Where can you find a massive amount of nature, with a diverse collection of living organisms? Burlington, Canada! Burlington is located between two of the most famous geographical sites in Canada, namely the Niagara Escarpment and the Northwest shores of Lake Ontario and it covers a total land area of 187 square kilometers (73 square miles).
Green nature can be found all over Burlington and the 187 square kilometers (73 square miles) of land is divided into southern and northern regions. The South of Burlington is where the urban areas are located, but in the north, it’s a very different story. Agriculture, golf courses, nature reserves, and conservation areas are some of the main categories where Burlington shines the most. This is also what attracts visitors, as with nature comes culture and exploring the culture of any new city is in the heart of every tourist.
So why not enjoy the scene, have a cup of coffee, juice, or tea while you overlook a great conversation reserve? Go beyond tourism in Burlington, Ontario. Here are some of the best things to do in and around the area of this fun and exciting city!
1. Enjoy amazing live performances at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Located in the downtown area, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is a popular cultural venue that offers a wide range of live shows from different artists such as standup comedians, pop musicians, orchestras, DJs, dance groups, and more. Aside from hosting these live performances, the venue is also a charitable, non-profit organization that holds various festivals, workshops, and other community engagement events, promoting arts and culture.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre features a multi-purpose building consisting of a family lobby where receptions, exhibitions, corporate functions, and civic events happen. There’s a community studio theatre where smaller events take place, while the main theater can hold up to 718 guests.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Address: 440 Locust St, Burlington, ON L7S 1T7, Canada
Website: The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Opening hours: varying hours depending on performances
2. Stop by Joseph Brant Museum for some arts and culture
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Joseph Brant Museum is named in honor of the great Mohawk military and political leader and who is also known as Burlington’s first citizen. The community museum’s facilities consist of three galleries where Burlington’s rich history and heritage are displayed and where traveling exhibitions and special events usually take place. It also features a dedicated programming space where workshops, kids’ camps, seminars, lectures, dialogues, and other educational programs that look to promote art, culture, and history to the community happen.
Joseph Brant Museum
Address: 1240 North Shore Blvd E, Burlington, ON L7S 1C5, Canada
Website: Joseph Brant Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 3:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
3. Pay a visit to Burlington Junction Railway Station
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Burlington Junction on Saturday, January 7, 2017
The Burlington Junction Railway Station, or the Freeman Station, is a historic train station that was built in 1906. It used to be the center of all the comings and goings of the community, transporting people and commercial goods. During the 1950s, however, the train station has seen a considerable reduction in traffic due to the expansion of roadways and an increase in automobile use, which would eventually cause the station to be closed.
In 2005, the station was donated to the city of Burlington and soon the council started a number of restoration and preservation projects. Today, the relocated station is a museum that exhibits several interesting historical artifacts including railroad relics, displays, and model trains.
Burlington Junction Railway Station
Address: 1285 Fairview St, Burlington, ON L7S 1Y3, Canada
Website: Burlington Junction Railway Station
4. Enjoy shopping while supporting local businesses at Burlington Centre Lions Farmer's Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Peaches and Ice Cream Day - August 31 2019 bright sunny and a beautiful day - the Burlington Lions provide ice cream and peaches for all the customers to enjoy
Posted by Burlington Centre Lions Farmers Market on Sunday, September 1, 2019
For some retail therapy while enjoying the sun, visit Burlington Centre Lions Farmer’s Market. This popular farmer’s market features a number of friendly vendors that sell locally grown fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, freshly made treats, flowers, and a whole lot more.
Burlington Centre Lions Farmer’s Market is a project by the Local Lions Club that not only looks to support local businesses but raise funds for the club’s community outreach programs as well. The market’s proceeds now support the needs of the youth, the elderly, the handicapped, and such.
Burlington Centre Lions Farmer's Market
Address: 695 Regency Ct, Burlington, ON L7N 3H9, Canada
Website: Burlington Centre Lions Farmer’s Market
Opening hours: Fri: 8am - 3pm; Sat: 8am - 2pm (closed on Sun - Thu)
5. Satisfy your Indian food cravings at 7 Spice Bar & Masala Grill
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Located in the heart of Burlington, 7 Spice Bar & Masala Grill is the go-to place for most locals when it comes to tasty Indian food. The restaurant serves a wide array of amazing dishes that originate from different parts of India—from all sorts of curries, biryanis, basmati rice to vegetarian and non-vegetarian tandoori dishes.
