Best Day Trips from Hamilton, Ontario
If you’re staying in Hamilton for a few days, it’s worth setting aside some time to explore beyond the city. Hamilton makes a great base for exploring Southern Ontario, with waterfalls, beaches, historic small towns and major attractions all within about two hours.
I grew up in Hamilton, and over the years we’ve explored much of Southern Ontario from here. Some of these are places I’d visit for a relaxing afternoon, while others are worth setting aside a full day for. If a friend asked me for the best day trips from Hamilton, these are the places I’d recommend first.
I’ve included quick nearby escapes like Dundas as well as longer day trips to St. Jacobs, Toronto and Niagara Falls, with options you can reach without driving, too. Whether you want an easy afternoon out or a full day of exploring, you can choose a trip based on how far you want to go and what you want to do when you get there.
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Our Favourite Day Trips from Hamilton
Niagara Falls
Okay, hear me out. Yes, Niagara Falls is touristy, and yes, it’s on just about every list of places to visit in Ontario. But even with the crowds, Clifton Hill and all the tourist attractions, I still think it’s absolutely worth seeing.
There’s something incredible about standing beside the falls and realizing just how much water is rushing over the edge every single minute. I’ve seen Niagara Falls more times than I can count, and it’s still impressive every time.
And there’s plenty to do beyond simply stopping to see the falls. Journey Behind the Falls takes you down beside and behind Horseshoe Falls, while the Hornblower Niagara City Cruises boat tour gets you right out on the water at the base of the falls. You can also walk through the historic Niagara Parks Power Station and out through the tunnel to the viewing platform near the river.
For families, there are plenty of other attractions around Niagara Falls too, so you can easily fill a full day. Clifton Hill has arcades, mini golf, the Niagara SkyWheel and plenty of other touristy attractions. It’s not really our thing, but for some families, that’s all part of the fun.
Niagara Falls is about an hour from Hamilton without traffic, making it an easy day trip. We’ve done it plenty of times, although I’d give yourself extra driving time on weekends and during the summer.
And don’t rule it out in winter. The falls themselves don’t completely freeze, but the ice that builds up around them can make the whole area look completely different. The Winter Festival of Lights also runs through much of the winter, making Niagara Falls a fun day trip from Hamilton even outside the summer months.
Don’t Miss:
- Hornblower
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Clifton Hill
- Niagara Parks Power Station
Toronto
Toronto is Ontario’s capital and there’s far too much to see in a single day, but you can still get a good taste of the city in a day.
Toronto might only look about an hour away from Hamilton on a map, but anyone who has driven the QEW knows that an hour can very quickly turn into two. Add in a Blue Jays game, concert or another big event downtown, and traffic, and parking once you get there, can make driving more hassle than it’s worth.
My biggest tip? Take the GO Train.
We usually take the GO Train into Union Station. It puts you right downtown, within walking distance of the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, the waterfront and Rogers Centre. From there, you can walk around, take the TTC or head over to the Toronto Islands if you want to see a little more of the city.
If it’s your first visit, I’d pick a few things you really want to see rather than trying to cram all of Toronto into one day. Spend some time along the waterfront, visit a museum, catch a Jays game or wander through Kensington Market before taking the train back to Hamilton.
It’s easy to spend a few days in Toronto, but if Hamilton is your home base, taking the GO Train in for the day is an easy way to see some of the city without worrying about traffic or finding somewhere to park.
Don’t Miss:
- CN Tower
- Ripley’s Aquarium
- Toronto Islands
- ROM
- Kensington Market
- A Jays or Leafs Game
Dundas
Okay, technically Dundas is part of Hamilton, so calling this a day trip from Hamilton might be cheating a little. But Hamilton is a big city geographically, and when I lived in the east end, getting to Dundas could easily take me half an hour or more. If you’re staying closer to downtown or the east end, it feels like a completely different part of the city and it’s an easy place to spend half a day or more.
Start with a walk through downtown Dundas. The main street is lined with independent shops, cafés and restaurants, and it has that older small-town feel that makes it worth wandering around without really needing a plan.
