Written by GAC high school co-op student
GAC’s deeply knowledge volunteer tour guides have been sharing Guelph’s rich history with these tours for many years. Across seven different tours, you can explore the streets of Guelph, learn about its history, and take in the city’s beautiful architecture.
Starting at the corner of Dublin street, the first tour of seven, Where Guelph Began, explores the market square area that covers almost twenty-four acres of land that were initially laid out by John Galt in 1827. With this area being the main focal point for early social and business life, this area also contains many of Guelph’s first buildings. Continuing onto the second tour, Downtown Walkabout, this tour provides a wonderful walk down the centre of Guelph. With its wide main streets, it includes many buildings and sites that contain considerable historical and architectural interest. Going deeper into the streets of downtown Guelph, the third tour, Slopes of the Speed, you will explore different parts of the Speed River, and a walk down Norwich and Macdonell Street where many of Guelph’s distinguished historical homes are located.
Taking a glimpse into the Victorian era of Guelph, Altar and Hearth, the fourth tour in the series, gets split into Part 1 and Part 2. These tours include several historic stone churches and buildings, as well as many historic homes boasting a variety of architectural styles. The fifth tour, Brooklyn and the College Hill, follows the south side of the Speed River to explore Guelph’s early industrial areas. While exploring the College Hill area, which developed into the Ontario Agricultural College, you’ll also see some of the city’s finest examples of masonry and stone carving. The final tour of the series, Ward One, explores the southeast area of downtown between the Speed and Eramosa rivers. This tour reveals the rich variety of historic architecture and the diversity of peoples who helped form Guelph. Paying particular attention to the residential proximity and the city’s early Italian communities.
Each tour features its own unique scenery and stunning architecture. Individual tours are $10, or you can purchase all seven in a bundle for $50 (while spaces last).
Click here to purchase individual tours.
Click here to purchase a bundle.
Click here if you would like to purchase a voucher for one or more of the tours. Vouchers are great for gifting!
If you’re interested in booking private tours for groups, please contact [email protected].
