rebecca 
Hamilton, a port city at Lake Ontario’s western edge, has been one of Canada’s most important industrial centers for decades. Most of this activity was and is still focused on and around Hamilton Harbor. Still, the city’s location on both sides of the Niagara Escarpment also makes it home to several places of exceptional natural beauty.
If you book a limousine service and then hike up the “mountain,” as the escarpment is called by the locals, from the lakeshore, you’ll find a plethora of beautiful waterfalls. And for serious hikers, Hamilton is a great jumping-off point for the 890-kilometer-long Bruce Trail, Canada’s longest and oldest hiking trail.
When you take in the city’s well-marked conservation zones, an abundance of cultural sites like museums and art galleries, and a thriving restaurant scene, you will have things to do in Hamilton, Ontario.
1. Hike the Historic Bruce Trail
Hiking 890 kilometers of the Bruce Trail is an achievement reserved for the most dedicated hikers. Starting at the majestic Niagara Falls, it continues north to Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. This monumental hiking path can be divided into smaller segments ideal for shorter excursions.
Hamilton is a great starting point for hikers who want to explore one of the most picturesque stretches of the Trans Canada Trail because of its location on the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The picturesque Canterbury Falls is just one of several breathtaking waterfalls you’ll see along the escarpment. The Bruce Trail goes right past the waterfalls in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area just west of Hamilton.
2. View the Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) are a must-see in Hamilton, even though they are technically located in Burlington, Ontario. You should book a limousine service in Toronto and set aside a whole day to explore this fantastic site, which is only a 10-minute drive to the east of Hamilton (and remember your walking shoes!).
The gardens span over 2,420 acres and are a haven for plant and animal life, housing over 1,100 varieties of plants (including many local species). The scarlet mulberry tree and the endangered blushing photo gallery are two of the more unusual flora in this area.
Also popular with birdwatchers, who can observe a wide range of birds throughout the year. Most of the 300 species spotted here are merely passing through on their route to warmer regions.
3. Visit Dundurn Castle
Dundurn Castle, built in 1835, is as close as Canada gets to having an authentic Regency-style manor house. It has almost 1,700 square meters of living space and around 40 rooms, but the four enormous pillars at the main entry are the most eye-catching element of its spectacular neoclassical design. This impressive structure once housed Canadian Prime Minister Sir Allan MacNab and boasted numerous modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing and gas lighting when it was completed in 1854.
Since the city of Hamilton bought it in the early 1900s, they have painstakingly returned it to its 1855 appearance. The knowledgeable costumed interpreters are a significant draw, as are the period pieces and anecdotes they share with visitors. Wintertime visitors can enjoy a ride of limousine service Toronto and seeing the home decked out for the holidays.
4. Take Flight at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is open year-round and houses one of the country’s most extensive historic military collections. There are 47 types of military aircraft on show, from early propeller planes from World War I to cutting-edge jet fighters, all of which are static displays at Hamilton’s international airport.
Avro Lancaster is the real draw; it’s one of only two legendary World War II bombers in operation. In addition, a Hawker Hurricane and Super marine Spitfire, both of which played crucial roles in the Battle of Britain, are among the rare aircraft on display.
5. Hamilton’s Waterfalls
Within Hamilton’s boundaries are some of the most beautiful of the more than one hundred waterfalls spread across the Niagara Escarpment. The breathtaking Albion Falls, often called “lover’s jump,” is the most well-known. This cascade falls, approximately 20 meters in height, can be found where the swiftly moving Red Hill Creek pours over the cliff, passing over several descending stairs that substantially add to the area’s beauty. King’s Forest Park has some of the loveliest vistas in the city.
To visit the other waterfalls in Hamilton, follow the signs. The “Great Falls Loop” is a well-known path. This scenic 3.5-kilometer escarpment walk offers breathtaking vistas of Great Falls and the surrounding landscape. Tews Falls is another must-see location. Finally, Webster’s Falls Conservation Area in Dundas is home to a beautiful ribbon waterfall that drops an impressive 41 meters throughout a summer visit.
