The Heart of Ontario

06/05/2024

Don't forget, Mother's Day is this weekend 🌸! Have you got something special planned for your amazing mum yet? If not, we have some interesting happenings for you to check out!

If you fancy taking a trip to the past, visit the victorian kitchens of Dundurn Castle with Hamilton Civic Museums for a historic cooking workshop followed by lovely tea by gaslight 🥧🫖🍰 - https://ow.ly/cgcr50RqipL

Or if you prefer something in the present join Museums of Burlington as they present a unique Tea & Donut 👩🏻‍🍳🍩🫖 tasting workshop on the 10th at Joseph Brant Museum - (https://ow.ly/MLzC50Rqioq)

Or if you want to do a spot of shopping (and let her pick out her own gift and save you the headache guessing!), there's the Artisan Bazaar offering local artisans and their handmade beauties at the Ancaster Fairgrounds 🛍️🎁💍 - https://ow.ly/seGt50RqioE

Plenty of things to do but make those plans quick! Let's make this weekend unforgettable for our wonderful mothers 💐

02/05/2024

Sonic Unyon Records' Why Not Wine returns next month on the 10th and 11th for a 2nd year after a hugely successful run last year! ✨🍷

Enjoy a two-day celebration of wine, wine and more wine – plus live music, food from local vendors, activities and fun! Sample vintages to 90s hits with 'Wannabe: A Spice Girls Tribute' on Friday 👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤, or go further back on Saturday with 'ABBA Revisited' 👨‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👨‍🎤.

So tell me what you want, what you really really want and gimme gimme gimme a wine for the midnight this May and get your tickets before they're gone!

Learn more at: https://ow.ly/bY5z50RkbEg

01/05/2024

Plenty of April showers making way for plenty of May flowers 💞🌸🌷🌼 🌺

No matter where you are in the , there're plenty of ways to enjoy the blossoms of Spring!

📍: Paris
📸: mywanderingvoyage (Instagram)

📍: Gage Park
📸: Oh.she.focused (Instagram)

📍: Royal Botanical Gardens
📸: 7call_me_gray7 (Instagram)

25/04/2024

✨🌸 Get ready to add some artistic flair to your home this Spring! 🏺🎨

Members of the Hamilton Potters Guild are thrilled to showcase their stunning creations at their annual Spring Sale. Swing by the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre from May 3rd-5th and find the perfect pottery piece to brighten up your space. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take home a unique, handcrafted treasure and we'll see you there! ✨🌷

View some of the guild member's work at their website here: https://ow.ly/Xg0V50R7UlI

Pictures are courtesy of this year's featured member: Mary McDonald

23/04/2024

The African Lion Safari is celebrating 55 WILD years as they re-open this May 5th! 🦁✨

Go "On Safari!™" and get CLOSER than you ever imagined to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals that roam free in large Game Reserves! See lions🦁, giraffe🦒, rhino🦏, and many more animals🦜🐒🐅🦛 from around the world🌎 as you "Trek" along 9 km of safari trail in your own vehicle or aboard a guided, air-conditioned Safari Tour Bus. Grab the gang and enjoy a day out in the wild 🤠

Learn more at: https://ow.ly/bzm550RkbxC

22/04/2024

🌿 Get ready to relax and rejuvenate with 's Downtown Oakville Wellness Week!

Join us in Oakville as we embrace mindfulness, discover wellness and work towards a healthier lifestyle together. Don't miss out on a week full of self-care activities, workshops and events that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

Learn how to make this week all about YOU at the following link 🧘‍♂️🍃💆‍♀️:https://ow.ly/w4Ml50RkciT

18/04/2024

Sonic Unyon's Why Not Wine returns next month for a 2nd year after a hugely successful run last year! ✨🍷

Enjoy a two-day celebration of wine, wine and more wine – plus live music, food from local vendors, activities and fun! Sample vintages to 90s hits with 'Wannabe: A Spice Girls Tribute' on Friday 👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤, or go further back on Saturday with 'ABBA Revisited' 👨‍🎤👩‍🎤👩‍🎤👨‍🎤.

So tell me what you want, what you really really want and gimme gimme gimme a wine for the midnight this May and get your tickets before they're gone! https://ow.ly/E3w650R8Ge3

17/04/2024

🌿 Get ready to relax and rejuvenate with Downtown Oakville's Wellness Week!

