Five things to do in Hamilton

Hamilton is full of fun activities for the whole family, no matter what time of year you’re visiting! The city and surrounding areas are full of beautiful scenery, fascinating historical sites and museums, award-winning breweries and even a lion or two.

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   1. Walk on the wild side at African Lion Safari

   Want to get up close and personal with a lion, a zebra or a kangaroo? Or maybe all three?  African Lion Safari has over 1,000 species of exotic mammals and birds that are roaming freely, just waiting to meet you. You can take a tour through their seven game reserves, featuring the Nairobi Sanctuary, Simba Lion Country, Timbavati Lion Country, Wankie Bushland Trail, Rocky Ridge Veldt, Australasia and The Americas. You can also tour around Water Safari Lake looking for monkeys on the “African Queen” boat cruise.  

   During the summer, what is better than monkeying around in a splash park? The Misumu Bay Wet Play area features lots of sprinklers, jets and big tumble buckets to play in and keep cool.

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   2. Step into history at different sites

   Hamilton is full of fascinating historical sights and museums. Admire 19th century architecture on a tour through Dundurn Castle or Whitehern Historic House or imagine yourself as a soldier in the Battle of 1812 while walking through the Battlefield House Museum.  If battleships are more up your alley, check out the HMCS Haida, which participated in WWII and the Korean War. If you prefer airplanes, check out the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where you can see dozens of Canadian military planes, plus aviation exhibits & flight simulators. 

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   3. Stop and smell the flowers at the Royal Botanical Gardens

   Did you know that the Hamilton is home to the largest botanical garden in Canada? With 2,700 acres of breathtaking gardens and spectacular nature sanctuaries, there’s always something in bloom at the Royal Botanical Gardens. If you’re visiting Hamilton in the Springtime, make sure to check out the world's largest lilac collection that is on full display during May and June. They also host many different events, from concerts to cooking demonstrations. Stop by for lunch at the two restaurants and a teahouse on the property.

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   4. Grab a brew at local breweries

   Craft breweries haven taken hold of Canada, and Hamilton is no exception! If you’d like to do all the drinking and none of the thinking, try a tour through Beer Tours Hamilton, and they will take you around to some of the area's best breweries. If you’re more DIY, make sure to check out some local favourites, including Collective Arts, Fairweather Brewing Company and Merit Brewing Company. And if beer isn’t your thing, try West Avenue Cider House. 

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   5. Catch a football game

   Hamilton is home to one of the nine teams in the Canadian Football League, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Catch a home game, with tickets starting at $29 CAD, and be a part of the action! The season runs June-November, so if you’re in town in the Spring/Summer, there’s nothing better than enjoying the weather and a hotdog while watching football. Hamilton’s proximity to Toronto means you’re just a short ride away from catching a hockey, basketball or soccer game as well.

Written by Andrea Zakaib