Breathe in that fresh country air. Breathe out the bustle of city living.
Much of Hamilton is actually rural (two thirds actually) making it easy to escape the city for a day of country and farm-to-table moments to help ground you.
West Avenue Cider House
Awarded Best Cider in Ontario, these small-batch producers of hard cider offer rotating taps, bottles and seasonal ciders. Plus, they've planted thousands of trees in their picture-perfect orchard – since heritage apples are rare in Canada – to ensure their Heritage Ciders remain authentic. Enjoy your flight with a gourmet cheese box and other delicious plates.
Discover more local cideries.
Visit: Seasonally inspired ciders are introduced monthly so there's always something new to try!
Winery Visits
Sip on a glass of local wine in a scenic vineyard under the setting sun.
Hamilton is home to some stunning wineries and is considered a gateway to neighbouring Niagara's famous wine region. Stop for a memorable tasting experience at Leaning Post Wines, Puddicombe Estate Farms and Winery, or Ridge Road Estate Winery.
Visit: Each of the wineries offers wine tasting on their patio. Experience Ridge Road’s Summer Sunsets and Vines every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the summer months featuring live music and local chefs.
Flower Power
A trip to a vibrant flower field is a must-add to your summer bucket list. Gaze at hundreds of thousands of sunflowers at The Hanes Corn Maze & Tiny Shop Bakery and The Apple Orchard or visit Mikel’s Lavender Oasis to admire the purple hues or attend a yoga or mindfulness practice among the fields. The whimsical Westfield Flowers offers it all: from a wide selection of annuals to tulips and lilacs to peonies and lavender. For something different and truly memorable, head to Fresh Market Farms in rural Milgrove to pick your own flowers directly from the field then arrange your own bouquets.
Visit: Sunflowers and lavender are in bloom until early Fall.
Farmers’ Markets
Get back to the land (even when you're downtown) at one of the country’s oldest farmers’ markets. Hamilton Farmers’ Market is home to more than 50 vendors, including farmers like Williams Brothers Farms and Buttrum Family Farms, both founding families in the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Find fresh cut flowers, cheese vendors, coffee, and tons of visit-worthy lunch counters here too.
There are also plenty of smaller local farmers’ markets across the city to explore where you can buy local.
Visit: Downtown Hamilton Farmers’ Market is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Farm to Table Dining
The chefs at Ancaster Mill look to the season’s harvest for inspiration for their menu, allowing guests to experience spectacular local, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is part of the Pearle Hospitality group with its own farm, Earth to Table, located on 97 beautiful acres in Flamborough.
Visit: Enjoy this iconic Hamilton destination housed in a historic mill with an on-site waterfall year-round.
Triple C Farm
This petting zoo has the friendliest animals around. BYO lawn chair or blanket and join the sheep, pigs, and cows for a movie night inside the large covered dome. You can also snuggle goats between downward dogs during goat yoga, or book a horse or cart ride to see the scenery.
Visit: Petting zoo open daily (check ahead for reservations). Movie nights are available to book. Goat and alpaca yoga is offered a couple of times per week.
Pick Your Own
Hands-on farms, pick your own fields and pretty, rolling farmland are all close by and ready to experience. Check out where you can pick your own apples, pears, pumpkins, and squash in Hamilton.
Visit: The picking season varies with berries available to drop in your basket (or straight into your mouth) in early summer and apples, pears, and pumpkins in late summer and early fall.
Farm Crawl Hamilton
Drive from farm to farm during this self-guided farm tour for a behind the scenes look at everything from a stunning flower field to a destination cidery to a sheep farm. Meet and chat with farmers, get up close with animals, and get some dirt under your nails.
Visit: Check their website for upcoming events and participating farms.