Top Museums in Hamilton, Canada

Cannot rate as it was not open when we got there on Saturday at 10am. Had two little very disappointed.

A small but thorough museum! Highly recommend, plenty to do to keep kiddos entertained. Knowledgeable staff with a great sense of humor!

Very small, not worth a trip on it's own. But certainly if you're at Dundurn, check it out. Devoted solely to the local events during the war of 1812, it is a neat little window into a small period of time, as pivotal as it was. From land use to the various participants, it is well done for what it is.

I had high hopes for the Hamilton Toy Museum, as did my excited children. Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. Despite the museum's advertised opening time of Saturday at 10AM, we arrived punctually only to find it closed.
We even waited for some time in the cold hoping for someone to show up. It's incredibly frustrating and disheartening to plan a family outing only to be let down by the lack of punctuality on the museum's part. If you're only open once a week, the least you can do is ensure you're open as advertised.

It was here that I learned that On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops enter Washington, D.C. and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York ( now Toronto) in Ontario, Canada, in June 1813.

Free to visit, had lots of toys for my son to play with. Very nice owner. Interesting toy mementos for parents to ogle at too!

This place is absolutely gorgeous! Perfect for a day picnic in summers, watching the season change in fall and winters too. Perfect spot for clicking memorable pictures, weddings and even first dates. It's a popular location for film shoots, particularly hallmark movies. This place has my heart.

Admittedly we went on a bit of a dreary day (weather wise), with a thunderstorm appearing at the end of our visit, serving to both clear the park out, as well as dampen our resolve to see the gardens in the back.

We took a tour of the estate, while the staff was knowledgeable and friendly, I found it quite disheartening that the estate itself was in an early state of disrepair.
It's effective enough to tell a story and tour through, certainly - but compared to similar places in other countries the peeling wallpaper and subtle cracks in the paint, along with some of the warping wood throughout the property leads one to wondering why these things are tolerated when you'd never see anything of the sort in any other commonwealth nations national historic site.

Certainly worth a visit, and we would have loved to see the gardens in the back, but don't expect to be blown away with opulence as you might expect from other "castles"

Absolutely amazing experience with a tour guide booked in advance, we're able to travel back in those times when Hamilton just started to emerge and establish as a newly built community. Having a tour guide at this place is absolutely necessary as you're going to learn a lot of facts and history, as well as all the questions answered. Staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and willing to provide the best experience.

Great day trip for family. Affordable tour that includes a kitchen demo. Staff are in period attire . Military museum and interesting kitchen garden that lets you smell and taste some fruits and herbs. Kids had fun playing in the military room and trying military clothes on the first floor. Great location for photoshoots. Saw some doing engagement shoots.

Small and simple but very interesting

Great experience, and I definitely remember visiting when in Hamilton.
Only guided tours are allowed, so you can't go into the Castle on your own. But worth it. The tour takes about an hour and 20 mins. Very fun. We had a wonderful guide.
The Castle has an interesting history, and lots of character. Our group was small, which I learned later we were lucky to have. Our friends had 12 in their group, and they said it was too crowded. We had 8, including 3 kids. Perfect size.
I recommend checking if the kitchen is open, because it generally is and you get to taste some yummy things prepared in the Castle kitchen from old recipes.
We all enjoyed the tour. I honestly recommend it.

I visited here yesterday located on the grounds of Dundurn Castle after you checked in for a tour at Dundurn Castle you receive a pass for the museum afterwards. The museum is a self guided tour, you walk around and check out all the displays, and artifacts from Hamilton's history in past Wars. I found alot of the displays to be very informative and well setup. There is some interactive displays. I enjoyed the museum and learned many new things about our past history in Wars. The staff was very polite and accommodating.

This is an interesting place to visit. There are so many rooms to see and history to think about.
The only reason I'm giving it only 4 stars is because the group is pretty big for the size of most of the rooms. For us, we had this group of 5 who thought it was their own personal tour. So they would take their time looking at the rooms and taking pictures while the rest of us would have to wait. Then the tour guide would start explaining the room before everyone was in.
I would definitely recommend visiting.

