Things to do in Hamilton

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by Duckyboy

Pubs and music... so much to choose from.

Don't forget tobogganing at Highland Gardens Park (top of Mountain Ave. at Hillcrest in Kirkendall Neighbourhood) once we get some decent snow.

[omro]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread.

My Mother and Step-Father are going to visit Hamilton for the first two weeks of my move. April 5th - April 18th.

My Mum is pretty much sold on the city (that said you could put both of her children and her grandchild on Neptune and she'd be happy living there), however we've discovered that my Step-Father has begun to have second thoughts.

We think it's because he doesn't have a sense for the city or what he can do there. Mum's been three times already, but he's only visited once before, that was for a week in April of last year.

Can anyone recommend things that he should do or see that would help sell the city to him (a 57 year old)? He's pretty sociable, so we're hoping that if he actually meets people this time round and gets to have a feeling for the city and community, he'll be more confident about making the move. I plan to take him around the different neighbourhoods so he can see how diverse the city is and help him get his bearings. He likes to wander about, so we plan to let him just go off and do his own thing. He seems to have a "thing" for junk shops, collectibles, books, etc.

I'm definitely planning to take them to Westdale again (which they both loved during their first visit) and Locke Street (Mum loved it there when I went with her last time, but my Step-Father hasn't been) and the Bay Front area (just because I want to see it). Any other recommendations?

Are there any events going on during those two weeks that he/they could go to?

Also, this will be Mum's first Easter with her grandchild, are there any child related activities that are planned for that weekend, or in general during those two weeks, that she could do with him (a four year old)? Any child activity centres?

[highwater]

Well if you're out Westdale way, you can do lunch with yours truly. That'll kill some time! Seriously, get in touch.

For kid-related stuff, don't miss Backyard Monsters at the RBG.

http://www.rbg.ca/pages/monsters.html

The local library should be a good source for kids' activities too.

I have a book of architectural walking tours I'd be happy to lend your stepdad if he likes to wander. Too bad they're missing the Artcrawl! Do you think he'd be interested in the Hamilton Industrial Trail? http://www.tourismhamilton.com/pagedetail.cfm?id=12 Check out the Worker's Arts and Heritage Museum and the Museum of Steam and Technology (also great for the kids, as is the Marine Museum).

I'll see if I can find any Easter activities and get back to you.

[SteelTown]

Check out RBC for spring flowers.

[highwater]

I looked at the RBG calendar. It's too early for much in the way of spring flowers. But if you're going for the Backyard Monster exhibit, you might as well wander around a bit while you're there. I'm sure you'll see something. And of course there's the wonderful Mediterranean Garden.

[omro]

Originally Posted by highwater

Well if you're out Westdale way, you can do lunch with yours truly. That'll kill some time! Seriously, get in touch.

For kid-related stuff, don't miss Backyard Monsters at the RBG.

http://www.rbg.ca/pages/monsters.html

The local library should be a good source for kids' activities too.

I have a book of architectural walking tours I'd be happy to lend your stepdad if he likes to wander. Too bad they're missing the Artcrawl! Do you think he'd be interested in the Hamilton Industrial Trail? http://www.tourismhamilton.com/pagedetail.cfm?id=12 Check out the Worker's Arts and Heritage Museum and the Museum of Steam and Technology (also great for the kids, as is the Marine Museum).

I'll see if I can find any Easter activities and get back to you.

Awesomeness!

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by omro

He likes to wander about, so we plan to let him just go off and do his own thing. He seems to have a "thing" for junk shops, collectibles, books, etc.

Barton Street has lots of junk type and antique stores, including the Flea Market on Saturday and Sundays, Barton & Rosslyn (in front of the Polish Hall). And there's the mother of all places (can't think of the name right now) on Belview, south of Barton (Gage Street area). I could lose my father-in-law in that place for weeks, not that I'd want to or anything.

Originally Posted by omro

Also, this will be Mum's first Easter with her grandchild, are there any child related activities that are planned for that weekend, or in general during those two weeks, that she could do with him (a four year old)? Any child activity centres?

If they are arriving on the 5th they'll just miss out on Spring Tide at the Gage Park greenhouses, but I'd go there anyways. http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...TropicalHouse/. Also at Gage Park, http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...ildrensMuseum/

Also, there is the Aviary in Westdale, http://www.friendsoftheaviary.ca/ and The Art Gallery of Hamilton is also a good choice, http://www.artgalleryofhamilton.on.c...?date=20090401

[omro]

Great ideas too :-)

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

And there's the mother of all places (can't think of the name right now) on Belview, south of Barton (Gage Street area). I could lose my father-in-law in that place for weeks, not that I'd want to or anything.

Mr. Used

[omro]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Mr. Used

Is that the big two floor warehouse that is full of crap... *ahem*... second hand stuff, that's smells of damp?

