Historic places in Hamilton

Historic places in Hamilton

1. Eat

   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.

2. Do

   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.

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   The Art Gallery of Hamilton

   Founded in 1914, AGH is Ontario's third largest public art gallery, and boasts one of the country's finest collections. Its emphasis is on 19th-century European, Historical Canadian, and Contemporary Canadian art. The AGH revamped gallery, designed by Hamilton-born and raised architect Bruce Kuwabara, opened in 2005 and includes a 2,500 ft glass pavilion and Sculpture Atrium.

   Free

6. Drink

   The Coach and Lantern

   Dating from 1823, the former "Union Hotel" has survived various incarnations and even a 1878 fire in its stables. During the War of 1812, it was purportedly the site of the Bloody Assize, and the spot where four traitors were condemned to hang outside Dundurn Castle. It's rumoured to be haunted, and not just by the Ancaster set. Has a good selection of draft beers and single malt scotches, typical pub grub, and nightly entertainment of the karaoke/trivia/open mic sort. Atmosphere is as you'd expect: exposed stone walls, beams, dark, cluttered and windowless, but it has a cobbled courtyard the claustrophobic may enjoy in the summer.

7. Eat

   The Powerhouse

   Stoney Creek. Casual fine dining is unique in any of the six historic dining venues offered at this historic site.

8. See

   Westfield Heritage Village

   Surrounded by 131 ha (324 acres) of unspoiled woods and meadows, this living history museum spans various time periods in more than 35 historic buildings, plus a steam locomotive. Much of the TV series Anne of Green Gables was filmed here.

9. See

   Workers Arts and Heritage Centre

   Preserving, honouring, and promoting the culture and history of all working people. Their mandate points in the social justice direction, the union direction and the community activism path.

   10AM-4PM·Free

10. Do Not mapped

    Doors Open Hamilton

    It offers an intimate experience of various historic landmarks around the city normally off limits to visitors and tourists: various place of worship, estates, museums, wineries and government buildings. A division of Doors Open Ontario, it is an annual opportunity to discover the City, the Province of Ontario, and Canadian Heritage.

    usually held on the first weekend in May

11. Do Not mapped

    Haunted Hamilton Ghost Walks

    Explores the dark alleys and haunted buildings where voices of the past are said to still linger to this day. Haunted Walks of Downtown Hamilton, the Historic Customs House, the Hermitage Ruins in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area (Ancaster), as well as a historical tour of Hamilton's Dark Past, are done regularly throughout the year.

12. Buy Not mapped

    Old Ancaster

    On Hamilton Mountain, at the west-most section of the city, Old Ancaster has several specialty boutiques and historical monuments.

13. See

    Dundas Museum & Archives

    Local history of the community of Dundas.

    Tue Wed Fri 10AM-4:30PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Sat 1-4PM

14. See

    Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum

    Local history of the community of Ancaster.

    Tue-Sat noon-4PM·Adults $4

15. See

    Whitehern Historic House and Garden

    Guided tours of a Victorian home

    Tue-Sun noon-4PM·Adults $7.50

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hamilton (CC BY-SA 4.0).