Hamilton

Albion Falls

A scenic 19-m cascade waterfall, blasting for 12 months a year. It took over thousands of years of freezing, melting, growth, decay and tidal changes to create the Niagara Escarpment region. Named after the former village of Mount Albion in which it resides.

Ancaster Mill

With its historic stone buildings, natural panoramas and waterfall, this is a picturesque spot for Sunday brunch and what it bills as "contemporary Canadian Cuisine". Family run.

Augusta's Winking Judge

This is the best place in Hamilton to get a tasty pint. With over 20 taps dedicated to microbreweries, they're sure to have something you like. This bar does not sell popular, mass-produced beers like Molson, Labatt, or Sleeman. This was original location of the Winking Judge, which later moved to Hess Village.

Bangkok Spoon

Dundas. Authentic Thai cuisine in the beautiful downtown valley of Dundas.

Battlefield House Museum

At the site of the Battle of Stoney Creek (June 5–6, 1813) is a rural Upper Canada home dating from around 1796 and featuring staff in period costume, demonstrating the lifestyle of day. Every June a military re-enactment of the War of 1812/Battle of Stoney Creek is held.

$10

Bayfront Park

Park built on a peninsula jutting into the harbour with a grass amphitheater and picnic facilities.

Black Forest Inn

Downtown. German. The Black Forest is another Hamilton institution. Full of cuckoo clocks, this restaurant.and its army of servers in Bavarian costume move the crowds through with Germanic precision. Eat there and you'll find out why Hamiltonians keep coming back.

Boon Burger

100% vegan burgers, poutine, salad, and desserts. Part of a chain with outlets elsewhere in the GTA and in Winnipeg.

Daily 11AM–9PM

Borer's Falls

A relatively small but picturesque waterfall in Borer's Falls Conservation Area. The escarpment in this area is quite scenic as well.

Bronzie's Place

Small basic Italian eatery. Large portions, inexpensive, and fast/friendly service. Nearly everyone goes home with another meal's worth in a doggybag.

Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Has interactive programs, displays, a library, archives and is home to the Grey Cup. Enter through Gate 3 in the middle of the west stands off of Melrose Ave.

Sat 9AM-noon, Wed 4PM-7PM, and one hour after each Hamilton Tiger-Cats home game·Free

Canadian International Military Tattoo

Copps Coliseum

Held annually each June in Hamilton. Started in 1992, to celebrate the 125th birthday of Canada, the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth presented The Greater Hamilton Tattoo.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

A living museum featuring the aircraft used by Canadians or Canada's military from the beginning of World War II to the present. Home of one of the world's two remaining flying Lancaster bombers. Those who dare can experience an open cockpit ride in a bi-plane through the Legends Flight program.

9AM-5PM·Adult $12, seniors/students $11, youth $8, children free

Capri

Downtown. Italian. First restaurant to serve pizza in Hamilton. Gangster movies filmed here. Real gangsters ate here too. Like the mafia in Hamilton, this restaurant is now somewhat faded. Try the pizza bianco.

Casbah Lounge

Best mid-sized live music venue in the city. A large selection of craft beers are available in both rooms. Friendly atmosphere everynight.

Christie Lake Conservation Area

Centred on the beautiful Christie Reservoir, this conservation area features a 360-m long beach and a chlorinated swimming area separate from the reservoir. Also contains several ponds stocked with fish and large natural areas accessible by hiking trails.

sunrise–sunset·$5/person, additional $5 if bringing a vehicle

Claudio's Ristorante

Upscale Italian dining. Professional and detail oriented staff. Downtown, close to Hunter St. GO Station.

Collins Brewhouse

Serving locals since 1841, this "food and beverage warehouse" has 12 beers on draft, including its own Brewhouse Red and Lager. Specializes in Cajun fare. Unique decor includes plank flooring, galvanized steel, 6-seater booths, garage doors opening to a patio and a concrete bar top. Live bands, poker tournament and other shenanigans make this a popular spot for all ages. Attracts a younger crowd, particularly Mac students. This is the oldest tavern in Ontario.

