18 Awesome Things to do in Hamilton, Ontario

Looking for issues to do in Hamilton? Hamilton is a well-liked day journey in Ontario from the town of Toronto and is quick changing into one in every of Ontario’s favourite outside locations. With a rising artwork scene, impartial galleries, and historic structure and museums, “The Hammer” is a very thriving metropolis.

Hamilton, Ontario presents quick access to recreation trails, watersports, and conservation areas offering a pure playground for hikers, boaters, and cyclists. Nestled amongst the southern shores of Lake Ontario and the panorama of the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton will shock you.

Things to do in Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton was as soon as recognized solely as an industrial metropolis thanks to the steelmakers of Stelco and Dofasco however now “Steeltown” has blossomed right into a cosmopolitan metropolis with so much to provide. With extra individuals shifting to the realm and others trying to escape the town of Toronto, we have now narrowed down the highest issues to do whereas in Hamilton, Ontario.

1. Dundurn Castle

One of the highest sights in Hamilton is Dundurn Castle. Take a tour of this 1830s villa that was as soon as house to Sir Allan Napier MacNab who was the Premier of the United Canadas. This nationwide historic web site was totally restored in the Nineteen Sixties and is open to the general public to tour its grounds and rooms.

Visitors will observe costumed interpreters by means of the house illustrating life from the nineteenth century in Ontario. Admission to Dundurn Castles features a 1 hour guided tour plus admission to the Hamilton Military Museum. The navy museum shows artifacts from the War of 1812, and World War I and the second World War.

Tickets price $14 for adults and $8 for youngsters, with kids underneath 5 allowed in at no cost.

2. Royal Botanical Gardens

Of all of the sights in Hamilton, a go to to Canada’s largest Botanical Garden is a should. The Royal Botanical Gardens in Canada is a should. Boasting over 77 kilometers of nature trails, throughout 300 acres of land, the Royal Botanical Gardens contains 5 cultivated gardens and over 312,000 particular person crops – it’s no shock why. It offers an unforgettable expertise the place you may witness over 2400 plant species flourish and bloom.

Nestled into the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve the Royal Botanical Gardens has many outside plant collections in addition to an indoor Mediterranean Garden. It can be house to the world’s largest lilac assortment with 100,000 spring bulbs and 3000 rose bushes.

A delegated National Historic Site, the gardens function 5 completely different backyard areas, Hendrie Park, RBG Centre, The Arboretum, Laking Garden, and the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden. The Rock Garden was restored and reopened in 2016 and showcases a wide range of crops superbly organized round giant rock formations.

One of the highlights of the Rock Garden is the 18-metre-long Centennial Lilac Walk, which options over 200 types of lilacs. Visitors can stroll by means of the backyard and benefit from the lovely scents and colors of the flowers.

As the biggest cultivated backyard space, Hendrie Park is usually the preferred with guests – with one thing for everybody. It illustrates the variety in each crops and backyard design, protecting over 22 acres of land.

General admission tickets for entrance to the Royal Botanical Gardens price $19.50 for adults, with kids underneath 4 admitted at no cost. There are youth, senior and household tickets out there at a reduced value.

3. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Located straight beside the Hamilton International Airport in Mount Hope, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a non-profit group that was based in 1972. It shows a set of Canadian navy plane flown because the starting of World War II.

Take a stroll by means of historical past and witness the greater than forty plane on show together with the Avro Lancaster, one in every of solely two airworthy Lancaster bombers left in the world! For a burst of adrenaline, hop into the Air Combat Zone jet fighter simulation heart to really feel what it’s like to fly in a fighter jet.

Admission to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is round $16 per grownup, with kids underneath 5 in a position to go to at no cost. Flight simulation experiences can be found at an additional price. Check out the web site for extra particulars.

4. Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology 

Another attention-grabbing museum to go to in Hamilton is The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. This nationwide historic web site is devoted to the historical past of steam energy and the position it performed in the industrialization of Canada.

The museum is housed in the restored 1859 waterworks constructing that initially equipped water to the town of Hamilton. It contains a assortment of working steam engines, pumps, and different equipment, in addition to displays on the historical past of steam energy and its affect on Canadian trade.

Admission is free to The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology and it’s open year-round.

5. Waterfront Trail

Hamilton Harbour, which was previously Burlington Bay, has undergone an enormous change over the previous few many years. It is now a preferred outside gathering place for households and associates connecting Pier 4 Park, Bayfront Park with the Waterfront Trail. The 12 km waterfront path is nice for a day stroll the place you may choose up an ice cream cone at Scoops to take in the views.

There are bike leases and cafés, individuals fishing on the pier and the Harbour West Trolley winds alongside the path telling particulars of the historical past of the realm.

6. Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park park covers an space of over 16 hectares alongside Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario with loads of leisure actions alongside its intensive path system, which incorporates each paved and unpaved paths for strolling, operating, and biking.