But the real reason I’d head to Dundas is to get outside. Dundas Valley Conservation Area has kilometres of trails through the valley, while Webster’s Falls and Tew’s Falls are two of Hamilton’s best-known waterfalls. You could easily spend the morning hiking or visiting the waterfalls and then head downtown for lunch or coffee afterward.
If you don’t want to devote a full day to one of the farther trips on this list, Dundas is one of the easiest options. You get waterfalls, hiking and a small downtown to explore, all without really leaving Hamilton.
Don’t Miss:
- Webster’s Falls
- Tew Falls
- Dundas Peak
- Spencer Gorge
- Downtown Dundas
- Shops & cafés
Paris
Paris is often called one of the prettiest small towns in Canada, and while that might sound like a bit of a tourism slogan, it really is a pretty spot. The downtown sits right along the Grand River, with historic buildings, cafés and restaurants overlooking the water, and it has a slightly European feel that you don’t find in many Southern Ontario towns.
Paris is also known as the Cobblestone Capital of Canada, thanks to the number of cobblestone buildings that still stand around town. But as nice as downtown is to walk around, I wouldn’t come here just to look at the buildings.
The Grand River is a big part of what makes Paris worth the trip. You can paddle along the river, hike or bike the trails beside it, or book one of the river experiences offered by local outfitters. It’s a great option if you want to spend part of the day outside and still have somewhere interesting to wander around afterward.
I’d plan a few hours on or beside the river and then head into downtown Paris for lunch, ice cream or coffee. It’s an easy day trip from Hamilton and one I’d pick if you want a slower day that still gives you something to actually do, rather than simply driving somewhere to walk around another small town.
Make Time For:
- Paddle the Grand River
- Wander the Downtown
- Cafés
- Shops
- Cobblestone streets
- Lions Park
Elora
Elora is another small Ontario town that’s worth wandering around, but for me, the real reason to make the trip is the Elora Gorge. The boys and I visited in late September one year and spent the day hiking along the gorge and stopping at the lookouts over the Grand River. With cliffs rising more than 20 metres above the river, it’s a pretty impressive landscape, and completely different from most of the other day trips on this list.
If you visit in summer, you can get an entirely different view from the water. Tubing through the Elora Gorge takes you right down the river between the cliffs, and it’s easily one of the more adventurous day trips on this list. Just check conditions before you go, as tubing can close when river levels or conditions aren’t suitable.
There’s also the Elora Quarry, an old limestone quarry surrounded by cliffs where you can swim during the summer. You’ll need to plan this one ahead, though, as admission and parking tickets have to be booked online in advance, and the quarry operates in timed sessions.
Afterwards, spend some time walking around downtown Elora. You’ll find the Elora Mill overlooking the river, along with shops, restaurants and plenty of spots where you can stop for lunch or coffee.
And Elora isn’t only a summer day trip. If you’re around in October, the town celebrates Monster Month, when more than 100 monster sculptures pop up around Elora as part of the Twilight Zoo. There are other Halloween events throughout the month too, including the family-friendly Monster March.
For me, Elora is one of the best choices on this list if you want to combine a small Ontario town with something a little more adventurous. You can hike along the gorge, get out on the river or swim at the quarry, and still have time to explore downtown before heading back to Hamilton.
Make Time For:
- Elora Gorge
- Downtown
- Shops
- River walks
St. Jacobs
If you like farmers’ markets, St. Jacobs is an easy day trip to recommend. The St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is the largest year-round farmers’ market in Canada, with more than 300 vendors spread between three indoor buildings and a large outdoor market.
My sister used to live just up the road, so we went to the market quite a bit. I always loved picking up fresh bread and baked goods, while my sister somehow never seemed to leave without a jar of pickled asparagus.
St. Jacobs is in an area with strong Mennonite roots, and that’s still very much part of the community today. At the market you’ll find local produce, meats, maple syrup, baked goods and Mennonite family recipes alongside crafts, antiques and plenty of other food. You may also see Old Order Mennonite farmers travelling along the roads by horse and buggy.
