Hamilton 
Photo Credit: Lenok UA
Whether fall makes you want to cozy up indoors, walk through the city, or explore the changing natural scenery, Hamilton has something for everyone. Check out this list for 50 ideas on how to spend your fall in Hamilton and the surrounding area.
Seeing the Invisible
Seeing the Invisible is an expansive exhibition of contemporary artworks using augmented reality (AR) technology. The exhibition takes place at Hendri Park from September 23 to November 6, 2021.
On Thursday evenings from October 7 to November 4, enjoy an exclusive look at the exhibit, brews, local food trucks, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy an evening featuring the talent of a different local artist each week.
Credit: Mohammed Kazem
Chili Fest
Enjoy delicious chilis and fun activities during the Chili Fest! The event will be held from September 24 – 26.
Culture Days
Celebrate arts and culture with hands-on and behind-the-scenes that highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. September 24 – October 24, 2021
Fall Forest Wagon Ride
Visit Terra Cotta Conservation Area and explore a stunning fall forest by wagon ride! During this interactive guided tour participants will enjoy the fall colours and learn about all the fascinating changes happening in the natural world during this lively season. September 26, 2021
Fall Garden Fete
Enjoy a fall fete at the Whistling Gardens on September 25th. Go on a self-guided walk, see the birds at the Aviary & Pond, enjoy the musical fountain shows, go on a photo scavenger hunt, lawn games, and more.
Fear Farm
Visit Fear Farm and enjoy the world-famous hayride and outdoor haunts and the Hiller House. This is the fall event not too miss. Tickets will sell out so don’t delay.
Paddling
Take a paddling trip from Paris to Brant Park and experience scenic paddle from a town setting into pristine wilderness! The fall colours will make your experience that much more memorable.
Mum Show
Hamilton’s favourite fall show will be back this year! From October 22nd to 31st the Gage Park Greenhouse will be blooming with Chrysanthemums.
Caledonia Fair
Happening at the Caledonia Fairgrounds, the Caledonia Fair combines the traditions of the country fair – livestock shows, home craft, food and the midway – with continuous entertainment to make Caledonia Fair a perfect Autumn outing for the entire family. September 30 – October 3, 2021
Something Else! + Watch it Burn! at the Bay
The 2021 Something Else! Festival Series at the Bay has merged with a Watch it Burn! to produce some incredible works. See them on Saturdays, September 4 – October 9, 2021 at the Bayfront Park Pavillion.
Monster Jam®
The most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world returns to Hamilton for a high-octane weekend at FirstOntario Centre on Saturday, October 2 through Sunday, October 3.
Supercrawl
Head down to James St. North to attend Hamilton’s legendary festival. This year, enjoy a six-concert series of distanced yet intimate performances from September 24 to 27.
Salmon Run
See salmon migrate upstream for spawning as the temperature falls at Bronte Creek in Oakville, Red Hill Creek (Kings Forest), Grindstone Creek (RBG Trails) and Spencer Creek at Dundas (Cootes Paradise Neighbourhood).
African Lion Safari Drive-thru
Drive through the Game Reserve before they close on October 11th. African Lion Safari is home to over 1000 birds and animals.
Canada’s Warplane Heritage Museum
Interested in planes and history? Check out Canada’s Warplane Heritage Museum, which boasts a complete collection of Canadian flown military aircrafts. Do not forget to attend the Remembrance Day service.
Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery
Whether as a couple or with a group of friends, you can never go wrong with a visit to the Puddicombe Farms during the fall season. Puddicombe Estate offers tours and tastings of their award-winning vintages. Cider also available! They are also open for a variety of pick-your-own fruits in September. Enjoy harvest fun time with wine & cider tastings, campfires, fall fun games, and more in October.
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Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens
Whether you’re interested in strolling through gardens, hiking trails, or taking courses or workshops, the Royal Botanical Gardens have something for everyone! Take part in yoga in the gardens taking place every Tuesdays, until November 23rd. Plan your visit during the Pumpkin Hollow to see hundreds of jack-o-lanterns – all lighted up!
If you are visiting RBG during the fall, don’t forget to check out the Rock Garden. Remarkable fall colours, water displays, flowering conifers, ornamental trees make it a wonderful place in the autumn season. Apart from fall colours, the RBG is made colourful by the blooms in the garden beds. Use the bloom calendar on the RBG website to check out which flowers are in bloom while visiting.
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Fall Festival Weekends at Brantwood Farms
Each Saturday and Sunday, Brantwood farms will be open to the public for a day of fall fun for the whole family. Enjoy pumpkin bowling, pumpkin hop, corn maze, obstacle course, corn pit, haunted barn, and more activities and fun to keep all visitors entertained.
