A lot of people are talking about Hamilton these days – including some of North America’s top travel and lifestyle writers. The city was featured recently in no less than the New York Times, Elle Canada magazine and major dailies like The Globe and Mail and Montreal’s Le Devoir, where it’s been called “a burgeoning hipster haven” and “full of promises and surprises”. Read on to travel in the footsteps of those in the know, and get the experts’ take on not-to-be missed spots in this urban centre that is definitely trending!


Spectacular Sights

Webster’s Falls, Spencer Gorge

Benoit Legault of Montreal’s Le Devoir recently visited Hamilton and raved about the vibrancy of the city. The travel writer of Canada’s esteemed daily francophone newspaper spent time in the city exploring its culinary and live music scenes, along with beautiful historic sites and “remarkable” museums. Legault suggests that Hamilton has emerged from the shadow of Toronto to compete with Canada’s largest city as a must-see destination, with recommendations to visit Dundurn Castle, Whitehern, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. To take in and enjoy the area’s “bucolic natural settings”, he suggests heading to Royal Botanical Gardens and Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.


The Local Food Scene

Radius

The consensus is that Hamilton’s local food scene has exploded, and according to the Globe and Mail, one reason is that restaurant veterans are “ditching Toronto for Hamilton”. It lists at least five top Toronto chefs who have relocated to open buzz-worthy spots like Hamburgr, Aberdeen Tavern, The Heather and The French. Benoit Legault of Montreal’s Le Devoir raved about some of the same spots, specifically recommending The FrenchRadius, and Aberdeen Tavern, while giving a special shout out to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market.

Elle Canada also explored a few of the spots that are pioneering the Hamilton foodie landscape, eating its way across Hamilton with delicious results. The magazine recommends Earth to Table Bread Bar for “truly insane pizza” along with The Burnt Tongue for its changing roster of hearty daily soups and Belgian fries.

The New York Times’ “five places to go”, Saint James is described as a packed daytime-only eatery, where weekend crowds “queue for brunch staples like peppery avocado toast, crunchy falafel salad and house-made scones.” Steps from the James Street North strip, the tiny, all-white espresso bar Smalls offers “meticulous artisanal coffee alongside pillowy pastries from De La Terre, an organic bakery 29 miles to the east in Vineland”.


Arts Explosion

The Assembly

In its feature story on Hamilton, the New York Times noted that the city is getting a big boost from creatives fleeing Toronto’s skyrocketing real estate costs. The Times found much of the buzz centered on once-rundown James Street North, which is percolating with a vibrant art scene. At The Assembly, sixteen prominent Ontario artists, including the painter Daniel Hutchinson and the sculptor Andrea Carvalho, started a bi-level cooperative gallery as an incubator for edgier work — and an alternative to Toronto’s competitive art scene.

Read more about this up and coming city and see for yourself why everyone is buzzing about “The Hammer”.

Travel Deals View All >>

Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru December 21

Team-Building Art Experiences

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Serving Southern Ontario and scheduled to suit your team requirements — in studio, on or...

September 28

Cholera and Industrial Heritage Cemetery Tour

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology – National Historic Site

The Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., Hamilton

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Cost: FREE Ages: All

Now thru December 31

Introductory Flight Lesson

Brantford Flight Centre

110 Aviation Ave. Brantford, ON N3T 5L7, Canada

Dates: All year round Cost: $152.55 including HST

Now thru December 31

Hamilton Civic Museums Virtual Tours

28 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

June 22

Cholera and Industrial Heritage Cemetery Tour

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology – National Historic Site

The Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., Hamilton

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Cost: FREE Ages: All

May 25

The McQuesten Family Tour at Hamilton Cemetery

Whitehern Historic House & Garden – National Historic Site

41 Jackson Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1L3

Time: 10:00 AM -11:00 AM Ages: All Cost: FREE

July 5 - September 20

Bee Beard Experience

Backed By Bees

6214 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 0P7

Dates: Jul 5th, Aug 2nd, Sep 20th Time: 1:00pm Price: $249.99

Now thru December 31

Music Bingo at Flux

Flux Brewing Company

185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, ON N0E 1R0

Date & Time: January 15th and every 2nd Wednesday of the week, 6:00pm to 8:00pm...

Now thru December 31

Private Date Night Painting for 2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Whenever Date Night is! Event Price: $165.00 + hst per couple.

Now thru December 7

Oakville Museum Guided Tour

Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate

8 Navy Street, Oakville, ON, L6J 2Y5

Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. General admission by donation (Suggested $7 per...

May 25 - July 20

Yoga and the Bees

Backed By Bees

6214 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 0P7

Dates: May 25th, June 22nd, July 20th

June 15

Naval Tour

The Hamilton Military Museum

The Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd, Hamilton ON L8R 2A4

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Ages: 12+ years Cost: FREE

Similar Stories View All >>

This Art is Outside: Get an Outdoor Art Fix

Find creative ways to blend an art experience with some fresh air and sunshine.

Read More

Escape To The Country

6 Rural Retreats To Replenish Your Spirit

Read More

Following Freedom’s Footsteps

Dine Your Way Across Hamilton Halton Brant

Recommendations for restaurants that are worth the trip.

Read More

Fall For Each Other: A Romantic Two-Day Road Trip Around Hamilton Halton Brant

Treat your fam to two days of non-stop fun!

Read More

A Fresh Fall Family Adventure in Hamilton Halton Brant

Treat your fam to two days of non-stop fun!

Read More

A Colourful Fall Road Trip With Friends around Hamilton Halton Brant

Pack your bags for a relaxed adventure with your BFFs.

Read More

Raise a Glass to the True Brew Path

Taste your way along the True Brew Path and discover the breweries, wineries and cideries of #HamiltonHaltonBrant.

TRUE BREW PATH

The Fab Fall Road Trip Roundup

6 Amazing Autumn Drives Destination

Read More

Shop. Pick. Sip. Repeat.

Find out where to shop, pick and sip.

Read More

Summer 2.0

Stretch out summer fun a little longer.

Read More

Fall For… Dundas and Ancaster

Make fall memories in Dundas and Ancaster.

Read More

Get Travel OffersEvent Details and
Planning Ideas for Your Next Trip

Sign up to receive the latest Hamilton Halton Brant travel news delivered right to your inbox.