7 places you've never heard of, but need to visit in Halton and Hamilton this summer
1. Spencer Creek Gorge and the Old Dundas Station Loop
Hike 1.5 km and you will be walking up the valley of Spencer Creek, one of the most beautiful valleys on the Niagara Escarpment. At the head of the valley is the magnificent Webster’s Falls, at 24 m (78 feet) in height, a popular spot on a hot summer’s day. After climbing the 123-step metal staircase to the top of the Escarpment, the Trail crosses Spencer Creek by a cobblestone bridge and turns right to follow the rim of the gorge. In total, a 6.2 km hike to enjoy outdoors on a beautiful summer day!
2. Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site. The site includes a series of themed gardens, an arboretum, a conservation area and an interpretive centre. The formal recognition consists of the several separate parcels of land comprising the Botanical Gardens, and including the buildings, structures and gardens directly associated with them. Enjoy the day exploring and educating!
3. Mount Nemo Conservation Area
If Mount Nemo Conservation Area sounds inviting and worth discovering it’s because this conservation area has one of the best cliff ecosystems on Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. Rich green ferns blanket limestone boulders scattered among old growth forests that are alive with jewel-like birds. Thousand-year-old crevice caves and ancient cedars can be seen all along the meandering cliff edge trail.
4. Valens Lake
With its 10 kilometers of trails and 300-metre wetland boardwalk. Visitors can also climb the observation tower, offering a stunning view of the surrounding forests and lake. While beautiful any time of year, autumn has become a popular viewing season due to the migrating waterfowl and colour changes in the area landscape. Not to mention, any summer day, swimmers and sunbathers can enjoy the sandy beach, and natural swimming area.
5. Dundurn Castle
Today, experience a guided tour of this 40-room Italianate-style villa built in the 1830’s on Burlington Heights; the former site of a fortified military encampment established by the British in 1813. Once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, railway magnate, lawyer and Premier of the United Canadas (1854-1856) and his family, today Dundurn Castle tells the story of the family who lived above stairs and the servants who lived and worked below stairs to support their affluent lifestyle.
6. James Street
James Street, one of the oldest streets in Canada, has a history, which dates back to the early 1800s. Today, the "Hidden Gem" is home to various shops and restaurants comprised of the Italian, Portuguese and Vietnamese communities. And most recently a burgeoning arts community!
7. Brant Street Pier
Burlington, Ontario
A signature destination and attraction in Spencer Smith Park at the Waterfront at Downtown Burlington, the Brant Street Pier extends 137 meters over Lake Ontario, providing breathtaking views of the lake and Burlington's shoreline. The "signature destination" first and foremost beautifies the already gorgeous Burlington waterfront. It provides visitors with incredible panoramas of both the lake, and of the city itself. Additionally, it is also the launch point of fireworks during lakefront celebrations such as on Canada Day.
