Admissions and Guidelines

Planning to visit us? Here is everything you can expect on your visit. 

Hours 

Tickets for our Museum properties can be purchased at the front desk of each property.

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Doon Heritage Village, and Schneider Haus National Historic Site

Regular Business Hours: Wednesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Summer Hours: July - August - Monday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Hours:

Family Day - February 16, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March Break - March 16 to 20, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Easter Monday - April 6, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Victoria Day - May 18, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Canada Day - July 1, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Civic Holiday - August 3, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving - October 12, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Labour Day - September 7, 2026 - Closed
Remembrance Day - November 11, 2026 - Closed
Christmas Day - December 25, 2026 - Closed
Boxing Day - December 26, 2026 - Closed
New Year's Day - January 1, 2027 - Closed 

Note: Doon Heritage Village

Water mains, electricity lines, and telephone/fibre cables will be replaced throughout Doon Heritage Village. Water mains, electricity lines, and telephone/fibre cables have been replaced in the Village from 2023 through 2025. Additional capital improvements are also underway. The historic buildings will remain closed to the public through 2025; however, areas of the Village will be utilized for school programs and special events. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in spring 2026! 

McDougall Cottage Historic Site

Regular Business Hours: Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. 
Summer Hours: June, July & August - Monday & Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
Winter 2025/26 Closure: McDougall Cottage is currently closed for the season but will reopen on February 16.

Winter 2026/2 Closure: McDougall Cottage will close for the season on December 13, 2026

Holiday Hours:
Family Day - February 16, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March Break - March 16 to 20, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Easter Monday - April 6, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Victoria Day - May 18, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Canada Day - July 1, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Civic Holiday - August 3, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving - October 12, 2026 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Labour Day - September 7, 2026 - Closed
Remembrance Day - November 11, 2026 - Closed
Christmas Day - December 25, 2026 - Closed
Boxing Day - December 26, 2026 - Closed
New Year's Day - January 1, 2027 - Closed 

Admission Fees

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village Admission

Admission includes access to the museum galleries.

  • Adult (18-54) - $15
  • Senior (ages 55 and over) - $10
  • Student (ages 13-17 and/or with student ID) - $10
  • Children (ages 5 to 12) - $8
  • Children ages 4 and under - Free
  • Family/Small Group (up to 4 people) - $30
  • Family/Medium Group (up to 6 people) - $40
  • Family/Large Group (up to 8 people) - $50
  • Travel Trade / Motor Coach Tour Group Rate - 10% discount on General Admission
  • Companion / PAL Program - No charge per purchased admission for companion or support person 

(all rates plus HST)

Schneider Haus Admission

Admission includes access to the museum galleries.

  • Adult (18-54) - $8
  • Senior (ages 55 and over) - $8
  • Student (ages 13-17 and/or with student ID) - $6
  • Children (ages 5 to 12) - $5
  • Children ages 4 and under - Free
  • Family/Small Group (up to 4 people) - $20
  • Family/Medium Group (up to 6 people) - $30
  • Family/Large Group (up to 8 people) - $40
  • Travel Trade / Motor Coach Tour Group Rate - 10% discount on General Admission
  • Companion / PAL Program - No charge per purchased admission for companion or support person 

(all rates plus HST)

McDougall Cottage Admission
  • Admission by donation to the Cottage.
  • Museum Members: FREE private tours are available for Museum Members on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, by appointment. To book your private tour, please email us at McDougall@regionofwaterloo.ca
Groups

To inquire about a Cottage rental, or private group tour (of 8 or more), please email us at McDougall@Regionofwaterloo.ca

Membership

Membership offers huge savings with unlimited admission to all Region of Waterloo-owned and operated museums for the whole year! 

  • Single - Year Membership only $40
  • Family - Year Membership only $70 (2 adults & dependent children)

(all rates plus HST)

 

Getting to our Sites

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

Address
10 Huron Road, Kitchener, ON N2P 2R7
GPS Coordinates: N 43 24' 03.24  W 80 26' 09.39 
Google Map - Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The museum is 3 km north of Highway 401 at Interchange 275, on Homer Watson Boulevard, or 5.7 km south of the Homer Watson Boulevard Exit on Highway 7/8. Directional signs are located on both Highway 401 and Highway 7/8. Follow the blue and white "M" (for Museum) signs along Homer Watson Boulevard.

Public Transit

Grand River Transit provides frequent bus service within walking distance of the museum, connecting to the ION light rail, seven days a week.

Schneider Haus

Address
466 Queen St. S., Kitchener, ON, N2G 1W7

The museum is accessible by transit routes 1, 2, and 8 and is a short walk from Victoria Park and downtown Kitchener.

Map and Directions

GPS Coordinates
43°26'41.4"N 80°29'39.2"W

McDougall Cottage

Address
89 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge, Ontario, N1S 2L7
Google Map - McDougall Cottage Historic Site

The Cottage is a 15-minute walk from the Ainslie Street Transit Terminal bus station.

 

Parking

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

Parking at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is quick and easy - and best of all, it's free! Please note that parking is limited. We encourage you to consider carpooling, especially during peak hours/events, to help with parking capacity and the environment.

Schneider Haus

Parking is available free of charge on Queen Street across from the museum.

McDougall Cottage

View this Parking Map to see where parking is available around the cottage.

 

Food and Beverage

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

Hazel's Snack Bar offers snacks and hot and cold beverages, with a picturesque seating area that overlooks the Peter Martin Farm and Petersburg Railway Station.

Schneider Haus

Schneider Haus has a limited number of snacks available at the front desk.

