There are plenty of things to keep the entire family occupied for the day. Don’t forget to take the neighbourhood kid who doesn’t often get to go on a holiday.
Hamilton Children’s Museum
This fascinating place at 1072 Main St. E., housed in the former 19th-century Gage residence in the nearby Gage Park, offers a safe and secure environment where children and their families can discover the world around them. Children can touch, build, and experiment with the creative hands-on exhibits. Mom and dad are encouraged to explore a variety of topics with their young ones, including physical and natural sciences, senses and the arts.
“My daughter has been happy the whole time she’s been here,” said Marissa Polanco, a Hamilton resident who was making her first visit to the museum with her two-and-a-half year old child Rebecca. “The 1930s Kitchen Works is her favorite. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to get her to leave. I’m having a ball.”
Admission: Children 1-13 years-$3, all others $1. The museum is open March 13 to 21, Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hamilton Farmer’s Market
Not far away is the 173-year-old farmer’s market (temporarily located in Jackson Square at 2 King St. W. while the old spot is spruced up to the tune of $11 million).
Indoors, there are about 62 vendors that provide fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, meats, fish and flowers. The smells and sights are like a breath of fresh air on a dull winter day. Marilyn and Fred Bristol, both in their seventies, from Bristol Farms of Ancaster, have been bringing their produce to this market for more than 30 years.
“It’s the friendships we’ve built up that keeps us coming back,” Marilyn said. “Customers know they are buying food from people like us that produced it.”
This market has many cultures under one roof: Italian, German, Hungarian, Greek, Caribbean and Asian. Give the kids a piece of paper and a pen and have them mark down the names of the many different fruits and vegetables they can find. It will not only keep them occupied, but they’ll be learning something. Parking is a bit tricky. Enter the underground parking garage ($3 for the first hour) at Jackson Square and park in the centre area. There are no signs indicating where the market is located. Look out for where the folks with the bags of fresh vegetables are coming from. There is also a parking garage on nearby York Boulevard (across the street from the ongoing construction at the original market site) where parking is free for the first hour, provided you have your ticket stamped at the market office.
The market is open year-round. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6p.m.
Dundurn Castle
Tell your kids you’re going to take them to a castle for the day and watch their eyes grow large. Dundurn Castle is a mid-century home located at 610 York Blvd., just west of the downtown. Interpreters dressed in the garb of the day take visitors on a guided tour of the home, which was once occupied by Sir Allan MacNab (he was premier of the United Provinces of Canada from 1854-56). Several other families occupied the home until it was purchased and renovated by the City of Hamilton as a centennial project and opened in June 1967.The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday (normally closed on Mondays, it will be opened March 15 for the March Break). The cost for adults is $10, seniors and students $8.
Historic Locke Street
This is a favorite haunt of the locals and not a lot of visitors know about this quaint little section southwest of downtown Hamilton. You won’t find it on any tourist maps. It’s just off Main Street, about 10 minutes from the castle. This neighbourhood oozes with charm. Park your car on the street (it’s free) and wander this heritage area dotted with antique shops, quirky stores and yummy kid-friendly places to eat. Check out West Town Bar and Grill (don’t let the Bar and Grill scare you away, it’s an old fashioned Ma and Pa restaurant during the day) where they serve one of the meanest breakfasts in town until 2 p.m. You and the family will feel right at home. Another sure-fire winner is The Locke Street Bakery where you might have to wait to get a seat. The owner Peter Giorgini, is Mr. Personality. His sandwiches and bagels are big enough for two.
When it’s time to travel back to Niagara take the lazier way, on old Highway 8E. It hugs the bottom of the Niagara Escarpment and takes longer than the QEW, but it’s worth the drive.
Contact George Bailey at wonderful.life@sympatico.ca.
For More Info ...
Tourism Hamilton 1-800-263-8590 or www.tourismhamilton.com.
Hamilton Farmer’s Market 905-546-2096
Lima for loversEpic Parking Fails
