Free
Kissing Bridge Trailway
A rail trail through farmland between Guelph and Millbank, passing near Elmira.
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Waterloo Region, Ontario
St. Jacobs and Elmira
Farm country north of Waterloo: a big year-round farmers' market, a heritage train, village shops and theatre, Old Order Mennonite buggies on the roads and the West Montrose covered bridge.
Photo: St. Jacobs from the air, Saskia2586, CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Jacobs is a small village on the Conestogo River, known for its farmers' market just south of town. The area is home to many Old Order Mennonite families, and horse-drawn buggies are a common sight on rural roads.
Elmira, a few minutes north, hosts a large maple syrup festival each spring, and nearby West Montrose has the last covered bridge in Ontario.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Health Valley Trail
A riverside trail along the Conestogo River from St. Jacobs.
Cheap
Conestogo Lake Conservation Area
A reservoir lake for swimming, boating and camping.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
West Montrose Covered Bridge
The 'Kissing Bridge', Ontario's last covered bridge, over the Grand River.
Free
Elmira
A small town with a main street and parks, just north of St. Jacobs.
Paid
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Musicals and plays from Drayton Entertainment.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market
A big year-round market with local farmers, food stalls and an outdoor market.
Free
Herrle's Country Farm Market
A seasonal farm market known for sweet corn. About 15 minutes away.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Free
Elmira Maple Syrup Festival
A big one-day maple festival in April.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Waterloo Central Railway
Heritage train rides between Waterloo, the St. Jacobs market and Elmira.
Season Thursdays and Saturdays roughly April–Oct, plus Tuesdays in July and Aug (check before you go).
Part of our Grand River guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Market day and a show at the playhouse make a full day.
- The covered bridge and trails fill a quiet morning.
- The maple syrup festival is worth planning around in April.
Nearby and worth the drive
Stratfordabout 45 min · Guide ↗
Theatre and the Avon River.
Eloraabout 30 min · Guide ↗The gorge and the quarry.
Ready-made trips with St. Jacobs and Elmira
Good to know
- Tourism: stjacobs.com.
- On the road: Slow down and give horse-drawn buggies plenty of room.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: St. Jacobs from the air, Saskia2586, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: West Montrose covered bridge, Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, Canmenwalker, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Snider Flour Mill, St. Jacobs, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0