Dundurn Castle is so worth the visit (and only about $15/person)!
The tour lasts about 1 hour.
Parking is free.
You'll have to book tickets online — but you might also be able to walk in and book in person (if it's not a busy day). You can also see (online) how many others have already booked for each tour guide sessions.
We went at 2pm on a Tuesday and it wasn't busy. Parking was easy.
Our tour guide (Michael) was excellent!
When we went, they also had a "cook" that gave us small shortbread squares.
The castle itself feels like a big, old mansion — rather than a "castle". But it's still fascinating.

Visit to the castle was beyond my expectation! The guide was very knowledgeable and thoroughly explained MacNab’s family and every room, design and details in the mansion. A must visit if you’re in Hamilton. I brought my kids (5, 8, 9) with me and they also loved it!

Lovely garden. I got to visit it during the Historic Plant sale. It’s very well maintained and they have signs in different places to teach you about this and that. Very interesting! Will visit again in a few weeks as it’ll look even better I’m sure

My son loves it!

Went for a wedding, was lovely

Interesting place if you are a club seat holder

Interesting place with a lot of stuff that reminds you of your childhood!

Very small museum close to Dundurn Castle. When you buy a ticket for Dundurn Castle, they provide this ticket too. There are not many exhibits, but you can take pictures wearing 18th century clothing. Viewing hours are from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. If you cannot attend, you can use it on another day. 20~30 minutes is enough to look around.

Really disappointed about the hall of fame. We though that it wouldn't only be the heads of the honored football players, but history and objects. Also, from the station, really hard to get there since there are no indication and the staff doesn't know where it is.

McMaster University museum offers exhibitions linked with the university history. You can find there interesting exhibitions that might help you to understand both historical background of the school but also philosophy and biograms of its founding fathers. I recommend this museum to visit for people interesting in history and princies of academia.

It is a small museum but fun if you are interested in history. Unlike other places, you can touch some exhibits and try war time outfits. Admission is free if you purchase a ticket for the tour of the Dundurn castle, which is a plus. The staff member was really friendly and helpful.

Very beautiful place 💓 They have very high security for the painting from back 19s 20 centuries so no one can steal them also i met alot of staff members they were so kind helpful and awesome i like it ( God bless ) and keep it up💓💓💓💓💓

This review includes checklist of 12 pieces in the Ethereal Installation by Tim Whiten. On the eve of March 17th, 2022 full moon, I specifically came to take in Ethereal by Tim Whiten. This alchemically potent installation centres on air as the first of four pieces focusing on an elemental metaphysical examination.

Photographing and videorecording were not allowed. However I did find a stairwell art sculpture comprised of coat hangers that semi-echoed the sentiments of this airy collection. This coat hanger basket quasi-mirrored Tim Whiten's installation.

Ethereal had a gentle yet solid ritualized effect of very conscious and deliberate object placement. It consisted of 12 objects.

1. Signs of Life
1982
hair, blood, wax, wood
Courtesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

2. Tabernacle
1980
chewing gum overplywood, vitrine
Collection of the Art Gallery of Hamilton
Gift of the artist in memory of Tom and Mary E. Whiten, 2019

3. Hallelujah
2014
lilac branches, umbrella handle
Courtesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

4. Parsifal Parallel
2012
cast lead crystal

5. Magic Sticks
1970
leather, wood

6. Reliquaire II
2014-2015
handcrafted crystal clear glass mirror, human skull, gold leaf
Collection of the Art Gallery of Hamilton
Gift of the artist in memory of Tom and Mary E. Whiten

7. Reliquaire I
2012
handcrafted crystal clear glass, human skull, gold leaf
Cortesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

8. Magic Squares
2002-2003
handcrafted clear glass
Courtesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

9. Book of Light: Containing Poetry from the Heart of God
2015-2016
handcrafted crystal clear glass, burnt fragments of drawings (coffee and pencil on handmade paper) oak
Courtesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

10. Arisearose
2016-2018
crushed resource glass, handcrafted crystal clear glass, wood (plywood and maple) Aqua-Resin, acrylic paint, metal

11. In-Sintilate
2008
handcrafted crystal clear glass, brass and glass beads
Collection of Tom Thomson Art Gallery

12. Hallelujah II
2015
handcrafted crystal clear glass, lilac branches, brass fitting
Courtesy of Tim Whiten and Olga Korper Gallery

As I meandered without a catalogue to guide me, I paused and considered in what direction the kaleidoscope was pointing, my mind began wondering about the cardinal directions in more than one belief system. It was a genius loci feeling of finding a new astrolabe of sorts...

