Escape to Paradise at Royal Botanical Gardens – Canada’s largest Botanical Gardens attract visitors from around the world throughout the year. One visit is never enough. Every season offers new experiences. Remember to bring your camera, sketchbook and binoculars and enjoy Paradise!

Nature Trails & Birding  – Let Your Spirits Soar – Nature trails, wetlands, meadows, woodlands the waterfront and escarpment lookouts are perfect spots to view more than 150 native and migratory bird species spotted annually in Burlington. The trails and sanctuaries of the Royal Botanical Garden are designated an Important Bird Area and home to more than 50 at-risk species and stopover point for thousands of migratory birds. The cliffs of the escarpment are natural lure for such raptors as bald eagles and a variety of hawks. From May to September view via hidden camera, the activity in an Osprey Nest!

It’s a Good Life – Winery & Taste of Burlington Tour – Couple your tour of one of Niagara’s great wineries with a sumptuous sampling of Burlington’s finest dining.  Taste of Burlington is a culinary festival each Winter and Summer featuring the eclectic styles and flavours of the world offered by many of Burlington’s finest prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner options.  Enhancing the experience further, many of the participating restaurants have linked the festival period to special themes and musical entertainment.

Guilty Pleasures Shopping Spree – Burlington is home to many unique retail outlets, unavailable in many other communities.  Visitors make a special trip to Burlington for the chance to shop for affordable home furnishings at IKEA, outdoor recreation gear and clothing at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) and one-of-a-kind gifts by local artisan artisans at the Art Etc Gallery Shop at the Burlington Art Centre.

Burlington Treasures – Scenic & Walking Tour –  Rated in the top three of Best Places to Live in Canada, Burlington is a beautiful city, located  on the shore so Lake Ontario.  Its natural beauty is complemented with an abundance of attractive locations and local treasures worth exploring, Spencer Smith Park is the centerpiece of Burlington’s waterfront that connects to the Great Waterfront Trail. Throughout the year it’s also home to the Sound of Music Festival, Canada’s Largest Ribfest, and Festival of Lights.  Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the city, a walking tour of our historic downtown, visit Canada’s 7th largest public Art Gallery or view the lovely homes along our historic Kings Highway.

Points in Time – Heritage Tours – Burlington’s Heritage museums celebrate the moments and people whose contributions enrich our community. History comes alive at Ireland House at Oakridge Farm, restored to reflect four generations of farm life on the four-acre homestead of the Ireland family, one of Burlington s earliest founding families. Programming features interpretive hands-on activities and special seasonal events. The Joseph Brant Museum, built to commemorate the homestead of the colourful native Captain Joseph Brant “Thayendanegea”, now houses more than 10,000 artifacts.  The museum also includes the Eileen Collard collection of historic costumes and textiles and ongoing travelling exhibits. Heritage, Environmental and Educational programs are available at Halton Region Museum in our beautiful Kelso Conservation Area.  Six historic buildings showcase 35,000 artifacts reflecting four generations of family farm life in the 1800’s.

Celebrate Fall at Conservation Halton – Rolling Hills, scenic country roads and the colour-saturated Escarpment make the perfect setting for a beautiful day at one or more of Conservation Halton areas.  Make your way through escarpment country visiting local artisans, pick up freshly harvested produce from local farms or enjoy the many activities available in our picturesque surroundings.

Natural & Cultural History Come Alive at Crawford Lake – Crawford Lake is part of the World biosphere Reserve and offers visitors a truly unique combination of natural and cultural heritage experiences. The lake itself is a rare example of a meromictic lake and the site offers a documented pre-European settlement, archeological sites and an authentically reconstructed 15^th century Iroquoian Village where visitors can re-lie history in a re-built longhouse.

Remembering Burlington’s Role in the War 1812 – Mohawk Chief John Brant or Ahyouwaighs, son of the legendary Joseph Brant, distinguished himself in the War of 1812 and successfully encouraged other Six Nations peoples to side with the British against the invading Americans. At the Joseph Brant Museum you’ll learn the important role Burlington and its local peoples played in the Anglo-American War and why Burlington’s waterfront location held special significance.

Self Guided Tours and Scripts

A step on guide is available for tour guides.   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details.

Related Pages

• Burlington Chocolate Trail
• History of Burlington
• Historical Downtown Walking Tour

Related Links