Your Guide to a Perfect Summer in Hamilton
It’s time to bring fun back, with a perfect summer getaway, right next door.
We’re easy to reach and packed with bucket list summer experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Mix and match these outdoor experiences, blockbuster events, kid-approved attractions, and food and drink spots to plan a summer adventure to remember.
Your perfect summer getaway is closer than you think.
Perfect Summer Contest
Make it an extra special summer by entering our Perfect Summer in Hamilton Contest for a chance to win a 2-night getaway this September!
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See & Do
Outdoor adventure, blockbuster events, and world-class attractions are waiting for you this summer.
- Chase these breathtaking waterfalls across the city with our Waterfall Guide.
- Hike your heart out along the forest and waterfront trails branching off of the Niagara Escarpment that cuts through the city using our Hiking Guide.
- Check out our Cycling Guide to see the best of the city on two wheels.
- Explore like a local with our neighbourhood guides to the best food and shopping in every corner of the city.
- Take a self-guided tour of the city’s best street art.
- Fun fact, Hamilton is actually 80% rural! Get back to the land with these grounding agricultural experiences.
Top Attractions
Add some wow to your visit at these world-class attractions.
- Come see Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada’s largest botanical garden, in full bloom with a side of unforgettable summer events.
- Celebrate Canada’s largest flying museum – Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s – 50th anniversary with special exhibits and events this summer.
- Cool off and be inspired inside the region’s largest and oldest public art gallery at Art Gallery of Hamilton.
Top Festivals and Events
Mark your calendar for these must-visit summer events.
- Sporting Events: Summer means game-time for beloved home teams like football legends the Hamilton Tiger-Cats; soccer champs Forge FC and our basketball team the Honey Badgers.
- Concrete Canvas: See acclaimed artists create street art, live across the city.
- Hamilton Night Market: Sample unique global street food at Bayfront Park.
- Air Force Day Grab your squadron and pilot your way to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum to get up close to Air Force aircraft and members.
- Farm Crawl: Get back to the land at these rural destinations.
- Winona Peach Festival: The lineups for this iconic summer festival’s Peach Sundaes are worth it.
- Supercrawl: Hamilton’s biggest music and arts festival takes over downtown.
- Event Calendar: Stay up to date with even more top summer events happening during your visit.
Play
Release your wild child with these kid-approved experiences, guaranteed to banish summer boredom.
- Slide into some serious fun at Wild Waterworks on the shores of Lake Ontario.
- Travel through a canopy of trees on ziplines and bridges at Treetop Trekking.
- At African Lion Safari you can get closer than you ever imagined possible to over 1,000 exotic animals.
- Check out these kid-friendly stops at Hamilton’s West Harbour: a rollerskating rink, the floating HMCS Haida museum and the Canadian icon, Theodore Tugboat.
- Soak up summer at Hamilton’s fun-packed beachfront.
- Use our Family Friendly Hikes Guide to find pretty hikes that are fun and easy for little feet to tackle.
- Sun, sand and surf. Enjoy all three close to home at these Hamilton Beaches.
- Step back in time at Westfield Heritage Village Museum” – a living history museum and conservation area with lots of room to roam and a vintage train to explore.
Eat
Fuel your perfect summer getaway with these delicious food and drink ideas.
- Use our Patio Guide to book your table at one of these destination patios.
- Plan a perfect park hang along with great picnic food nearby.
- Raise a glass at these thirst-quenching go-to’s for locally crafted beer, wine and ciders.
- You’ll find something to satisfy even the pickiest eater with our guide to kid approved eateries.
- Eating on a budget when visiting Hamilton is easy – and delicious – when you know where to go.
Bonus Planning Tips
Make your getaway extra perfect with these insider tips.
- Plan your route – including how to skip the pump with the new all-day GO Train service into Hamilton.
- Use the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit to find out how to save up to 20% on overnight stays.
- Use our Accommodations Guide to find the perfect place to spend the night after a day of exploring.