Fall Fun for Everyone in Hamilton

Fall is in the air! We’re ready for sweater weather, crisp mornings, beautifully changing foliage and tasty seasonal treats. It’s the best time of the year to explore Hamilton and all that it has to offer. This month, we wanted to highlight some of the amazing ways that you can experience this city before winter arrives. Round up your family and friends, make a fall bucket list, and check some of these great experiences off. If you happen to fall in love with Hamilton, or a new community within, don’t forget to explore our current listings – your new stomping grounds might be a click away!

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Does anything say fall like a trip to the farm? This is our favourite time of year to share the local love and Hamilton is home to plenty of great farms to visit. The little ones (and the big ones!) will love seeing the fun that these farms have in store, including tractor rides, season fruit + vegetable picking, delicious local goods, kid-friendly activities, and more. A few of our team’s favourites include Dyments Farm, Market & Bakery in Dundas, Lindley’s Farm and Market and Carluke Orchards in Ancaster, and Merry Farms in Lynden. We recommend visiting a few to get the full farm experience; they all have something a little different for you to enjoy!

Enjoy the Changing Leaves

If your favourite part of fall is enjoying the gorgeous changing colours of the leaves you couldn’t have picked a better spot to explore! Whether you’re looking for escarpment views or beautiful parks and forests to view these from, you’ll have access to a wide array of different locations to visit. Take in all the colours from these spots to fully immerse yourself in the season:

• Dundas Peak is one of Hamilton’s top spots to view the fall foliage with unbelievable views.
• Enjoy the falls and find yourself in the middle of the change at Tiffany Falls and Smokey Hollow Falls.
• The Spencer Gorge Conservation Area has a large area to explore and two picturesque waterfalls (Tew’s Falls and Webster’s Falls) to view.

Spooky and Kooky Fun

With Halloween on the way, the city is alive with all kinds of exciting events – both spooky and a little tamer – to check out. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or something for the “big kids” there’s no shortage of activities available to you. A quick search will uncover plenty to do but we’ve rounded up a few worthwhile events to add to your list:

• The Great Pumpkin Stroll gives you a chance to test out your Halloween creativity! Drop off your carved pumpkin beforehand and stop by Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum on October 27th to view all of the carvings, enjoy activities and check out local food trucks.
• There’s fun for pet lovers as well! Bark at the Moon’s Halloween Spooktacular (October 27th) is a dog-friendly event taking place at West Avenue Cider House with games, activations, photo booths and more in support of the dog rescue.
• Ready to take on some spooky trivia? Hub of the Hammer will be running Halloween-themed trivia events at different venues in the city. Get in the mood and wear a costume for bonus points!
• The Staircase has your family fun covered with their Welcome to the SCAREcase Theatre event on October 29th. Grab your little ghouls and goblins and stop by for a costume contest, kid-friendly Halloween movie screenings, family fun and treats!
• Collective Arts has plenty of adult Halloween spirit on tap including Werq the Mic (Halloween edition), the Bottomless Pit Halloween Bash, and Scary Stories in the Beerhall.
• Enjoy some spooky sounds with the Dundas Valley Orchestra at their Costume Party for kids of all ages on October 30th. Dress your best and you could win! 

Discover an Old Haunt

Did you know that Hamilton is home to many spooky locations? Discover the history behind some of the city’s most notorious haunts and let the chills creep in. These aren’t for the faint of heart!

• Rumour has it that the ghost of coachmen William Black still roams The Hermitage Ruins in Ancaster as he pines for the love he was denied.
• Listen for the cries of the late Jane Reilly at Albion Falls; she threw herself at the mercy of the falls after being left by her love.
• “The Dark Lady,” was buried under The Custom House after being murdered over a century ago and she continues to haunt the area to this day.
• Keep your eyes peeled and you might catch a glimpse of Mary Gage – or her supernatural tricks – during a visit to Battlefield House.

Enjoy the Outdoors

With cool, enjoyable days on tap, get outside to enjoy some fall fun! The kids will love a trip to Treetop Trekking for a day full of adventure at Binbrook Conservation Area including ziplining, aerial courses, and a treetop village. Get a little lost as you and your family take on Hanes Corn Maze in Dundas featuring 20 acres of twists and turns to keep you all guessing. Follow the light from hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns at the Royal Botanical Garden’s Pumpkin Trail. And if you’re ready to get your blood pumping, Hamilton is home to over 145 km of hiking trails to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for lots of activity or something a little more low-key, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to enjoy in Hamilton.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

One of the reasons we love fall in Hamilton so much? All of the delicious flavours come out at some of the city’s best eateries. You’ll be able to find delicious Halloween and fall-inspired treats at spots like Cake & Loaf, Crumbuns Bakeshop, Momoco Donuts, and Bitten on Locke. If a pumpkin spice latte or other seasonal beverage is more your speed, stop by Redchurch Café, Relay Coffee Roasters, or 541 Eatery and Exchange for a pick-me-up. Don’t forget these must-haves: apple cider donuts and fresh cider from Bennett’s Apples & Cider.

Fall fun for the whole family is right at hand here; spend some time exploring as you enjoy the beauty of the season. There’s so much to see in do in all of Hamilton’s welcoming communities.