From April 21st to 28th, join us as we embrace mindfulness, discover wellness and work towards a healthier lifestyle together. Don't miss out on a week full of self-care activities, workshops and events that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

Let's make next week all about YOU! 🧘‍♂️🍃💆‍♀️

Learn all about Downtown Oakville's Wellness Week here: https://ow.ly/3a5B50R7RBF

11/04/2024

As we begin welcoming in the warmer weather and after the downpour of last week, why not explore the rural sides of Hamilton Halton Brant this weekend? ☀️

Whether you're planning to day-trip or stay overnight, escape to the country-side with these unique retreat ideas: http://ow.ly/plzF50NzYUg

08/04/2024

Explore the City of Waterfalls with a membership to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, making it easy for you and your family to enjoy their conservation areas with year-round 🌊 The pass will allow you and your vehicle passengers (up to 6 people total) into HCA conservation areas, including:

Christie Lake 🚣 - 📸: (Instagram)
Crooks' Hollow 🏞️
Devil’s Punchbowl ✝️ - 📸: (Instagram)
Dundas Valley 🍂
Eramosa Karst 🥾
Tiffany Falls 💦 - 📸: (Instagram)
Westfield Heritage Village 🏘️
And many others!

Learn about the pass here https://ow.ly/hNsY50QY8lI explore the natural beauty of the this Spring 🌷🌱🌲🪴🌸

05/04/2024

Feeling like you've been March-ing non-stop? Well it's April and time to give yourself some much-needed rest and rejuvenation at Grand Wellness Centre Spa in Brantford🌿💆‍♀️

Let go of all that pent up stress and feel refreshed with their Spring packages 🌸. Try their Pint Size package🪴 to spend time in their relaxing Salt Cave 🪨, soak in a therapeutic healing bath🛀, experience an infra-red sauna🧖🧖‍♀️ and treat your feet to a detox👣. Or have a Full Flight🌲 and add a massage to let them work that knot out of your back you didn't know you had!

Treat yourself to a day of pampering and relaxation in the Heart of Ontario this weekend because you deserve it!

📸: (Instagram)

Learn more about their packages and make your appointment here: https://ow.ly/UfQO50R7KHC

04/04/2024

Join Hamilton's newest musical theatre company Crown Point Players tomorrow evening (5th) for 'Stop Time: Moments Captured in Song'. 🕗🎶

Each song from contemporary musical theatre canon tells a story born of a single moment👨‍🎤👩‍🎤. Set against the backdrop of the local art at Crown and Press Gallery and Cafe on Ottawa Street North in Hamilton, this evening explores the connection between performing and visual arts.

This concert is a fundraising event for Crown Point Players' inaugural production of 35mm: A Musical Exhibition, which will take place June 20, 22, and 23.

Learn more about concert and purchase your ticket here: https://ow.ly/hvxK50R7Sax

03/04/2024

Astronomy might not have high billing as a hobby these days but the hype around the upcoming solar eclipse is positively out of this world 🌞🌚🌍 With Niagara issuing a pre-emptive State of Emergency, do be careful when making plans to travel this weekend 🚗🚆🚙.

You can google the eclipse's Path of Totality to identify where you can see the eclipse from and how much of the phenomenon your location will experience, and try use a pair of Eclipse glasses to stare at the sun safely😎. We're prepared *this* time, Mom!

Witness sudden darkness in the middle of the day and start your week in the on a celestial note! 🤩🌞

Be sure to watch the Canadian Space Agency's short information video to learn more about watching the Eclipse safely here: https://ow.ly/M7WC50R7Kwx

02/04/2024

🍁 Who said the maple fun had to end with Maple March? Introducing "Lamplight: Maple Syrup After Dark" at Terra Cotta Conservation Area this weekend! 🌙

Experience the magic of a nighttime sugar bush visit with illuminated trails✨, tasty maple-themed foods and treats, and live music around a cozy fire by Rag Maple Music . Don't miss this unique opportunity to rediscover Canada's maple syrup heritage under the stars and enjoy a delicious night out! 🌟🍁

Learn more and book your timeslot over at: https://ow.ly/r4Lm50QY2kr

📸: Credit Valley Conservation Foundation

29/03/2024

🐰 Hop on over to the Joseph Brant Museum this long weekend and get your picture taken with the legendary Easter Bunny as he takes a break from hiding all those eggs! 🌷📸

Families can book a 5-minute time slot for a private visit with the Easter Bunny (1 ticket per family, 6 people maximum). Henry’s Camera will be taking professional photos, and providing one digital image and a “Free Instant 8×10 Print” voucher for use at an in-store kiosk. Parents are also welcome to use their own cameras so don't miss out on this egg-citing photo op 🐣

Wishing everyone a Hoppy Easter Weekend 🐇🐣🐇 in the !

