Ontario, CanadaThe Hammer
Hamilton
Hamilton is a former steel town at the western tip of Lake Ontario, now known for its waterfalls, its arts street and a Niagara Escarpment trail system. It is an easy, low-key stop between Toronto and Niagara.
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Ideal stay
- 1 to 2 days
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
Photo by Ahmed Abbas on Unsplash
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Best months
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May, a good time to go
- June, a good time to go
- July, a good time to go
- August, a good time to go
- September, a good time to go
- October, a good time to go
- November
- December
Known as
- Lake town
- Historic
- College town
- Arts city
Getting there
- Highway / road trip
- Commercial airport
- Local public transit
Train and bus
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
People
569,353
in the city, 785,184 in the metro area
Languages
English
Hamilton wraps around the western end of Lake Ontario, with a working harbour on one side and the green wall of the Niagara Escarpment on the other. Locals call the cliff the Mountain, and the city is split between the lower town and the upper town, linked by steep roads and stairways. It built its name on steel, and the mills still stand along the bay, but the downtown has been changing as artists, chefs and students move in. McMaster University adds a young crowd. Visitors who give it a day find a friendly, slightly rough-edged city, with an unusual amount of nature inside its borders.
Waterfalls are the main draw. The city is known for them, and Webster's Falls, Tew's Falls and Albion Falls are the best known and easy to reach. Dundas Peak gives a view over the valley, and the Bruce Trail runs along the escarpment right through town. The Royal Botanical Gardens and Cootes Paradise offer walks and bird watching. In town, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Dundurn Castle and Whitehern Historic House cover art and local history. Plane fans can visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the airport. The Tiger-Cats play football in the east end, and the waterfront trail is good for a walk.
The food here is hearty and unfussy. James Street North is the city's creative strip, with coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants in old brick buildings, and the monthly art crawl brings crowds. Locke Street in the west has bookshops and cafes, and Ottawa Street has old textile mills turned into home shops. The Hamilton Farmers' Market downtown is good for local produce and baked goods. Hess Village is a lively cluster of patios for the evening, and craft breweries have opened in former factories across the lower city. Italian and Portuguese bakeries are part of the local scene.
Downtown, around James Street and the GO station, is the best base without a car. Westdale, next to McMaster, is calm and has a good main street, while Dundas, a small town in the valley, is charming and closer to the falls. Most visitors drive. Hamilton Street Railway buses cover the main routes, and there are steep roads between the lower and upper city. Parking is easy and the roads are quiet compared with Toronto. GO Transit trains and buses link to Toronto, so a day trip without a car is possible.
Late spring is a favourite time, when the creeks are full and the falls look their best. Summer and early autumn are good for hiking and for outdoor markets and festivals. Winter can freeze the falls into striking ice sculptures, but the trails are slippery. A day is enough to see two or three waterfalls and a stretch of James Street North. Two days lets you add the botanical gardens, a castle and a long walk on the Bruce Trail, which suits travellers who like to take their time.
Hamilton sits halfway between Toronto and Niagara Falls, each about an hour away on the QEW. Niagara-on-the-Lake and the wine country of the Niagara Peninsula are an easy extension to the east. Burlington and its lakeside promenade are right next door, and Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford lie to the west and northwest. Highway 403 leads southwest toward London and Windsor. The city works well as a quiet overnight for people who find Toronto too busy. Brantford, where Alexander Graham Bell's family settled, is a short drive southwest and has a museum about him.
Highlights
- Webster's Falls
A wide waterfall in a gorge, with a viewing area and picnic grounds.
- Tew's Falls
A tall ribbon waterfall near the Bruce Trail.
- Dundas Peak
A lookout over the Spencer Gorge and the town of Dundas.
- Royal Botanical Gardens
Gardens and nature sanctuaries that include Cootes Paradise.
- Art Gallery of Hamilton
A downtown gallery with a collection of Canadian and European art.
- James Street North
The arts and food strip, busiest during the art crawl.
- Dundurn Castle
A restored nineteenth-century mansion open for tours.
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
A museum of historic aircraft, beside the airport.
Neighborhoods
- James Street North
An arts district of galleries, cafes and small restaurants in old brick buildings.
- Locke Street
A walkable shopping street with bookshops, bakeries and small cafes.
- Westdale
A village-like area next to McMaster University.
- Dundas
A small valley town with a main street of independent shops and access to the falls.
- Hess Village
A pedestrian block of patios and bars for the evening.
- Ottawa Street
A strip of old textile mills now holding home goods and design shops.
Getting around
A car is the easiest way to reach the waterfalls and trailheads. Downtown is walkable, and HSR buses and GO Transit fill in the rest.
- Airport
- John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM)
- Parking
- Easy to find
Scores
Good
- Rated by Route By Design.
