Hamilton

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

Lime Ridge Mall

Over 200 shops and services. Easily on-par with most major malls in larger Canadian cities. It's the most popular hang-out spot on the mountain for younger and older people alike, partly due to the total absence of a night life outside of downtown.

Mon-Fri 10AM - 9PM; Sat 9:30AM - 6PM; Sun 11AM - 5PM

Concession Street

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was an African-American neighbourhood. Many slaves escaping the U.S. via the Underground Railway settled in this urban neighbourhood at the edge of the escarpment. It boasts the best views of the lower city and features many parks, some with fantastic vistas overlooking the downtown and heavy industrial areas. The neighbourhood offers many shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. The housing is an eclectic mix of million-dollar estates and 1920s cottages. Stairs to the lower city are available on Mountain Avenue, traversing the 91-m (300-foot) escarpment. Many buses travel along Concession, making it one of the most public transit accessible areas of the city. Once considered run-down, it may be one of the most underrated areas of the city. A 1920s movie house has been renovated and is showing first-run and art films.

Dundas

As west as Ancaster, but down the mountain, Dundas is a small heritage town with a European feel that offers most of the good shopping opportunities in Hamilton such a Picone Fine Food, a 100-year-old grocery store that sells fresh produce and high-end food items. Dundas has a great drive-in park that is popular amongst locals for summer picnics. Dundas is home to numerous festivals throughout the year.

James Street North

A redeveloped sector in the city's core, James Street North is widely-praised for its flourishing art galleries, various restaurants and cafes. The street hosts an Art Crawl on the second Friday of every month.

King Street

The city's main urban destination for restaurants, cafes, and of course, shops.

Locke Street South

Just west of downtown, Locke Street is home to a large number of antique shops. Prices tend to be lower than in Toronto.

Old Ancaster

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

Ottawa Street

Home to innumerable fabric, home decor and furnishings stores. The street had fallen on hard times earlier in the decade, but is undergoing a resurgence and has become one of the city's most popular destinations for antiques, fabric and home furnishings.

Upper James Street

Upper James is a lengthy street that was at one time known locally as "Oilcan Alley" due to a prevalence of autobody shops and car dealerships. Most of the major dealerships in Hamilton are still located on Upper James around the Ryckmans Corners area between Stone Church and 20 Road. A huge number of stores and family restaurants exist to service the needs of most shoppers, including a Walmart Supercentre at Fennell Avenue. Beware of traffic during rush-hour periods.

Westdale

Adjacent McMaster University keeps this neighbourhood healthy, with its many boutiques, groceries, eateries, pubs and bakeries and even a movie cinema specializing in foreign and art films. Westdale Village is accessible by bus and is walking distance to McMaster University and Hospital. It was Hamilton's first master-planned community in the 1920s.