Hamilton

No reviews yetCity Ontario, Canada

Webster's Falls drops into Spencer Gorge near Greensville, Hamilton, Ontario

Tew's Falls is the tallest waterfall within the city of Hamilton, Ontario

Dundas Peak is a lookout on the Niagara Escarpment along the Bruce Trail, Hamilton, Ontario

Dundurn Castle was completed in 1835 as the home of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, Hamilton, Ontario

About Hamilton

Hamilton is a port and industrial city at the western end of Lake Ontario, set along a dramatic stretch of the Niagara Escarpment that locals simply call "the Mountain." Steelmaking long defined the city, but in recent years an arts scene, restored neighborhoods, and easy access to nature have added new dimensions. The escarpment's ravines give Hamilton an unusual number of waterfalls.

Waterfall hunting is a major draw. Webster's Falls tumbles over a curved ledge near Dundas, Tew's Falls drops into a deep gorge, and a short hike from there leads to Dundas Peak, a lookout over the Dundas Valley. The Royal Botanical Gardens, straddling Hamilton and Burlington, are among the largest in Canada, with gardens and nature sanctuaries. Dundurn Castle, a nineteenth-century Italianate villa, was home to a pre-Confederation premier. Downtown, the Art Gallery of Hamilton holds a strong collection of Canadian art, and James Street North is lined with galleries, cafés, and a monthly art crawl. The Hamilton Farmers' Market is one of the oldest in Ontario. On the waterfront, HMCS Haida, a Second World War destroyer, is open for tours, and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum displays historic aircraft.

Hamilton suits hikers, art lovers, and budget-conscious travelers. Waterfalls are fullest in spring, and parking at popular falls can be limited.

Best seasonSpring for full waterfalls, autumn for escarpment colors; summer suits the gardens and waterfront.

Ideal stayTwo or three days covers the waterfalls, gardens and downtown arts district.

ArrivingGO Transit trains and buses link Hamilton to Toronto; John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport also serves the city.

WiserMap travel guideHamilton Ontario Escarpment Waterfalls and Dundurn CastlePlan a Hamilton Ontario trip with escarpment waterfalls, Dundurn Castle, HMCS Haida, a flying Lancaster bomber, James Street North galleries and harbour parks.Read the guide

Top 12 Experiences in Hamilton

Waterfalls 3

Webster's Falls

Hamilton calls itself the City of Waterfalls, with more than a hundred tumbling off the Niagara Escarpment, and Webster's Falls is...

Tew's Falls

At about 41 meters, Tew's Falls is Hamilton's tallest waterfall, only a little shorter than Niagara Falls, though it is a slender...

Albion Falls

On the east side of the city, Red Hill Creek tumbles down a wide staircase of rock ledges at Albion Falls, creating one of Hamilto...

Parks 3

Dundas Peak

This rocky outcrop on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment offers one of the most famous views in southern Ontario: a sweep down ove...

Royal Botanical Gardens

Straddling Hamilton and Burlington, Royal Botanical Gardens is Canada's largest botanical garden, combining formal plantings with...

Pier 4 Park and the waterfront

Hamilton's West Harbour has been transformed from industrial docks into a waterfront for walking, cycling and play. Pier 4 Park ha...

History 3

Dundurn Castle

Overlooking Burlington Bay, this 1830s Italianate villa was built for Sir Allan Napier MacNab, a lawyer, railway promoter and prem...

HMCS Haida

Moored at Pier 9 in the West Harbour, HMCS Haida is the last surviving Tribal-class destroyer in the world and a National Historic...

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Based at Hamilton's airport in Mount Hope, this museum keeps much of its aircraft collection in flying condition, which makes it u...

Arts 3

Art Gallery of Hamilton

Founded in 1914, the Art Gallery of Hamilton is one of the oldest and largest public art museums in Ontario, set downtown on King...

James Street North

Once a struggling stretch north of downtown, James Street North has become the creative heart of Hamilton, lined with independent...

Hamilton Farmers' Market

Trading since 1837, the Hamilton Farmers' Market is one of the oldest in Canada and now occupies a bright indoor hall downtown bes...

Reviews

No reviews yet. Been to Hamilton? Be the first to share your experience.

Write a review

Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.

Share your photos

Been to Hamilton? Add your best shots to the gallery.

More places in Ontario

Mississauga

Ontario, Canada

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario, Canada

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Ontario, Canada

Collingwood

Ontario, Canada

Killarney Provincial Park

Ontario, Canada

Kingston

Ontario, Canada

Manitoulin Island

Ontario, Canada

Muskoka

Ontario, Canada

See all places in Canada →

Photo credits

Photo: Akos Kokai, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Mhsheikholeslami, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Mustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: David Zhang from Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton (Rick Cordeiro), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: MeganAGH, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: User Redkyptonite on en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton (Rick Cordeiro), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Laslovarga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Photo: Nhl4hamilton at English Wikipedia (Original text: Rick Cordeiro), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Nhl4hamilton (Rick Cordeiro), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: paul (dex) bica from toronto, canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Paul Tavares, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Jfvoll, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Thomas1313, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Quintinsoloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Maya Maceka, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Hubert Derus (talk · contribs), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Photo: Maya Maceka, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Mustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: Justsayantan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Izzardo-Erolos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Rick Cordeiro, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Nelro (talk) 20:39, 3 June 2008 (UTC), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Eric Marshall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: Laslovarga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: RoyBoy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Wiki.cullin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Qviri, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton | Chit-Chat , Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Thomas1313, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5

Photo: Qviri, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton | Chit-Chat , Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Ken Mist from Brampton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Photo: Jeff Hitchcock from Seattle, WA, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: User:Saforrest, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: JFVoll, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nhl4hamilton | Chit-Chat , Wikimedia Commons, Public domain