Enjoyable Issues To Do In Cambridge Ontario | 27 Of The High Actions & Sights

Looking for one of the best issues to do in Cambridge Ontario? This charming metropolis in Southwestern Ontario is an acceptable day journey from Toronto and gives historic sights, outside actions, and breathtaking pure areas. 

Town falls throughout the Municipality of Waterloo and will be divided into three areas: Galt, Hespeler, and Preston. It’s positioned on the assembly level of the Grand and Pace rivers, which helped to develop the milling, manufacturing, and brewing industries, nonetheless energetic at present.

Learn on as I dive into the highest actions in Cambridge, Ontario, under. While you’re within the space, think about my suggestions for issues to do in Kitchener, issues to do in Waterloo and issues to do in St. Jacob’s.

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This text is now obtainable as a cellular app. Go to GPSmyCity to obtain the app for GPS-assisted journey instructions to the points of interest featured on this article.

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Historical past Of Cambridge, Ontario

Steeped in historical past, Cambridge, Ontario, is a metropolis with a previous as wealthy as its current. We’ll discover a bit extra of Cambridge’s cities, Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair, a bit of later within the put up.

• Within the early Nineteenth century, the Huron folks had already established themselves within the area, with Chief Jean Baptiste Rousseaux and his household dwelling on the banks of the Grand River. With the arrival of the Europeans, Jean Baptiste and his household moved additional south. They developed a brand new settlement which might change into the muse of what we all know at present as Cambridge.

• Later, in the course of the Conflict of 1812, the realm was a key battleground. Colonel William H. Smyth led an organization of militia to Higher Canada and engaged in a battle led by Charles de Salaberry on November 4, 1813, which resulted in a victory for the British forces.

• By 1816, the primary settlers had arrived and started to put down the roots of their colonial life. In 1824, Galt, Dumfries and Waterloo, which all make-up what we now know because the Metropolis of Cambridge, have been all established. From there, the inhabitants started to develop, and some years later, in 1851, the City of Galt was formally integrated.

• All through the early and mid-1800s, the town grew to become a hub of exercise for farmers, tradesmen, and entrepreneurs like notable businessman William Dickson who opened a profitable paper mill referred to as the ‘Galt Paper Firm’. Later, the Grand Trunk railway, in-built 1856, serviced the realm and made it a super vacation spot for passengers and freight alike.

Getting To Cambridge

West Galt Cambridge, Ontario Sights

The climate is a major issue when deciding what to do in Cambridge, Ontario. Most of the free issues to do on this beautiful metropolis happen open air, making summer season probably the most appropriate time of yr to go to.

Cambridge’s West Galt is a fascinating place to spend the day. Cease for a snack at one of many many native distributors or eating places, or convey alongside a picnic to get pleasure from by the river. Take a stroll alongside the Grand River, which was as soon as referred to as The River Ouse – together with Mill Race Park, the place the ruins of an 1840s mill are nestled among the many scenic views.

West Galt is linked to the remainder of Galt through 4 most important bridges, and the riverfront was additionally enhanced in 2018 with the addition of a pedestrian bridge.

In recent times, West Galt has change into more and more standard as a filming location – lots of your favorite reveals and flicks, together with The Handmaid’s Story, have taken benefit of the attractive backdrop. Among the hardest scenes to soak up, particularly those involving our bodies of protesters hung up on a brick wall, are filmed within the close by cities of Cambridge and Galt.

The next points of interest in West Galt can be found all yr spherical.

Hamilton Household Theatre

Located within the historic downtown space of Cambridge is the beautiful Hamilton Family Theatre. This state-of-the-art facility hosts musicals and performs and is the proper two or three-hour exercise. The theatre’s acoustics are world-class, and the seating gives an intimate expertise for as much as 5 hundred company. 

Concept Change Previous Put up Workplace

The award-winning mission on the Previous Put up Workplace is price a go to. Concept Change gives a spot for creatives to tinker, draw, fabricate, and construct. The placing constructing features a makerspace and inventive studio the place members can use the instruments and companies.

Concept Change Queen’s Sq.

The Concept Change Queen’s Sq. is a public library with a rising assortment of latest artwork on exhibition in its gallery. As a member, you’ll have entry to the library, neighborhood backyard, and even instruments to make use of in your backyard.

Queens Sq. Fountain

You may expertise the sweetness and tranquillity of downtown by visiting Queens Sq. and the fountain. Its picturesque stroll throughout the outdated bridge brings you to this serene and welcoming spot the place you possibly can get pleasure from a picnic or espresso from Melville Cafe or Grand Cafe and people-watch.

Cambridge Sculpture Backyard

Whereas there are solely a handful of sculptures, they’re sensible and can stimulate your creativity. A 130-year-old oak tree and beautiful surroundings within the Cambridge Sculpture Backyard make it price visiting. The backyard is within the coronary heart of the town and gives a free and enjoyable factor to do.

