You’ll Fall for a Day of Exciting Finds in Hamilton
Published: Sep 4, 2024
Updated: Sep 25, 2024
Let the crisp autumn breeze blow you along the Lakeshore West line! Arts & culture, craft breweries, and exciting sports are all waiting for you in The Hammer. Savour the flavours of Steeltown and experience eclectic vibes that will have you planning more than one trip this season. So who’s excited for Hamilton in fall? We are!
Take GO Transit to Hamilton
Your Hamilton autumn adventure starts when you board your GO train to West Harbour GO Station, but you won’t be bored during the ride. With GO Wi-Fi Plus, you’ve got access to all the free music, videos, and eBooks you’ll need for a relaxing ride to Hamilton.
Your trip is an affordable adventure, too! A GO One-Day Weekend Pass is just $10 for your Saturday or Sunday round trip to Hamilton, and a GO Weekday Group Pass starts at just $30 if you’re traveling during the week with friends. Kids 12 and under always ride free on GO Transit so you can plan for lots of Hamilton family fun!
Only Fun Things in Hamilton!
You’ve arrived! Now it’s time to head to all the fantastic Hamilton tourist attractions. A great first stop is Tourism Hamilton's Fall Guide which is packed with local sweater-weather inspiration. There are fun things in Hamilton for everyone — from sports to arts & culture to foodie adventures. Pick the path for your perfect day.
Tip: The Hamilton Street Railway is a great way to get around!
Step back in time and experience Hamilton during the 1800s with a guided tour of Dundurn Castle! Dundurn Castle was built on the former site of a fortified military encampment established by the British during the War of 1812, and it offers a unique glimpse into the history of the Hamilton area.
Admission to Dundurn Castle is by guided tour only and times do sell out, so we recommend booking your spot to see this historical Hamilton tourist attraction in advance!
Keep the cultural experience going with a visit to Theatre Aquarius! From Sept 25 - Oct 12, you can catch King James, the story of the rocky relationship between two friends with a shared love of basketball. From Oct 30 - Nov 16, enjoy The Master Plan, a satire about the failure to build a smart city in Toronto.
Next stop — head over to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, home to over 11,000 works of art, including Canadian, Indigenous, and international pieces. Did you know? The AGH as it is fondly called, is the oldest and largest museum in southwestern Ontario?
AGH is open Thursday - Sunday, so be sure to plan your Hamilton autumn trip on one of these days if an artistic experience is a must-do for you. On the last Sunday of each month, you can enjoy family-friendly tours and hands-on activities for kids.
This month, from September 12 - October 6, check out the AGH art+music+food Festival. You can experience the creativity of chef Roger Mooking who is also a recording artist, author, TV host and artist. Don’t forget to check out the Directors Collect: 110 Years, celebrating the 110th anniversary of the AGH with a curated selection of art featuring highlights from the permanent collection.
Remember to show your PRESTO card to get Buy One Get One Free on general admission, or get 10% off the Friends of the Arts membership so you can visit as often as you like for a year!
Who’s thirsty? You can continue enjoying art while you grab a drink at Collective Arts Hamilton — Brewery + Beergarden. Their cans of craft beer, cider and cocktails feature original artwork from emerging artists and the walls of the brewery showcase rotating works of art. Collective Arts is open Wednesday - Sunday for tasty drinks and terrific vibes!
Everyone Loves Hamilton City Events
You’re going to have a great time on your fall outing even if you just visit the year-round Hamilton tourist attractions. But if you can schedule your trip to line up with one of the fantastic Hamilton city events, it will be that much better!
Did you get excited thinking about a visit to ONE craft brewery in Hamilton? Then you’ll definitely want to book a Hamilton Beer Tour with The Beer Tour Co. because you’ll be visiting FOUR different venues! You’ll enjoy a pint or a tasting flight at each venue (as well as water and snacks) and get a full tour at one of the breweries.
