Hamilton: More than the Steel City
By MAVIS VAZ, MACINSIDERS
As many of us are well aware, it is often the case that the place we know the least about is the place we spend the most time in. This is also most likely the case for most of us at Mac. Between the books and the many social opportunities available to us on campus, it is often harder to put in the effort to see the rest of Hamilton. In fact, Hamilton has much more to see and do than one would expect. However, finding these little gems can be hard. To make it a little easier, Macinsiders offers you a look into some things to do in and around Hamilton. So if you are in Hamilton this summer and are tired of your usual summer plans, read on and start planning an amazing time in the Hammer! Here are
three must see things in Hamilton:
1. Hamilton Waterfront
www.hamiltonwaterfron t.com
So much to do here for just about every price range! If you’re looking for something different to do for an afternoon, try the Hamiltonian Tour Boat. It gives you a 50 minute tour of Hamilton Harbour, narrated by the captain of the boat. Student tickets are $10.50 and leave hourly starting at 11.00am.
If you are looking for something a little more classy and (exciting!) why not try a Hamilton Harbour Queen Cruise? Prices range from $41.50 to $64.00, depending on the day, time and length of the cruise you wish to take. While this may seem a little pricey, keep in mind that it includes the cruise, lunch or dinner, non-alcoholic drink and all taxes.
Finally, if you have a night out in mind, check out the Hamilton Lights Dance Party Cruise. The cost is $15.75 for students (19+) and runs every Saturday night of the summer from 9.30pm to midnight. A cash bar is available on the cruise as well!
So many fabulous ways to enjoy the Hamilton Waterfront! Check out the website and pick your cruise of choice!
2. Haunted Hamilton’s Ghost Walks
www.ghostwalksofhamil ton.com
I have heard many times that Hamilton is home to many haunted sites. If ghosts and ghouls haunt your fancy, sign up for a walking tour of some of Downtown Hamilton’s creepiest spots! (Ghost Walks are also offered in the Niagara-on-the-Lake and Ancaster regions.) The Downtown Hamilton Ghost Walk only occurs about once a month, so check out the website for future dates. Stops on the walk include the Royal Connaught Hotel, the Right House, Hamilton Place, Whitehern and St. Paul's Church. Adult tickets are $10.00 and tours begin at 8.30pm. Make reservations online and if you’re lucky, you may be witness to a ghost sighting!
3. Webster’s Falls
http://www.conservationhamil ton.ca...ters_falls.asp
If something more ‘natural’ is what you have in mind (and you are on a budget), Webster’s Falls, outside of Dundas, may be more to your liking. The area offers beautiful hiking trails and picnic areas. A staircase from the top of the 22-metre-high waterfall takes you to the bottom and leads you past a smaller ‘ribbon’ waterfall, called Baby Webster’s Falls.
There is much folklore surrounding the beautiful falls including one story about an Indian princess and her lover, in a time before Europeans came to the area. The princess had been promised in marriage to a member of the Erie Nation but had fallen in love with a man from a neighbouring Nation. When her father threatened to imprison her unless she married the man chosen for her, the young princess and her lover saw no way for themselves to be together. So rather than live without each other, they threw themselves, arms wrapped around each other, over the edge of the waterfall. Legend has it that during a full moon, when the water is high, the princess and her lover can be seen to rise from the mists of the waterfall, to the precipice from where they once jumped, to pledge their endless love to each other once more.
Even if the love story doesn’t inspire you, Webster’s Falls is worth the short trip off of campus. A beautiful spot so close to McMaster is worth seeing at least once during your stay at McMaster.
There are many other things to do around Hamilton, including museums, art galleries and extreme sports! To find out about some more of these opportunities, check out the following websites:
Tourism Hamilton
Hamilton Worldweb
Find out about all the amazing things to see and do in this city we call our second home! Make your summer in Hamilton unforgettable!
