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Hamilton (Ontario)

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Introduction

Hamilton may be best known by its Canadian neighbours as simply being the "Steel City", but it holds so much more. It is the eighth largest city in Canada and has the third highest proportion of foreign born citizens of any city in the country. "The Hammer", as it is affectionately known, sits on the mouth of Lake Ontario, halfway between Toronto and Niagara Falls. In 2000, Hamilton amalgamated with five surrounding municipalities (Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook and Stoney Creek) to become the new "City of Hamilton". In addition to festivals, cultural events, and sites of tourist interest, Hamilton is also the Waterfall Capital of the World with at least 125 waterfalls - a fact many Hamilton residents don't even realize!

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Neighbourhoods

Downtown/Central

Busy at the intersection of King and James but fading somewhat from its classy old days - still has some sub-neighbourhoods worth note:

  • Hess Village - a cobblestoned segment of Hess St between Main & King and a few cross streets lined with pubs, patios, and clubs - so busy in the summer that the road sometimes gets closed to vehicle traffic
  • Jamesville/James St N - an intersection of the old-world Italian and Portugese businesses with new art galleries and hip

Lower City (Below the Escarpment)

  • Beach Strip - on Lake Ontario, there is no swimming at this beach, but there is a nice walking/rollerblading trail and the famous Hutches for fish and chips shops moving in as well
  • Dundas - was an independent town pre-amalgamation, Dundas has a charming downtown on King St to walk down and poke into shops and cafes
  • North End - of note, but not recommended for tourists. The historic 'wrong side of the tracks' area where the steel mills are located. Nowadays filled mainly with blue collar workers and recent immigrants.
  • Stoney Creek - another of the previously separate municipalities, Stoney Creek is on the fringes of the Niagara wine region, and has several sites of tourist interest as well
  • Westdale

Mountain (On the Escarpment)

  • Ancaster - a mostly residential & previously independent town - good for big box stores in the Meadowlands section and a several independent businesses in the old centre
  • Upper James - a street on the 'West Mountain' - now a long stretch of mostly chain businesses and restaurants
  • Waterdown - a previously independent town (part of Flamborough) with several interesting local businesses; sits on Grindstone Creek and the Bruce Trail system
  • Mount Hope - a rural community; Hamilton International Airport is located here

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Sights and Activities

  • African Lion Safari
  • Art Gallery of Hamilton - Visit on the First Friday of each month from 5pm-9pm for free admission to the first floor
  • Royal Botanical Gardens
  • Dundurn Castle
  • Whitehern Museum
  • Hamilton Harbour Tours on the Hamilton Harbour Queen
  • Battlefield House & Museum
  • HMCS Haida
  • Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology
  • Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
  • Westfield Heritage Village
  • Flamboro Downs - horse racing & slots
  • Hamilton Children's Museum
  • Canadian Football Hall of Fame
  • Hamilton Farmer's Market
  • Wild Waterworks
  • Hamilton Military Museum
  • Haunted Hamilton Ghost Walks
  • Friends of the Aviary - visit the exotic birds on Sundays from 1-4 for a donation
  • James Street North Art Crawl - stroll the many small art galleries and shops along James Street North between Wilson St & Barton St, 7-11pm, second Friday of each month

Explore the Outdoors

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Events and Festivals

  • Winterfest - assorted family events around the city designed to beat the winter blues -

http://hamiltonwinterfest.ca/ - January 24 - February 8, 2009

  • Maple Syrup Festival - Westfield Heritage Village - Learn how maple sap becomes syrup, and how it was prepared in past times - take a horse & buggy ride, visit the re-enactment village, or have a pancake breakfast - http://www.westfieldheritage.ca/ - March weekends
  • GritLit - Hamilton Writers Festival - Enjoy readings from various authors, and writing workshops and events or enter the annual writing contest - http://www.gritlit.ca - April 2-5, 2009
  • Hamilton ECO Film and Arts Festival - Five day festival with screenings of environmental films and performances by local musicians - http://www.ecofilmartsfestival.com/ April 21-25, 2009
  • Tulip Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens - Rock Garden - http://www.rbg.ca - early to mid-May
  • Lilac Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens - Arboretum/Lilac Dell - http://www.rbg.ca - late May
  • Ancaster Heritage Days - Wilson St, the main street of the town closes down for a parade, face painting, vendor booths, and the old town centre comes alive - http://www.ancasterheritagedays.com/ - early June
  • Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek at Battlefield House - see the re-enactment of this War of 1812 battle and experience the sites and sounds of the encampment - http://www.battlefieldhouse.ca/ - June 5-7, 2009
  • Iris and Peony Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens - Laking Garden - http://www.rbg.ca - early to mid-June
  • Hamilton PRIDE Festival - A parade, vendors, food, and a great party celebrating the Hamilton LGBTQ community - http://www.hamiltonpride.com/ - June 13-21, 2009
  • Hamilton Waterfront Wingfest - midway, arts & crafts, entertainment, beer tent, boat rides on the Hamilton Harbour Queen - and, of course, chicken wings - http://www.hamiltonwaterfrontwingfest.com/ - June 12-14, 2009
  • Hamilton Turkish Festival at Gage Park - experience Turkish food, art, & culture -

