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Ontario · Canada
The city of waterfalls on the Niagara Escarpment, with Dundurn Castle, Canada’s large botanical garden and historic aircraft that still fly.
In the photo: Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Hamilton is at the western end of Lake Ontario, about 70 km from Toronto. The city is cut by the Niagara Escarpment, a rock ledge that locals call a mountain, and has more than a hundred waterfalls and cascades within its limits.
For a long time it was Canada’s steel capital, with steelworks along the bay. Today the downtown has gained galleries, cafés and a cultural scene, especially on James Street North. On the bay, the old port has become a waterfront with parks and trails.
Major sights include Dundurn Castle, an 1835 mansion overlooking the bay; the Royal Botanical Gardens, the largest in the country, between Hamilton and Burlington; Webster and Tew falls, near Dundas; and the warplane museum, which has a Lancaster bomber that still flies.
Hamilton pairs well with Toronto and with Niagara Falls, which are about 70 km away.
This destination brings together 1 city: Hamilton.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) · 15 km to Hamilton
✈ Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), in Toronto · 60 km to Hamilton
Hamilton Airport (YHM) handles domestic flights. Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is about 60 km away. GO trains and buses link Toronto to Hamilton in roughly 1 hour.
The local experience
An Italianate mansion from 1835 overlooking Hamilton Bay, built by Sir Allan MacNab, with about 40 restored rooms and 19th-century kitchens.
The largest botanical garden in Canada, between Hamilton and Burlington, with a rock garden, collection of lilacs, rose garden, wetlands and nature trails.
Two waterfalls on the Niagara Escarpment near Dundas: Webster, wide, 22 meters, and Tew, tall and narrow, 41 meters, connected by a trail.
Aviation museum next to Hamilton airport, with about 40 aircraft, many airworthy, including a rare Lancaster bomber.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From May to October. In spring the waterfalls carry more water and the gardens bloom; in autumn the escarpment turns colorful. In summer some waterfalls nearly run dry.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
One or two days: one for the castle, the gardens and downtown; another for the waterfalls and the aircraft museum.
Downtown, near James Street and Gore Park, has hotels within walking distance of restaurants and galleries. Burlington and Dundas, nearby, offer hotels and B&Bs.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Because it has more than a hundred waterfalls and cascades along the Niagara Escarpment within the city limits.
About 70 km, roughly a 1-hour drive or train ride.
For the waterfalls and the aircraft museum, it helps. Downtown and the castle are walkable or reachable by bus.
In spring, with the thaw, and after heavy rains in autumn.
The same as Toronto: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November.
