Burlington

Burlington is a city of 185,000 people (2016) in Ontario, Canada which lies across Burlington Bay from Hamilton. It's on the north shore of Lake Ontario, a 45-minute drive from Toronto and Niagara.

The city's waterfront features dining, water play, skating and model boating. Downtown, next to the lake, are many homes owned by middle to upper-class families, and many expensive homes of millionaires living in Burlington. Enjoy unique shopping, exquisite dining, the world-renowned Royal Botanical Gardens, museums, art galleries, golf courses, scenic hiking and biking trails and lively festivals such as Sound of Music and Canada's Largest Ribfest.

Before pioneer settlement in the 19th century, the area was covered by the primeval forest that stretched between the provincial capital of (York now Toronto) and the town of Hamilton, and was home to various First Nations peoples. In 1792, John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, named the western end of Lake Ontario "Burlington Bay" after the town of Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. By the time land beside the bay was deeded to Captain Joseph Brant at the turn of the 19th century, the name "Burlington" was already in common use. With the completion of the local survey after the War of 1812, the land was opened for settlement. Early farmers prospered in the Burlington area because of the fertile soil and moderate temperatures. Produce from the farms was shipped out via the bustling docks of the lakeside villages of Port Nelson and Wellington Square, and to Brown's Wharf in the nearby village of Port Flamborough (which was to become Aldershot). Lumber taken from the surrounding forests also competed for space on the busy docks. However, in the latter half of the 19th century, increased wheat production from Western Canada convinced local farmers to switch to fruit and vegetable production.

In 1874, Wellington Square and Port Nelson were incorporated into the Village of Burlington. However, the arrival of large steamships on the Great Lakes made the small docks of the local ports obsolete, and the increased use of railway to ship goods marked the end of the commercial wharves.

As more settlers arrived and cleared the land, cash crops replaced subsistence farming. Gradually, mixed farming and market gardens became the dominant form of agriculture, and in the early 20th century the area was declared the Garden of Canada. The first peaches grown in Canada were cultivated in the Grindstone Creek watershed in the city's south-west part. Today over forty percent of the Grindstone Creek watershed is still devoted to farms, orchards and nurseries.

Following the Second World War, cheap electricity from nearby Niagara Falls and better transportation access due to the new (1939) Queen Elizabeth Way encouraged light industry and families to move to Burlington. The population skyrocketed as new homes were built.

The climate is moderated by its proximity to Lake Ontario. Monthly mean temperatures range from 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in July to −4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in January. The average annual precipitation is 878 millimetres (34.6 in) of rain and 109 centimetres (43 in) of snow.

Although it shares the temperate climate found in Southern Ontario, its proximity to Lake Ontario moderates winter temperatures and it also benefits from a sheltering effect of the Niagara Escarpment, allowing the most northerly tracts of Carolinian forest to thrive on the Escarpment that runs through western sections of city.

• Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd (at Nelson Ave. Canadian contemporary art, ceramics.
• Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St (at Elgin St. Performance and exhibit venue.
• Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line. Tu-Fr 10AM-4PM, Su 1Pm-4PM. Heritage farmhouse of the Ireland family preserved as a museum.
• Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd E. Closed for 18 months for renovation as of October 2017. A museum dedicated to Joseph Brant, a Mohawk military and political leader who sided with the British during the American Revolution.
• Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.
  • RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
  • Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
  • Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
  • Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.
• Freeman Station, 3023 Fairview St (east side of Central Fire Station. Check website for dates open. The City of Burlington purchased this former railway station (built in 1906) for preservation, and had it moved from its original location.

There are 115 parks and 325 ha of parkland within the city. A complete list of parks can be found here

• Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd. This waterfront park features: Naval War Memorial, Brant Street Pier, Terry Fox Monument, Lady of the Lake Bronze Sculpture, Japanese Garden. It is also a venue for annual events.
• The Beachway, 1100 Lakeshore Rd. Sandy beach, playground, concession stands, trails.
• Central Park, 2299 New St. Park for community activities. Features: Bandshell, labyrinth, community garden, Rotary Memorial Forest, playgrounds.
• Kerncliff Park, 2198 Kerns Rd. A former quarry, Kerncliff Park is located on the Niagara escarpment and features a natural stone backdrop, wooden bridge over a marsh, nature trails and views of the city and Lake Ontario.
• LaSalle Park, 50 North Shore Blvd. The park features waterfront area, trails, open green space and a replica of a historic pavilion.

Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd. This waterfront park features: Naval War Memorial, Brant Street Pier, Terry Fox Monument, Lady of the Lake Bronze Sculpture, Japanese Garden. It is also a venue for annual events.

The Beachway, 1100 Lakeshore Rd. Sandy beach, playground, concession stands, trails.

Central Park, 2299 New St. Park for community activities. Features: Bandshell, labyrinth, community garden, Rotary Memorial Forest, playgrounds.

Kerncliff Park, 2198 Kerns Rd. A former quarry, Kerncliff Park is located on the Niagara escarpment and features a natural stone backdrop, wooden bridge over a marsh, nature trails and views of the city and Lake Ontario.