Barnacle Payments

Should you’re a fan of fish and chips, you’ll love Barnacle Payments! Voted one of the best restaurant in Cambridge for fish and chips, it’s a comfortable and family-run enterprise positioned proper on the banks of the Grand River. Not solely are you able to get pleasure from a scrumptious meal, however it’s also possible to take a stroll down the river, ending your night within the downtown core!

McDougall Cottage Historic Website

The McDougall Cottage was in-built 1835 and celebrates Cambridge’s Scottish heritage. The cottage is now an interpretation centre and an exquisite tribute to Scottish stone masonry. The granite and dolomite limestone blocks are typical of the cottages in-built Galt within the 1800s.

The century-old mural and furnishings transport you again in time to present you a glimpse into the 1800s.

Trinity Anglican Church

Because the oldest stone church within the Waterloo Area, you’ll wish to see the ornate stained glass on the Trinity Anglican Church for your self. It continues to be a constructive affect on the neighborhood of Galt, with weekly companies and a meals outreach for the needy. 

Go to the Trinity Park subsequent door for an opportunity to loosen up and ponder your travels whereas strolling the labyrinth.

Central Presbyterian Church

The Central Presbyterian Church is breathtaking in look and is positioned alongside the Grand River. It’s a sight to see, with gothic-style structure and a towering spire. For one of the best view of the church, stroll alongside the Cambridge Foremost Avenue Bridge. If you want to hitch for worship, go to on a Sunday at 10:00 or watch on-line.

Curiously, the church’s bell was shipped from Scotland.

East Galt Cambridge, Ontario

Whereas Ontario gives exhilarating actions like ziplining at Niagara Falls, Cambridge is a extra stress-free vacation spot. East Galt is residence to many eating places, reside music venues, and issues to do.

Cambridge Metropolis Corridor

The Cambridge Metropolis Corridor sits alongside the historic Galt Metropolis Corridor and the Fireplace Corridor Museum. The realm is price visiting on foot for the structure alone. The Cambridge Centre for the Arts is subsequent door and gives lessons and occasions.

Mill Race Park

Head to Mill Race Park within the city centre for a quiet spot to take a breath and soak within the surroundings. Whereas this park is small, it’s set alongside the Grand River and options the stays of an 1847 mill. Carry your digicam to take advantage of the scenic spot.

Reid’s Sweet & Nut Store

As soon as an lovable mom-and-pop nut store based in 1935, Reid’s Sweet & Nut Store remains to be simply as beloved as ever. Now a sweet and nut paradise, this retailer is known for its creamy and scrumptious candies. Reid’s has one thing for all of your sweetest cravings – from sweet apples and nuts to mouthwatering candies.

Store at Cambridge Farmers’ Market

The Cambridge Farmers’ market is a good place to go to in East Galt on the nook of Dickson and Ainslie road. It has provided crafts and meals since 1830 and is open for buying and selling on Saturdays from 7 am to 1 pm and on holidays. Are you in search of extra recent produce? Strive the Hespeler Village Market.

Cambridge Foremost Avenue Bridge

Since 1931, this bowstring arch bridge within the metropolis’s centre has linked West Galt to East Galt. Take into account strolling throughout the bridge on the 8-foot large sidewalks for a beautiful vantage level above the Grand River. 

Cambridge Mill

Sit down for a scrumptious wood-fired pizza at this restaurant positioned in a renovated Nineteenth-century mill. The meals is scrumptious, and the venue gives riverside views with a calming environment.

Wesley United Church

The Wesley Methodist Church in Cambridge was first organized in 1853 and opened into its present type in 1884. This congregation is proud to be the primary church to broadcast sermons over the radio, a follow it nonetheless takes half in at present.

If you’re fortunate, you may get a freshly baked apple dumpling on a Saturday made by volunteers within the Church basement.

Hespeler Cambridge, Ontario

Hespeler is probably the most northeasterly part of Cambridge. Soak within the views of the Pace River earlier than taking a step again in time on the museum. Beneath are our recommendations of issues to do:

Hespeler Village Market

Devoted to the farm-to-table motion, this village market in Hespeler gives recent, locally-grown produce. Alongside scrumptious treats, you possibly can anticipate finding crafts from native artisans. The market is seasonal, going down between June and October, and opens on Fridays from 15:00 to 19:00.

Mill Run Path

The Mill Run Path spans Riverside Park to Mill Pond in Hespeler and gives a protracted route for strolling, biking, and operating. As well as, it’s stroller-friendly and ideal for bringing your pet or household for a household outing.

Whether or not for a leisurely stroll or an extended trek, the Mill Run Path is a phenomenal path to discover.

