Downtown Dundas

Have you ever watched a Hallmark Movie and fallen in love with the scenery and small-town vibe? This month, we’re focusing on an area of Hamilton that will give you just that – a few of those movies were filmed there! Dundas is one of the most charming areas you’ll come across, full of beautiful nature-filled spots, a lovely 19th-century downtown area and gorgeous Victorian homes. When lockdown is over, plan a day in Dundas and get ready to fall in love – you just might find your new home in this friendly, breathtaking community.

Take a Stroll

Take a small step back in time as you discover historic downtown Dundas. The charming area is full of fun boutiques and specialty shops to visit when you’re in the mood to shop. Afterwards, enjoy a bite at a nearby spot, like The Thirsty Cactus or Detour Cafe, before taking a walk to enjoy the beautiful historic buildings. On Thursdays, you’ll also enjoy visits to the Dundas Farmers Market, which features goods from local farmers and other vendors.

Get brewing

One of the highlights during your visit to Dundas will be a stop at Shawn & Ed. Brewing Co., a local favourite. This microbrewery + pub, housed in the old Dundas Curling and Skating Rink, pays homage to the history of the building throughout. Drop by for a fresh, cold pint of their flagship brew, Lagershed Original, or give one of their seasonal beers a try. Make sure you enjoy one of their new Beer Pies, delicious wood-fired pizzas that pair perfectly with a pint!

Stay Out and About

Looking for a little excitement? Dundas is home to two great festivals in the summer months that you and your family will enjoy. In June, the downtown area plays host to international acts during the Dundas International Buskerfest. You’ll get to take in a very wide variety of street performers, showing off their different talents and can stop by vendors throughout the area. 

After that, you can close out summer with a day at the Dundas Cactus Festival, one of the top 100 Festivals in Ontario. Save the third weekend of August for this annual event, where you’ll see the community come alive as you check out the entertainment on one of the four stages, event zones and over 100 street vendors.

Become a Master Chef If working on your cooking skills and impressing your family is a personal goal, you’re in the right spot! Make stops at some foodie-fave local businesses to find everything you need to up your cooking game. Start off with a visit to Cumbrae’s of Dundas for locally-sourced, small farm-raised meat, then pick up some delicious cheeses at Mickey McGuire’s Cheese. You’ll find everything else you need for a fantastic meal at Picone FineFoods. Kitchen supplies? Visit The Keeping Room to stock up on tools and other essentials – or take part in a cooking class!

Fall in Love with Nature

Nature lovers, rejoice! Dundas is a community that gives you ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy all of the beauty around it. The Dundas Valley Conservation area is popular with locals looking to hike, cycle, or bird and wildlife watch. With a 40 km trail system, plenty of picnic space, and The Hermitage Ruins to explore, you’ll find something new with every visit.

Another great spot to discover is the Christie Lake Conservation Area, which is popular for a casual hike (with 10 km of trails). This is a great place to spend the day during the summer; you’ll find plenty of people canoeing, fishing, and swimming along its sandy beach.

Make sure you don’t miss two of Hamilton’s waterfalls while you explore! Webster Falls is one of the area’s most popular spots, with its beautiful scenery and 22 metre falls; be sure to check it out in different seasons to fully appreciate its beauty. Nearby, you’ll also find Tews Falls, one of the tallest in the area with a 41-metre drop!

Add a Splash of Colour

Take in some culture with visits to The Carnegie Gallery, an artist-run gallery located downtown. Although visits are currently unavailable due to COVID, the gallery normally holds rotating monthly exhibitions that feature art created by contemporary Canadian artists.

You’ll find no shortage of things to do and places to explore when it comes to the charming community of Dundas. Visit once and you’ll learn exactly why so many people have decided to call it home! 

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Take a look at our current listings and discover all of the other communities that we’ve featured here – you just might find your next destination.