Hamilton Youth Film Festival
In its fifth year, the Hamilton Youth Film Festival will be aired online. Check out films from September 13th, 2021
The Bruce Trail
To fully enjoy the changing colours of leaves in southern Ontario, it is a must to check out the Bruce Trail in the fall. The trail extends from Tobermory to Niagara, spanning over 890 kilometres. There are various places you can check out during the trail, including the Limehouse Conservation Area in the Halton Hills.
Hamilton Farmers’ Market
A local favourite, the Hamilton Farmers’ Market is home to over 60 vendors, featuring international and national food, baked goods, flowers, and more! This year, the Farmer’s Market will be operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Saturdays.
Spencer’s Gorge and Webster Falls
Feel like chasing waterfalls? Spencer’s Gorge and Webster Falls offer stunning views and an even better photo backdrop, particularly with the changing colours of fall leaves in the area.
Get your tickets here.
The Escarpment Rail Trail
Biking enthusiasts, this one is for you! Follow the historic railroad starting from downtown Hamilton and ride along part of the Trans Canada Trail. This is a moderately difficult trail that is 19 kilometers round-trip, recommended for experienced riders. The changing natural scenery during fall will make it all the more worthwhile!
Wild Orchid Restaurant and Café
If you’re looking to try out new restaurants, Wild Orchid is a great place to start. It serves award winning dishes, most notably their seafood ones, and has a rustic atmosphere that adds to the experience.
Terra Cotta Conservation Area
Experience the natural setting with trails running through forests, past fields, and lakes of the Niagara Escarpment. Pack a picnic and spend your day under a canopy of fall colours!
Ottawa Street
Need a relaxing day in the fall to stroll around town and do some window shopping? Ottawa Street in Hamilton is a charming spot to do just that!
Corn Maze Adventures
Fall just isn’t the same without the tall corn stalks that provide the perfect landscape for family fun. Check out the corn maze adventures in and around Hamilton!
Apple Picking
Open throughout the fall, Wheelbarrow Orchards provides a variety of apple trees ripe for the picking. Be sure to try some of the homemade baked goods on your way out, including apple pies and butter tarts!
You can also enjoy PYO apples at Carluke Apple Orchard.
Whistling Gardens
Visit the National Award Winning, Internationally acclaimed and one of Canada’s only privately run Botanical Gardens and see why Whistling Gardens was recently voted as one of Canada’s Best Botanical Gardens. Explore nearly 20 acres where you can view over 4,500 different plants.
Dundurn National Historic Site
The former home of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, Dundurn Castle is a stunning 40-room villa built in the early 1800’s. Explore the rich history of the former military encampment and of those who lived within its walls.
PYO Pumpkins
Pick the perfect pumpkin for your fall decor, jack-o’-lantern or your favourite pie. PYO pumpkins are open at Lindley’s Farm and Dyment’s Pumpkin Patch.
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site
Head to the Museum to view the exhibit ‘The Power of Design: The Architecture of Hydro-Electric Buildings in Hamilton’. The exhibit explores the architectural majesty of Hamilton’s beautiful hydro-electric buildings.
Six Nations
Experience the Grand River Territory with the Haudenosaunee community through rich oral histories and traditions. Fall activities include canoeing along the river, walking trails, exploring the crafts of the Haudenosaunee people, and visiting the Chiefswood National Historic Site.
Farmyard Experience
Have a great family experience at the Farmyard! With a variety of games, corn maze, fire pits, pedal-karts, farm animals, and more activities, a visit to the farm is cherished by both the young and the old.
Bogle Seeds
The Bogle family welcomes all to visit their family farm and historic barn. Observe how they process and mix their popular bird seeds.
Halloween
Where do you want to experience the best of scares?
Art Gallery of Hamilton
Visiting the Art Gallery of Hamilton is the perfect activity for a crisp fall day. Browse historic or contemporary art styles or visit the current exhibition featuring an interactive augmented reality tour for visitors to experience in the Gallery.
Cranberry Harvest
Visit Cranberry Marsh and take part in an experience that is unique in Northern America!! See how 27 acres of marsh that produce around 300,000-400,000 lbs of cranberries are harvested!
Ancaster Farmers Market
Featuring 15 vendors, the Ancaster Farmers Market is a great place to source fresh and locally grown food. Be sure to take advantage of the last few weeks of harvest!
Dundas Peak
Dundas Peak offers a beautiful lookout over Dundas and Hamilton. Ideal for those wanting a short and sweet hike and ideal fall views from the top.
Get your tickets here.
Farmhouse Artisan Cheese
Looking to spice up your charcuterie board? Visit the Farmhouse Artisan Cheese shop to sample a large selection of cheeses and pick up some jams and chutneys on your way out!