The Hamilton Beer Tour happens on the last Sunday of each month. Be sure to exit your Lakeshore West train at Aldershot GO Station instead of going all the way to Hamilton. The Beer Tour Co. will pick-up customers there at 11:30 am.
The art and music scene in Hamilton is always vibrant, but it goes into full swing during Supercrawl. On September 13, 14, & 15, Hamilton’s FREE music + arts festival takes over James St. North with over 30 musical acts, as well as art installations, fashion shows, performance and media arts.
If the dates for Supercrawl just don’t work for your Hamilton fall trip, you can still catch the creative vibes during Art Crawl. The pedestrian-only section of James Street North becomes a block party on the 2nd Friday of every month with street performances and galleries, studios, stores, and restaurants staying open late.
Hamilton isn’t ONLY about the arts, though. Sports are a huge part of Steeltown culture and Tim Hortons Field is the place to see all the action. Football fans — come cheer for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and save 20% off home game tickets with your PRESTO card! Offer ends October 18, 2024 so plan your trip to Hamilton soon!
Are you more of a soccer fan? Tim Hortons Field is the place to watch the beautiful game during your Hamilton autumn outing. Join the four time Canadian Premier League champions, Forge FC, for an unforgettable family fun experience. PRESTO card holders can save up to 20% off regular season home game tickets! Don't delay, offer expires October 5th, 2024.
Love local, shop local! Mark your calendars, Hamilton Day returns this November 1st to 3rd.
Join thousands of locals and visitors for a weekend of shopping, dining, and entertainment across the city. With over 1,000 participating shops, pop-up markets, concerts, and more, it's the perfect time to experience and explore what Hamilton’s small business community has to offer. Don’t miss the family-friendly fun – visit hamiltonday.ca to plan your local-loving adventure.
Satisfy Your Hunger in Hamilton
In case you aren’t aware — Hamilton is a foodie’s paradise! Make time to stop for tasty eats, not only because you’ll need energy for hitting all the Hamilton tourist attractions, but also because a perfect day includes a perfect meal. Try one of our favourites!
If you’re craving Italian cuisine, Martello Restaurant specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza and handmade pasta. Or, try Caro for modern Italian food in a casual, family-friendly setting.
In the mood for Mexican? Mesa is the spot for authentic fare and a welcoming atmosphere.
Searching for upbeat, retro vibes? You’ll find them at the totally radical, 80s inspired Electric Diner. Check out awesome events like 80s movie nights, live DJ sets, and music bingo!
For more laidback fun, proceed directly to The Bard & Bear, a board game cafe where you can play while you dine! They have over 1000 games, including options for every age. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Don’t Skip Shopping in Hamilton
Before you board your train home from the Hammer, stop and shop for a few special items that capture the essence of this vibrant and artsy city!
A handmade item from STORE on James is just what your home is missing! Choose a piece of pottery, sculpture, glass or wood work to showcase on your shelf, some graphic art or photography to display on your wall, or jewellery to wear. If you want something unique, STORE is the place to find it.
At The Pale Blue Dot you’ll find ethical and earth-friendly products to support your low-waste lifestyle. This family-owned shop is warm and welcoming, and a great place to ask questions and learn more about sustainable living.
Head to Hamilton Again Soon!
We know you hate to leaf, but don’t worry — you can GO to Hamilton again! With so many things to do in the Hamilton area, there’s plenty to fill a few fall day trips, and GO Transit makes it easy and affordable to get there.
Land Acknowledgement
Metrolinx acknowledges that it operates on lands that have been, and continue to be, home to many Indigenous Peoples including the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples. We are all Treaty people. Many of us have come here as settlers, as immigrants or involuntarily as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, in this generation, or generations past. We acknowledge the historic and continued impacts of colonization and the need to work towards meaningful reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. We acknowledge that Metrolinx operates on territories and lands covered by many treaties that affirm and value the rights of Indigenous communities, Nations and Peoples. We understand the importance of working towards reconciliation with the original caretakers of this land. At Metrolinx, we will conduct business in a manner that is built on a foundation of trust, respect and collaboration.