- Crime Severity Index around 58 for the metro area; the Canadian figure is about 78. Source: Statistics Canada Crime Severity Index, 2024 (metro area).
- The other scores are estimated from the city’s size, attractions and transport links.
Where to stay
- Camping nearby
- Some
- Hostels
- A few
Showing 1 to 6 of 10
HotelsAdmiral Inn149 Dundurn St N, Hamilton, ON RV parksBloom Resorts Flamborough792 Safari Rd, Hamilton, ON HotelsHampton Inn7 Queen St N, Hamilton, ON CampgroundsKnights Beach224 King St E, Hamilton, ON RV parksMaple Grove | Resort Living1488 Gore Rd, Hamilton, ON HostelsMcMaster Accommodations165 Emerson St, Hamilton, ON RV parksOlympia Village RV Park & Campground1161 Concession 4 W, Hamilton, ON HostelsPring Guesthouse158 Mary St, Hamilton, ON RV parksSandy Shore Trailer Park367 Niece Rd, Haldimand, ON HotelsVisitors Inn649 Main St W, Hamilton, ON
Things to do
Showing 1 to 6 of 51
climbing gymsALTITUDE TowerHamilton, ON zoos aquariumsAfrican Lion Safari1386 Cooper Rd, Hamilton, ON Museums & galleriesArt Gallery of Hamilton climbing gymsAspire Climbing Milton270 Bronte St N Unit 2, Milton, ON Parks & outdoorsBayfront Park200 Harbour Front Dr, Hamilton, ON stadiumsBernie Arbour Memorial Stadium1100 Mohawk Rd E, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsBorer's Falls Dog Park491 York Rd, Hamilton, ON Museums & galleriesCanadian Warplane Heritage Museum EntertainmentCentre For Talking Arts154 James St S, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentCineplex Cinemas Ancaster771 Golf Links Rd, Hamilton, ON climbing gymsClimbers Rock Inc5155 Harvester Rd #1, Burlington, ON Parks & outdoorsCorporal Nathan Cirillo Free Run Area799 Golf Links Rd, Hamilton, ON stadiumsDave Andreychuk Mountain Arena and Skating Centre25 Hester St, Hamilton, ON Family activitiesDundas Community Pool39 Market St S, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsDundas Peak Sightseeing & toursDundurn Castle Family activitiesEastwood Park Splash Pad111 Burlington St E, Hamilton, ON casinosElements Casino Brantford40 Icomm Dr, Brantford, ON casinosElements Casino Flamboro967 ON-5, Hamilton, ON casinosElements Casino Mohawk9430 Guelph Line, Milton, ON Parks & outdoorsGlobe Leash Free Dog ParkBrampton St, Hamilton, ON climbing gymsGravity Climbing Gym70 Frid St #6, Hamilton, ON zoos aquariumsHamilton Aviary85 Oak Knoll Dr, Hamilton, ON Family activitiesHamilton Children's Museum1072 Main St E, Hamilton, ON Museums & galleriesHamilton Museum of Steam & Technology900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentHamilton Stadium64 Melrose Ave N, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsHealing Garden680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON Family activitiesIWC Pool1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON AttractionsJames Street North Family activitiesJimmy Thompson Memorial Pool1099 King St E, Hamilton, ON zoos aquariumsKillman Zoo237 Unity Side Road East, Caledonia, ON EntertainmentLandmark Cinemas 6 Jackson Square2 King St W, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentLevity Comedy Club & Lounge120 King St W, Hamilton, ON climbing gymsMcMaster Climbing Gym1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON zoos aquariumsMountsberg Raptor Centre2259 Milburough Town Line, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentPlayhouse Cinema177 Sherman Ave N, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsRBG Laking Garden Pavillon1221 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington, ON stadiumsRon Joyce Stadium1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsRoyal Botanical Gardens Parks & outdoorsRoyal Botanical Gardens - Mediterranean Garden680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON Parks & outdoorsRoyal Botanical Gardens Arboretum16 Old Guelph Rd, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentStaircase Improv - Comedy Classes & Shows in Hamilton25 Dundurn St N, Hamilton, ON stadiumsTD Coliseum101 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsTew's Falls EntertainmentThe Staircase Theatre + Lounge27 Dundurn St N, Hamilton, ON EntertainmentThe Westdale1014 King St W, Hamilton, ON zoos aquariumsTriple C Farm500 Carluke Rd W, Hamilton, ON Family activitiesVictoria Park Outdoor Pool100 Strathcona Ave N, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsWard 2 Temporary Dog Free Running Area371 Wellington St N, Hamilton, ON Parks & outdoorsWebster's Falls Entertainmenthamilton place theatre10 MacNab St S, Hamilton, ON