Learn more about this and book your timeslot at: https://ow.ly/IZ9o50QXXPj

📸: Museums of Burlington

28/03/2024

While we often refer to a group of rhinoceroses as a 'herd', did you know that they can also be referred to as a 'crash' of rhinos? 🦏🦏🦏 and a herd of giraffe can also be called a 'tower'?🦒🦒🦒

Level up your animal game this year with a seasonal passport at African Lion Safari this 2024 and get your fill of over 1,000 animals across over 100 species 🦉🐆🦓🦬🦅. Their Early Bird promotion is still running till the end of this month so hop on over to their website and pick up your passport soon!

Learn more about the passport and all the fun the Safari offers here: https://ow.ly/OGFx50QXStV

26/03/2024

Maple March may be coming to a close but you can get your sugar fix this Good Friday at Westfield Heritage Village 🏘️ and see for yourself how that amber sweetness is made!

Two demonstration sites will be open, including the modern sugar shack where you can taste that ambrosial sweetness 🍯🍁. Westfield will also have their maple syrup panels on display, a Maple Trivia Trail to follow 🐾, and the St. George Lions will be out to sell pancakes 🥞🥓 in the Ironwood Hall. Be sure to stop by the General Store and Gift Shop to bring home some maple treats as well!

Learn more about the Village and book your timeslots here: https://ow.ly/CYG850QXVZq

📸: Westfield Heritage Village

20/03/2024

Granted that Winter wasn't particularly winter-y this year, it'll still be a wonderful to see a sea of green return to the region!

Start oiling those chains 🌳🚵 and dust off those hiking shoes🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🌳, and get ready to enjoy Spring in 🌻🌼🌷

📍: Kelso Conservation Area
📸: (instagram)

📍: Felker’s Falls to Devil’s Punch Bowl Hike
📸: (instagram)

📍: Brantford
📸: (instagram)

19/03/2024

Come join us this weekend (23rd & 24th) at the Paris Fairgrounds for the first of many Spring markets to come! 🛍️🌷

Check out 'Handmade in the 519' - a local artisan market filled with unique treasures and delicious treats. Pick up something new for the season, sip some brew, indulge in brunch, and don't forget to pick up some buttertarts! See you there 🌸🛍

Learn more at: https://ow.ly/vTl150QW45B

Handmade in the 519 is back for 2024! While we all like to scroll and shop online, it can't replace the feeling you get when you meet the maker, tap your card, and walk away with a story to tell!

18/03/2024

🍁 Don't miss out on the sweetest adventure this Maple March! 🥞 Gather your crew and go on a VIP maple syrup tour at Terra Cotta Conservation Area.

Dive into a world of deliciousness every weekend starting with a gourmet breakfast, followed by a guided tour of their sugarbush, educational demonstrations of how they create that sweet amber gold and tastings of multiple grades of fresh maple syrup. A fun and tasty experience for all ages! 🍁🍯✨

Learn more and book your trip at: https://ow.ly/Mpqc50QQm3n

15/03/2024

📢 CALLING ALL CRAFT BEER AND CIDER LOVERS! 📢

👀 Missed last month's tour and still hankering on being spoiled with a day trip out with the gang sipping on rich, hand-crafted brews, the crispest ciders, all while basking in the cozy atmospheres of these local favourites? Spring into the new season *and* finding new hangouts for future nights out! 🌷😌

Next weekend (24th), treat your taste buds to an incredible journey through 4 delectable, artisanal craft breweries and a cidery around Hamilton with Redback Tours and their Craft Beer Tour! 🍺🍎 Spend a fun day out with the gang and leave all the worrying and transport to the professionals.

Learn more about and book your tour here: https://ow.ly/3SUY50QQmZr

Sip your way through some of the best local breweries and cideries […]

14/03/2024

Faith and Begorrah! With all the March break happening, don't forget that we have St. Paddy's Day coming up too! 🍀🥳🍺💚 (Where's that stout emoji at)

With festivities happening across the region, enjoy a fun night out with the gang full of brew 🍺, music 🎶 and food 🥧 this weekend. Head to your preferred hang out or scope out one of the locations below:

The legendary Corktown Pub 💚 in Hamilton - https://ow.ly/ySqS50QP0IB
A whole weekend of music with the The Slye Fox 🦊 in Burlington - https://ow.ly/SBzn50QP0OM
or, rock out with Zander's Fire Grill and Brew Lounge 🔥 in Brantford - https://ow.ly/ctAl50QP0Uw

