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.

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 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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

The Music Hall was originally built as Centenary Methodist Church in 1868. Designed by architect Albert Harvey Hills, the building is a stunning example of Victorian-romanesque Now the New Vision United Church (The Music Hall) is a designated building in the City of Hamilton. It boasts soaring ceilings, glorious acoustics, a wrap-around mezzanine and massive stained-glass windows. It is a sight to behold! 

An 1876 murder ... the killer hanged ... rumours of a ghost. Historical facts or backdrop for great theatre? The Players’ Guild of Hamilton has been a leader in the local community theatre scene since 1875, making it North America’s oldest community theatre group. Enjoy guided tours and a cash bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages). Open rehearsals may also occur.

The Westdale was built in 1935 as Hamilton's first cinema equipped to show “talkies” — motion pictures with sound. It is the centerpiece of Westdale Village. In 2016, a group of arts and culture-minded Hamiltonians decided to save it from developers. Today, The Westdale has been beautifully restored into a stunning art deco, single-screen theatre and multidisciplinary performance space.

The Theatrix Costume House is located behind an Edwardian gable front beside the fabric district on Ottawa Street. Theatrix has one of the largest collections of costumes available in North America, with over 50,000 professional-quality costumes and accessories from every century. During Doors Open, they are thrilled to showcase music-inspired costumes. The team will be delighted to dress up, too!

The Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, housed in Hamilton's Custom House, was founded in 1995 by a group of labour historians, artists, union and community activists who saw a need for a community museum that could celebrate the history of workers and labour. Since its founding, they have expanded their vision of work to be as inclusive as possible.