Food & dining
Showing 1 to 6 of 20
Markets & food hallsAncaster Farmers Market357 Wilson St E, Hamilton, ON Bakeries & dessertsBatches Bake Shop321 Dundurn St S, Hamilton, ON RestaurantsBrothers Grimm Bistro193 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1B3 Cafés & coffeeCafé Oranje312 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1C2 Breweries & wineriesCentral Valley Winery65 Milburn Rd, Hamilton, ON Breweries & wineriesColio Estate Wines65 Mall Rd, Hamilton, ON Breweries & wineriesCollective Arts Brewing207 Burlington St E, Hamilton, ON Breweries & wineriesDillon's Small Batch Distillers4833 Tufford Rd, Lincoln, ON Markets & food hallsDundas Farmers Market11 Miller's Ln, Hamilton, ON Breweries & wineriesHamilton Distillery Company21 King St W, Hamilton, ON Markets & food hallsHamilton Farmers' Market35 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON Bakeries & dessertsInsomnia Cookies1035 King St W, Hamilton, ON Bakeries & dessertsMadam Bonbon165 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON Breweries & wineriesMagnotta Ancaster14 Martindale Crescent, Hamilton, ON Bakeries & dessertsNonna Lia (at Chung Chun)1051 King St W, Hamilton, ON Markets & food hallsOttawa Street Farmers' Market3 Britannia Ave, Hamilton, ON Cafés & coffeeRelay Coffee Roasters27 King William Street, Hamilton, ON Bakeries & dessertsThe Cake Kitchen Co.18 Hess St S, Hamilton, ON RestaurantsThe French37 King William Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1 Markets & food hallsWaterdown Farmers' Market79 Hamilton St N, Hamilton, ON
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Hamilton scores 6.4 out of 10 for remote work (good), in the top 15% of the cities we score.
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Where to next from Hamilton
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36 cities within 100 mi of Hamilton by road.
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All 36 cities within 100 mi, with travel times
- Burlington Ontarioabout 8 mi · about 12 min by car · estimated
- Oakville Ontarioabout 20 mi · about 32 min by car · estimated
- Milton Ontarioabout 22 mi · about 36 min by car · estimated
- Brantford Ontarioabout 27 mi · about 43 min by car · estimated
- St. Catharines Ontarioabout 40 mi · about 46 min by car · estimated
- Brampton Ontarioabout 42 mi · about 47 min by car · estimated
- Cambridge Ontarioabout 29 mi · about 47 min by car · estimated
- Kitchener Ontarioabout 42 mi · about 48 min by car · estimated
- Waterloo Ontarioabout 45 mi · about 51 min by car · estimated
- Norfolk County Ontarioabout 45 mi · about 51 min by car · estimated
- Toronto Ontarioabout 46 mi · about 52 min by car · estimated
- Mississauga Ontarioabout 32 mi · about 52 min by car · estimated
- Paris Ontarioabout 33 mi · about 53 min by car · estimated
- Welland Ontarioabout 47 mi · about 53 min by car · estimated
- Guelph Ontarioabout 33 mi · about 53 min by car · estimated
- Halton Hills Ontarioabout 34 mi · about 55 min by car · estimated
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontarioabout 50 mi · about 57 min by car · estimated
- Elora Ontarioabout 51 mi · about 58 min by car · estimated
- Niagara Falls Ontarioabout 52 mi · about 59 min by car · estimated
- Caledon Ontarioabout 53 mi · about 1 h by car · estimated
- Vaughan Ontarioabout 55 mi · about 1 h 3 min by car · estimated
- Richmond Hill Ontarioabout 60 mi · about 1 h 9 min by car · estimated
- Markham Ontarioabout 62 mi · about 1 h 10 min by car · estimated
- Aurora Ontarioabout 70 mi · about 1 h 19 min by car · estimated
- Pickering Ontarioabout 70 mi · about 1 h 20 min by car · estimated
- Buffalo New Yorkabout 70 mi · about 1 h 20 min by car · estimated · passport required
- Stratford Ontarioabout 70 mi · about 1 h 20 min by car · estimated
- Newmarket Ontarioabout 74 mi · about 1 h 24 min by car · estimated
- Ajax Ontarioabout 74 mi · about 1 h 24 min by car · estimated
- Whitby Ontarioabout 80 mi · about 1 h 30 min by car · estimated
- St. Marys Ontarioabout 80 mi · about 1 h 31 min by car · estimated
- Oshawa Ontarioabout 84 mi · about 1 h 35 min by car · estimated
- London Ontarioabout 90 mi · about 1 h 42 min by car · estimated
- Erie Pennsylvaniaabout 98 mi · about 1 h 52 min by car · estimated · passport required
- Clarington Ontarioabout 98 mi · about 1 h 52 min by car · estimated
- Barrie Ontarioabout 99 mi · about 1 h 52 min by car · estimated
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