Guelph Civic Museum, located next to Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate.
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Guelph Civic Museum

4.5
·364 reviews·Guelph, Canada

Discover Guelph's rich history in a charming former convent, featuring interactive exhibits and stunning city views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more intimate

CrowdLow
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Guelph Civic Museum, located next to Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate.

Guelph Civic Museum

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more intimate

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover Guelph's rich history in a charming former convent, featuring interactive exhibits and stunning city views.

4.5
(364 reviews)

"A charming museum that is situated inside a former Loretto Convent. It showcases the history of Guelph really nicely."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Plan for 1.5-3 Hours

Allow ample time to explore exhibits; you could spend 1.5 hours or up to 3 if you read everything.

💧 Stay Hydrated

A water bottle filling station is available, so bring your reusable bottle!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 364 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The 'Never Get Bored Room'

The 'Never Get Bored Room'

An immersive, interactive art installation that sparks wonder and creativity for all ages.

Instagram
Guelph's Rich History

Guelph's Rich History

Discover fascinating stories of the city's past, from its founding to notable figures.

Reddit
Family Gallery Fun

Family Gallery Fun

A playful and educational space designed for young children to explore and learn.

Reddit
Panoramic City Views

Panoramic City Views

Enjoy stunning vistas of Guelph from the upper floors of the modern glass extension.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for a Smoother Visit

While the Guelph Civic Museum is charming, it's on the smaller side. Visiting during weekdays, especially mornings, can offer a more intimate experience with fewer crowds, allowing you to fully appreciate the exhibits. Reddit

Family Fun & Freebies

The museum offers a fantastic, inexpensive family gallery for younger children. Plus, a visit often includes free passes to the McCrae House, making it a great value for families exploring Guelph. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more intimate
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
School groups may visit
Crowd
Medium
When
Special Events
Why
Unique experiences
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We love exploring Guelph! Stop by one of sites for some hands-on fun! 📍 @guelphmuseums - McCrae House 📍 @guelphblackheritage 📍 @guelphmuseums - Civic Museum 📍 @agguelph 📍 @uogarboretum See you soon
waterloowellingtonnetwork
40 likes • 2.3K views

🎯 Plan for 1.5-3 Hours

Allow ample time to explore exhibits; you could spend 1.5 hours or up to 3 if you read everything. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

A water bottle filling station is available, so bring your reusable bottle! Reddit

We're getting ready for the holiday season! Enjoy a glimpse behind-the-scenes as our team sets up holiday decor in the glass box at the Guelph Civic Museum. @cityofguelph @waterloowellingtonnetwork @gatheringuelph
guelphmuseums
40 likes • 684 views
Regular speed of HALF of The Never Get Bored Room we built at the Guelph Civic Museum for Open Doors After Dark! @guelphmuseums #kaleidoscope #art #fractalart #kaleidoscopic #geometry #artist #kaleidoscopeart #artwork #symmetry #pattern #fractal #rainbow #mandalas #playistheway #playtherapy #playmatters #cathartistry #immersiveart #interactiveart
slinkyswellness
36 likes • 1.7K views

🛍️ Nearby Bakeries

Four amazing bakeries are close by for post-museum treats! Reddit

🚗 Free Parking Available

The museum has a small parking lot with free parking, including an EV charging station. Reddit

A great field trip was had, with a “walking tour and then interactive visit of the Guelph Civic Museum” by Ms. Bendo, Mr. Plat, Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Story’s Grade 2s. Thanks for being great AMBASSADORS for our school Hurricanes!🌀 😃👍🏼
ht_hurricanes
18 likes • 672 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Plan for 1.5-3 Hours

Allow ample time to explore exhibits; you could spend 1.5 hours or up to 3 if you read everything. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

A water bottle filling station is available, so bring your reusable bottle! Reddit

🛍️ Nearby Bakeries

Four amazing bakeries are close by for post-museum treats! Reddit

🚗 Free Parking Available

The museum has a small parking lot with free parking, including an EV charging station. Reddit

♿ Wheelchair Accessible

The museum is accessible with elevators and designated parking spots. Reddit

🎟️ Free McCrae House Passes

Your admission often includes free passes to the nearby McCrae House. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(364 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Guelph Civic Museum for its charming exhibits, historical depth, and excellent value, especially for families. While some find it less interactive for older teens, the engaging family gallery and unique art installations are consistently highlighted. The beautiful building and city views add to the overall positive experience.

"Great place for adults! I brought my early teen here, but she didn't really enjoy herself very much. The exhibits aren't very interactive. However, she did enjoy it when I gave her the highlights of what I read. Ideally, if you bring a teen here, you would have read though everything yourself first, and then bring your teen in and point out the interesting pieces. My daughter was also disappointed that there wasn't any science in the museum (except the kids' section).

They do have a cute kids' section for young children (8 and under would be the ages my kids would have enjoyed this section). The kids' section has some similarities to the old Ontario Science Center's KidSpark. It has a market with a grocery store that kids can put play food in their carts and drive around. Kids absolutely love that! They were running a camp in the children's section of the Guelph Civic Museum at the time we came, but it wasn't noisy for everyone else. Also, after paying for the tickets for this museum, they gave us 2 free passes to the McCrae House in Guelph!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Civic Museum! It tied together pieces of Guelph's history that I didn't understand before. For example, I had never realized that the OVC (which I saw many times listed at College Royal) was one of the 3 colleges that became the University of Guelph. I also found the information about the history of Victor Davis very interesting because there is a pool in Guelph that is named after that man. The Homewood's history is also represented. There is also an art room with interesting pieces.

