Introduction to Hamilton, Ontario

75km (47 miles) SW of Toronto

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine asked for recommendations on where to go on a day trip around Toronto. When I suggested Hamilton, she was surprised. She's a lifelong Toronto resident, and she had never been there. Moreover, she'd never thought about going there. Hamilton may be Ontario's most-overlooked city, and it's a shame. Situated on a landlocked harbor spanned at its entrance by the Burlington Skyway's dramatic sweep, Hamilton has long been nicknamed "Steeltown" for its industrial roots. Since the early 1990s, however, Hamilton has been making a name for itself with its ever-expanding list of attractions. It takes roughly an hour to drive here from Toronto, and a day trip here is time well spent for the entire family.