The Balfour House (Chedoke Estate) was formerly the site of an Iroquois settlement overlooking the escarpment. Built in 1836 by William Scott Burn, the house was owned by a succession of prominent Hamiltonians including the Balfour family, who occupied it from 1909-2013. The mansion is now owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by the City of Hamilton.

Barrel Heart Brewing is an upscale brewery and eatery in the old Dundas post office. The old-world brewing traditions are perfectly suited to the post office vibe. Visitors can enjoy lunch in the taproom, buy a few bottles of beer, or simply drink in the beauty of the location in a landmark Dundas building.

The Hamilton’s Community Builders Tour at Hamilton Cemetery is a unique and immersive experience that explores the history and cultural heritage of Hamilton and the influential community builders who helped shape the city. The tour takes visitors on a journey through the cemetery, visiting the graves of some of the city's most influential and innovative residents.

The Central Presbyterian Church, designed by John Lyle and opened in 1908, replaced an earlier church that was destroyed by fire. This was his only church. The flat roof resembles more the public buildings favoured by the beaux-arts style than traditional European churches. Central Presbyterian has one of the largest and finest Casavant organs in Hamilton. Recitals to be announced.

An example of High Victorian architecture, Century Manor was in operation from 1884 -1994. Indwell, a charity creating supportive housing communities, will preserve and transform this important heritage building into housing with 40 apartments and common areas. 

Registration is required.

Built in the 1840s, this picturesque building was a doctor's office for six consecutive local physicians and served generations of Dundas patients until 1974. When the office was under threat from nearby construction, Dr. Clarence Bates donated it to the Dundas Museum where it was moved on a truck. It is now the largest artifact in the Museum's collection.

Opened in 1956, the Dundas Museum & Archives is a private, non-profit museum that collects, interprets and celebrates the unique identity of the Valley Town. As part of Doors Open Hamilton, they welcome the public to tour its permanent galleries. As well, you can visit the historical circa 1848 Doctor's Office and the 1873 Pirie House.

Discover Fieldcote, a 1948 Tudor-style home turned cultural heritage centre in the heart of Ancaster. Celebrate local history, art and natural heritage, and explore the museums newest exhibit Beyond the Blue & White: Wedgewood Designed for Canada. Pick up a walking tour guide for Wilson Street and enjoy free live music on May 2nd from noon to 4 p.m.

Experience heritage conservation on one of Hamilton’s most storied streets. Their live‑work studios on Barton Street East showcase active restoration projects using traditional craft techniques. Visitors can explore real projects and see how heritage is preserved in a neighbourhood undergoing renewal.

The Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park, opened in July 2021, is a 1,300-square-metre (14,000-square-foot) greenhouse containing a unique collection of subtropical plants, palm trees, a waterfall and fishpond. Visitors can view the production greenhouses where annual plants intended for the city’s gardens and traffic islands are started. Plants will be transferred this year beginning May 24.

The George R. Robinson Bandshell was built in 1947 in memory of Lieutenant George R. Robinson. Robinson, born 1840, was Bandmaster of the 13th Battalion Royal Canadian Militia from 1869 until his death, and is credited with reforming Canadian music. His Battalion Band was known for traveling across North America. Today, the bandshell serves as a stage for summer concerts.

Situated in a park-like setting in the heart of Waterdown, Grace Anglican Church is a welcoming, affirming, inclusive faith community for people of all backgrounds. Its stunning Gothic-revival building, with gorgeous stained-glass windows, was built in 1860. The parish has its own food bank and is engaged in social justice, climate justice, and truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

The elegant Edwardian gable and bay on Grant Avenue was transformed by Dan Lanois, Bob Lanois and Bob Doidge into the world-renowned recording venue, Grant Avenue Studio. The two-storey box bay façade with stained-glass windows has welcomed artists from Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers to U2 and Johnny Cash. Check out this excellent example of adaptive reuse.

The Halo Studio is a one-of-a-kind recording studio that offers professional audio engineering services in the heart of downtown Hamilton. Their custom-built studio was originally designed by Trevor Garwood Jones as a dental office in 1972. Some architectural detailing remains and now provides the perfect vibes for creating great projects. Their control room has recorded Bruce Springsteen and Kanye West.

Step back in time and explore the Hamilton Cemetery Gatehouse. Nestled at the entrance to Hamilton Cemetery, Ontario’s oldest public burial ground, this charming structure offers a glimpse into the city’s storied past.

Built in the 1854, the Gatehouse is an example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Once serving as the caretaker’s residence, this heritage building now stands as a gateway to the rich history preserved within the cemetery grounds

Explore the Hamilton Children’s Museum brand-new expanded building and stretch your imagination as you touch, build and experiment in a friendly, child-focused setting. Come see the new exhibits and participate in hands-on activities. Please note visits will be limited to 1.15 hour in length and there may be extensive wait times to visit the museum. Parking is limited.

Hamilton Craft Studios is a 1,300-square-metre (14,000-square-foot) multidisciplinary craft space in a historical wire factory in downtown Hamilton. Panoramic windows fill the space with natural light. The second floor houses woodworking and fabrication spaces, while the third floor features ceramics, textiles and general arts studios — offering tools, equipment and shared workspaces for makers of all skill levels.

Battery Lodge, now home to the Hamilton Military Museum, began as a guardhouse during the 1837 Rebellion. Today it showcases military history through exhibits including Lawyers and Land Pirates and Blood Ties to a Gentle Landscape. Explore the Discovery Gallery, experience life as a soldier and try the accordions or drums celebrating Hamilton: city of music!

Tisdale House is the oldest home in Ancaster. In the 1820s, the building was occupied by "Charcoal Burner" John O’Neil and housed two charcoal kilns. Later, the house became an undertaker’s parlour run by George Moore. The house has been fully retrofitted and is now home to the Ancaster Community Policing Centre and the Hamilton Police Museum.

Located at the Hill Park Learning Centre, the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Archives contains records and memorabilia of almost 350 former and current Hamilton-region schools. The volunteers and staff will be illustrating the many schools in Hamilton Region that have been repurposed to residential or commercial use. This is a treasure trove for former students and families!

Downtown Hamilton is full of rich history, and the BIA's self-guided historic tour will take you through its most significant chapters to the quirky excerpts that might just surprise you. There's a fun fact for everyone just waiting to be uncovered! Made in collaboration with Hamilton Public Library and historian Bill King.

Following the Presbyterian tradition, Knox in Waterdown is an important community hub responding to the needs of the parish. The older Georgian hall is used for food service and community gatherings. The Edwardian sanctuary is fitted out with a stage and a full set of musical instruments that are played for Sunday mass, as well as other occasions.

As an Anglican church, St. Mark’s served the community for over 100 years before closing in 1989. Now owned by the City of Hamilton, the site has undergone extensive restoration, preserving the heritage character of the building and park, while adding modern services, gardens and accessibility. It now has a new life as a community arts and cultural programming space.

Main Stage Rehearsal Studios is Ontario’s largest professional rehearsal facility and a one-stop creative hub for musicians and creators. Their 10,668 square-metre (35,000-square-foot) space features 40-plus studios for rehearsals, recording, podcasting, video production and live performance. Serving over 1,000 musicians each month, they provide professional gear, inspiring spaces and a supportive community where artists can create, collaborate and grow.

The Mohawk Trail School is a historical one-room schoolhouse built in 1882. It is a fine example of architecture that served early education in Ontario. It became a museum in 1967 as part of the centennial celebrations. Come and tour the schoolhouse — the oldest surviving example in the community that is still presented in its original form.