Steeped in history — and mystery — Guelph’s first Masonic Lodge was established in 1849, occupying space on Wyndham Street for decades. The “new” Guelph Masonic Centre has been home to local Masons and their long-standing traditions since 1914. Nestled between Quebec Street and Chapel Lane, this building had a $1 million renovation in 2000, modernizing it while retaining original limestone walls.

Guelph has always been defined by its rivers. Come and take an informative hike alongside the rapids of the Speed River in Guelph’s Dufferin neighbourhood. This 1-kilometre (3,280-foot) section of the Trans Canada Trail was created by locals and upgraded by Guelph Hiking Trail Club volunteers in 2020 during the pandemic. Hikes will be offered on demand throughout the day.

404 York Road offers visitors an eclectic mix of the arts along with the Lost Aviators Coffee Co. to refuel in between Doors Open stops along your itinerary. The building encompasses Ed Video — a charitable media arts centre — the Artworks Gallery Guelph and Azure Photography. Note: The Artworks Gallery Guelph’s will feature Adam Honsinger and Rain Bone performing original music.

Dedicated in 1930, this classical-style limestone building is at the heart of Woodlawn Memorial Park. Set within the burial ground that was established in 1854, the marble interior of this mausoleum contains 300 crypts and ornamental features like stained-glass windows and hand-painted plaster ceilings. During Doors Open, tour the crematorium in the lower level as well.

This Victorian Renaissance revival-style building served as Guelph’s town hall from 1856 to 2009 when the new city hall opened. Designed by William Thomas, it features carved stone, quarry stone quoins and a vermiculated key stone arch around the doors. In 2009, it was adapted as a courthouse, featuring original windows, crown mouldings, arched cells and a performance hall.

After 153 years in the original town hall (now the Provincial Offences Court), Guelph's new city hall opened in 2009. Designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, it combines the original firehall and the wall from the Provincial Winter Fair with modern green-building technologies. Step into the courtyard to see the old town bell and the centre-ice marker from the Memorial Gardens.

Nestled in Riverside Park, above the floral clock, these greenhouses grow gorgeous planters that decorate downtown streets and municipal buildings. See how City staff prepare for the spring planting, and see the plan for this year’s floral clock and Blossom Express. While here, check out other amenities in Riverside Park, including the Enabling Garden and the children’s playground.

This Gothic church celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Overcrowding in the First Wesleyan Methodist Church on Norfolk Street (now the Mission) led to the creation of this building in 1874 — in what would have then been the suburbs. Come and view the beautiful pipe organ, works of art and soaring stained-glass windows.

This Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre focuses on food safety and value-added food attributes to help foster a profitable and sustainable agri-food sector in Canada. During Doors Open, observe the many labs and learn from food scientists about research being conducted on food quality, food safety, enhanced health benefits and new areas of research on the horizon.

This building, previously a British Methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1880 by former Black slaves using limestone quarried from Essex Street. In 2012, the Guelph Black Heritage Society purchased and renovated the site, which is now a cultural, historical and social centre. Experience the mosaic tile Underground Railway quilt that tells the story of Guelph’s Black community.

In 1935, the first Little Theatre opened at Guelph City Hall. In 1993, a fire forced the theatre out of the Salvation Army Hall on Dublin Street. In 1997, it moved into a former welding shop that now features a 288-seat raked auditorium, gracious lobby, rehearsal hall, workshop and dressing rooms.