18 Awesome Things to do in Hamilton, Ontario

Looking for things to do in Hamilton? Hamilton is a popular day trip in Ontario from the city of Toronto and is fast becoming one of Ontario’s favorite outdoor destinations. With a growing art scene, independent galleries, and historic architecture and museums, “The Hammer” is a truly thriving city.

Hamilton, Ontario offers easy access to recreation trails, watersports, and conservation areas providing a natural playground for hikers, boaters, and cyclists. Nestled amongst the southern shores of Lake Ontario and the landscape of the Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton will surprise you.

Things to do in Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton was once known only as an industrial city thanks to the steelmakers of Stelco and Dofasco but now “Steeltown” has blossomed into a cosmopolitan city with a lot to offer. With more people moving to the area and others looking to escape the city of Toronto, we have narrowed down the top things to do while in Hamilton, Ontario.

1. Dundurn Castle

One of the top attractions in Hamilton is Dundurn Castle. Take a tour of this 1830s villa that was once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab who was the Premier of the United Canadas. This national historic site was fully restored in the 1960s and is open to the public to tour its grounds and rooms.

Visitors will follow costumed interpreters through the home illustrating life from the nineteenth century in Ontario. Admission to Dundurn Castles includes a 1 hour guided tour plus admission to the Hamilton Military Museum. The military museum displays artifacts from the War of 1812, and World War I and the second World War.

Tickets cost $14 for adults and $8 for children, with children under 5 allowed in for free.

2. Royal Botanical Gardens

Of all the attractions in Hamilton, a visit to Canada’s largest Botanical Garden is a must. The Royal Botanical Gardens in Canada is a must. Boasting over 77 kilometers of nature trails, across 300 acres of land, the Royal Botanical Gardens includes 5 cultivated gardens and over 312,000 individual plants — it is no surprise why. It provides an unforgettable experience where you can witness over 2400 plant species flourish and bloom.

Nestled into the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve the Royal Botanical Gardens has many outdoor plant collections as well as an indoor Mediterranean Garden. It is also home to the world’s largest lilac collection with 100,000 spring bulbs and 3000 rose bushes.

A designated National Historic Site, the gardens feature five different garden areas, Hendrie Park, RBG Centre, The Arboretum, Laking Garden, and the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden. The Rock Garden was restored and reopened in 2016 and showcases a variety of plants beautifully arranged around large rock formations.

One of the highlights of the Rock Garden is the 18-metre-long Centennial Lilac Walk, which features over 200 varieties of lilacs. Visitors can walk through the garden and enjoy the beautiful scents and colours of the flowers.

As the largest cultivated garden area, Hendrie Park is often the most popular with visitors — with something for everyone. It illustrates the diversity in both plants and garden design, covering over 22 acres of land.

General admission tickets for entrance to the Royal Botanical Gardens cost $19.50 for adults, with children under 4 admitted for free. There are youth, senior and family tickets available at a discounted price.

3. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Located directly beside the Hamilton International Airport in Mount Hope, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1972. It displays a collection of Canadian military aircraft flown since the beginning 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.

Admission to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is around $16 per adult, with children under 5 able to visit for free. Flight simulation experiences are available at an extra cost. Check out the website for more details.

4. Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology

Another interesting museum to visit in Hamilton is The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. This national historic site is dedicated to the history of steam power and the role it played in the industrialization of Canada.

The museum is housed in the restored 1859 waterworks building that originally supplied water to the city of Hamilton. It features a collection of working steam engines, pumps, and other machinery, as well as exhibits on the history of steam power and its impact on Canadian industry.

Admission is free to The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology and it is open year-round.

5. Waterfront Trail

Hamilton Harbour, which was formerly Burlington Bay, has undergone a huge change over the past few decades. It is now a popular outdoor gathering place for families and friends connecting Pier 4 Park, Bayfront Park with the Waterfront Trail. The 12 km waterfront trail is great for an afternoon stroll where you can pick up an ice cream cone at Scoops to take in the views.

There are bike rentals and cafés, people fishing on the pier and the Harbour West Trolley winds along the trail telling details of the history of the area.

6. Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park park covers an area of over 16 hectares along Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario with plenty of recreational activities along its extensive trail system, which includes both paved and unpaved paths for walking, running, and cycling.

Another popular feature of Bayfront Park is the large playground, which is a great destination for families with young children. The playground includes climbing structures, slides, swings, and other equipment designed for children of all ages.

For those interested in water activities, the park offers a boat launch for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Bayfront Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and community gatherings. The park is also home to several public art installations, including sculptures and murals.

7. Hamilton Harbour

Take the cruise with Hamilton Waterfront Trust on a 50-minute tour around the harbour while listening to the captain regale you with the history of the area. Or book a longer dinner cruise on the Habour Queen. You can book private events on it as well, and when it isn’t out on the water, it acts as a harbourfront cafe.

8. Battle of Stoney Creek

If you venture a little farther along the Waterfront Trail, you’ll come to the community of Stoney Creek. The community is its own destination unto itself with plenty of attractions from the Fifty Point Conservation Area, to the King’s Forest Golf Course.