Give yourself at least a few hours for the market, especially on a Saturday when it can get busy. There’s also an outlet mall and Market Road Antiques across the road if you want to do some more shopping while you’re there.
And don’t stop at the market. St. Jacobs village is a few minutes away and is worth adding to your day, with shops, restaurants and a self-guided historical walk where you can learn more about the area’s Mennonite heritage. There’s also the small Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre in the village, with performances in a renovated 1867 schoolhouse.
Good to know: The farmers’ market is open year-round on Thursdays and Saturdays, with an additional Tuesday market during the summer. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, I’d get there early as the parking can fill up quickly.
Make Time For:
- Farmers’ Market
- St. Jacobs village
Port Dover & Lake Erie Beaches
When summer gets hot in Hamilton, heading south to Lake Erie is one of the easiest ways to turn the day into a beach day. Port Dover is probably the best-known beach town in this part of Ontario, with a sandy beach right in town, a pier and plenty of places to grab something to eat.
But Port Dover isn’t your only option. Follow the Lake Erie shoreline and you’ll find beaches and parks at Turkey Point and Long Point, or head east toward Rock Point Provincial Park and Port Maitland. We’ve spent quite a bit of time along this stretch of Lake Erie over the years, and I’d choose where to go based on the kind of day you want.
Port Dover is the better choice if you want a beach with a town attached, while Turkey Point and Long Point are better suited to a more traditional beach day. Rock Point Provincial Park is another favourite of ours, especially if you want to combine some beach time with walking the trails along the lake.
And if you end up near Dunnville, I recommend stopping at Country Chip Wagon for fish and chips. My cousin owns it, so I may be slightly biased, but it’s also my kids’ favourite fish and chips, and considering we live on the East Coast now, I think that says something.
Make time for:
- Lake Erie beach time
- Port Dover waterfront
- Turkey Point
- Long Point
Niagara Wine Country
Niagara Falls might get most of the attention, but there’s a lot more to the Niagara Region than the falls. From Hamilton, you can follow the Niagara Escarpment through Grimsby, Beamsville and Jordan before continuing towards Niagara-on-the-Lake, stopping wherever catches your interest along the way.
Start in Grimsby, where you can hike at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area or head towards the lake to see the colourful Painted Ladies at Grimsby Beach. From there, continue through Beamsville and Jordan, where you’ll find wineries, farm stands and small towns surrounded by vineyards and orchards.
Even with kids, don’t automatically rule out the wineries. Many Niagara wineries have restaurants, outdoor spaces or other experiences beyond traditional wine tastings, so you can still experience this part of the region without making the entire day about wine.
Then continue to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Spend some time walking through the historic downtown, grab something to eat and wander down towards the waterfront before heading back to Hamilton.
You could easily drive straight from Hamilton to Niagara-on-the-Lake, but I’d take the slower route through wine country instead. It gives you a chance to see a completely different side of Niagara, and you can make the day as outdoorsy, food-focused or relaxed as you want.
Make time for:
- Beamer Memorial Conservation Area
- Grimsby Painted Ladies
- Jordan
- Niagara wineries
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
Brantford & Six Nations of the Grand River
Growing up in Hamilton, Six Nations of the Grand River was always just part of the area, and I don’t think I realized until I moved away just how significant the community is. Six Nations is the largest First Nations reserve in Canada by population and is home to people from all six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy: the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora Nations.
If you’re interested in learning more about Indigenous history and culture, this is one of the most worthwhile day trips you can take from Hamilton. Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford is a good place to start. The centre is located on the site of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School and shares the history, art, languages and cultures of the Haudenosaunee people.
From there, continue to Six Nations of the Grand River. Chiefswood National Historic Site, the childhood home of Mohawk and English poet E. Pauline Johnson, sits along the Grand River, and there are also Indigenous-owned shops, restaurants and cultural experiences throughout the community.
