Let Me Show You

Discover Hamilton through the eyes of its passionate locals in Let Me Show You – a docuseries by Tourism Hamilton

We asked some of the city’s creators, business owners, and magic-makers what keeps them inspired and connected to the city they call home. And what visitors can expect to experience when they’re here. Let them show you the Hamilton they love.

Each episode highlights inspiring Hamilton locals, pulling the curtain back on the places, events and stories that define the city.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking for hidden neighbourhood gems, get inspired on the top things to do in Hamilton, Ontario – all from an authentic, insider perspective.

Mark Furukawa

Mark Furukawa | The Record Lover

Owner and Operator
Dr. Disc Hamilton

For over 30 years, Mark has been a fixture of Hamilton’s music scene thanks to his popular independent record store Dr. Disc Hamilton. Located in downtown Hamilton, the shop is more than a place to buy cool vinyl. It’s also a meeting place for music lovers and artists. Mark credits the city’s creative and collaborative spirit with keeping him engaged and motivated. And he’s grateful to the community for always championing the underdog.

"Hamilton is both a small town and a larger city. There's variety here. There's a real personality here. It's not a cookie-cutter thing.
The heart of Hamilton is the people. I love this city and it's because of the people more than anything else. Just the connectivity and the spirit we have with the Hamilton community have just totally blown me away."

Lisa La Rocca

Lisa La Rocca | The Festival Builder

Director of Operations
Sonic Unyon | @supercrawl

Lisa is a driving force behind some of Hamilton’s biggest music events and festivals, including the three-day blockbuster music and culture festival, Supercrawl. As Director of Operations at Sonic Unyon, she champions the city’s exciting and experimental live music scene and growing reputation as a magnet for creatives and audiences. Lisa shares how Hamilton is a perfectly sized city she never wants to leave, with something for everyone.

"We have a mix of everything. It's such a close small-town vibe for a big city.
Our music and arts scene here is unmatched compared to cities in this area. I think Hamilton has something really special and I think you feel it when you come to our events and concerts."

Josh Taylor

Josh Taylor | The Teacher

Artistic Director and Owner
Defining Movement Dance | @steelcitydmd

Josh has been a leading light in Hamilton’s creative dance and arts community for years. Since founding Defining Movement Dance back in 2009, he’s seen countless young students pass through the doors of hip-hop and street dance studio. Here, the creative and nurturing energy, matches what he sees reflected in the city’s collaborative arts and culture scene, which he describes as a mix of urban creativity and small-town heart.

"We get lost in this idea that you have to be really good at art to enjoy art. When art really is about expression and it's about sharing stories or ideas with each other. That's what we do here.
It's a big city but it's not. It's unique in that way."

Angela DeMontigny

Angela DeMontigny | The Artist and Designer

All Our Relations | Lodge Soy Candles | @AngelaDemontigny

The installation of the striking All Our Relations public art piece at Hamilton's West Harbour is a culmination of much of Angela DeMontigny's work as an artist, designer and entrepreneur. The 40-foot-tall piece features five panels filled with thousands of glass balls depicting symbols of Indigenous teachings. It's a striking homage to Hamilton's Indigenous history of the waterfront and a space for the Indigenous community to gather for ceremonies and events. It also reminds visitors of our interconnectedness with each other and the natural world.

"Every time I go down to see it, I am full of wonder that we were actually able to create it and have it here. The most beautiful part is that it's created a dedicated space for the Indigenous community in the city, and for everyone really, where we can have ceremonies and sacred fires. And that's really the whole point of it: unity."

This was a spirit driven thing - there’s no presence of Indigenous culture anywhere around here. So that was really important to me that we have that. I created the design based on the inspiration from how I do my daily prayers and gratitude to all of our relations."

Theresa Picone

Theresa Picone | The Neighbourhood Grocer

Co-owner
Picone Fine Food | @PiconeFineFood

In this episode, Theresa brings decades of family tradition to life at Picone Fine Food. The local grocery and specialty food store is a cherished small business with a huge heart. More than a century since Picone’s was established in 1915 by Theresa’s Sicilian grandfather Joseph Picone Sr., the store is now a pillar in the closeknit Dundas community. Discover the enduring appeal of this charming destination for both locals and visitors, and why Theresa says the city “feeds your soul”.

"People here really look out for each other and there's that sense of caring. It feeds your soul and that's a good thing.
We have so much to offer but it's small so you don't have to make big plans. It's very simple. If you talk to people that come from out of town, they say there's something very special here and you kind of want to be a part of it."

Simoni Lawrence

Simoni Lawrence | The Football Legend

Community and Brand Ambassador, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats | @Simoni_Lawrence21

Simoni Lawrence commanded awe and respect on the football field as a Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker. The three-time CFL All-Star and Ticats franchise leader in tackles was a fierce competitor. But he's perhaps even better known for his deep community roots, bringing hope, joy and connection to fans and locals alike in his beloved adopted city of Hamilton. In this episode, he shares why Hamilton fans are the best ones around, where he likes to eat and play around town, and how he wants to keep showing up for a city that's given him so much.

"When you come here it's electrifying. You can go get a stadium atmosphere anywhere. But the people: it's undefeated here. Hamilton people, the culture, the way they raise the players to the next level. Watching a football game here in Hamilton is just superior to other places.
Hamilton is a city that's real. Hamilton gave me so much to keep me moving forward and gave me passion and purpose. I want to be here for a city that gave me so much."

Justin Tanada

Justin Tanada | The Slice Champion

Co-owner
Cowabunga Pizzeria | @Cowabunga+

Justin’s passion for pizza is matched only by his love for his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, which he calls the perfect balance of big city and small town. He’s the co-founder of Cowabunga Pizzeria, a cult-favourite pizza parlour known for its delicious slices and creative vibe. With two locations in the city – one downtown and one on the mountain – Cowabunga has long been a local favourite. But thanks to their 2024 “Best Cheese Slice in the World” win at the Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, their reputation is now global.

"Hamilton is a perfect balance of big and small. It's a perfect balance of slow and fast. It's the perfect hub to get to anywhere I want to get to. If I want a little bit of city life, if I want a little bit of nature, everything is just a stone's throw away. That's really what keeps me here."

Tej Sandhu

Tej Sandhu | The Taste Maker

President and Co-Founder
Merit Brewing | @meritbrewing

Tej has described Hamilton’s hopping craft beer scene as ‘quality-obsessed’. You’ll see that ethos as soon as you step inside his bright and beautiful brewery, restaurant and bottleshop on James Street North. Here at MERIT Brewing, every beer, bite and detail tell a story that mirrors the ‘heart, art and soul of Hamilton’. Named after his grandparents’ furniture store, he credits them for inspiring his team to build a business rooted in community, hard work, innovation and service. Today, MERIT is an anchor of downtown Hamilton’s headline-making food and drink scene.

"There's something new happening in this city all the time, that we learn about, that we can participate in, that we can contribute to. There's this energyâ€¦ it's people exploring and what they're exploring is what people are creating."