Trip Ideas

With picturesque Lake Ontario to the south, the majestic Niagara Escarpment (an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve) carving through our region’s centre and the tranquil Grand River meandering leisurely to the north, the Heart of Ontario is truly your little slice of paradise.

With so many different activities to consider, here are some suggestions to get you started. Relax and enjoy as you discover memorable vacations that bring you closer together with family and friends.

Family land and sea adventure in Hamilton

Day One:

• Dinner at a Hamilton Family Restaurant
• Holiday Inn Express Hamilton Hotel (breakfast included)

Day Two:

• African Lion Safari

Wild nature family weekend in Burlington

Day One:

• Mountsberg Raptor Sanctuary
• Dinner at a Burlington Restaurant
• Burlington Hotel (breakfast included)

Day Two:

• RBG See what is in bloom! (morning)

Couples Spa and Shopping retreat in Paris

Day One:

• a Visit to Paris Ontario and lunch at the Brown Dog Coffee Eatery & Frittery
• A spa treatment at Skindeep Eco Spa
• Overnight stay at the River Ridge Bed & Breakfast
• Dinner at a the Cedar House Restaurant & Martini Bar

Day Two:

• Morning at Woodland Cultural Centre and Museum
• Lunch and shopping in Paris

Couples active outdoors weekend in Brant

Day One:

• Canoe/Kayak on Grand River with Grand Experiences
• Lunch at Windmill Country Market
• His & her spa package at Scape Spa
• Dinner at Devlin’s Country Bistro
• Overnight stay at Be My Guest B&B

Day Two:

• Cycle the SC Johnson Trail
• Performance at the Sanderson Centre
• Dinner at a Brantford restaurant
• Overnight stay at Brantford Best Western (breakfast included)

Other Must See activites:

activites:

• Gardens – Explore Canada’s largest botanical gardens Royal Botanical Gardens with over 2700 acres of nature sanctuaries, 23 km of hiking trails, display gardens with endless varieties of blooms, plus art, musical events and exhibits throughout the year.  Also visit the carefully restored Gairloch Gardens and Gallery, Erchless Estate Gardens and Glenhyrst Gardens
  
  
• On the Waterfront – Hike the breath-taking Waterfront Trail, and in the warmer seasons, picnic on sandy beaches, make a splash at Wild Waterworks, take a scenic cruise on the Harbour Queen, tour HMCS Haida and sail model boats or skate at Discovery Landing.  Boaters can enjoy the lake and stop at attractions on their tour at LaSalle, Bronte, Oakville, Harbour West marinas.
  
  
• Outdoor Adventure –Explore over 8,000 unspoiled hectares of conservation land featuring lakes, rivers, marshes, waterfalls, caves and cliffs with 4 conservation authorities in the Region Hamilton, Halton, Grand River and Niagara Peninsula.  Enjoy picnics, bird watching, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, cycling, skiing, geocaching, and rock climbing. The region also boasts hundreds of kilometers of hiking and bike trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
  
  
• Step Back in Time –Celebrate local history by visiting one of over 20 unique museums including Joseph Brant Museum, Bell Homestead, Dundurn Castle, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Westfield Heritage Village, Myrtleville House Museum, Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, Halton Hills Museums, Halton County Radial Railway and Halton Region Museum.
  
  
• Festivals and Events – Celebrate year-round with festivals such as Music Concerts, Fall Fairs, Flower Festivals, Six Nations Powwows, Winter Carnivals, Festival of Lights, International Villages and much more.
  
  
• Arts & Culture –Discover unique collections and exhibits at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Burlington Art Centre, Oakville Galleries, Brantford Arts Block and Glenhyrst Art Gallery. Catch exciting live theatre at Hamilton Place, Oakville Centre, Sanderson Centre (an historic vaudeville theatre) and Theatre Aquarius. Take in a great concert at Copps Coliseum.
  
  
• Go Wild – Get closer than you ever imagined to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals at African Lion Safari. See native and exotic animals like big cats or raptors at Killman Zoo, Mountsberg Conservation Area,  and Twin Valley Zoo.
  
  
• Grand River – Cruise through history and spectacular scenery along the Grand – a Canadian Heritage River. Explore the river by canoe, kayak or enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner cruise in season.
  
  
• Aboriginal–Explore our area’s unique aboriginal heritage with visits to the Woodland Cultural Centre, Crawford Lake’s Iroquoian Village and other National Historic Sites like the Mohawk Chapel and Chiefswood home of poetess Pauline Johnson. Enjoy the many authentic Pow-Wows and festivals that celebrate our First Nations.

• Shopping – With unique shopping districts in picturesque downtowns offering quaint shops and galleries, to premier shopping malls and destination stores such as IKEA, Mountain Equipment Coop, and the Hide House, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more

• Culinary – Local farms produce many delicious seasonal products displayed fresh at markets, farms and roadside stands.  Well known farms that do tours include Chudleigh’s, Springridge, Dyment’s, Lindley’s, William Dam Seeds and E.D. Smith Cherry Farm.  There are numerous farmer’s markets open in season in the area.  Our area also boasts three wineries Puddicombe Estate Farms , Ridge Road, Scotch Block offering tours and tastings, Nichel Brook, Camerons and Trafalgar breweries, and over 1,000 dining establishments, plus numerous culinary-themed events for Foodies to enjoy.
  
  

• Sports of All Sorts – It’s easy to get active at our challenging golf courses, ski facilities, hiking trails or cycling our rural routes. Sports fans can cheer at speedways, horse tracks or catch sports teams such as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Hamilton Bulldogs, Brantford Blast and Dundas Real McCoys. Glen Abbey Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, serves as the home of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame & Museum.