The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Hamilton, Canada

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.

Witness the social and mechanical life of Canada's early industrial revolution. Housed in a 150-year-old Waterworks, this National Historic Site preserves two 45-foot high, 70-ton steam engines, perhaps the oldest surviving Canadian-built engines. The historic Hamilton Waterworks is a Civil and Power Engineering Landmark. The museum offers guided tours, various permanent and changing exhibits and features special events for the whole family, including Live Steamer Days from May through October.

The last Tribal Destroyer in the world, HMCS HAIDA is Canada’s most famous warship. She inspires countless adults and children and draw visitors from Ontario, across North America and from around the globe. This WWII Tribal Class destroyer is now a floating memorial and naval museum.

The Cathedral Basilica is the Roman Catholic Cathedral for the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario. Opened in 1933 and named a Basilica in 2013, it stands as a clear beacon of faith at the Western entrance of the City of Hamilton. The Diocese of Hamilton is home to more than 600,000 Catholics in Hamilton, Halton, Waterloo, Wellington, Brant and Bruce-Grey regions.

Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area is located just outside of the village of Rockton, Ontario. ​The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm for walking, hiking and bird-watching. The historical buildings are only open on special program days. Check the website for further information.

One of the first houses to be built in Stoney Creek, Battlefield House was the home of the Gage family from 1796 until 1835. During these settlement years of the early 19th century, James and Mary Gage cleared and worked the land with their ten children and became well-known for their warm hospitality. The War of 1812 had a direct impact on the Gage family as they found themselves confined to their home when American soldiers occupied their land when a battle broke out during the early morning hours of June 6, 1813. The resulting British victory at the Battle of Stoney Creek was crucial in helping to prevent the Americans from seizing Upper Canada. Less than one hundred years later, in 1899, Sara Calder, grand-daughter of James and Mary Gage and first president of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society, led the purchase and preservation of the homestead. Further recognition of the significant event that took place on this property came in the year 1913, when the 100-foot tall Battlefield Monument was opened, standing as a symbol of peace and commemorating those soldiers who died at the Battle of Stoney Creek.