Fun for Young and Old (and those in-between)

[panamaniac]

This thread will provide a place to discuss Waterloo Region venues and/or recurring events that answer questions like "What will I do on my day off?"/"I wonder if the kids would find this interesting?"/"Would Mom enjoy this?".  Although there may be overlap with the Culture and other Recreation threads, the idea is to generate a single spot to check out fun and interesting places to visit and things to do in the Region (or nearby).

Suggested format - Provide a brief description of the venue/recurring event and include the website, if there is one.  To whom would this appeal (pre-schoolers? teens? solo? a date? seniors?)?  Perhaps add a photo if you have one.

[panamaniac]

Steckle Heritage Farm (   http://www.stecklehomestead.ca/about-ste...tage-farm/   )  is a ten acre educational farm and Kitchener heritage site located at 811 Bleams Rd not far from Strasburg Rd.  Originally homesteaded in 1833, the farmhouse remained in the Steckle family until 2003, when a non-profit organization was created to preserve the site as a youth education centre.  Originally a much larger dairy farm and apple orchard, the remaining site has market gardens, a small apple orchard, a number of farm and other animals, and a number of original buildings, including a bank barn and a smaller bank barn to which a ventilated apple cellar is attached.  The overall atmosphere is farm-like and park-like at the same time.

The farm holds educational events for both adults and children.  The barn can be rented as a venue for weddings and other events (three season).  This year, on Tuesdays from 3pm to 7pm until the end of October, the farm hosts a food truck and there is a booth selling fresh produce from the farm's gardens.  

Steckle Heritage Farm would appeal to almost everyone, but especially to those interested in local heritage and to families with young children.  It is definitely worth a visit!

[chutten]

For a short (5-15min) visit in the Summer (open from Strawberry season in June until the end of October), Herrle's Country Farm Market is a good stop on the West end of town. They are primarily a produce store, but there's u-pick strawberries and corn (in their respective seasons) and a play structure to keep youngins busy.

(not sure if shorter stops like this fit the criteria)

[panamaniac]

For a short (5-15min) visit in the Summer (open from Strawberry season in June until the end of October), Herrle's Country Farm Market is a good stop on the West end of town. They are primarily a produce store, but there's u-pick strawberries and corn (in their respective seasons) and a play structure to keep youngins busy.

(not sure if shorter stops like this fit the criteria)

When you're in the mood for a country drive, it can be fun to drop into Herrle's along with other local food destinations like Mountain Oak Cheese, Stemmler's Meat and Cheese, and Martin's Orchard Market.  I sometimes combine it with Siittler's Home Baking in Conestogo, although that one is easier to combine with a visit to St Jacobs.  Just don't try to do it on a Sunday.....

http://mountainoakcheese.com/index.php

http://www.stemmlermeats.ca/

http://www.martinsapples.com/retail/

[panamaniac]

Everyone has driven past it a thousand times, but have you ever gone up Floral Dr. to take a closer look at the Rockway Gardens? The gardens are just coming into peak season and are looking wonderful this year. Some nice water features, both in the Gardens and over in the Rockery. Lots of spots to sit for a bit and plenty of places to snap a photo or use as a background for a portrait photo. The Horticultural Society hosts several music nights over the summer - the next one features a swing jazz band on Sunday, August 16th at 1930hrs. Floral Dr is two-way, but to leave, I recommend going down to the south end of the gardens and circling right onto Rockway Dr. - it's a nice old residential street that passes the Rockway golf course clubhouse before re-joining Floral Dr.

[panamaniac]

A nice piece in the Record on a number of good picnicking spots in the Region:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5789...-a-picnic/

[MacBerry]

@Bingemans will open a new outdoor construction-themed amusement zone in June. 

Powered by #Diggerland, the Excavation Station at FunworX to feature uniquely modified machines that adults and children of all ages will be able to ride and operate.

Bingemans to open Excavation Station for June