LaSalle Park, 50 North Shore Blvd. The park features waterfront area, trails, open green space and a replica of a historic pavilion.

Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd (at Nelson Ave. Canadian contemporary art, ceramics.

Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St (at Elgin St. Performance and exhibit venue.

Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line. Tu-Fr 10AM-4PM, Su 1Pm-4PM. Heritage farmhouse of the Ireland family preserved as a museum.

Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd E. Closed for 18 months for renovation as of October 2017. A museum dedicated to Joseph Brant, a Mohawk military and political leader who sided with the British during the American Revolution.

Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.

• RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
• Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
• Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
• Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.

Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.

• RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
• Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
• Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
• Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.

Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.

• RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
• Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
• Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
• Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.

Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.

• RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
• Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
• Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
• Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.

Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-1158. Jan-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-8PM with some seasonal variations by park. Canada's largest botanical garden is comprised of four separate parks containing gardens and natural areas, spread out over 900 hectares. There is an RBG-run shuttle bus on summer weekends between the RBG parks. The four parks span a distance of over 3KM, and this excludes walking in each park. The admission price allows access to all four parks for the day. Here are the parks listed east to west. Adult $18, senior/student $15, child $10, family $40.

• RBG Centre & Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington (Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "RBG" stop. The main park; cafe in the RBG centre and a teahouse in Hendrie Park.
• Laking Garden, 1260 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington (1KM west of the RBG Centre.
• Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd, Waterdown (1KM west of Laking Garden, Burlington Transit Bus 1/1X to "Valley Inn" or "Rock Garden" stop. Cafe on-site.
• Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Waterdown (1⅓KM west of Rock Garden, via Old Guelph Rd. The largest of the four parks with a Nature interpretation Centre.

Freeman Station, 3023 Fairview St (east side of Central Fire Station. Check website for dates open. The City of Burlington purchased this former railway station (built in 1906) for preservation, and had it moved from its original location.

A great time to visit Burlington is in the summer, when numerous free festivals are held.

• Discovery Landing. A 14,200 square foot landmark building that faces out to the lake and offers prime storm and weather watching views. Designed by Baird Sampson Nuert it has given residents and visitors a unique place to discover, celebrate, play, and relax by our lake. Discovery Landing is open all day, daily and features The Observatory, Spencer's on the Waterfront, the Bite Café, and an information area to provide information on the park. Discovery Landing overlooks the Rotary Centennial Pond, a 10,000 square-foot year-round water feature. In the spring, summer and fall it is a reflective pool ideal for model sail boating and in winter it will have free ice-skating on an artificial ice surface.
• Hike the Bruce Trail. A portion of the Bruce Trail, the hiking trail that runs along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory runs through Burlington. The Burlington portion of the trail starts near the intersection of Highway 6 and Mountain Brow Rd., skirts the escarpment before reaching Snake Rd., and then takes a winding path that isn't always easy to follow (if you find yourself in a cemetery near a convent, you've gone the wrong way), but leads to a few beautiful waterfalls just before entering Waterdown. East of Waterdown, the trail then runs through Kerncliff Park, crosses Dundas St., then runs for several miles through rural Burlington before entering Milton.

• Canada's Largest Ribfest, Spencer Smith Park. Labour Day weekend. Music, crafts and some of the best rib makers in North America.
• Sound of Music Festival, downtown, waterfront, +1 905-333-6364. Proclaimed as Canada's largest free music festival. Five day free music festival on several stages. Jazz, folk, rock, pop, country, blues, latin, celtic. Parade, carnival, marketplace, family zone and downtown streetfest. Held on Father's Day weekend in early June.

Canada's Largest Ribfest, Spencer Smith Park. Labour Day weekend. Music, crafts and some of the best rib makers in North America.

Sound of Music Festival, downtown, waterfront, +1 905-333-6364. Proclaimed as Canada's largest free music festival. Five day free music festival on several stages. Jazz, folk, rock, pop, country, blues, latin, celtic. Parade, carnival, marketplace, family zone and downtown streetfest. Held on Father's Day weekend in early June.

• During December, you can walk through an extensive Christmas lights display downtown at Spencer Smith Park. Showing the Eiffel Tower and various large displays of lights, this is the time when you can enjoy the beauty of Christmas.
• On July 1, you can celebrate Canada Day in Spencer Smith Park and gather with dozens of others to wave the Canadian flag with pride and music.

During December, you can walk through an extensive Christmas lights display downtown at Spencer Smith Park. Showing the Eiffel Tower and various large displays of lights, this is the time when you can enjoy the beauty of Christmas.

On July 1, you can celebrate Canada Day in Spencer Smith Park and gather with dozens of others to wave the Canadian flag with pride and music.

Discovery Landing. A 14,200 square foot landmark building that faces out to the lake and offers prime storm and weather watching views. Designed by Baird Sampson Nuert it has given residents and visitors a unique place to discover, celebrate, play, and relax by our lake. Discovery Landing is open all day, daily and features The Observatory, Spencer's on the Waterfront, the Bite Café, and an information area to provide information on the park. Discovery Landing overlooks the Rotary Centennial Pond, a 10,000 square-foot year-round water feature. In the spring, summer and fall it is a reflective pool ideal for model sail boating and in winter it will have free ice-skating on an artificial ice surface.