Another common function of Bayfront Park is the massive playground, which is a good vacation spot for households with younger kids. The playground contains climbing buildings, slides, swings, and different gear designed for youngsters of all ages.

For these in water actions, the park presents a ship launch for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Bayfront Park hosts a wide range of occasions all year long, together with concert events, festivals, and neighborhood gatherings. The park can be house to a number of public artwork installations, together with sculptures and murals.

7. Hamilton Harbour

Take the cruise with Hamilton Waterfront Trust on a 50-minute tour across the harbour whereas listening to the captain regale you with the historical past of the realm. Or ebook an extended dinner cruise on the Habour Queen. You can ebook personal occasions on it as properly, and when it isn’t out on the water, it acts as a harbourfront cafe.

8. Battle of Stoney Creek

If you enterprise slightly farther alongside the Waterfront Trail, you’ll come to the neighborhood of Stoney Creek. The neighborhood is its personal vacation spot unto itself with loads of sights from the Fifty Point Conservation Area, to the King’s Forest Golf Course.

The Battlefield House Museum is positioned on the positioning of the historic Battle of Stoney Creek at Stoney Creek Battlefield Park. This is an exquisite park with the Battlefield Monument standing excessive on a hill overlooking the grounds. You can go contained in the House Museum which was Gage House relationship again to 1899. And the Nash-Jackson House is one other historic constructing on the property.

The Erland Lee Museum

If you might be on the lookout for one other National Historic Site, The Erland Lee Museum is positioned simply 10 minutes down the highway. This Nineteenth-century farmhouse has big historic significance. It was the birthplace of Women’s Institutes and has displays and applications devoted to the historical past of the Women’s Institute.

The Devil’s Punchbowl positioned in Stoney Creek and it even has its personal Farmer’s Market.

9. Gage Park

Another park to go to in East Hamilton, Ontario is Gage Park. It’s just some minutes from Tim Hortons Feiled and it an enormous metropolis park. One of the principle options of Gage Park is its lovely themed gardens, together with a rose backyard, a rock backyard, and a medicinal herb backyard. But the star attraction is the Tropical Greenhouse.

Within the park is the Hamilton Children’s Museum which has hands-on galleries and interactive shows. The museum is present process renovations in the intervening time, however there may be nonetheless a play space and enormous inexperienced area.

With strolling trails, playgrounds, sports activities fields, and a wading pool, this is a wonderful day open air for the entire household. There can be a bandshell that hosts concert events all through the summer time. There can be a big greenhouse on the property that homes a wide range of unique crops and flowers.

During the winter months, Gage Park is remodeled right into a winter wonderland with its skating rink, which is open at no cost public skating. There are additionally a number of winter festivals held in the park, together with a Christmas market and a winter lights pageant. And the favored Spring Bulb Festival takes place as soon as the snow melts.

10. HMCS Haida National Historic Site

While you might be on the waterfront, head over to the HMCS Haida. This floating museum highlights Canada’s wartime naval historical past and is a nationwide historic web site being the one surviving Tribal-class destroyer. The HMCS Haida was launched in August 1942 and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War.

Known as “Canada’s most fightingest ship”, visitors can discover its historic decks, full with shows showcasing the HMCS Haida’s valiant battles. Put your self in the sneakers of a crew member of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Admission is simply $3.90 per grownup, with these underneath 17 years of age coming into free.

11. Fish and Chips at Hutch’s

While on the waterfront, there are just a few stops to seize a chew to eat with a variety of meals out there to swimsuit all tastes and budgets. From the Waterfront Grill and ice cream at Scoops, a prime choose contains Fishers Pier 4 Pub and Grub, which is famed for its pub fare and chilly pints in addition to its pleasant employees. Another prime advice and my private favorite since I used to be a child is Hutch’s for fish and chips.

12. Hamilton Farmers Market

Established in 1837, the Hamilton Farmers Market is a year-round market that is among the oldest landmarks in the town. With greater than fifty distributors promoting all the things from contemporary meat and fish to native artisan merchandise and handmade items from throughout Canada. It is positioned beside Jackson Square and the Public Library, proper in the center of downtown on the nook of York Boulevard and James Street.

13. Hiking Trails

There are so many mountain climbing trails in and round Hamilton, it’s an outside lovers’ dream. Boasting over 6000 acres of forests, the Dundas Valley Conservation Area is very large with greater than 40 km of mountain climbing trails. The most important mountain climbing trails are the well-known Bruce Trail, the Main Loop Trail, and the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail. Read extra: Top 15 Ontario Hiking Trails

14. Main Loop Trail

The Dundas Valley Trail Centre is the beginning of the loop path and a straightforward place to begin your mountain climbing. At simply 3.4 km there’s a lot to see with ruins, an orchard, and nice views of the valley. There’s a reproduction of the outdated practice station and the Trans Canada Trail runs proper by means of it. You’ll see a variety of cyclists and there are mountain bike trails right here too. There can be a spot to choose up snacks or ice cream for a cool deal with after your hike.

