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.


This summer, Travel True in Hamilton Halton Brant and discover the pure pleasure of creating new memories with your favourite people. From incredible natural landscapes for outdoor adventures, like the Niagara EscarpmentGrand River and scenic Lake Ontario shorelines, to fascinating sites that celebrate our country’s past, fun summer festivals and events, and immersive experiences and tours that put you in the heart of all the action, discover the perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer fun.

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December 1

Ukrainian Christmas Evening Tour

Dundurn Castle – National Historic Site

610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3H1

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $45 per person. Pre-registration is required.

Now thru January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Self Guided Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

Now thru November 15

Grand Experiences: Grand Voyageur

Grand Experiences Outdoor Adventure Company

113 Grand River Street North, Paris

Dates and Times: Offered every day, starting at 9:00am or 1:30pm - book ahead! Price:...

Now thru December 31

Hamilton Civic Museums Virtual Tours

28 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

November 29

Pudding Club Cooking Workshop

Dundurn Castle – National Historic Site

610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3H1

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM Ages: 14+ years Cost: $70.00 per person. Pre-registration is...

Now thru December 31

‘To Market We Go’ – Brantford & Brant

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This Tasty Road Trips Tour is a full-day trip experience with a customized...

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

Home of #99 Taste Adventure

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This tour is a five+ hour all-inclusive self-guided tour with all food, sips,...

December 8

Elf Club: A Children’s Cooking Workshop

Dundurn Castle – National Historic Site

610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3H1

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Ages: 6 to 12 years Cost: $70.00 for 1...

Now thru November 30

Grand Experiences: Bruce Trail 2 Day Hiking Package (Guided Trip)

Grand Experiences Outdoor Adventure Company

113 Grand River Street North, Paris

Dates and Times: Available every day of the week - book in advance! Price: $525.00...

November 16 - 17

Visit with Santa at Joseph Brant Museum

Joseph Brant Museum

1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington, ON, L7S 1C5

Dates & Time: Nov 16th & 17th, 10:00am to 4:00pm Event Price: $45.00/family (Member) $50.00/family...

November 29

Oakville Museum Winter Craft and Tour

Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate

8 Navy Street, Oakville, ON, L6J 2Y5

Times: 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ages: 4 to...

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