Burlington brings together a natural waterfront beach, cycling and hiking trails, museums, art and events. When choosing where to stay, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on: time by the water, outdoor activities or a culture-focused visit. The destinations and activities offer different options for each.

Waterfront and trails for getting active

At the natural waterfront beach in Beachway Park, you can swim and cool off in the water. This gives you a specific way to spend time by the water. On the Waterfront Trail along the shore, you can walk, cycle and inline skate. Burlington’s trails make cycling possible both for recreation and as a means of getting around. So cycling plays a role not only in leisure activities but also in transportation.

The Bruce Trail runs through Burlington and offers opportunities for hiking. Together with the beach and activities on the Waterfront Trail, it gives you a range of ways to spend time outdoors. When planning, you can decide what to focus on based on whether you want to swim, walk, cycle, inline skate or hike.

Gardens and nature reserve

The Royal Botanical Gardens span Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario, and include gardens as well as a nature reserve. They are Canada’s largest botanical garden. This means that, alongside the waterfront and trails, Burlington also offers a large-scale botanical and nature-focused attraction. The gardens and nature reserve differ from activities centered on getting active on trails or swimming in the lake.

History, museums and art

Ireland House on Oakridge Farm was built between 1835 and 1837 and was the home of Joseph Ireland, one of Burlington’s earliest settlers. Ireland House Museum offers guided tours, heritage interpretation demonstrations and interactive programs. The house’s history and the different ways it is presented make it a specific place to visit if you’re interested in Burlington’s early history.

Joseph Brant Museum is Burlington’s community museum. It has three galleries and spaces for temporary exhibitions. This gives it a different focus from Ireland House Museum: here, the emphasis is on galleries and changing exhibitions, while Ireland House also offers guided tours and interactive programs.

For art, there’s also the Art Gallery of Burlington. It’s located downtown on the shore of Lake Ontario and along the Waterfront Trail. This lets you combine an interest in art with a visit to a place whose setting is shaped by its downtown location, the waterfront and the trail.

Events as a reason to visit

Spencer Smith Park is a hub for many of Burlington’s major festivals and events. If a festival or event is the reason for your trip, check the dates in advance. That way, you can plan around a specific event rather than simply assuming there will be events in the park.

Whether beaches and outdoor activities, gardens and nature, historical interpretation, exhibitions or events are what draw you, Burlington offers a variety of focuses for a stay. The destinations and activities mentioned can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Milton, Acton, Halton Hills, Oakville

For the regional travel overview: Regional Municipality Of Halton.