11. Bruce Trail

It’s a bucket listing objective for a lot of an Ontario hiker to hike Canada’s longest footpath. Stretching from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail passes proper by means of the Dundas Valley.

12. Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail

This path leads to the Hubs of Ontario and is a wonderful path for mountain climbing and biking alongside the outdated railway traces. We ridden this path from Brantford to Ancaster and it’s superior.

13. Hamilton Waterfalls 

Hamilton is usually referred to because the ‘Waterfall Capital of the World’ with greater than 100 waterfalls proper at its doorstep of the town limits. Chasing waterfalls has grow to be one of many prime Hamilton experiences.

The waterfalls are a part of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve the place waterfalls stream over steep rock faces making for spectacular sightseeing that’s particularly spectacular after a heavy rainfall or in the course of the spring thaw.

A go to to see the waterfalls in Hamilton wouldn’t be full with no trek to see Webster’s Falls. Standing at 22 meters tall, it has a traditional plunge pool-style waterfall. While there, don’t neglect to stroll throughout the beautiful restored cobblestone bridge. 

Perhaps one of the crucial unbelievable waterfalls in Hamilton is Albion Falls. With a width of 18 meters and standing 20 meters excessive, Albion Falls is an exquisite cascade tumbling over steps and cabinets.

attention-grabbing reality, Albion Falls grew to become referred to as Lover’s Leap after Jane Riley leaped to her dying in 1915.

Visitors to Albion Falls needs to be conscious that the realm might be harmful, particularly when the rocks are moist or slippery. Also, swimming in the pool on the base of the waterfall is strictly prohibited, because the water might be deep and the present might be sturdy. And these are common waterfalls so strive to go to throughout off-peak occasions both early in the morning or weekdays.

14. Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is certainly the star attraction. Housing two of its most well-known waterfalls, Tews Falls and Webster Falls, it is a common hike that additionally homes Dundas Peak showcasing the fantastic thing about the Dundas Valley

Tews Falls is presumably essentially the most well-known positioned in the conservation space. Hamilton’s reply to Niagara Falls it stands 41 meters (134 ft) excessive making it only some meters shorter than Niagara Falls. Another common route is Devil’s Punchbowl Lookout or you may head to the Chedoke Waterfalls and Creek that runs by means of the west facet of Hamilton.

15. Art Gallery of Hamilton

The Art Gallery of Hamilton was based in 1914 and is the oldest and largest Art Museum in southern Ontario. Its everlasting assortment is acknowledged as one of many most interesting in Canada, with a mixture of Canadian historic, worldwide and up to date artwork. It boasts a set of over 10,000 artistic endeavors embrace items by Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, and Tyler Tekatch.

Entrance to the Art Gallery of Hamilton is free for Gallery Level 2 and the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery courtesy of Orlick Industries. To entry the particular exhibitions on Gallery Level 1 admission is $15 per grownup and $10 for youngsters, youngsters underneath 5 are admitted at no cost.

Yes, Canada has its personal soccer league and you’ll study all concerning the Canadian Football League right here. Located at Tim Hortons Field which is house to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats soccer workforce, the museum celebrates all the things Canadian soccer. It’s a must-visit for soccer lovers.

The Hall of Fame was based in 1963, and its first inductees had been introduced in 1963. Since then, greater than 300 gamers, coaches, builders, and media members have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. You’ll study all elements of Canadian soccer by means of interactive shows, artifacts and images. Admission is Free and entry to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is free.

17. Catch a Hamilton Tiger Cats Game

Hamilton, Ontario is usually referred to because the “birthplace of Canadian football” and the sport is taken critically right here. If you need to see what it’s all about, seize some tickets to see the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Play at Time Horton’s Field. The season lasts from May to October, and you’ll try their house sport schedule right here.

Nighttime Activities in Hamilton

17. Hess Village

If you might be on the lookout for one thing to do at evening, head down to Hess Village. Hess Village is a pedestrian space crammed with patios, reside music, eating places, and bars. It is the place to hang around. It runs from Main Street to to King Street West and is a energetic space day or evening.

18. Theatre Aquarius

I’ve been to productions at Theatre Aquarius and the expertise is top-notch. It is an expert theatre positioned downtown Hamilton in the Dofasco Centre for the Arts. If you need to try reside theatre with out breaking the financial institution like on Broadway or Toronto, try what exhibits are occurring right here.

And these are our favorite Hamilton issues to do. Do you reside close to Hamilton? Have you hiked the Bruce Trail? Let us know if the feedback about another prime sights.