12/03/2024

After 3 months of work and school, March break couldn't come sooner! Whether that means getting out there with activities or exploring the region 🏕️👨‍🎨🚶‍♀️🚶or staying in and vegging with take-out 🥘🍲🍕, enjoy the week your way in the Heart of Ontario 😍

If you're looking for activities, travel to pre-historic Australia with Erth's Dinosaur Zoo Live 🐾🦣 at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts or unwind with an overflow yoga session at the Dundas Museum and Archives 🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️, both happening on the 14th, or go on an Owl Prowl with Five Oaks🦉 in Paris with on the 16th.

Or check out the BrantEats guide or have a Taste of Downtown Milton's pre-fix menus in our bio for some culinary enjoyment out or at home 🍝🍛🍜

Learn more of these activities and events happening in our region through their links below and enjoy the March Break !

Erth's Dinosaur Zoo in Oakville: https://ow.ly/3Y0v50QOYbM
Yoga at Dundas Museum: https://ow.ly/ZHaC50QOYge
Owl Prowl with Five Oaks: https://ow.ly/mC1950QOYnS
BrantEats: https://ow.ly/YFuY50QOYpt
Taste of DT Milton: https://ow.ly/ESma50QOYrB

05/03/2024

After 3 months of work and school, March break couldn't come sooner! Whether that means staying in and vegging out with take out 🥘🍲🍕, or getting out there with camp activities 🏕️👨‍🎨 or exploring the region🚶‍♀️🚶, enjoy the week your way in 😍

Check out the BrantEats guide (https://ow.ly/eHvf50QJtXv) or have a Taste of Downtown Milton's pre-fix menus (https://ow.ly/FsUB50QJtZN) for some culinary enjoyment

Or if you're looking for activities for the younglings, create your own gnome bunny, bunnygnome?, to prepare for easter at the Pottery n Paint cafe (https://ow.ly/ITmG50QJuyM) or head out into nature with Conservation Hamilton in their 'Adventures in the Valley' camp in Dundas Valley (https://ow.ly/IkLJ50QJuBl)

Stay tuned for more activities and events happening in our region!

04/03/2024

Join us at Chiefswood National Historic Site this weekend (10th) to honor the renowned poetess Pauline Johnson! 📜✨ Celebrate her birthday and legacy with live poetry readings from Riverside Reading, light refreshments, and a writing workshop on crafting 1800’s era letters sealed with wax 🖋️

Learn more at: https://ow.ly/rhIc50QJulL

01/03/2024

Let March Maple Madness begin! 🍁🍯🥞🥓 With Maple groves found across the region, partake in absolutely delicious, freshly-made maple syrup over a fluffy pancake breakfast with the fam or gang at your location of choice.

Step back in time at Westfield Heritage Village 🏘️ to see how we discovered tree liquid could be turned into amber gold, or head to Bronte Creek or Terra Cotta conservation areas🌲🌳🌲 and see how the process has grown since.

Don't forget to swing by their shops to bring back a small bottle of syrup or cookies for the year ahead!

📍&📸 : Westfield Heritage Village
🔗: https://ow.ly/xKQB50QJtvy

📍&📸 : Bronte Creek Provincial Park
🔗: https://theheartofontario.com/experience/maple-syrup-festival-with-the-friends-of-bronte-creek/

📍: Terra Cotta Conservation Area
📸: Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
🔗: https://ow.ly/liwa50QJtvx

28/02/2024

The 9th Annual Burlington Winter Beer Festival this weekend is an exciting celebration of beer and food, community-based organizations and progressive craft brewers 🥨🍻🍕

Experience an unforgettable night of entertainment with Waddies Canada by taking game night out of the living room ♠️♥️♣️♦️ and spoil the gang with a variety of brews to sample and foods to inhale!

Learn more and sign up for this fun night out at : https://ow.ly/Ho5Z50QHOHm

27/02/2024

Prepare yourself for a mystical meeting of magic and mysticism as your mind is read and your meal is served with mellow, malty, delicious beer! 😵‍💫🍻🍔🪄

This March 1st, Flux Brewing Company presents Shazam! a night of magic and mind reading featuring 2 incredible performers: America’s Got Talent contestant ~ Nicholas Wallace & Level 7 Wizard ~ Graemazing (on Instagram) to amuse and astound.

I predict a delicious and entertaining Friday night out so get your tickets before space runs out!