Looking for the perfect destination for a day of family fun? You’ll find it all at Hamilton’s harbour and waterfront. Located just minutes from the downtown core and 20 minutes from our Mount Hope community, this scenic shoreline is packed with parks, playgrounds and patios, along with hiking and cycling trails, historic ships and more.
Explore Waterfront Parks
Bayfront Park
Hamilton’s 40-acre Bayfront Park has something for everyone to enjoy. Stroll, jog, cycle or skate along beautiful waterfront trails, and let children and pets run wild at on-site playgrounds and dog parks. Then, settle in for an evening performance at the natural grass amphitheater, which is home to events like Dusk Dances, Because Beer Festival, Canada Day celebrations and more.
Confederation Beach Park
Confederation Beach Park is a local favourite destination, as it’s home to Hamilton’s most pristine beach and paved beach trail. Swim, picnic, take a scenic stroll, or seek thrills at one of the many attractions throughout the area, including Wild Waterworks, Adventure Village, and Lakeland Kartway.
Partake in a Host of Fun Things to Do
Hamilton Tour Boat
For families looking to experience Hamilton’s waterfront while on the water, be sure to book passage with the Hamilton Harbour Queen, which hosts sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, dance parties and family-friendly events. For a more intimate sailing experience, the 12-passenger Hamiltonian Tour Boat offers a 50-minute narrated tour.
The Hamilton Waterfront Trolley
Hop aboard the 37-passenger Hamilton Waterfront Trolley to explore the shoreline from a unique vantage point. The trolley follows the western portion of the harbour, and passes through attractions including marinas, sailing and rowing clubs, children’s playgrounds, historical bridges and more. The best part? You can hop on and off as you please.
HMCS Haida National Historic Site
Ever visited a floating museum? The HMCS Haida National Historic Site showcases Canada’s most famous warship as a floating naval museum. Enjoy a guided tour, explore its historic decks and imagine yourself as a crew member aboard Canada’s most fightingest ship, which served in the Second World War, Korean Conflict and Cold War.
The Tugboat Playground
One of the most beloved children’s play areas, the Tugboat Playground is located in Pier 4 and features a variety of climbing platforms to keep little ones entertained for hours. Next to it, a splash pad is also open during summer months for kids to enjoy.
Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink
From June through September, the Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink is open to anyone who wants to join in a bit of retro fun and zoom around on roller skates. Bring your own set of wheels, or rent from the nearby kiosk. The rink is located on Pier 8, and is close to the waterfront stage which hosts musical performances on Thursday evenings during the summer.
Bite into Tasty Waterfront Eats
Refreshing Treats
Looking to cool down after a day in the heat? Waterfront Scoops is a local favourite ice cream spot, serving up a myriad of sweet flavours to try. Hutch’s on the Beach is also known for its delicious cones, as well as their milkshakes and fish and chips platter if you’re craving more than just dessert.
Tasty Eats
For a patio dining experience that offers some of the best waterfront views of the city, be sure to visit Williams Fresh Cafe, which serves up a variety of sandwiches, salads, breakfast foods and cold and hot drinks. Find the Waterfront Grill — with classics like burgers, fries and poutine — next to the Waterfront Outdoor Rink, and visit Barangas on the Beach for Greek and Mediterranean eats while at Confederation Beach Park.
Click here to discover more great reasons to call Hamilton home, and be sure to follow @cachetcommunities on Instagram for more summer fun ideas.
Images courtesy of Tourism Hamilton (Bayfront Park, HMCS Haida, Tugboat Playground); The Heart of Ontario (Confederation Beach Park); Hamilton Waterfront (Tour Boat); Auto Trader (Outdoor Rink); Urban City (Waterfront Scoops); Under the Sun (Williams Fresh Cafe).