http://hamiltonturkishfestival.com/website/ - June 14, 2009

  • Rose Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens - Hendrie Park - http://www.rbg.ca - late June to early July
  • It's Your Festival - Large festival at Gore Park celebrating Canada Day and Canada's multicultural heritage - Good headlining bands, arts & crafts booth, international food vendors, & a midway - free entrance - http://www.hamiltonfolkarts.org/itsyourfestival.htm - July 1-5, 2009
  • Ice Cream Festival at Westfield Heritage Village - Watch ice cream being churned and explore the historical village - Also face painting, hay rides, and more - http://www.westfieldheritage.ca - August 2 & 3, 2009
  • Festival of Friends - international food, arts & crafts booths, and some great bands (headliners around 7-11pm each night) - all free at Gage Park - http://www.creativearts.on.ca/index.html - August 7-9, 2009
  • Dundas Cactus Festival - downtown Dundas (down King St) shuts down for a parade, food, music, and booths of arts, crafts, and other vendors - http://www.dundascactusfest.ca - August 14-16, 2009
  • Winona Peach Festival - find the peaches at the Easternmost section of Hamilton (on the edges of the Niagara growing region) - enjoy peach desserts, arts & crafts & vendor booths, midway, and performers - http://www.winonapeach.com/index.html - August 28-30, 2009
  • Ancaster Fair - Midway, School Fair building, Produce Competitions, Animals at 'Old MacDonald's Farm', Demolition Derby, and more - http://www.ancasterfair.ca/ - September 25-27, 2009

Apple Festival at Battlefield House - apple goodies, demonstrations, entertainment, and a pancake breakfast at the historic house - September 26, 2009

  • Rockton World's Fair - agricultural competitions & animals to see, entertainment, demolition derby, food, & more - http://www.rocktonworldsfair.com/index.htm - (Canadian) Thanksgiving Weekend - October 9-12, 2009
  • Haunted Halloween at Westfield Heritage Village - learn about the origins and folklore behind Halloween through reenactments and plays in the village - http://www.westfieldheritage.ca - October 23-24, 2009

Chrysanthemum Show at Gage Park - floral display made of chrysanthemums! - - October 23 - November 2, 2009

  • The British Show - celebration of all things British - http://www.britishshow.net/ - Late November (had taken a year off in 2008 - back in November 2009!)
  • Victorian Christmas at Dundurn Castle - perhaps the best time to visit; the 19th century manor 'decks the halls' with Victorian Christmas splendour - November 28, 2009 - January 3, 2010
  • Twas the Night Before Christmas at Westfield Heritage Village - Learn about Christmas in the past and around the world, fireworks every evening & a visit from St Nick - http://www.westfieldheritage.ca/ - December 5, 12, & 19, 2009

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Weather

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Getting There

By Plane

John C Munro International Airport, Hamilton - fly WestJet or Air Canada within Canada or with FlyGlobeSpan to selected cities in the UK

By Train

Amtrak, VIA Rail, and GO trains arrive at the nearby Aldershot Station - from there, take a quick bus into Hamilton city centre

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

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Work

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Learn

McMaster University
Mohawk College
Redeemer University College

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Sports

Hamilton Tiger Cats - CFL Team - play at Ivor Wynne Stadium in the East End
Hamilton Bulldogs - AHL Team - play at Copps Coliseum downtown

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Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post

This is version 6. Last edited at 9:30 on Aug 6, 09 by Utrecht (+7). 3 articles link to this page.

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