Issues To Do Close to Cambridge, Ontario

The next actions happen barely additional out of the town. They’re simply accessible inside half an hour by automobile.

Spa at Langdon Corridor Nation Home Resort

You deserve a calming place to relaxation your head after a day of points of interest in Cambridge. Settle in for a spa remedy and an beautiful evening’s keep on this luxurious lodge. The constructing exudes type and options tranquil gardens.

The Grand Trunk Path

For these seeking to benefit from the Grand River otherwise, The Grand Trunk Trail on the south shore of the Grand has loads to supply. Immerse your self in nature and discover the great thing about the serene forest path with a 10km return journey. Take within the sounds of the birds and browse up on the informative posts positioned alongside the path.

Shade’s Mills Conservation Space

Shade’s Mills is a good place to get pleasure from nature and the outside close to Cambridge. Right here you possibly can loosen up on the water’s edge, swim, fish, or hike the forested path. Better of all, canines are welcome when saved on a leash.

In summer season, hike on the paths beneath the hardwood bushes within the forest, winding alongside Mill Creek. Afterwards, attempt fishing within the 32-hectare reservoir to catch northern pike, perch, and bass.

Sheave Tower

Nestled within the lush greenery of the Carolinian forest, on the sting of Cambridge is the small city of Blair. Along with some nice mountaineering trails you’ll discover the Sheave Tower, a hidden gem to be found by vacationers and native residents alike.

This historic constructing is the oldest hydroelectric website in Ontario. It supplied energy to the close by Carlisle Grist Mill in a vogue seldom seen at present. The tower harnessed the creek’s power with a water turbine and helped enhance the mill’s energy through a metallic cable.
Whereas the historic Blair Sheave Tower is surrounded by bushes in an other-worldly setting, it is just meters away from the highway.

Be taught In regards to the Historical past of Cambridge, Ontario

Studying about Cambridge, Ontario’s historical past is an added bonus to the sightseeing within the space. Town of Cambridge, as talked about above, is the consolidation of the town of Galt, the Cities of Preston and Hespeler, and the neighborhood of Blair.

Following the amalgamation in 1973, the town has continued to protect the wealthy historical past of every space. This satisfaction is showcased in the best way the residents use the outdated names to explain the place they reside. Uncover a bit of extra about every space under.

Galt, Ontario

Galt is within the centre of Cambridge and was based in 1816 on the assembly level of Mills Creek and Grand River. It was initially a settlement of predominantly Scottish immigrants and shortly grew to become giant sufficient to wish a put up workplace. The title Galt was chosen for the settlement in honour of the Scottish novelist and Commissioner of the Canada Firm, John Galt.

It grew to change into the most important neighborhood within the space by serving the wants of the encircling farmers. By the late 1830s, Galt had developed into an industrial powerhouse with a repute for manufacturing high-quality merchandise.

Preston

German-speaking Mennonites from Pennsylvania settled alongside the Pace River in 1806. The Grist Mill industrial constructing on Kings Avenue amongst others introduced progress to the realm. Labourers moved to Preston to work in milling, textiles, and lumber industries. The gristmill performed a job within the city’s growth and is now a business constructing with a bakery.

If you’re able to loosen up, soak in one of many pure sulphur springs. They supply the proper water for Preston’s quite a few spas and well being resorts.

Hespeler

Jacob Hespeler, after whom the city was named, bought 145 acres of land alongside the Pace River in 1845. The textile mill he began in 1862 performed a pivotal function within the space’s growth. The small New Hope settlement quickly developed into an industrial advanced and was at one level residence to the most important textile producer within the British Empire. 

The Dominion Woollens and Worsteds textile firm started on the outdated mill website in 1928. Younger girls have been recruited throughout a scarcity of employees within the early Nineteen Forties because of the battle efforts abroad. Affectionately referred to as ‘Mill Women’, these girls helped maintain the manufacturing line shifting.  

Blair

The village of Blair fashioned after the creation of a dam and flour mill on Bowman Creek within the early 1800s. On the western fringe of current-day Cambridge lies the small city of Blair the place you will see that trails winding via the uncommon Carolinian forest and historic monuments just like the Sheave Tower. 
This lovely village’s historical past is widely known within the look of Sheave Tower within the Metropolis of Cambridge’s flag. Close to to Sheave Tower on Previous Mill Highway, you possibly can go to one of many oldest European cemeteries within the Waterloo Area.

Nice Issues To Do In Cambridge, Ontario

There are a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Cambridge, Ontario, with historic farmers’ markets, nice outside areas, and engaging river views. Whereas close by cities provide extra exhilarating actions, this city is right for a quieter weekend away.

Should you loved the above locations in Cambridge, think about the markets and issues to do in Brantford.