Hamilton was hit hard by the decline of the steel industry in the 1990s but has since undergone a reinvention. No longer known just for mills and manufacturing, it's becoming a creative and dynamic city, with change driven by small businesses and entrepreneurs who've seen new promise in Hamilton's heritage buildings. Hamilton is an appealing place to stay, about a 1-hour drive from Toronto and a little longer from Niagara Falls. Year after year its neighborhoods are becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, home to cool galleries and restaurants and great hotels. More conventional attractions include HMCS Haida National Historic Site, a naval destroyer moored on the city's lakefront, and the Bruce Trail, where hikes for all abilities crisscross the Niagara Escarpment.
Where to stay
in Hamilton
Great Neighborhoods for History
Hamilton offers lots to those interested in military history. Stay close to the North End for easy access to HMCS Haida National Historic Site and the waterfront, including a stop at Collective Arts Brewing for a craft beer tasting. Find more places to stay in Downtown Hamilton, where the restored Whitehern Historic House and Garden is worth a visit. Book a hotel near the airport in the neighborhood of Mount Hope to delve deep into Canada's aviation history at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, which displays aircraft flown by Canadians and the Canadian military from World War II to the present day. Flights in a Lancaster, B-25 Mitchell, and Fairey Firefly are also available for those feeling brave.
Mount Hope
Travelers enjoy Mount Hope for its shopping and golf courses. Consider checking out Southern Pines Golf & Country Club while you're in the area.
Best Places to Stay for Dining
The food scene in Hamilton just keeps getting better. Downtown Hamilton's restaurants specialize in everything from artisan pizza and authentic Lebanese meals to Bavarian and French cuisine. A couple of hotels here also offer apartments or suites, ideal for those who want to shop at the Hamilton Farmers Market and self-cater. Kirkendall, to the west, is a good neighborhood for dinner spots and has superb restaurants, with more and more places focusing on contemporary farm-to-table Canadian cuisine and sustainable twists on comfort food classics. Burlington, a separate city across the bay, has more of a small-town feel. Stay here for close proximity to Hamilton. Enjoy family-friendly dining in neighborhoods voted among the best in Canada to live.
Burlington
The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Burlington. A stop by Burlington City Hall or Spencer Smith Lakefront Park might round out your trip.
Recommended hotels in Burlington
Where to Stay for Nature
In and near Hamilton are plenty of places to enjoy outdoor activities. Popular hikes include the trek to Devil's Punchbowl Falls and Felker's Falls Conservation Area from Stoney Creek on the outskirts of East Hamilton. Stay across the lake in Burlington for trips to Canada's largest botanic garden, the Royal Botanical Gardens, filled with more than 1,000 species of plants and flowers. Lincoln, on Lake Ontario's southern bank, also has good accommodations for those who prefer to enjoy nature with a glass of wine in hand. Visit tasting rooms such as Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery and the London Born Wine Co.
Burlington
The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Burlington. A stop by Burlington City Hall or Spencer Smith Lakefront Park might round out your trip.
Recommended hotels in Burlington
Lincoln
The abundant dining options and lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Lincoln. A stop by Vineland Estates Winery or Ball's Falls Conservation Area might round out your trip.
Recommended hotels in Lincoln
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