Nicknamed “The City of Waterfalls”, Hamilton sits on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. It’s a nature lover’s paradise with hiking trails, safari parks and gardens, while the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum celebrates the city’s rich cultural history.

Things to do

Gain insight into Hamilton’s past at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Learn about Canada’s military aviation history through a collection of interesting artifacts and over 40 aircraft, including the Avro Lancaster that was used in World War II.

You’ll feel like royalty as you tour the 40 ornate rooms in Dundurn Castle, a beautiful Italian-style villa built in the 1830s. Kids will enjoy a visit to the African Lion Safari, where you can observe giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos and lions roaming through game reserves.

Get a dose of culture at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, where an impressive collection of Canadian and international art is on display, including the Bruegel-Bosch Bus by Kim Adams. Afterward, walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and see its rock garden, arboretum and wildlife sanctuary.

Connect with nature on a scenic hike along The Bruce Trail, which runs 900 kilometers along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. If you’re looking to marvel at the region’s famous waterfalls, head to Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, home to the 41-meter-tall Tew’s Falls.

Getting around

You can get around Hamilton’s city center on foot or by bus, but a car is needed to travel further afield. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is 14 kilometres from Hamilton, while Toronto Pearson International Airport is 64 kilometres away.