If you want a lesson in how to keep things simple this summer, it’s as easy as taking a little inspiration from how people spent their Sundays a few generations back. When the majority of businesses were closed on Sundays, people had to find their own fun. Over the years, life seems to have sped up. Today, people often spend Sundays catching up around the house and running errands. What if, for just one summer, we brought back the concept of relaxing Sunday fun? Join us as we slow down the clock with a few activities that pass the test of time with flying colours.
The Scenic Sunday Drive
In the 1920s and 1930s, cars were less about commuting and more about enjoying the pure pleasure of driving. With no rush to reach a specific destination, the Sunday drive was all about slowing down, spending time together and taking in the scenery. Here are a few fun ways to take the concept of a Sunday drive for a spin this summer.
- Follow a route that’s all about the food! Tasty Road Trip Food Tours has a variety of self-guided driving routes for culinary adventures, all curated and ready to go, including a Home of #99 Taste Adventure in and around Brantford and a Road to the Ridge: Tastes of the Escarpment tour. A few days before the trip, you’ll receive an exclusive itinerary and any required dining reservations will be made for you in advance.
- Stop in at your favourite local bakery or coffee shop to fuel up with some drinks and treats for the road before you go, or find a new place to try mid-route.
- If you’re not following a pre-planned driving route, pick a new landmark that you’ve never been to before to set as your destination point. The landmark can also serve as a fun backdrop for a photo to share on your social feed when you arrive. Sports fans can set up the perfect selfie in front of a Wayne Gretzky monument in Brantford, the Glen Abbey sign in Oakville or the Canadian Football Hall of Fame sign in Hamilton. Families can learn about the origins of the telephone and commemorate with a smartphone selfie in front of the Alexander Graham Bell Homestead sign in Brantford.
The Leisurely Sunday Stroll
The word “stroll” means to wander from place to place, and Hamilton Halton Brant is overflowing with great options for doing just that. If you’re looking to explore a more natural landscape, the Bruce Trail, the region’s stunning shorelines, or the beautiful trails at Royal Botanical Gardens are all great choices. If an urban wander is more up your alley, we’ve got plenty of those places too! McMaster University offers self-guided walking tours showcasing its beautiful outdoor sculpture collection and architecture. Triple C Farms’ Animal Walks offer a private walk with an alpaca, mini-horse or donkey if you’d like to take a furry friend for a walk.
Enlisting a guide to show you the way is another fun way to learn about the area you’re visiting. Consider Grand Experiences’ guided Bruce Trail Iroquoia Daytrip Hike or a tour aboard the HMCS Haida. Six Nations A Day of Play package includes a guided nature walk filled with interesting facts about the Carolinian Forest and the traditional plants found along the trail.
The Sunday Picnic
Give the cook in your family the day off with a casual Sunday picnic at one of Hamilton Halton Brant’s incredible parks. It’s as simple as placing a to-go order at a restaurant, packing up a picnic blanket or some lawn chairs and then just picking up and unpacking your meal. To stretch out your outing, opt for some picnic fare from a restaurant that requires a leisurely cruise to reach. Here are some of our favourite road trip-worthy restaurants and must-try eats. For even more tips to make your picnic just perfect, read Beyond The Basket: 4 Creative Ways To Summer Picnic Perfection.
Puddicombe Farms’ Group Campfire Party, which includes wine or juice tastings, hotdogs and marshmallows and a campfire pit and wood, is another fun option for a Sunday afternoon picnic.
Screen-Free Creativity
When people didn’t have phones to scroll on or endless series to stream, they turned to creative pursuits when they had time to unwind. Take a page from a simpler time and encourage the family to try unplugging for a few hours doing something that feeds the right side of their brains. Admission to the Art Gallery of Hamilton on Saturdays and Sundays includes a 40-minute guided tour at 1 pm. If the tour leaves the adults in your group feeling inspired, consider signing up for a workshop at Studio K2.
