Hamilton

A 45-minute drive from Toronto, the lakeside city of Hamilton sits within a natural bay formed by the Niagara Escarpment. Long referred to as Steel City because of its industry, Hamilton has not been taken seriously as a travel destination until recently. With the successful clean-up of the harbor and waterfront, visitors and locals alike now take advantage of its many outdoor recreational possibilities. The striking Art Gallery of Hamilton – the second largest in Ontario – puts on some excellent, and often thought-provoking, exhibitions, and a wide a range of venues, including Hamilton Place with its marvelous acoustics, accommodates the ...

A 45-minute drive from Toronto, the lakeside city of Hamilton sits within a natural bay formed by the Niagara Escarpment. Long referred to as Steel City because of its industry, Hamilton has not been taken seriously as a travel destination until recently. With the successful clean-up of the harbor and waterfront, visitors and locals alike now take advantage of its many outdoor recreational possibilities. The striking Art Gallery of Hamilton – the second largest in Ontario – puts on some excellent, and often thought-provoking, exhibitions, and a wide a range of venues, including Hamilton Place with its marvelous acoustics, accommodates the many concerts, plays and operas that are mounted year-round. More and more artists, attracted by cheaper rents, are setting up studios and galleries in Hamilton, while a lively club scene centers around downtown’s Hess Village. Between professional football, hockey and golf, there is a lot to keep the sports buff happy as well. The Niagara Peninsula’s Wine Country is also within easy reach.

About the Expert

Joanna Ebbutt is the author or editor of three Insight Guides to Toronto and Canada, and coauthor of Off the Beaten Track: Western Canada. She has been writing about travel for three decades, including chasing the aurora borealis in Northern Ontario.