Discovering the Royal City as an outsider
Expedia has released their list of top cities to visit in Canada in 2017. Ranked among the likes of Montreal and Vancouver is the Royal City of Guelph.
What makes Guelph so interesting to travellers? Could it be Guelph’s adorable hipster charm? Possibly. Or is it the signature architecture of the Basilica of our Lady Immaculate? Maybe.
Whatever it is, being featured in Expedia’s top 17 is a privilege the city should revel in. We can only hope it will convince The Boathouse to make ice-cream all year round.
As an international student at the University, I first came to Guelph unaware of the city’s history and vibrant cultural scene. At a very basic level, the welcoming vibe of the city was immediately evident upon arrival.
[media-credit name=”Mido Melebari” align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]
In Expedia’s article, the Guelph entry mentions the range of local cuisine, such as that of 39 Carden Street, the Woolwich Arrow, and Baker Street Station. The article also recommends a trip to the Hillside Festival in the summer, the Art Gallery of Guelph, the Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House, and Locomotive 6167, the 1940 steam-powered train that has been restored for city viewing. Amidst Guelph’s cultural scene is a breadth of history embraced by its residents and local government.
TripAdvisor also offers a selection of top activities in the city, including the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada and the University’s Arboretum. Guelph Lake is featured as a popular attraction due to its beauty and appeal in any season.
With a city as artistically and culturally eclectic as Guelph, it is not surprising that it caught the eye of Expedia and Trip Advisor. If students and residents of Guelph weren’t already proud of their city, these major travel sites have provided quite a few reasons to start boasting.
Photos by Mido Melebari.