Nicole And Ian’s guidebook
Outdoors
This trial is in a mature forest that makes you feel like you are not in the heart of the city. It is excellent for walking, jogging or biking. The gravel trail takes you past multiple waterfalls and offers breathtaking views of the city. At multiple locations, you can get your heart pumping by climbing the escarpment stairs for even more spectacular views (stairs are optional and take you off the Radial Trail).
It follows an old railway corridor along the escarpment starting at the end of Dundurn St S and stretching past the hwy 403. The starting point is approx. 15 minute walking from the apartment, or parking is available on the street should you prefer to drive.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Chedoke Radial Trail
The Chedoke Radial TrailThis trial is in a mature forest that makes you feel like you are not in the heart of the city. It is excellent for walking, jogging or biking. The gravel trail takes you past multiple waterfalls and offers breathtaking views of the city. At multiple locations, you can get your heart pumping by climbing the escarpment stairs for even more spectacular views (stairs are optional and take you off the Radial Trail).
It follows an old railway corridor along the escarpment starting at the end of Dundurn St S and stretching past the hwy 403. The starting point is approx. 15 minute walking from the apartment, or parking is available on the street should you prefer to drive.
Visit Bayfront Park for gorgeous views of Lake Ontario. There are multiple trails, the main one taking you around the park's peninsula. Stop here with a blanket for a relaxed afternoon on the grass, or bring a picnic and eat on the water at one of the many picnic tables or benches.
102 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bayfront Park
200 Harbour Front DrVisit Bayfront Park for gorgeous views of Lake Ontario. There are multiple trails, the main one taking you around the park's peninsula. Stop here with a blanket for a relaxed afternoon on the grass, or bring a picnic and eat on the water at one of the many picnic tables or benches.
This trailhead is our favourite for entering the vast trail system through Cootes Paradise. (enter at Marion Ave N & Dromore Cres) This ecological treasure offers views of the Cootes Paradise Bay on the South-West tip of Lake Ontario. You will have countless sightings of birds, water creatures and furry wildlife on this trail system. From this location, head to Sassafras Point for an excellent lookout of the Lake.
Other great starting points for Cootes Paradise are Princess Point (335 Longwood Rd N) and Cootes Drive (just past McMaster University)
Ravine Road Trail
Ravine Road TrailThis trailhead is our favourite for entering the vast trail system through Cootes Paradise. (enter at Marion Ave N & Dromore Cres) This ecological treasure offers views of the Cootes Paradise Bay on the South-West tip of Lake Ontario. You will have countless sightings of birds, water creatures and furry wildlife on this trail system. From this location, head to Sassafras Point for an excellent lookout of the Lake.
Other great starting points for Cootes Paradise are Princess Point (335 Longwood Rd N) and Cootes Drive (just past McMaster University)
Neighbourhoods
Just steps from the apartment, this local treasure offers loads of cafes, shops, salons and boutiques, most of which are local ventures instead of chains.
The local branch of the Hamilton Public Library is located just south of Herkimer and there are multiple historic churches, should you wish to check out local architecture.
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Locke Street South
Locke Street SouthJust steps from the apartment, this local treasure offers loads of cafes, shops, salons and boutiques, most of which are local ventures instead of chains.
The local branch of the Hamilton Public Library is located just south of Herkimer and there are multiple historic churches, should you wish to check out local architecture.
James Street North is an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and galleries to suit everyone's tastes. Special mentions are Merit Brewing Co. (107 James St N) and Chocolat on James (123 James St. N.).
Every second Friday of the month is Art Crawl, an opportunity to experience the neighbourhood's multiple venues, along with craft market, street venders and live music.
30 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
James Street North
James Street NorthJames Street North is an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and galleries to suit everyone's tastes. Special mentions are Merit Brewing Co. (107 James St N) and Chocolat on James (123 James St. N.).
Every second Friday of the month is Art Crawl, an opportunity to experience the neighbourhood's multiple venues, along with craft market, street venders and live music.
Sightseeing
An excellent way to spend a sunny afternoon, check out the RBG to experience wild life, informational activities, tours and of course the stunning gardens.
The information center is located at 680 Plains Rd W but there are multiple locations to visit including the Rock Garden (1185 York Blvd) and RBG Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Rd) with extensive trail systems at each.
158 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Rd WAn excellent way to spend a sunny afternoon, check out the RBG to experience wild life, informational activities, tours and of course the stunning gardens.
The information center is located at 680 Plains Rd W but there are multiple locations to visit including the Rock Garden (1185 York Blvd) and RBG Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Rd) with extensive trail systems at each.
Food scene
This restaurant and bakery is one of our favourites on Locke St. Their menu has an interesting variety of options and most of their food is sourced locally. Best of all, their dishes are delicious!
97 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Earth to Table: Bread Bar Locke
258 Locke Street SouthThis restaurant and bakery is one of our favourites on Locke St. Their menu has an interesting variety of options and most of their food is sourced locally. Best of all, their dishes are delicious!
This is excellent cafe on Locke Street, serving a variety of hot beverages and tasty treats. A favourite is the chocolate chip butter tart.
35 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Democracy*
202 Locke St SThis is excellent cafe on Locke Street, serving a variety of hot beverages and tasty treats. A favourite is the chocolate chip butter tart.
This delicious eatery on Locke St changes its menu everyday to ensure everything is fresh and interesting. Known for their homemade soups in exciting flavours, this restaurant also serves delicious sandwiches, salads, fries and burgers.
If you're out of the neighbourhood, there is also one in Westdale (1019 King St W) and the original location downtown (10 Cannon St E).
