To anyone wondering whether Hamilton has some interesting things to do, you’ll be surprised at how much there is to do around the city! Being dead smack in the middle of the Golden Horseshoe, Hamilton has many great places for residents and tourists to visit and things for them to do. And given that the city has its own airport, there should be a lot that visitors should be able to check out.
Did you know that Hamilton:
- Is considered the waterfall capital of the world?
- Has the first-ever Tim Horton’s branch?
- Has a lot of beautiful parks, galleries, and performance centres that pay homage to music and art?
- Is home to the Hamilton Tiger-cats
- Holds many beautiful conservation areas
- And so much more!
If you’re looking for things to do in Hamilton, then we’ve got a great list of things for you to do and check off. Here are the ten best things to do when in Hamilton.
1. Visit the Dundurn Castle
The Dundurn Castle is the epitome of classic Hamilton and the lifestyle of the rich and powerful. Created back in 1835 by one of the most prominent railroad magnates, the 1,700-square-metre property cost over $175,000 to build back in the day. Today, that amount would represent a lot! Once the home of a proud lineage of family members, now Dundurn Castle is a way to revisit the area’s roots and find out what life was like for the wealthy in the 18th century.
The Dundurn Castle has a set of great activities for visitors, including tours, immersive workshops, and so on. There are also some great group activities you can sign up for ahead of time. Just make sure to contact the managing group before your visit. To learn more, check out this site.
2. Spend an Afternoon at The Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens is currently the largest botanical garden in the whole of Canada, spanning 500 acres and laden with over 27 KM of scenic trails and 300 acres of green space and cultivated gardens. The garden also has some of the most scenic horticultural collections and wildlife that make for picture-perfect moments. Also, given that the RBG is at the coastline of the tip of the Ontario Lake, there are a lot of great water views to check out too.
In terms of things to do at the Royal Botanical Gardens aside from strolling and taking photos, you can also be on the lookout for music, theatre, and art events in the park. The park also has a few restaurants and a teahouse on-site if you’re looking to grab something to eat.
3. Take a Trip to the HMCS Haida National Historic Site
The HMCS Haida National Historic Site presents visitors with the proud history of some of Canada’s most celebrated wartime vessels. The HMCS Haida, which holds the exhibits, is a Tribal class destroyer during Second World War, the Korean Conflict, and the Cold War. On it, guests can explore the decks and learn what it was like to maneuver and live on a vintage destroyer.
4. Take a Tour of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
If you or anyone in the family loves warplanes and history, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is another great place to visit. The museum was founded in 1972 to acquire, document, preserve, and maintain a collection of aircraft that were flown by the Canadian military from World War II until today. There are over 50 types of aircraft to check out when you visit the Warplane Heritage Museum.
Some of the things you could do there include attending their events and exhibits, taking a group tour, or even buying a flight on some of their operational planes.
5. See Inuit Art at Arctic Experience McNaught Gallery
The Arctic Experience McNaught Gallery showcases a set of Inuit art and Canadian landscape paintings. It’s the perfect place for people who love to pay respects to native dwellers of North America and appreciate or even collect historic art. For avid collectors, there’s even a set of artworks and sculptures available for viewing.
6. Get a Feel of History at the Westfield Heritage Village
The Westfield Heritage Village promises to exhibit the charm and beauty of early life in Canada. With over 35 historical buildings all restored close to their original glory and 204 hectares of conservation land, the area has something to offer curious guests who are ready to experience something new by diving into the old. The Westfield Heritage Village also has a few education programs for anyone who wants a deeper dive into life in the past, which will give anyone a deeper appreciation for Hamilton and the rest of Canada’s deep roots.
7. Head Over to the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology
The next museum you should visit is the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, also known as the Hamilton Waterworks. The place pays homage to the social and mechanical life during Canada’s industrial age. The museum is located in a 160-year-old waterwork system and has preserved a seventy-ton steam pumping engine that is most likely the oldest Canadian-built engine officially known to man.
The museum provides guests with guided tours, various exhibits, both permanent and changing, and special events that kids, families, and groups will love. The venue is also available for corporate bookings.
8. Get Stellar Views at Sam Lawrence Park
Another park that’s worth visiting is Sam Lawrence Park. While not as big as the Royal Botanical Gardens, it has its own set of fun things to offer to visitors. The park happens to be at the top of the Niagara Escarpment. Sam Lawrence Park gives visitors panoramic views of Hamilton’s Lower City, the Dundas Valley, and Lake Ontario.
The park also has many trails for you to walk as you admire all the beds of flowers. On certain days of the year, you can even see the Toronto skyline from a distance.
9. Visit the Art Gallery of Hamilton
One of the main art attractions and destinations in Hamilton and the Ontario region, the Art Gallery of Hamilton holds collections of more than 10,000 works of art, including some from prominent Canadian artists like Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, James Tissot, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Gustave Doré, Norval Morrisseau, Keith Haring, Edward Burtynsky, and Kim Adams. The AGH is open for art exhibit tours and various events, summer camps, and workshops. Learn more by visiting their official website.
10. Trek up to Hamilton’s Waterfalls
Given that Hamilton is the Waterfall capital of the world, you cannot miss out on checking out some of Hamilton’s beautiful falling water forms. There are over 100 waterfalls you can check out in the Niagara Escarpment, but some of those that you shouldn’t miss out on include:
- Great Falls
- Devil’s Punchbowl
- Tews Falls
- Albion Falls
- Chedoke Falls
- Sherman Falls
- Borer’s Falls
- Buttermilk Falls
- Webster Falls