 

Accessibility

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is accessible for visitors with disabilities. Upon arriving at the Museum, please ask for our Guide to Visitors with Disabilities to learn about all of the Museum's services.
Most of the historic buildings in Doon Heritage Village are accessible, although our gravel pathways and roadways may pose a barrier for some people. All-terrain wheelchairs are available on loan, free of charge, at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis.

When visiting Doon Heritage Village, we recommend that individuals with manual, non-motorized wheelchairs have someone available to push/help with their wheelchair.

Please note that the width of some door openings inside the historic buildings may limit access for people with motorized scooters and wheelchairs; entry door widths are listed in the Guide to Visitors with Disabilities.

Service animals are always welcome at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.

The Region of Waterloo maintains TTY access for people who are deaf or have difficulty hearing at 519-575-4608.

PAL Card

For some people with disabilities, it is necessary to have someone's help in order to participate in recreation and leisure activities. The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum honours PAL - the Personal Attendant for Leisure card.

Schneider Haus

The main floors of the historic house and exhibit galleries are accessible. A written guide is available for those unable to access the second floor of the historic house. The grounds and pathways may be a barrier to those with limited mobility. Schneider Haus does not offer wheelchair accessible washrooms.     

McDougall Cottage

The Cottage is partially accessible and has accommodations that can be requested.

  • Mobile ramp for wheelchairs to access the main rooms of the Cottage.
  • Public washrooms (no changing facilities)
  • The outdoor space has narrow walkways.
  • Interior steps may be a barrier to people with mobility impairments.

Please call the Cottage prior to your visit for accommodations. 519-624-8250

 

Visitor Policies

In the interest of safety and security for our staff, visitors, buildings, and collections, the following practices are observed at Region of Waterloo Museums:

Tips for Visiting

  • Pets, except for service animals, are not permitted.
  • For First Aid or lost and found articles, please ask for assistance at the admissions counter
  • We encourage you to connect with family and friends with your cell phone, but please be respectful of other guests around you.
  • Please leave your valuables at home or secure them in a locker located near the museum's admissions counter. The Region of Waterloo assumes no liability for items left in the museum's coat room or unattended.

Tips for Families

  • Visitors must inform staff at the Guest Services reception counter immediately should a child become lost or separated from their guardian(s).
  • Strollers are permitted in exhibit galleries and historic buildings; however, wagons are not permitted.
  • Please do not carry children on your shoulders. Some areas of the museum and historic buildings have low ceilings.
  • Please do not place or hold children over fencing that secures our farm animals.

Conduct in Region of Waterloo Museums

  • All persons entering the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum are subject to video surveillance.
  • Children 13 years of age and under must be accompanied by a person who is at least 16 years of age.
  • Food, beverages, and chewing gum are not permitted in exhibit galleries or historic buildings.
  • Region of Waterloo Museums requires that shirts and footwear be worn at all times.
  • Please do not touch artifacts or items located behind barriers.
  • Due to the large number of requests that we receive from people who would like to take engagement and wedding photographs at our sites - each with their own unique requirements - we limit access for this type of photography to those people who have chosen to have their marriage and/or reception here. 
  • All visitors are asked to refrain from running, shouting, and generally disruptive behaviour.
  • Using profanity, obscene or abusive language is not permitted.
  • Rollerblading, skateboarding, and cycling are not permitted.
  • Visitors are not permitted to smoke inside the museums or any historic building, and must be a minimum of 9 metres away from entrances.
  • Please do not pet or feed our farm animals - they may bite.
  • Large umbrellas, Nordic walking poles, tripods, and monopods are not permitted in exhibit galleries or historic buildings.
  • Pens, indelible markers, and paint are prohibited in the galleries and historic buildings.
  • Selling or attempting to sell, distribute, or solicit any goods or services to other guests or staff is not permitted.
  • The Region of Waterloo Museums reserves the right to amend these restrictions. Special exhibitions may have additional restrictions.
  • Admission is subject to compliance with applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, and facility rules (collectively the "Rules").  Failure to comply with the Rules may result in non-admission or expulsion, or immediate revocation of membership.

 

Photography

Personal Use PhotographyNikon SLR

Photography is allowed for personal use only with hand-held equipment. Photography must be non-disruptive to other visitors and staff. The use of tripods, monopods, lights, etc., is not permitted. Photography in special exhibitions is permitted unless otherwise indicated. Signs will be posted in galleries where photography restrictions apply. 

Professional Photography

Professional photography is not allowed on the museum's premises, except for patrons who have rented the museum's facility for weddings and other special events.

Rights and Reproductions

Photography is permitted for personal use only with hand-held equipment. Personal photographs may not be published, sold, or otherwise distributed for commercial purposes. Visitors may post images from their museum visit on personal social media sites, provided there is no profit involved.

Collection Digital Image Requests

Digital photographs of objects in the museum's collection are available for commercial and publishing use. A reproduction fee may apply. 

Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

In the gift shop at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, you'll find an interesting collection of locally made items, old-fashioned toys and games, nostalgic treats, decor, gift ideas, and items crafted right here in Doon Heritage Village. Our items change with the seasons and complement our current exhibits. 

Our gift shop is a favourite spot to shop for unique gifts and décor. The gift shop is open during regular museum hours; museum admission is not required to shop in the gift shop. 

Schneider Haus

In the Schneider Haus gift shop, you’ll find an impressive assortment of local hand-crafted items, old-fashioned toys and games, and nostalgic treats – a beautiful complement to our National Heritage Site and changing exhibits! Find that perfect gift for every unique occasion and season. 

Join our membership program to receive a 10 percent discount in the gift shop!