Introduction
With hills sloping down to it on every side, lively downtown Guelph really earns the name. Beginning with Waterloo Avenue in the west, the area locals consider downtown covers the north bank of the Speed River from below Wellington Street to London Road, and runs east to Woolwich street and the Eramosa River.
Lifestyle
Fashionable, funky and just a little freaky, Downtown Guelph is made more magical by the presence of its colourful denizens. This community draws few divisions between work and play, and this is reflected in events such as the Jazz Festival and Art on the Street. Situated near the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, great for those who love the outdoors.
The Vibe
This is the still-beating heart of a progressive, smaller city with artistic sensibilities and agricultural roots. Unlike so many other urban cores in Southern Ontario, downtown Guelph appears to have been able to hang onto its place in the community despite the city’s outer expansion into suburban strip mall and big box heaven.
Meet the Neighbours
The downtown population comprises an eclectic mix of long-time older residents, younger professionals, families, students, artists and academics. There’s no better place in the city to get a sense of its increasingly diverse ethnic make-up than the summer splash pad/winter ice rink in front of City Hall, and a very wide range of housing options attracts people of all incomes and backgrounds to the area.
In the Area
There are some slightly scary, but reasonably priced rental options available above bars and storefronts. Overall, downtown housing prices are on the higher end for buyers. While beloved diners have hung on for decades, most restaurants tend to be upscale – even a burger will run you $15-20 in many establishments.
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Guelph Central Station, at the corner of Wyndham and Carden Streets, is the hub for VIA and GO trains, Greyhound, GO and City buses. Downtown Guelph is a highly walkable community, however, and there are far more bike racks available than parking places most days. There’s good access to local highways and the 401 via Gordon and Wellington Streets.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Shoppers and diners flock to downtown Guelph for its boutiques, bakeries, bars and bistros. All five major banks have main branches here, as does the Guelph Public Library, and local OHL franchise. The RiverRun Centre, Dublin Street United Church, Guelph Youth Music Centre and a number of smaller venues host live music performances and the Guelph General Hospital is just a few blocks east of the downtown core.
Dollars & Sense
Downtown is thriving, and that means this will never be a particularly quiet neighbourhood, especially during the academic year. There's a number of specialty food shops, but there’s only one (rather upscale) full market, so residents have to do their major shopping elsewhere, and the lack of parking if you don’t have a driveway make this area a better choice for pedestrians and cyclists than those who love their cars.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Buon Gusto
Open since 2013, Buon Gusto serves simple, authentic Italian fare prepared with great care. The restaurant’s 900-degree wood pizza oven ensures the best crust you’ll ever find outside of Italy.
more infoMeow/Royal Cat Records
This carefully curated vintage boutique has been a fixture on the Carden Street shopping strip since 2007. In 2014 Meow added Royal Cat Records, featuring an excellent selection of new and vintage vinyl.
more infoBoarding House Arts
This collaboration between the University of Guelph’s School of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery of Guelph opened to create a space where local artists rent studios on the upper floors restored stone building.
more infoANAF Club 344
Club 344 is the spot for those who can’t bear the students downtown. The space is a hotbed of DIY events, bands, live comedy, DJs and Golden Throats karaoke are amongst the regular offerings.
more infoIF Footwear Boutique
Downtown Guelph’s best shoe store is probably one of the best in the world. Bringing together hot European lines such as Fly, Liebeskind, and Camper (Spain), with more sensible styles from Naot (Israel) and TOMS.
more infoThe Bookshelf
Home to downtown Guelph’s only cinema, as well as a renowned independent bookseller and café, the Bookshelf complex on Quebec Street has been vital to the area’s longevity. Featuring a typical art-house schedule of less mainstream new cinematic releases and classic films in repertory. Although not technically affiliated, OX restaurant below the cinema is another wildly popular downtown draw.
more info