Warm sunny days and fun fresh-air activity options make autumn a perfect time for a family adventure to introduce your crew to new spaces, places and faces in southern Ontario. This two-day adventure around Hamilton Halton Brant offers something for everyone in the family, including thrilling treetop adventures, historical discoveries, colourful fall forests and farm fun.
DAY 1
MORNING: HAMILTON (BINBROOK)
Get your adrenaline pumping at Treetop Trekking in Hamilton. This giant jungle gym in the trees offers zip lines, rope courses, and suspension bridges that will keep your whole gang engaged as they soar through the forest conquering challenges that will boost confidence and create memories for a lifetime.
LUNCH STOP: HAMILTON (WINONA)
Make the short trip to Memphis Fire Barbecue Company for an authentic southern barbecue lunch that will leave everyone around the table licking the sauce off their fingers! With kid’s choices and delicious family meal options, finding something for everyone on the restaurant’s extensive menu will be a breeze.
AFTERNOON: HAMILTON
Step back in time for the afternoon at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. No ordinary museum, this historic waterworks building, originally built in 1859, is home to massive steam-powered machinery and hands-on experiences showcasing a fascinating era of innovation and industrial heritage. Consider timing your trip for September’s Electric City Festival, conducted in partnership with the Nikola Tesla Education Corporation.
EVENING: BURLINGTON
Make your way to Burlington and check in for the evening at one of the city’s many hotels. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Burlington Toronto or Holiday Inn Burlington, are both just a short distance away from your evening activity.
Enjoy a delicious dinner of tasty fish tacos, fresh fish and chips, or juicy grilled steaks and ribs at Jake’s Grill and Oyster House. Jake’s has been a Burlington tradition for over 30 years since their opening in 1985 so you won’t be disappointed. Then head to Gametime Social, where the whole family will have a blast! This entertainment centre has it all, from classic arcade games to mind-blowing virtual reality experiences. Challenge each other to laser tag or mini-golf, and let the friendly competition begin!
DAY 2
MORNING: BURLINGTON & BRANTFORD
Grab some fresh, hand-crafted doughnuts from The Sunshine Doughnut Company and let the kids walk off any early morning wiggles along the beautiful Burlington Waterfront before hopping in the car for the next leg of your tour. Everyone will love the views from the Brant Street Pier in Spencer Smith Park, which sits 137 metres above Lake Ontario.
Switch gears from city life to country life on the drive to Brantwood Farms in Brantford. Introduce the kids to the classic Canadian tradition of apple picking in the farm’s rolling orchards. After filling your baskets with juicy apples and picking your Thanksgiving and Halloween pumpkins, if it’s a Fall Festival weekend you can enjoy more farm fun like an on-site corn maze, tractor rides, petting zoo and more.
LUNCH STOP: BRANTFORD
If you still have some room left for lunch after the farm-fresh treats at Brantwood Farms, head to Sociable Kitchen + Tavern to rest tired legs over a casual family lunch. In addition to gluten-friendly and plant-based menus, there’s a “Lil Socials” menu with delicious choices for the kids that even include a house-made peanut butter ice cream sandwich.
AFTERNOON: MILTON & FREELTON
After a morning of farm fun, enjoy a little downtime on the car ride to the Halton County Radial Railway in Milton, where vintage streetcars await! Hop on board and take a nostalgic ride through the forest cloaked in its flashiest fall colours while learning about electric transit along the way. This scenic ride offers the perfect opportunity to snap a family photo for your holiday cards!
If you still have some time left in the afternoon, or if you’re visiting after October when the museum is closed for the season, nearby Mountsberg Conservation Area makes for a perfect replacement stop or additional activity. The Raptor Centre, which is tucked away in the woods here, hosts a variety of “nose-to-beak” experiences, including Raptor Encounters and a Hawk Walk, where a trained Harris Hawk will fly along with you as you walk and land on a perch in your hand.
Before you get back on the highway to head home, enjoy a classic diner-style dinner at Breezy Corners Family Restaurant in Freelton. This roadside restaurant has developed a loyal following over the years thanks to the staff’s pride in their food. All soups, stocks, and sauces are made in-house from scratch.
