Attractions

Downtown Kitchener offers a never-ending list of thing to see and do, no matter what the season, whether you're young, old or somewhere in between. From galleries, studios, a children's museum and historic sites to the Centre in the Square, Kitchener offers a wide variety of attractions.

The Aud

In its more than 50 years, The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex has been a cornerstone of the community. The history of The Aud tells a story of a building that was initially conceived with a vision to the future - a vision that has been met and surpassed. The Aud is Southwestern Ontario's Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility hosting international and nations sports competitions, family shows, concerts and trade shows. In winter, watch the Kitchener Rangers hockey teams and in the summer watch the Kitchener Panthers and Kitchener Dodgers baseball teams.

400 East Avenue
519-741-2699, 1-800-265-8977
www.theaud.ca

The Aud Skatepark

You will find the Skatepark at the Aud beside Centennial Stadium. It has many features to interest skateboarders, inline skaters and bicycle stunters. The Skatepark features include:

• A concrete pad, a bowl, a double camel's hump, a quarter pipe with a rail, a ramp with a grinding rail, a pyramid and a horizontal grinding rail.

The Skatepark can be used year round, depending on weather conditions, by all ages, from 9 am to dusk. However, it is not supervised and individuals use it at their own risk. The City of Kitchener is not responsible for any losses, damages or injuries resulting from use of the Skatepark. Telephone and washrooms are available at the Auditorium Complex.

For more information, please call 519-741-2688.

Children's Museum

Located in the historic former Goudies department store building in the heart of Kitchener, the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum is unlike any other facility in this country. It is a place where art and technology meet and - what is most exciting about the concept — where the outcomes of the activities are open ended. This unpredictable nature of the experience promotes genuine creativity and discovery. Families in the province of Ontario have a destination that provides entertaining and enriching activities for all members. Schools use the Museum to complement the new arts and science curriculum.

10 King Street West
519-749-9387
www.thechildrensmuseum.ca

The Joseph Schneider Haus

The Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and Gallery is a dynamic community museum in downtown Kitchener. The heart of the complex is the fine Georgian frame farmhouse built by one of the area's first pioneers, Joseph Schneider, a Pennsylvania-German Mennonite. A local landmark and Kitchener's oldest dwelling, the c. 1816 homestead was restored and furnished to period and opened as a living history museum in 1981.

The Joseph Schneider Haus is located in downtown Kitchener on the edge of beautiful Victoria Park. Most of the museum is handicapped accessible and free parking is provided for visitors across from the site.

466 Queen Street South
519-742-775
www.region.waterloo.on.ca

The Kitchener Market

Everyone enjoys a trip to the Saturday morning market for fresh produce, cheese, flowers, tender meat, homemade treats, original crafts and more. Drop by for lunch Tuesday through Saturday at one of our international cuisine vendors.

Kids' Club — The first Saturday of every month, The Kitchener Market hosts its Kids' Club. From 10 am–noon, kids are invited to make a free craft while parents enjoy culturally diverse live entertainment.

Kids' Hop — Tuesday morning (11am–12 noon) at The Kitchener Market hops for kids of all ages. Visit the Market Shops (upper level of The Kitchener Market) from 11 am–12 noon for some hand-clapping and foot-stomping good fun! Regulars Erick Traplin, Paul Hiller and Ron Hiller share the stage with other children's performers from near and far. Make healthy snacks and delicious lunches from our Market Shops part of your Kids' Hop experience

The Kitchener Market
300 King Street East
519-741-2287
www.kitchenermarket.ca

Kitchener Public Library

Resources for children and their families are a priority at all KPL locations. The Children's Services Department at the Main Library offers the most extensive range of materials for young readers and provides support for the development of services for youth throughout the KPL system.

Along with an incredible selection of books and a range of popular magazines, you will find multimedia collections that include:
• sound recordings, book-tape kits.
• Videos and DVDs, CD-ROMS and toys all available to take home.
• KidTech — Internet stations and the Main Library's Homework Centre.
• Family Resource Centre — books, videos and other information related to child-rearing issues of special interest to families dealing with emotional or physical changes.

Programs for babies, pre-schoolers and school-aged children are scheduled throughout the year. The Reading Buddies programs are designed to provide emerging readers with support and the annual Summer Reading Club, KidsPark, Design-a-Bookmark contest and other favourites have provided generations of children with wonderful KPL memories.

Unable to visit the Library? Try our Kids' Storyline or ask about Library Links for Life, services supported by the Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Club and the KPL Foundation.

Kitchener Main Library
85 Queen Street North
519-743-0271
519-743-1261

Victoria Park

Kitchener is proud to boast of over 2,000 acres of parkland and open spaces. One of the most picturesque parks, Victoria Park, is nestled just a short walk from City Hall in the heart of downtown on either side of Courtland Avenue between Victoria Street South and Queen Street South. This 59-acre site is a haven of tranquility for residents and visitors alike.

The park includes:
• Park setting that includes a small lake, beautiful rose gardens, flowering shrubs, mature trees.
• Picnic Shelters and picnic tables throughout the park.
• A playground that excites all ages, with restrooms close by.
• Soccer and football field, along with multiple open spaces for a game of Frisbee.
• 2 horseshoe pits, shuffleboard.
• A great splash pad for the young ones that opens July & August.
• A bandshell where local entertainment is offered.
• The Boathouse Restaurant — enjoy dinner overlooking the lake with live entertainment.
• The pavilion — a fully licensed banquet hall with stage. Suitable for special events, weddings and little theatre productions.
• Free parking.
• In December, the park is a "Christmas Fantasy" as the trees, bridges and buildings are decorated with thousands of colourful lights.

Clock Tower in Victoria Park

The park is home to a restored clock tower — built in 1924 — which once crowned Kitchener's former City Hall. It remained standing until 1973, when the building was demolished. The tower is 36 feet in height and weighs 75 tons. It is capped by a copper dome and large flagpole. The clock tower bell, equal in size to the Liberty Bell of Philadelphia, was purchased by the Berlin (later renamed Kitchener) town council in 1876 from a New York firm. It first rang from the tower of the town's firehall, then was moved to City Hall in 1924 where it stood between the pillars of the clock tower until demolition occurred. The bell and clock tower were then retired to a city yard. Each stone was numbered with the hope that the tower would someday be re-assembled. After years of planning, re-construction took place in 1995. The clock's four faces were re-built, the mechanism was repaired and the base was accurately reconstructed. This venture was made possible by a variety of volunteer expertise and donations from public and private sectors. This historic site is located at the park's Gaukel Street entrance.