You can also pair these amazing dishes with a wide selection of beverages like cocktails, mocktails, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks for an amazing and complete wining and dining experience.
7 Spice Bar & Masala Grill
Address: 4460 Fairview St Unit B104, Burlington, ON L7L 5P9, Canada
Website: 7 Spice Bar & Masala Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 11:30am - 8:30pm; Wed - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 9:30pm; Sat: 12pm - 9:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
6. Have a picnic at Spencer Smith Park
Spencer Smith Park is located on the waterfront in downtown Burlington. Here, a view of the lake, beach and Skyway bridge, while enjoying a breath of fresh air is well worth your time. You can also go cycling, walking, or rollerblading and if you’re bringing kids, they can escape to the playground.
If you go at the right time, you might even get to experience a picnic way better than you could ever imagine, as this park holds most of Burlington’s signature festivals and events. Canada’s Largest Ribfest is an annual fundraising activity of the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore and proceeds go to charities. If that doesn’t get your attention, another annual festival is the Burlington Beer Festival! Aside from the festivals, you can stroll around the park and see different historical exhibits, any day.
Spencer Smith Park
Address: 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1Y2, Canada
Phone: +1 905-335-7738
Website: Spencer Smith Park
7. Bring out the naturalist in you at Mount Nemo Conservation Area
A place known for being small but offering big experiences, Mount Nemo boasts its hiking, rock-climbing, and its quick access to nature. It holds the title of having one of the best cliff ecosystems in Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. It holds rich green ferns, limestone boulders, and even crevice caves and ancient cedars, that are about 1000 years old. Mount Nemo offers an exceptional view of the escarpment and it’s open every season, with ever-changing scenery.
For adventurists, the rock-climbing here might be one of the great experiences of your trip. Nature will be in the palm of your hands. Other than that, you can freely go to the caves, as within Mount Nemo, lies one of the rare cliff edge ecosystems and cave systems in Ontario. All you have to do is prepare for the adventure, as it awaits you!
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
Address: 5317 Guelph Line, Milton, ON L9T 2X6, Canada
Phone: +1 905-854-0262
Opening Hours: Every day - 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Website: Mount Nemo Conservation Area
8. Watch turkey vultures soaring at Rattlesnake Point
Considered one of the most beautiful places in Ontario, Rattlesnake Point can be accessed from Burlington in approximately 20 to 40 minutes, depending on which route you take. It is said that spending a day here in any season will show its beauty and it’s clearly an eco-tourism area!
It features caves and cliffs where you can sightsee and fill your eyes with more natural beauty, all in one place. It is also awesome for cyclists, hikers and climbers or, you can find a serene spot and relieve your stress during a Yoga in the Park session. Enjoy and witness the beautiful sunsets, during every season.
Rattlesnake Point
Address: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON L9T 2Y1, Canada
Phone: +1 905-854-0262
Opening Hours: Every day - 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Website: Rattlesnake Point
9. Visit the Art Gallery of Burlington
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The seventh largest public art gallery in Ontario, the Art Gallery of Burlington is an award-winning gallery located in the heart of Burlington. Hosting around 20 exhibitions per year, the AGB is open to artists and thinkers for the viewing and exhibition of personal artwork. Not only this, it has Canada’s largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics!
The AGB is a not-for-profit organization, relying on memberships, sponsorships, grants, donations, and proceeds from special events to keep their operation going, which makes it such an inspirational place to be.
Art Gallery of Burlington
Address: 1333 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9, Canada
Phone: +1 905-632-7796
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: Art Gallery of Burlington
10. Indulge in the history at the Ireland House Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
From past to present, get ahold of the knowledge and history of the Ireland family and of Burlington’s agricultural history. Ireland House Museum is one of Burlington’s oldest heritage homes, as it was built in 1837. For just 5 CAD (3.90 USD) you can get a tour of the place, which contains the history of Burlington from the 1830s to the 1920s, through the eyes of the Ireland family. For the history-seekers out there, don’t miss this place when in Burlington!
