Planning a trip to Kitchener-Waterloo

VISITOR INFORMATION: For maps and advice, contact Explore Waterloo Region (151 Charles St. W. Kitchener; www.explorewaterlooregion.com; tel. 519/585-7517).

In Kitchener, the Kitchener Welcome Center (www.kitchener.ca; tel. 519/741-2345) is at 200 King St. West.

In Waterloo, the City of Waterloo Visitor & Heritage Information Centre (www.waterloo.ca; tel. 519/885-2297) is located at 10 Father David Bauer Drive.

GETTING THERE: It’s best to visit with a car. The area is sprawling, and the local transit can be tricky to navigate for a short visit. Driving from Toronto, take Hwy. 401 W to ON-85 N. Take the Bridgeport Road W exit, which will bring you to downtown Kitchener.

VIA Rail (www.viarail.ca; tel. 800/VIA-RAIL [800/842-7245] or 416/366-8411) is a luxurious way to travel, and boasts frequent service to Kitchener.