The physicality of this building reminded me of a sparse robin's nest that had optimally placed its eggs to achieve best effect.

This was my first time visit to this small on-campus art gallery, and I was met with a simple, understated and welcoming grace by staff in this less-is-more footprint space. The attendent was overly modest, yet this was refreshing as it lent itself very well to opening up dialogue. In choosing to speak further with them about the Ethereal exhibit, they opened up freely and enthusiastically shared their knowledge and interpretations.

Great to walk around in March, looking forward to visiting in the summer!

This Cockpit Theatre is East corner on the Dundurn Castle grounds has been used for outdoor theatre and weddings in recent years.

It is beautifully rustic and will make you feel you have travelled back to pre-Confederation times.

The building is a two-story neo-classical, octagonal design sitting at the edge of the natural embankment overlooking Hamilton Bay.

This is a rare piece of architecture built into the landscape with views to and from the Castle and the water.

Beautiful and amazing place with seasonal vegetables and flowers. Saw historic things like wheels, water pump and other things. They allowed us to pick the berries. Farmers were dressed in the traditional working dresses. Parking available.

Some nice looking paintings and that's really what there gallery has to offer. I would recommend looking in there for about an hour and that really all the time you need!

Small but interesting. It is perfect little entertainment for people who are interested in history.
I recommend watching "story of us" first 3 episodes on YouTube before going there.

Not open. Drove 40 min for nothing.

Excellent free museum on McMaster's campus. Their seasonal exhibitions offer different perspectives and types of art on a regular basis.

The permanent collection gallery on the second exhibition level offers world-renowned art and is definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful!

Couldnt get in since the hours are only 2 days a week for 3 hours each day. The Tigercats use the facility so it cannot be opened all the time. Wish it was because we missed it.

The McMaster Museum of Art is a small gem in the city. Located on the beautiful McMaster University campus, it offers a variety of artifacts from vlassic to modern art. My favourite this year is the Canoe.

Loved this place. Museum is small and really cozy. Lots of interactive stuff such as costumes of 19th venture that you can wear, checkers that you can play, etc. Price for this museum is included in Dundurn Castle Price. So, you pay just ~$12 for 2 museums.

This is such a unique and fun place to visit! I held my daughter's birthday party here, the owner was very friendly and helpful. We brought in food, cake and decorations. The kids had an amazing time, there was no end to the toys they could play with. I would highly recommend this place for an afternoon, or a party, you will have as much fun as the kiddos!

Focuses on Johnston's art. A truly amazing different experience from any other museums. Highly recommend; specially for those who enjoy learning and adventuring

Great place to bring your children

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is closed. The inductee busts have been moved to the Civic Football Stadium, along with the statue Touchdown.
CityLab is an administrative division of the City of Hamilton and is now housed on the upper levels.

Building looked nice. Was working outside of it. Lots of pay parking.

As the standing is for the time being, a plan has been created to repurpose the building. It will no longer be the "Canadian football hall of fame" but will be workshop for students from Mohawk college and McMaster university and members of community to work on problems with in the City of Hamilton in terms of infrastructure, modes of transportation, and other ideas and how to solve them with modern technology.
This building will be renamed as "CityLabs"

I am a diehard cfl fan that grew up in Milton Ontario moved to Edmonton alberta when I was 18 .I became a Edmonton Eskimo season ticket holder in 1981 and have been since.I finally went back to Ontario for a holiday in June of this year I decided to go to the cfl hall of fame in Hamilton .After paying for a parking spot we walked up to the building we found out it was closed indefinitely It was a very sad day for me to find it was closed as I have tried to support the cfl for many years . It just shows me how much the East supports this Canadian game of ours.yours truly, deeply disappointed football fan from the west.

really worn down and not kept up. to hold the history of the CFL and Canadian football in such a shabby out of the way place is sad. I'd recommend checking it out and supporting it so it hopefully gets better.