Ireland House Museum
Address: 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7P 5A8, Canada
Phone: +1 905-332-9888
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Sunday - 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Website: Ireland House Museum
11. Get wet at the Waterfront Trail
Want to get some sun or the beach getaway you’ve been dreaming of or maybe you just want a chill day in a park? Well, you might as well go to the Waterfront Trail in Burlington! It’s a combination of eight waterfront parks, an exquisite beach, and the downtown waterfront, pier and promenade. Better get yourself ready for an adventure and make sure to bring your swimwear and sunscreen.
Waterfront Trail
Address: 1094 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1A2, Canada
Website: Waterfront Trail
12. Bring your binoculars to Paletta Lakefront Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
“Majestic” will be your first thought when you see Paletta Lakefront Park, which effortlessly combines elegance with natural beauty. The gardens are remarkably green and clean and there is also a lakefront viewing spot that is a nice place to relax. Within the park, you’ll also find the Paletta Mansion, built around 1930 and it is divided into two parts, namely the estate lands, featuring the beauty of the mansion and its surrounding landscape, and the flood plain of Shore Acres Creek, a part of nature remaining fully untouched.
The park is often a wedding venue, so it is really a sight to see with your loved ones and is considered the “jewel in the crown” of the Burlington waterfront area.
Paletta Lakefront Park
Address: 4250 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, Ontario L7L 1A6, Canada
Phone: +1 905-632-7809
Website: Paletta Lakefront Park
13. Go hiking in Clappison Woods
Clappison Woods is a conservation area, featuring the Clappison Escarpment Woods ESA, the Regional Life Science ANSI, species at risk habitat, Bruce Trail and property trails. This place is used mainly for hiking and you can explore the biodiversity here, as you walk along the different trails, encountering different organisms, whether in motion or not.
Come here to become more aware of the nature around you, which will encourage you to take care of the beautiful environment Clappison Woods. Nature and outdoor enthusiasts alike will definitely love this place.
Clappison Woods
Address: Hwy 6, Dundas, ON L9H 7B8, Canada
Phone: +1 905-336-1158
Opening Hours: Open daily
Website: Clappison Woods
14. Bring your family to Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Part of the Ontario Parks System, Bronte Creek is filled with activities such as biking, birding, fishing, and hiking! Featuring a farmhouse and nature center where you can see a touch of agriculture in the park, with its farm animals, crops, and much more, this park is a great recreational venue!
The park is also great for camping or staying in a yurt and it is also known for hiking, as it offers a variety of trails, such as Maiden’s Blush Trail, Trillium Trail, Ravine Trail, Gateway Trail, and last but not the least, Halfmoon Valley Trail, with a combined distance of approximately 8.2 km (5.1 miles). This is an adventure filled park, indeed!
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Address: 3201 Upper Middle Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 0L9, Canada
Phone: +1 905-827-6911
Website: Bronte Creek Provincial Park
15. Discover different flowering plants at Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada. It is also a National Historic Site and a charitable organization. Here, activities include a showcase of the use of plants and the natural world to connect people, place and sustainable behaviors. One of the garden’s missions is to reconnect children with nature and the Royal Botanical Gardens leads a province-wide “Back to Nature” campaign, to help children discover the beauty of outdoors and nature.
The natural areas and gardens here are overflowing with different flowering species, which they also research for more discoveries and the development of the collection. This is a place great to relax and unwind from work or the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens also exhibits sculpture and artwork in natural areas for viewing. It is a very inspirational place to be in, for either clearing your mind or filling it with ideas to take back after unwinding.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Address: 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4, Canada
Phone: +1 905-527-1158
Opening Hours: Everyday - 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Website: Royal Botanical Gardens
Love of nature...
Discover the culture and vast history of the nature and agriculture of Burlington, Canada, where you can go to a lot of different natural places with unique twists. Have a look at beautiful Lake Ontario or the Niagara Escarpment. Find tranquility and be one with nature.
History
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