One experience that’s on our list for a future visit is Kayanase Longhouse. A friend of mine visited and highly recommended the experience, which offers an opportunity to learn about Haudenosaunee culture and traditions in a longhouse setting. We haven’t visited ourselves yet, but a friend of mine has and said it was an incredibly worthwhile experience.
This is a very different day trip from Niagara Falls or Toronto, but that’s exactly why I think it belongs on this list. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the people and history of this part of Ontario — something I grew up around without fully appreciating how unique it was at the time.
Make time for:
- Woodland Cultural Centre
- Chiefswood National Historic Site
- Six Nations of the Grand River
Burlington
I hesitate to even call Burlington a day trip from Hamilton because when I lived in the east end, Burlington was where we went to IKEA, Costco or Indigo. But if you’re visiting Hamilton, there’s actually plenty to do here, and it makes an especially easy half-day trip when you don’t want to spend hours in the car.
One of our favourite places to visit is the Royal Botanical Gardens. And even if your kids aren’t particularly interested in flowers or gardens, don’t automatically skip it. RBG has several different garden areas and trails, along with family programs and seasonal events throughout the year.
Cherry Hill Gate is one of our favourites. The trail takes you through the woods and around the wetlands of Cootes Paradise, and my kids always loved holding out their hands and waiting for the chickadees to land on them. You can also visit the Arboretum or check what’s happening at the main gardens, which often have seasonal displays and special events.
For more of a waterfront day, head to downtown Burlington and Spencer Smith Park. There’s a long waterfront path, a playground and plenty of space to walk along Lake Ontario. You can continue towards Burlington Beach or stop downtown for something to eat before heading back to Hamilton.
Burlington probably isn’t the day trip I’d choose if I only had one free day in Hamilton, but that’s also not really the point. It’s close, easy and gives you a good mix of gardens, trails and waterfront without needing a full day or much planning.
Make time for:
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Cherry Hill Gate
- Spencer Smith Park
- Waterfront Trail
Which Hamilton Day Trip Should You Choose?
Not sure which one to choose? It really depends on what you want to do with your day.
- For your first visit to the area: Niagara Falls
- For a big-city day: Toronto
- For hiking and waterfalls: Dundas
- For a pretty small town and time on the river: Paris
- For outdoor adventure: Elora
- For markets and local food: St. Jacobs
- For a summer beach day: Lake Erie and Port Dover
- For small towns, wineries and a scenic drive: Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara wine country
- For Indigenous history and culture: Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River
- For an easy half-day close to Hamilton: Burlington
If you’ve never been to Niagara Falls, that would be my first pick. Yes, it’s touristy, but there really is nothing quite like standing beside the falls and seeing them for yourself.
If you’ve already been to Niagara Falls, I’d choose based on the season. Elora or one of the Lake Erie beaches would be high on my list in summer, while Dundas is a great choice for hiking, especially once the fall colours start to change. Fall is also a great time to follow the Niagara Escarpment through Grimsby and Niagara wine country. And if you just want a slower day of wandering, eating and stopping wherever looks interesting, I’d head towards Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Our Take on the Best Day Trips from Hamilton
One of the best things about Hamilton is how much there is to see within a fairly short drive. You can spend the day at Niagara Falls or in downtown Toronto, hike along the Niagara Escarpment, explore a small town or head south to the beaches along Lake Erie.
Having lived in Hamilton for years, we’ve done many of these trips more times than I can count. Niagara Falls would still be my pick if you’ve never been, but some of our favourite days have been the simpler ones, like hiking in Dundas, wandering around Elora or heading out towards Lake Erie for the day.
Whichever you choose, you really don’t have to go far from Hamilton to find somewhere worth exploring.
Planning More Time in Hamilton and Southern Ontario?
There’s plenty to explore without leaving the city too. Start with our favourite things to do in Hamilton, and if you’re using the city as a base, here are some of the best places to stay in Hamilton.
Or, if Hamilton is just one stop on a longer trip, our one-week Southern Ontario itinerary combines Hamilton with Toronto, Niagara Falls and a few other favourite spots around the region.
