Hamilton, located 43 miles west of Niagara Falls, is Canada’s largest steel center. It is a city that’s thriving both industrially and culturally. This city is located on Hamilton Harbor, one of a handful of urban centers in North America that are tiered and encircle a bay of significant size to serve as an international port.

It’s interesting to note that Hamilton Harbor ranks one of Canada's largest seaports. The two major physical features are Hamilton Harbor marking the northern limit of the city (which is spanned by the majestic Skyway Bridge to Toronto) and the Niagara Escarpment running through the middle of the entire city bisecting it into 'upper' and 'lower' parts.

The escarpment is in many places a 330 foot vertical wall of limestone shale with many waterfalls and creeks falling over it. Geography aside, this industrial city has acres of gardens, modern theatre, and Ontario’s third largest art gallery.

Hamilton is located at the heart of the ‘Golden Horseshoe’, a configuration of three cities - Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Falls - which wrap around the southwestern tip of Lake Ontario. Hamilton is only 50 minutes by bus or car from Toronto and Niagara Falls.

This means you could experience the excitement of big city life in cosmopolitan Toronto one weekend, and visit one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, Niagara Falls, and the next. Moreover, Hamilton is one hour from the US border and Buffalo, NY, and an hour by air from New York City.

So now that I’ve told you the city has progressive business, beautiful scenery, a great location and an appreciation for the arts, are you ready to travel to the westernmost end of Lake Ontario to take in all there is to see and do? You bet!

Anytime of the year that you visit Hamilton, there will be a wealth of activities just waiting to be explored. Even in the winter, you’ll be entertained by the wide-open spaces where you can cross-country ski and the rolling hills where downhill skiers and sledders alike revel in the brisk speed.

Christmas is a special time in Hamilton, when the simplicity of Christmases past comes back to life; carolers can be found on the street and the city’s already-amazing historic architecture is decked out in greenery and many times open to holiday tours.

Anyone who enjoys a water view will be enraptured by a stay in Hamilton. Sail boats, jet skis and speed boats share the bay. Trails in the city – 85 miles of trails – are great for anyone who likes to bike or walk. It’s also important to note that more than two-dozen golf courses are in the area.  Hamilton is a favorite with movie location scouts for its less-than-scenic aspects: its gritty industrial landscape can be seen in many movies.

Hamilton is proud of the fact that it has transformed its former industrial landfills into beautiful lush parks, a helm of activity for young and old. Despite its commonly-held "industrial apocalypse" image, there are over 2600 acres of parkland in the city. Bayfront Park and Pier 4 feature a landlocked tugboat that kids can play on, and it’s the perfect place to unwind after a busy day.

Whether you choose to sit and read a good book, or take an energizing jog, this is the place to go in Hamilton. If you like flowers, set out to see some wonderful colors filling the earth when you visit the world’s largest lilac collection, the Tulip and Iris Show and displays at the famous Royal Botanical Gardens.

And for those who like to shop, be assured that Hamilton has a diverse availability of shops and boutiques that will enable you to bring home a nice souvenir – or two!