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Discover the Heart of Ontario in the region of Hamilton, Halton & Brant as you explore glorious nature and inspiring culture.
Home to signature landscapes like the Niagara Escarpment, the Heritage Grand River, the Bruce Trail, Lake Ontario shorelines and a collection of more than 100 picturesque waterfalls and cascades, an astonishing vast amount of outdoor adventure awaits.
The area also boasts renowned historic sites, significant Indigenous heritage, Canada’s largest botanical garden, a vibrant arts and live music scene, distinct downtowns, and delectable dining.
Just an hour west of Toronto and east of the US border, you will find Hamilton, Halton, Brant, affectionally called The Heart of Ontario. Conveniently accessible by GO Transit and VIA Rail, it’s an ideal getaway destination for day trippers or weekenders.
You can also fly directly into Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ, ICAO: CYYZ), or, if you plan on exploring more of Ontario during your visit in Hamilton Halton Brant, fly into John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (IATA: YHM, ICAO: CYHM) and rent a car. If you’re coming from the United States, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is an hour and twenty minutes away by car. Just cross the border at the Rainbow Bridge or Peace Bridge border crossings.
From nature appreciation to invigorating adventure, the great outdoors is at your fingertips, all year long.
Visit Ontario largest lavender farm and up your serenity game with onsite yoga. Anyone with a green thumb can’t miss the Royal Botanical Gardens, the largest botanical garden in Canada. The site covers 1,100 hectares of natural area as well as five formal gardens and hosts unique events and displays throughout the year.
Canoe, kayak or raft the Grand River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. The Grand is also known for some of the country’s best fly fishing spots.
Hike Canada’s oldest and longest footpath. The Bruce Trail extends from the Niagara River up to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Tobermory, cutting directly through this region. Rattlesnake Point and Mount Nemo provide steep and challenging routes for rock climbers. Winter delivers all new adventures; ice climb a frozen waterfall, snowshoe extensive trails or ski slopes formed from the Niagara Escarpment. The region is home to several beautiful conservation areas including Christie Lake, Kelso, Valens Lake, Pinehurst Lake, and Crawford Lake. Or explore Terra Cotta or Limehouse Conservation Areas in Halton.
Spend a day cycling or rollerblading the 7.5 km Hamilton Waterfront Trail or the 8 km Hamilton Beach Recreation Trail.
Attention animal lovers! Get closer than you ever imagined to exotic wild animals and birds at African Lion Safari, a drive-through wildlife park dedicated to education and conservation.
Six Nations is the largest First Nations community in Canada and has representation of all six Iroquois nations. Delve into First Nations history and modern day culture at the Woodland Cultural Centre and visit significant Iroquois landmarks.
Nestled between Toronto and Hamilton, the picturesque town of Oakville is a popular spot for a leisurely stroll. Enjoy quaint shops, cafes and a scenic harbour in downtown ‘Olde Oakville’. In Oakville’s west end, Bronte Creek Provincial Park is a family-fun destination for outdoor fun, and host to an annual Maple Syrup Festival.
Hamilton has undergone a transformation from gritty, industrial town to an eclectic cultural hotspot, with a thriving culinary, arts and music scene. Local craft breweries, avant-garde restaurants and a chill nightlife have turned this city into one of Ontario’s trendiest destinations.
Once voted ‘the Prettiest Little Town in Canada,’ Paris is indeed a very picturesque little riverside spot located where the Nith River meets the Grand River. Established in 1850, the town is also referred to as the Cobblestone Capital of Canada for its heritage masonry and old stone buildings.