Confederation Park

Offers lakefront camping, a waterpark with wave pool and tube rides, and Adventure Village with go-karts, batting cages, mini golf, etc.

Crooks Hollow Historical Trail

This trail traverses the site of Crooks Hollow, once the largest industrial community in Upper Canada but now a ghost town. Many of the buildings are now just grassy fields, but the Darnley Grist Mill is a spectacular ruin. A few buildings, now private residences, also still stand. Connects with the Optimist Park walking trail, which winds along the picturesque Spencer Creek and passes near Greensville Falls as well as more ruins, ending near the Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area.

Devil's Punch Bowl

One of the taller waterfalls in the area. It's in Devil's Punch Bowl Conservation Area.

Dundurn Castle

One of Hamilton's most-recognized landmarks, Dundurn Castle is a National Historic site, illustrating the life and times of Sir Allan Napier MacNab (1798–1862). More of a stately home than a "castle", the still-impressive structure was completed in 1835. Features year-round programming, tours, restaurant and an on-site military museum. The museum is only partially wheelchair accessible. Call for more details.

Canada Day to Labour Day: Daily 10AM-4PM; Labour Day to Canada Day: Tue-Sun noon-4PM·Full-price ticket includes admission to Dundurn Castle, the Historic Kitchen Garden (June to October) and the Hamilton Military Museum: $14 for adults ages 18 to 59, $12 for seniors ages 60 and above, $12 for students ages 13 to 17, $8 for children ages 6 to 12, children five years old or younger visit for free, $37 for a family of two adults and unlimited dependent children under 18 years old

Edgewater Manor

Features fine dining in a 1920s-era mansion located stunningly on the shores of Lake Ontario. Expensive.

Ferguson Station

Ferguson Station Park

This former Grand Trunk Railway station sits in a small park with some simulated railway tracks to provide atmosphere. The park is in an area with older downtown buildings.

Gage Park Greenhouse

Gage Park

This greenhouse features tropical plants, waterfalls and ponds. The greenhouse stands in Gage Park which also has a band stand and a rose garden.

9AM-5PM·Free

HMCS Haida

At Pier 9, visit the HMCS Haida, the "Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canada Navy" - a World War II destroyer that is maintained faithfully and can be explored in its entirety, either by a self-guided tour or simply by wandering around.

$3.90, senior $3.40, youth (17 and under) free

Hamilton Farmers Market

Founded in 1837, it has since moved indoors. It features the usual mix of local farm produce and ethnic specialties. It is older than the city and is one of the best farmers markets in Ontario.

Tue Thu Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 7AM-5PM

Hamilton Military Museum

Military exhibits located in a former gate house built in the 1830s.

Tue-Sun noon-4PM·Adults $4.50

Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology

A fine example of 19th-century public works architecture, and the only surviving facility of its time in North America, this National Historic Site houses the two 14 m (45-foot) high, 63.5-tonne (70-ton) steam engines which pumped the first clean water to the city over 140 years ago. Features various exhibits and events, including daily engine demonstrations.

June 1 to Labour Day: Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM; Labour Day to May 31: Tue-Sun noon-4PM

Hess Village

A "bar" in the classic sense, Hess is a couple blocks of pubs and eateries. Highlights include the Gown and Gavel, Che Burrito Bar, Sizzle/Koi, and The Lazy Flamingo. Located roughly between King and Main Street, on Hess Street. Typically pub-type bars and night clubs, but it runs the gamut. Hess Village is where the patio action is in Hamilton on warm summer nights. Dance clubs have opened in neighbourhood, adding to the entertainment mix. This is the summer place to be in Hamilton. One of the best bar and nightclubs in Hess Village with the best music fantastic accommodations is Sizzle's Ultra Lounge.