[highwater]

[QUOTE=FairHamilton;4138237]Also, there is the Aviary in Westdale, http://www.friendsoftheaviary.ca/

Only open Sunday afternoons 1-4.

[omro]

Originally Posted by highwater

Only open Sunday afternoons 1-4.

Probably not open Easter Sunday.

[Cristi]

Dundurn Castle, Whitehern, Westfield Heritage Village...if they are into history.

The Farmer's Market and Central Library downtown, to get a feel for the city and its' inhabitants, then a stroll up James North.

Ottawa Street is great, especially if your Mum (or Dad, for that matter) is into decorating or sewing.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by omro

Is that the big two floor warehouse that is full of crap... *ahem*... second hand stuff, that's smells of damp?

Yep, that sounds like the place.

Don't know if I'd ever buy anything there, but it's fun to scrounge around in there. Isn't that half (most of) the fun anyways.

[omro]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Yep, that sounds like the place.

Don't know if I'd ever buy anything there, but it's fun to scrounge around in there. Isn't that half (most of) the fun anyways.

Cool, I know where that is. I've definitely been there, was during my first visit. Not sure if my step-father went that day or not. I don't remember if he just wasn't there of if I was zoning him out.

[adam]

Have lunch at the Green Deli on James St S and dessert at Simply Divine Cakes next door.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...,0.021265&z=16

[flar]

A list I made a while back:


Here are some of the things you could do if you visit hamilton

-tour the Royal Botanical Gardens
-visit National Historic Sites : Battlefield House (site of a pivotal battle in the War of 1812), Dundurn Castle , Griffin House (part of the Underground Railroad), HMCS Haida (last of the tribal class destroyers used in WW2), Canadian Museum of Steam and Technology, and Whitehern Museum and Gardens.
-Lots of museums : Art Gallery of Hamilton (one of the finest art collections in Canada), Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Erland Lee Museum (world's first Women's Institute), The Aviary, Parks Canada Marine Discovery Centre, Hamilton Military Museum, Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Fieldcote Park and Museum, Westfield Heritage Village, Hamilton Children's Museum, Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Dundas Museum, McMaster Museum of Art
-check out the thriving arts scen on James North by going to a monthly Art Crawl
-shop on Locke Street South
-shop in Westdale Village
-shop in Canada's largest fabric and textile district, or in one of Hamilton's other 12 BIAs.
-Go on a wine tour, the Niagara Wine Region is immediately east of Hamilton.
-hang out in Gore Park, one of Canada's finest urban squares.
-Hike on hundreds of kms of trails within the city, many along the Niagara Escarpment (which is a World Biosphere Reserve). Although you are only steps away from one of Canada's densest and most urban cities, you will feel like you're up north.
-while you're hiking, check out some of Hamilton's over 100 waterfalls.
-go to a festival at Gage Park
-go to a Tiger Cats game at historic Ivor Wynne Stadium, built for the first Commonwealth Games.
-go to a concert at Copps Coliseum
-soak up the atmosphere and walk around in a supremely walkable and urban city among some of the best residential architecture in the country. Every style of housing from neighbourhoods of working class rowhouses to the largest collection of Victorian mansions in Canada to magnificent stone buildings can be seen in Hamilton.
-go to the beach
-visit Dundas, one of Ontario's prettiest towns, with a nice shopping district to boot.
-buy some art at one of the many Studio Tours throughout the year.
-visit the African Lion Safari
-picnic at Bayfront Park
-go sailing or for a sunset dinner cruise on the harbour
-enjoy a panorama of Hamilton and the GTA off the mountain brow
-for the urban enthusiast, revel in the shadow of one of Canada's first and best Gothic Skyscrapers (the Pigott Building) or admire the Cathedral of Christ the King or one of dozens of other historic churches and cathedrals.
-enjoy a night out in Hess Village, or if that's not your style, drink some craft beer and have some interesting conversations at some of the most authentic pubs you'll ever encounter on Augusta St. in Corktown.
-pick some fresh fruit in the fruitlands
-enjoy some theatre at Hamilton Place or Theatre Aquarius.
-visit one of Hamilton's many conservation areas, which include spectacular sights, unique ecosystems and geological formations at Christie Lake, Dundas Valley, Eramosa Karst, Fifty Point and Spencer Gorge.
-gamble at Flamboro Downs Racetrack and Casino
-Have some fun at Confederation Park and cool off at Wild Waterworks
-probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting...

[omro]

Great list

[highwater]

Originally Posted by flar

for the urban enthusiast, revel in the shadow of one of Canada's first and best Gothic Skyscrapers (the Pigott Building)

Not just the first in Canada, but first in the Commonwealth. Take that, UK!

[adam]

Go to Haunted Hamilton's Victorian Parlour Theatre. It plays 2 or 3 times a month on Sunday nights at the Pheasant Plucker on Augusta St. in corktown.

Dates and details are listed here: http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/parlo...urtheatre.html

I can see this kind of thing really taking off and expanding!