Hamilton is an historic city, one that saw major European settlement by United Empire Loyalists after the War of 1812, and that history has been proudly preserved. The range and number of the museums in the city, as well as its historic homes, are a testament to that fact. The prize jewel is Dundurn Castle, a classic Regency style villa, restored to the style of 1855 that operates as an historic window to the past. Costumed guides at the castle give visitors a glimpse into the life of a prominent 1850's Victorian family and their servants. The gardens have been extensively restored, notably the kitchen garden that is a replica of the garden that fed the home's original owners, the Macnab family, all its servants and many of the neighbours. The plantings are all heritage varieties that would have been harvested there in the 1850’s.

Whitehern is another historic urban estate, right next to city hall. Almost hidden gardens surround the home, part Georgian, part Edwardian and part Victorian, where the McQuesten family lived from 1852 to 1968. The family was instrumental in establishing the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, McMaster University and the Queen Elizabeth Way. In the 1930's, the Misses Hilda and Mary McQuesten held a June tea for the Woman's Missionary Society. Whitehern has revived the affair with its own version, featuring music, lemonade, tea and homemade ice cream, as part of their warm weather program, "Picnic in the Park," that runs throughout the summer. Even without the tea, this is an inviting garden to visit. Lovingly restored to the design created in the early 1930's by well-known landscape architect and founder of Sheridan Nurseries, Howard Dunnington-Grub, it is a green surprise in the centre of the city.

A half an hour away is Westfield Heritage Village, a restored 19th century village complete with over thirty buildings, including a schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop. It’s quite common to see artists painting the old houses and shops.

The Museum of Steam and Technology , a National Historic Site, preserves the amazing technology that powered the city 140 years ago, while the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has restored and displays aircraft from WW11, including the only operational Lancaster in North America. In nearby Ancaster, Griffin House preserves the story of Enerals Griffin, a Virginian slave who escaped to freedom and lived in this simple clapboard house which is now a museum and an important cultural landmark of the Black Heritage Network.

For the art lover, Hamilton is home to Ontario’s third largest art gallery, the Art Gallery of Hamilton. After an $18 million renovation and expansion designed by Hamilton-born architect Bruce Kuwabara, the AGH is now a beautiful exhibition space, and home to the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum collection of Nineteenth century European art. One of the best bargains in town is the “First Fridays” initiative, where visitors have free entrance to the gallery from 5pm to 9pm on every first Friday of the month. Combine a tour of the gallery with a light meal in the gallery café and you’ve got a great evening on a shoestring. Special exhibitions occur regularly. And don’t miss the work-in-progress, Bruegel-Bosch Bus by Kim Adams. No matter how many times you see it, you’ll discover something new about this sculpture-installation piece.

Families will enjoy a visit to the waterfront’s Parks Canada Discovery Centre and the HMS Haida, Canada’s most famous warship. The African Lion Safari, north of Hamilton, is a perennial favourite with both adults and children. For fun in the water, Wild Waterworks has one of Canada’s largest outdoor wave pools and giant body slides. Afterwards, grab some fish and chips at the legendary Hutch’s. The Hamilton Children’s Museum offers fun in the Muckabout Room, and the Sensarium.

Hamilton’s galleries, museums and activities are surprisingly varied and abundant, with something that will intrigue every visitor and something for every member of the family.