Hike the Bruce Trail. A portion of the Bruce Trail, the hiking trail that runs along the Niagara Escarpment from [[Niagara Peninsula|Niagara]] to [[Tobermory (Ontario)|Tobermory]] runs through Burlington. The Burlington portion of the trail starts near the intersection of Highway 6 and Mountain Brow Rd., skirts the escarpment before reaching Snake Rd., and then takes a winding path that isn't always easy to follow (if you find yourself in a cemetery near a convent, you've gone the wrong way), but leads to a few beautiful waterfalls just before entering Waterdown. East of Waterdown, the trail then runs through Kerncliff Park, crosses Dundas St., then runs for several miles through rural Burlington before entering Milton.

• Mapleview Shopping Centre, 900 Maple Ave. Shopping centre with more than 150 stores.
• Burlington Mall, 777 Guelph Line. Shopping centre.
• Burlington Downtown, Brant Street (between Baldwin St and Lakeshore Rd. Many small shops, restaurants, cafés, and boutiques in an old town setting.
• Lee Valley Tools, 3060 Davidson Ct (off Guelph Line north of the QEW. Products for woodworking and gardening enthusiasts.

Mapleview Shopping Centre, 900 Maple Ave. Shopping centre with more than 150 stores.

Burlington Mall, 777 Guelph Line. Shopping centre.

Burlington Downtown, Brant Street (between Baldwin St and Lakeshore Rd. Many small shops, restaurants, cafés, and boutiques in an old town setting.

Lee Valley Tools, 3060 Davidson Ct (off Guelph Line north of the QEW. Products for woodworking and gardening enthusiasts.

There are many great dining establishments in Burlington. The restaurants below are just a few of over 200 establishments.

• Easterbrook's Hotdog Stand, 694 Spring Gardens Rd (near Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-9679. 10AM–10PM (summer), 10AM–8PM (winter). Well-known for its footlong hotdogs (note that a "regular" hotdog here is a footlong) its ice cream and milkshakes are also good. The restaurant has been located at this location since 1930 and features a retro atmosphere.

Easterbrook's Hotdog Stand, 694 Spring Gardens Rd (near Royal Botanical Gardens, +1 905-527-9679. 10AM–10PM (summer), 10AM–8PM (winter). Well-known for its footlong hotdogs (note that a "regular" hotdog here is a footlong) its ice cream and milkshakes are also good. The restaurant has been located at this location since 1930 and features a retro atmosphere.

• Beaver and Bulldog, 2020 Lakeshore Rd, +1 289 337-9119.
• Le Chinois Plus, 1250 Brant St, +1 905 331-0033. Chinese restaurant.
• West Plains Bistro, 133 Plains Rd, +1 905 333-9449.

Beaver and Bulldog, 2020 Lakeshore Rd, +1 289 337-9119.

Le Chinois Plus, 1250 Brant St, +1 905 331-0033. Chinese restaurant.

West Plains Bistro, 133 Plains Rd, +1 905 333-9449.

• Earls, 900 Maple Ave (Mapleview Mall, +1 905 631-1212.
• Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill, 900 Maple Ave (across from Earls at the Mapleview Mall, +1 289 288-0484. 11AM-2AM. There is also another location at 4155 Fairview Street.
• The Carriage House, 2101 Old Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 634-7723.
• The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St, +1 905 333-4991.
• Honey West, 399 Elizabeth St, +1 905 634-7999.
• Downtown Bistro & Grill, 441 Elizabeth St, +1 905 639-7577.
• The Martini House, 437 Elizabeth St, +1 905 333-9553.
• Paradiso Restaurant, 2041 Pine St, +1 905 639-1176.
• Pepperwood Bistro, 1455 Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 333-6999.
• SB Prime, 380 Brant St, +1 905 634-6275.
• Siam Dish Thai Cuisine, 1477 Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 632-2525.
• Water Street Cooker, 2084 Old Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 634-2084.

Earls, 900 Maple Ave (Mapleview Mall, +1 905 631-1212.

Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill, 900 Maple Ave (across from Earls at the Mapleview Mall, +1 289 288-0484. 11AM-2AM. There is also another location at 4155 Fairview Street.

The Carriage House, 2101 Old Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 634-7723.

The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St, +1 905 333-4991.

Honey West, 399 Elizabeth St, +1 905 634-7999.

Downtown Bistro & Grill, 441 Elizabeth St, +1 905 639-7577.

The Martini House, 437 Elizabeth St, +1 905 333-9553.

Paradiso Restaurant, 2041 Pine St, +1 905 639-1176.

Pepperwood Bistro, 1455 Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 333-6999.

SB Prime, 380 Brant St, +1 905 634-6275.

Siam Dish Thai Cuisine, 1477 Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 632-2525.

Water Street Cooker, 2084 Old Lakeshore Rd, +1 905 634-2084.

• Greater Toronto Area
• Hamilton
• Niagara Peninsula which includes Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake