by Bri Mitchell | October 2023
There are so many reasons to choose Waterloo Region as your road trip destination with your partner as the seasons change. Cool fall nights are the perfect excuse to cozy up together and take in all of the romantic and relaxing things you can do together for a weekend road trip getaway.
Let’s get down to all of the best ways to enjoy a weekend away in this incredible region. For this road trip, you’ll need a few nice outfits, pairs of flip flops and slippers, a few cozy sweaters and have your camera ready for memorable stops along the way.
Friday – Welcome to Uptown Waterloo
Begin your weekend away by checking into your accommodation. Delta by Marriott Waterloo is centrally located in a beautiful part of the city. The hotel is surrounded by trees, and as the leaves change from green to gold this fall, you’ll be greeted by views of the changing trees all around you.
The Delta by Marriott is also very close to Waterloo Park. Begin the evening by taking a stroll through the park and seeing the changing colours of the trees around you before heading to dinner at Trio Restaurant in Uptown Waterloo.
Trio is an exceptional restaurant, with a focused menu centred on excellence. Enjoy delectable dishes like raw oysters, beef tartare and wagyu steak, or just try it all with a tasting menu experience. Don’t forget to save room for dessert!
After dinner, catch a show at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Shows begin at 7:30, so make sure you plan to give yourself some time for dinner and to make your way up to St. Jacobs before the play begins. Tickets can be purchased here in advance of your weekend getaway.
Following the show, head back to the Delta for the night, and feel free to stop by their excellent restaurant, Proof Kitchen & Lounge, for a nightcap before heading back to your room.
Saturday – Enjoy some Pampering
Get ready to relax and enjoy this blissful Saturday in Waterloo. Start the day by heading to Cafe 22 for a light breakfast and a coffee, before heading to the spa for some pampering!
The Waters Spa is an urban retreat in the heart of Waterloo, with many different treatments and spa packages to choose from. They have packages specially tailored for couples that you can indulge in, like couples massages, couples facials and relaxation packages.
After a relaxing morning at the spa, head for a late brunch or lunch at Red House. They have a range of inventive cocktails to indulge in, and delicious house made specials like harvest salads and crab benedict. If lunch is more your speed, they have an array of delicious sandwiches and noodle bowls that you can enjoy.
An afternoon with a full belly is the perfect time to walk around Uptown Waterloo for some retail therapy together. There are so many great shops to visit while you’re in this part of Waterloo Region. Whether you’re looking to peruse local art galleries (like the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery), find a unique gift for that special someone, shop for new and vintage clothes or stop in at a brewery once you’re ready for a rest, Uptown Waterloo has it all.
Finish off the afternoon by going back to your hotel to freshen up, before heading out for another incredible meal.
S&V Uptown is a memorable location for this romantic weekend getaway. Their menu is creative, their wine list is exhaustive, and their meats are some of the best selected around. Their rotating menu includes features like foie gras, scallops, duck breast and wild mushrooms. Or you can opt for a tasting menu to try a little bit of everything during your romantic dinner for two.
No matter what you choose to enjoy at S&V Uptown, lean into the moment and plan to spend a while grazing and savouring this moment together with your partner. It is truly a romantic and celebratory experience on a weekend getaway in Waterloo.
Relax – it’s Sunday
Start the morning with a little sleep in at your hotel before checking out. Head back into Uptown Waterloo to grab a coffee and small breakfast to go, and take it with you to your morning activity.
Laurel Creek Conservation Area is a beautiful natural area that’s very close to the centre of Waterloo. It has nearly 5km of trails to explore, making it the perfect place to come for an extended and relaxing morning walk in nature. They also have several picnic tables throughout the park if you’d like to sit down and enjoy your breakfast al fresco!
After spending the morning on your feet, it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a Waterloo Central Railway Heritage Hopper Ride. This romantic heritage train ride departs from the city of Waterloo, and goes north to the village of Elmira and back. It’s a train of a different era, and will allow you to lean into the beauty of relaxing on a train on a Sunday. And in the fall you have the added advantage of taking in the changing fall colours as the train winds its way through the countryside!
Feel free to hop off at various stops to take in the picturesque towns connected by this route, including the Village of St. Jacobs. (Note that you could shake up this itinerary and take the Heritage Hopper on a Saturday when the St. Jacobs Farmers Market is open.)
Finish up your romantic weekend by heading for lunch at Sole Restaurant and Wine Bar for delicious Mediterranean fare before driving to the last stop. No romantic road trip would be complete without a selfie at the West Montrose Covered Bridge, better known as “The Kissing Bridge” – the perfect souvenir for your weekend in Waterloo Region!
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About Bri Mitchell
Bri was born and raised in Ontario. She spent many years living abroad, but returned to the province with a curiosity to keep travelling closer to home.
You can find her canoeing and swimming across Ontario with a craft brew in her hand in the summer, and snowshoeing or curling up with a good book and an Ontarian Pinot Noir in the winter.
She loves writing about travel experiences in our beautiful province and beyond on the websites travelingmitch.com and ultimateontario.com.