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Now that I’m in university, it’s not very often that the new people I meet are also from ��ݮ��Ƶ Region. Students come from all over the place, and they usually don’t know a lot about this city. Since I’ve lived here all my life, I’ve become sort of a tour guide for my newer friends. I’ve gotten used to showing people around, naming the best restaurants, and even giving small tips like where you can find free parking.

So whether you’re visiting ��ݮ��Ƶ for the first time or just looking for fun things to do in the city, consider me your personal tour guide: here are all the best things to do in ��ݮ��Ƶ.

Where to eat in ��ݮ��Ƶ

��ݮ��Ƶ is home to a diverse amount of cuisine, so if you’re a big foodie then you’re in luck.

Uptown ��ݮ��Ƶ is a hotspot for an array of ,

• with Italian food at ,
• delicious ramen bowls at ,
• and the best sushi you’ll ever try in your entire life (no exaggeration), at .

Besides those, some of my other favourite places to go out with a group of friends after a day of classes include , , and . They regularly have deals going on, and the prices are suitable for students.

��ݮ��Ƶ’s coffee shops are also worth checking out, and there are��plenty of options. For those days you want to sit in a cute café and study with a friend, or sip on a coffee and eat a few pastries, some great choices include , , and . Plus, we have more to offer than just caffeine! Bubble tea is a huge hit in this city, with , , and as popular favourites, so there’s probably a drink to quench all of your thirsts.

One thing I love about ��ݮ��Ƶ is that I’m always finding new spots to check out. I recently discovered the best brunch place called and it’s honestly my new favourite! Going out for breakfast is a hobby of mine, and is another favourite of mine – they have amazing prices, delicious croissants, and a cute small-town feel.

If those restaurants alone aren’t enough to have you sprinting to your car and gunning it to ��ݮ��Ƶ to try the best sushi ever (again, it really is the best sushi ever), I asked some of my local friends what they think about their hometown for some more perspectives.

��ݮ��Ƶ demographics

There were a few times when I was younger and travelling, and people would ask my family and I where we were from. Whenever we’d tell people “we're from ��ݮ��Ƶ”, they’d look at us with confusion, and we’d have to explain that it’s close to Toronto.

Living near the big city, ��ݮ��Ƶ Region sometimes tends to get overlooked, because of its smaller population. Although it’s smaller than Ontario’s capital city, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot to��offer – it also has a great tight-knit community. In fact, it’s often referred to as , from .

Less than 150,000 people live in the city and depending on where you’re from, that’s either a lot or absolutely nothing. It’s not exactly a ghost town, and there might be the occasional traffic jam at rush hour, but it’s definitely not constantly buzzing like a bigger city, so I can promise that you’ll be able to get a peaceful nights’ sleep.

On average, ��ݮ��Ƶ’s population is younger than most of Ontario and Canada, with 27.6 per cent of the population between 20 and 34 years old. The younger population can be largely credited to the three big post-secondary schools in the city.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has around 36,000 undergraduate students, Wilfrid Laurier has around 15,000 undergrads, and about 23,000 undergrads are at Conestoga College, making it a perfect town for students! This means that there’s a lot of great activities and events geared towards us��and��there will always be something to do.

For those who are familiar with the city, ��ݮ��Ƶ is most often recognized for its tech sector, and for having hundreds of startups. There’s a Google office right in the middle of ��ݮ��Ƶ, and the region is also the birthplace of BlackBerry. In 2020, ! As much as this city is a place for students to have fun, it is also a great place to develop professionally, especially if you’re keen on the tech industry or want to start a business.

Fun things to do in ��ݮ��Ƶ

Like I said, there’s a lot of things targeting the student demographic, no matter what you like, and all places are easily accessible by bus, LRT, or within walking distance. Besides the and clubs in , going to board game cafes, , a and with friends is just as fun.

If you’re looking for a fun bar though, is my favourite, because they have video games for you to play at your table, and they sometimes have live entertainment and karaoke nights! If you’re into something more relaxed, you can do painting at the local , or check out some exhibitions at .

Big shopper?

is easy to get to by bus or LRT, but there are also a lot of thrift stores in the area, with being my favourite. Maybe you’re tired of going to the grocery store for all your meals – visit ! Open Thursdays and Saturdays (and Tuesdays in the summer!), with over 250 vendors providing fresh, local fruits and vegetables, and lots of other essentials. This place should be on the top of your list – and their apple fritters should definitely be the first thing you try, trust me.

Big movie person?

Aside from your usual , ��ݮ��Ƶ also has , an Indie Premiere Art House Cinema that houses older films, or indie movies you don’t see in regular theatres.

Events at ��ݮ��Ƶ Town Square

Uptown ��ݮ��Ƶ isn’t just a hot spot because of all the establishments, but because of the ongoing events in . From , to salsa nights, to , to – there are all year round! Some of the bigger events in the city include , Canada’s largest Bavarian festival, and , an annual carnival with fun rides and entertainment! If you drive, the cherry on top is that the ��ݮ��Ƶ Town Square Lot has free parking, and you can also park on the surrounding streets, so you don’t have to worry about those parking fees.

Local parks to visit

Picture this: it’s a nice summer day and you just got off work at 4 p.m. The sun is beaming, and after being cooped up all day, you want to soak up some rays and spend time outside. You grab the nearest blanket and some of your favourite snacks, round up your friends, and make a pit stop at , before heading to a grassy field at ��ݮ��Ƶ park for a beautiful summer picnic.

You’re enjoying your dessert, laying in the sun, catching a tan, playing games and throwing around a volleyball for a few hours. To end your night off, you and your friends take a nice walk to check out the animal farm, and see all the llamas and chickens before you leave the park. Doesn’t that sound like a simple yet great way to spend an evening (assuming you’re not lactose intolerant and you think llamas are cute)?
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If picnics or playing sports on the many fields in ��ݮ��Ƶ Park don't pique your interest, there are other recurring events like or , a festival of lights with over 100 colourful and pretty displays!

The fun doesn’t stop there – ��ݮ��Ƶ Region is home to several parks, and each park has activities and yearly events to keep you busy. has always been my favourite, because of the awesome playground I was obsessed with growing up. While I don’t go down the slides as often as I used to, I still make sure to visit the park for the annual , celebration, and my ultimate favourite, .

If you’re really outdoorsy, Laurel Creek Conservation Area is another park that offers activities like swimming, places to fish, picnic tables, and campsites. The even offers low-cost equipment rentals to student members, so you could rent a canoe and take it out on Laurel Creek! Another honourable mention is , which, besides having a volleyball court, basketball court and skatepark, has amazing tall hills where my friends and I go sledding every winter. Just because we’re young adults doesn’t mean we can’t entertain our inner child every now and then!

Come explore ��ݮ��Ƶ

I know what you might be thinking – I’m being biased, because I’m from here, so obviously I’m going to like it. Bias or not, I can also promise you that I know what I’m talking about. There’s a reason ��ݮ��Ƶ is home to thousands of students, and I can guarantee you they’re not sitting around being bored for four years straight. They’re making the most of their experiences, and enjoying the places, events, and activities that come with living in a smaller town.

So, when I say that all these places in ��ݮ��Ƶ are worth visiting, I really mean it, and when I say that you won’t regret coming to ��ݮ��Ƶ to see all the city has to offer, I’m absolutely sure of that. Happy exploring!