45 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Burnt Tongue
182 Locke St SThis delicious eatery on Locke St changes its menu everyday to ensure everything is fresh and interesting. Known for their homemade soups in exciting flavours, this restaurant also serves delicious sandwiches, salads, fries and burgers.
If you're out of the neighbourhood, there is also one in Westdale (1019 King St W) and the original location downtown (10 Cannon St E).
If you've headed to the beach for a long walk or a swim, check out this nostalgic diner that serves Hamilton's best fish and chips, wrapped in newsprint just like the old days. The menu also includes hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade milk shakes. Portions are huge so bring your appetite!
If you're headed to Bayfront Park, there is a smaller location at the entrance of the park, with the same delicious menu.
30 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hutch’s on the Beach
280 Van Wagners Beach RdIf you've headed to the beach for a long walk or a swim, check out this nostalgic diner that serves Hamilton's best fish and chips, wrapped in newsprint just like the old days. The menu also includes hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade milk shakes. Portions are huge so bring your appetite!
If you're headed to Bayfront Park, there is a smaller location at the entrance of the park, with the same delicious menu.
Within walking distance, this ice cream shop has a huge variety to satiate any sweet tooth. Proudly serves Hewitt's ice cream. Our personal favourite is Caribou Tracks.
Big Scoops
2 Duke StWithin walking distance, this ice cream shop has a huge variety to satiate any sweet tooth. Proudly serves Hewitt's ice cream. Our personal favourite is Caribou Tracks.
We just had to include this cafe, even though the neighbourhood is not a hot spot. Nicole is a huge fan of tea, and finds most cafes focus on their coffee, leaving tea drinkers to settle for less. Lukaya Cafe is owned by a certified Tea Sommelier who will serve you a tea to match what you are craving. Steeping it's own brand of Shady Grove Tea, Lukaya cafe has a charming atmosphere and cute patio, great for hanging out and enjoying your favourite hot beverage and baked treat. And yes, their menu includes delicious coffee too ;)
Located at 592 Upper Wellington Street, this cafe is less than a 10 minute drive from the apartment.
Shady Grove ~Lukaya Cafe~
592 Upper Wellington StWe just had to include this cafe, even though the neighbourhood is not a hot spot. Nicole is a huge fan of tea, and finds most cafes focus on their coffee, leaving tea drinkers to settle for less. Lukaya Cafe is owned by a certified Tea Sommelier who will serve you a tea to match what you are craving. Steeping it's own brand of Shady Grove Tea, Lukaya cafe has a charming atmosphere and cute patio, great for hanging out and enjoying your favourite hot beverage and baked treat. And yes, their menu includes delicious coffee too ;)
Located at 592 Upper Wellington Street, this cafe is less than a 10 minute drive from the apartment.
Playgrounds/Parks
HAAA Park is directly across the street from the apartment and offers a large playground with swings. On hot summer days, enjoy the splash pad or play a game of pick up on the basketball courts. Host to the second ever Grey Cup, the park boasts a football field and track as well.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association Grounds
250 Charlton Ave WHAAA Park is directly across the street from the apartment and offers a large playground with swings. On hot summer days, enjoy the splash pad or play a game of pick up on the basketball courts. Host to the second ever Grey Cup, the park boasts a football field and track as well.
Affectionately called "the Purple Park" by our kids, this playground has two separate structures, swings and a splash pad. There is also a gazebo and picnic tables for anyone wanting to enjoy a snack.
The park is about a 10 minute walk from the apartment, heading east down Charlton Ave.
Durand Park
250 Park St SAffectionately called "the Purple Park" by our kids, this playground has two separate structures, swings and a splash pad. There is also a gazebo and picnic tables for anyone wanting to enjoy a snack.
The park is about a 10 minute walk from the apartment, heading east down Charlton Ave.
The playground here is unique and large, boasting tall structures and a swinging pirate ship. Kids can easily spend hours here exploring, but if parents need to stretch their legs, use the paved trail system along the beach to walk or ride a bike for multiple km with spectacular views of Lake Ontario.
16 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Confederation Beach Park
680 Waterfront TrailThe playground here is unique and large, boasting tall structures and a swinging pirate ship. Kids can easily spend hours here exploring, but if parents need to stretch their legs, use the paved trail system along the beach to walk or ride a bike for multiple km with spectacular views of Lake Ontario.
Churchill Park is an expansive green space with lots of room for running around and even hosts the occasional game of cricket. The playground at the corner of Glen Rd & Parkside Dr. is a must-visit playground for any family looking for jungle gym adventures. It's unique climbing structures, including child sized hammocks, is sure to please even the most daring climbers
Churchill Park
187 Cline Ave NChurchill Park is an expansive green space with lots of room for running around and even hosts the occasional game of cricket. The playground at the corner of Glen Rd & Parkside Dr. is a must-visit playground for any family looking for jungle gym adventures. It's unique climbing structures, including child sized hammocks, is sure to please even the most daring climbers
Is this place special to Hamilton? No. Are we recommending McDonald's as a place to eat? Certainly not. Is it raining and the kids are driving you bonkers? Then this is your sanctuary. If you need an easy bite to eat and a place that will entertain the kids when it's nasty outside, head to McDonald's at 20 Rymal Rd E - they've got a Play Place and a small bit of sanity for you.
McDonald's
10 Cootes DrIs this place special to Hamilton? No. Are we recommending McDonald's as a place to eat? Certainly not. Is it raining and the kids are driving you bonkers? Then this is your sanctuary. If you need an easy bite to eat and a place that will entertain the kids when it's nasty outside, head to McDonald's at 20 Rymal Rd E - they've got a Play Place and a small bit of sanity for you.