Looking for the perfect things to do in Hamilton this weekend? A is a fascinating district in the heart of Ontario, Toronto.
The city is rich with independent galleries, historic buildings, and museums making it a perfect day-out destination for people of all ages.
The province is quickly rising to the top of the list of vacation destinations in Ontario due to its reputation for offering a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Hamilton is located between the Niagara Escarpment and the southern coasts of Lake Ontario. For hikers, boaters, and cyclists, the city of Hamilton provides quick access to recreation routes, watersports, and conservation areas that serve as a natural playground.
For a better travel experience, We have compiled a dropdown list of things to do in Hamilton this Weekend.
Fun things to do in Hamilton this Weekend
1 Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology
The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology, also known as the “Steam Museum”, is located on the site of the 1859 Hamilton Waterworks complex. The major display is a massive dual steam engine and apparatus that was used to raise water from Lake Ontario to a reservoir in the hills above the city.
The museum interprets Hamilton’s relationship with water, steam power, and industrialization.
For people interested in history, it’s a worthwhile visit, especially with the enthusiastic tour guide. Also for families traveling with children, the museum happens to be among the prominent places in the city of Hamilton.
2 Dundurn Castle
Dundurn Castle is one of Hamilton’s most popular sights. At the Castle, you’ll discover this 40-room Italianate-style villa built in the 1830s on Burlington Heights. Once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab.
Today, DundurnCastle recalls the tale of the family that lived upstairs and the servants that to support their opulent lifestyle, lived and toiled below stairs.
Visitors can explore the house with the help of costumed interpreters who will show them what life was like in Ontario in the nineteenth century. An hour-long guided tour and entry to the Hamilton Military Museum are both included in the castle ticket price.
3 Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest garden in the whole of Canada. The Gardens include 5 cultivated gardens with more than 312,000 unique plants, spread across 300 acres of land and boasting over 77 kilometers of natural pathways.
It offers an amazing experience where you can see more than 2400 plant types develop and bloom. The Royal Botanical Gardens contain both an indoor Mediterranean Garden and a large number of outdoor plant collections. Additionally, it has the largest lilac collection in the world, 100,000 spring bulbs, and 3000 rose plants.
For couples or families with kids, this is a wonderful area to hike in a gorgeous, lush garden.
4 Waterfalls of Hamilton
Hamilton is a wonderful, diverse city located on the escarpment. Waterfalls are plentiful. The city is home to more than 100 waterfalls tucked behind the trails of the Niagara Escarpment that cuts through the city.
Some of the popular waterfalls in Hamilton include;
- Felker’s Fall
- Tiffany falls
- Albion falls
- Devil Punchbowl
- Smokey Hallow falls
- Sherman falls
- Borer’s fall
- Webster falls
- Tew falls
- Hermitage Cascade
I advise you to bring a packed lunch and sturdy walking shoes as you trail in some of these amazing waterfalls.
5 Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is situated close to Hamilton’s downtown area at the base of Harbourfront Drive. Use the asphalt route for inline skating, cycling, walking, and/or jogging.
You can also enjoy the harbor area’s naturalized areas with wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, a free public boat launch, numerous benches, picnic tables, and a grass amphitheater.
This park offers a parking area and public restrooms, making it the perfect, handy location to enjoy the outdoors.
6 Westfield Heritage Village
Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area is located just outside of the village of Rockton, Ontario. The site is famously known for walking, hiking, and bird-watching.
It is one of Ontario’s most fascinating historical locations, with over 35 beautifully restored old buildings scattered over 204 hectares of conservation area with woodlands, meadows, and pathways.
Although historical structures are not open every day, tourists can stroll through the Village and go on treks any day of the week. Several buildings will be open on special and event days, and costumed interpreters will be on hand to give demonstrations and lead tours.
7 Hamilton Harbour
Hamilton Harbour, which was formerly Burlington Bay, has undergone a huge change over the past few decades. It presently serves as a well-liked outdoor gathering spot for friends and family, linking Pier 4 Park, Bayfront Park, and the Waterfront Trail.