Time: We spent around 1.5 hours there. However, I could easily have spent 2-3 hours there if I read everything, but my teen didn't want to stay that long.

Water bottle filling station: Yes.

Gift shop: Yes.

Food: None. However, there are 4 awesome bakeries nearby; check their hours first though! Killer Cupcakes' Money Cakes and her chocolate cupcakes are out of this world!! Decadently Yours makes some amazing Vanilla Latte cupcakes, and Wellington Cakes makes some incredible, freshly made pecan butter tarts!! Eric the Baker makes a delectable brownie!

Washrooms: Yes. Most floors had them.

EV charging station: Yes, there is one in the parking lot.

Parking: There is a small parking lot with free parking.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, there is a wheelchair accessible parking spot and elevators throughout the building."

Amy Pharoah

"A charming museum that is situated inside a former Loretto Convent. It showcases the history of Guelph really nicely with charming displays and unique artifacts. Would strongly recommend visiting it when visiting Guelph for a look into the history of the city."

Prehistoric Terminator

"This is a wonderful place to visit. It’s a beautiful old stone building with a glass extension as the entrance and an open stairway. Since it’s located on a hill, the view from the top floor of the glass part has an amazing view of the City of Guelph.

I love bringing my kids here to play in the family gallery. It’s so nice to have a fun place for them to play and learn about new things that it so inexpensive. They absolutely LOVE coming here.

I highly recommend visiting here if you have kids, or if you would just like to learn about the history of Guelph. It’s a lovely place and a gem right in the centre of Guelph."

Ben I

What People Like

Charming historical exhibits
Engaging family gallery
Great value for money

What People Dislike

Less interactive for teens
Smaller size

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Guelph Civic Museum is located in Guelph, Ontario. Public transportation options are available within the city, and the museum has a small parking lot with free parking, including an EV charging station. Reddit

Yes, there is a small parking lot available at the museum with free parking. An EV charging station is also on-site. Reddit

While specific routes can vary, Guelph has public transit options. It's recommended to check local transit schedules for the most convenient way to reach the museum. Reddit

Guelph is accessible by car and has GO Train service from Toronto. For local travel within Guelph, consider the city's public transit system or ride-sharing services. Reddit

Absolutely! Your admission often includes free passes to the McCrae House, and the downtown area offers bakeries and shops. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The museum is known for being inexpensive, especially for families. Specific pricing details can be found on their official website or by contacting them directly. Reddit

Opening hours can vary, so it's best to check the official Guelph Civic Museum website for the most up-to-date information on days and times. Reddit

While advance booking might not always be necessary, especially for general admission, it's a good idea to check their website, particularly for special events or group visits. Reddit

The museum is noted for being inexpensive, and family visits are particularly good value. Check their website for any specific discount or group rates. Reddit

Yes, admission often includes free passes to the McCrae House, allowing you to explore another historical site in Guelph. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The museum showcases Guelph's history with charming displays and unique artifacts, including exhibits on local figures and the city's development. It also features an interactive 'Never Get Bored Room' and a dedicated family gallery. InstagramReddit

While teens might find the exhibits less interactive than younger children, they can enjoy the historical context if guided by an adult who has explored the highlights beforehand. Reddit

This is an immersive and interactive art installation, often described as a kaleidoscope-like experience, designed to engage visitors with its patterns and geometry. Instagram

Yes, there's a well-loved family gallery with interactive elements like a play grocery store, perfect for children aged 8 and under. Reddit

Most visitors spend around 1.5 hours, but you could easily spend 2-3 hours if you plan to read all the information presented. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

No, the museum does not offer food or dining services. However, there are several excellent bakeries and eateries located nearby. Reddit

You're in luck! The area boasts fantastic bakeries like Killer Cupcakes, Decadently Yours, Wellington Cakes, and Eric the Baker for delicious treats. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's generally best practice to consume outside food and drinks before or after your visit, respecting the museum's exhibits. A water bottle filling station is available. Reddit

The downtown Guelph area, near the museum, offers various dining options that cater to families. Exploring the nearby streets will reveal many choices. Reddit

Expect a delightful array of treats, from cupcakes and specialty cakes to pecan butter tarts and brownies, from local favorites like Killer Cupcakes and Wellington Cakes. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Generally, personal photography for non-commercial use is permitted, but it's always wise to check for any specific restrictions on certain exhibits or areas. Reddit

The modern glass extension offers great views of the city, and the 'Never Get Bored Room' provides unique, colorful photo opportunities. The historic architecture of the former convent is also picturesque. InstagramReddit

Similar to photography, personal video recording is usually allowed for non-commercial purposes. Be mindful of other visitors and any posted signage. Reddit

Flash photography can sometimes damage artifacts or disturb other visitors. It's best to avoid using flash unless explicitly permitted. Reddit

A smartphone camera is perfectly adequate for capturing memories. If you're interested in more artistic shots, a mirrorless or DSLR camera can be used, keeping in mind any size or bag restrictions. Reddit

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