clothing Co.
Sweatshop-free and ethical clothing in one convenient location, so you can feel good about your clothing purchases.
Renaan Isaacs Contemporary Art
A beautiful gallery space featuring artworks in a variety of mediums such as paint, works on paper, jewellery, metal sculpture, and glass – all by some of Canada’s finest artists.
The Dragon
A specialty comics, games, and manga store in the Quebec St. mall. They have a pretty packed events calendar that can be accessed on their website – with events such as board game and Magic nights.
Farmer’s Market
Open on Saturday’s from 7 a.m. till noon, this is a fantastic spot to get farm-fresh produce, all from local farmers.
On the Verge
A hip little shop with a combination of clothing, jewellery, greeting cards, housewares and eclectic novelty and gift items.
Silence + PS Guelph
Silence is a portal for adventurous new sounds – a great place to check out new and interesting musical acts. Located in the same space on Essex St. is PS Guelph, where books are printed and bound by hand.