The 12-kilometer beachfront route is perfect for an afternoon stroll where you may stop at Scoops and get an ice cream cone to enjoy the scenery. There are bike rentals and coffee shops, and fishing spray. This is a family-friendly destination in Hamilton for day trips.
8 HMCS Haida National Historic Site
HMCS Haida National Historic Site is one of the amazing places to visit in Hamilton. This floating museum showcases Canada’s naval history during times of conflict. Launched in August 1942, the HMCS Haida saw action in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Cold War.
Visitors can tour its historic decks and view exhibits that highlight the HMCS Haida’s heroic battles. It is known as one of Canada’s most combative ships.
9 Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a non-profit establishment that was founded in 1972 and is situated directly next to the airport. It exhibits a variety of Canadian military aircraft that have been in flight since the start of World War II.
Take a walk through history and witness the more than forty aircraft on display including the Avro Lancaster, one of only two airworthy Lancaster bombers left in the world.
For a burst of adrenaline, hop into the Air Combat Zone jet fighter simulation center to feel what it’s like to fly in a fighter jet.
10 Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Spencer Gorge Conservation Area exhibits the physical features which have made the Niagara Escarpment one of Ontario’s most spectacular geological formations. This significant natural area contains two beautiful waterfalls: Webster falls and Tew falls.
Webster is a magnificent tiered waterfall and Tew, which towers at 41 meters, is only a few meters shorter than Niagara Falls. Both offer spectacular vistas of the gorge.
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11 Main Loop Trail
The Dundas Valley Trail Centre is the start of the loop trail and an easy place to start your hiking. With ruins, an orchard, and breathtaking valley vistas, there is a lot to see on the Loop trail.
A reconstruction of the previous railroad station may be found there, and the Trans Canada Trail passes through it. There are mountain biking paths nearby, and you will encounter many cyclists. After your hike, you can stop by a location to buy food or ice cream for a refreshing treat.
12 Gage Park
The Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse is located at 1000 Main Street East Hamilton. The functioning greenhouse at Gage Park has 18,720 square feet of room for year-round plant growth.
The greenhouse’s purpose is to serve as a community gathering place, and it offers chances for use as both an educational facility and a venue that can be rented for special occasions like wedding portraits.
Regardless of the season, Gage Park is a great Canadian place to walk, bike, jog, dog walk, bird watching, and garden viewing.
13 Art Gallery of Hamilton
The Art Gallery of Hamilton was founded in 1914 and is the oldest and largest Art Museum in southern Ontario. With a blend of historical, international, and contemporary art from Canada, its permanent collection is regarded as one of the best in the country.
It features a collection of over 10,000 works of art, including works by Tyler Tekatch, Emily Carr, the Group of Seven, Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, and more.
This location has a combination of old and new paintings, sculptures, and other artwork, making it a great destination for visitors of all ages.
14 Theatre Aquarius
One of the weekend gateways in Hamilton is a trip to Theatre Aquarius. It is a professional theater that is housed in the Dofasco Centre for the Arts in the heart of Hamilton.
Check out the shows that are being offered if you want to experience live theatre without spending a fortune. Hamilton’s premier professional theatre has been producing world-class productions in the city for more than four decades.
The theater is located in the lovely Dofasco Centre which is famous for its magnificent two-story lobby made of glass and steel.
The theater is situated on King William in the center of the city surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shopping.
15 Hess Village
One of the best things to do in Hamilton this weekend is to visit Hess Village. A renowned district with an abundance of nightlife activities. Hess Village is a pedestrian area filled with patios, live music, restaurants, and bars. It is a popular place to hang out at night.
Hess Village mixes new and old architecture in one of the hippest areas of town. It is Hamilton’s most populous area for nightlife destinations and has a uniquely historic downtown ambiance.
Best time to Visit Hamilton
The busiest month for tourism in Hamilton, ON, Canada is June, followed by October and December. This is the ideal time to unwind and enjoy the city’s seasonal activities.