The Workers Arts and Heritage
A place where workers achievements are celebrated, the Workers Arts and Heritage strives to honour the history of all working people. Exhibitions and events change regularly, but this fall, be sure to check out ¡Adelante Siempre!. This exhibition endeavours to tell the living stories of garment workers and their leadership.
Cootes to Escarpment Fall Festival
Become an EcoPark Explorer! Learn from experts the basics of plant identification, birding, and backyard biodiversity. Take what you learn on a self-guided hike and stop by the EcoPark System pop-up booth for a family-friendly activity! Select dates, September 14, 2021 – October 3, 2021
Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice’s new production, entitled “Journey,” is an on-ice visual exploration of the myriad of feelings experienced over the past year, all while learning to adapt and grow in this new world in which we live. Saturday, October 16, 2021
Goat Yoga
Triple C Farm offers goat yoga, the practice of traditional yoga with the playful antics of goats. They will climb on you and lay down to relax on you, they have also been known to fall asleep cuddled in your lap while you’re doing Lotus pose.
The Ship
Whether you’re looking for a bit to eat in the morning or evening, the Ship offers a delicious menu and craft beers. Burgers and brunch will never be the same.
Quatrefoil Restaurant
Sometimes the best thing to do is treat yourself – Quatrefoil will do just that. A fine dining experience that includes local ingredients and superb pairings, it has been rated one of the top ten newly opened restaurants in Canada.
Paris
No, not the one in Europe! Visit the ‘Prettiest Town in Canada’ this fall and relax on a patio, stroll through the downtown, or grab a bite to eat.
Toronto Premium Outlets
Here’s a place where you can shop ‘til you drop’ and get the perfect Fall and Winter Fashion! Toronto Premium Outlets offers great savings on over 80 retail stores and premium brands. Don’t let the name fool you – the mall is located in Halton Hills off Highway 401.
Bayfront Park
Described as a green oasis in the city of Hamilton, Bayfront Park is the perfect place to spend time at during those warm fall days that remind you of summer. Relax and enjoy your surroundings or rent a bike or walk along the Waterfront Trail.
The International Village
Home to over 100 shops and services in the heart of Hamilton, the International Village is a popular place for dining and shopping.
The Hamilton Store
This is a must for all things Hamilton. The store sells unique souvenirs and trinkets that all are linked to Hamilton in some way.
Merry Farms
Fall is calling all to the Merry Farms. The farm is open to enjoy a whole lot of activities from corn mazes to giant slides, rollercoasters to obstacle course, climbing mountain, and more.
Rock Chapel Loop
Hike this 6.3 km trail along the Niagara Escarpment that features Borer’s Falls, a 15-meter waterfall drop. This scenic valley is home to a diverse variety of rare flora and fauna.
Tiffany Falls Conservation Area
One of the more popular conservation areas dues due to the presence of two waterfalls – Tiffany Falls and Washboard Falls. This area is also an Earth Science Area of Regional Significance due to the exposed bedrocks seen here.
Eramosa Karst
A unique natural area composed of forests, underground caves and streams, Eramosa Karst offers several activities for fall days. Hike through the conservation area and explore all it has to offer.
Carnegie Gallery
Located in Dundas, the Carnegie Gallery offers both exhibitions and an art shop. The space showcases contemporary Canadian artists and changes exhibitions on a monthly basis.
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Fabulous lookout points, rock climbing, excellent hiking trails, picnic spots, overnight camping… Plan your day trip/overnight trip to the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. There are many trails that you can choose – from quick ones to overnight treks.
Beanermunky Chocolates
A heavenly place for all chocoholics. These chocolate treats are created onsite – watch as chocolatiers create their masterpieces. Workshops for both kids and adults are available throughout the fall season.
Fifty Point Conservation Area
A perfect place for bird watching and fishing, Fifty Point is the place to go before the winter rolls around. The Fifty Point Lighthouse is a picturesque stop and must-see.
Fall Festival
There will be corn mazes, haunted barn, farm animals, and more at the Brantwood Farms Fall Festival.
Albion Falls
Hamilton is home to a wide selection of waterfalls, but Albion Falls is a must see! The beautiful cascade is accessed by an easy 5-minute walk and the memories of the fall backdrop will last a lifetime.
The Creative Hub
Tap into your creative side and take a fine arts class, pottery class, or attend an event at the Creative Hub in Waterdown. Check out the Fall term schedule and develop new skills from trained teachers!
Healing Salt Caves
Exploring Hamilton and the surrounding areas are bound to leave you needing some R&R. The Healing Salt Cave is a halotherapy wellness centre and holistic spa that offers a warm and relaxing experience, perfect for cool fall weather.
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