When it comes to traveling to Canada, Ontario is one of the most popular provinces for visitors. Even so, that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the big city of Toronto. You can instead choose to stay in a smaller one that is away from the bustle yet close enough to enjoy it if you choose to do so. Burlington is just such a place. Situated along the shores of Lake Ontario, visitors can spend time enjoying nature, culture, and history here without the excessive noise and crowds.
While Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto area, you won’t feel rushed and can enjoy taking it slow or choose to stay busy each day. Immerse yourself in the world community (known as Mundialization), a welcoming trait of those who live here. Spend your days admiring public art, strolling through museums, hiking in conservation areas, or hanging out in the lively village square. Nearby, you will also find fun and educational destinations to explore, which are perfect for a day trip. Read on to discover more about this hidden gem in our guide to Burlington below.
How to Get Around Burlington
While smaller than neighboring Toronto, the city still has its traffic jams during certain times of the day. Keeping this in mind, here are the best ways to get around during your trip to Burlington.
By Car
Navigating around the city in your own car or a rental will be one of the best ways to get around. Roads here are well-maintained, and the signage straightforward. You will need to familiarize yourself with local traffic patterns in some areas, but overall, you should be fine. Just keep in mind that wintertime brings different conditions and hazards, so make sure you are comfortable driving on ice or snow. You also have the choice to leave the driving to locals by scheduling Uber service during your time here.
By Burlington Transit
Public transportation does exist here, and it is in the form of the Burlington Transit. This efficient bus service has fixed routes throughout the city, so you never have to guess which one will take you where you want to go. In addition, each bus has bike racks, so you can combine the two modes of transportation whenever you want. The downtown transit terminal sits in the heart of the city at 430 John Street.
By Bike
Burlington is a cycle-friendly community, so bring your own bike or rent one at the various locations available. Once you learn the routes around the downtown and outer neighborhoods, and as long as it is good weather, you can take your time and enjoy the fresh air.
Best Time to Visit Burlington
The best time to visit Burlington will depend on your plans, including whether you wish to enjoy warm or cold weather activities. For warm yet not too hot temperatures, the best time to make your way here is between late June and early September. July is the hottest month, but only with highs averaging around 78 degrees. During this time of year, you can also expect clearer skies but with higher chances of precipitation.
The coldest times to visit Burlington are December through March, where you will often see temperatures only rising to about 39 degrees on many days. January is the coldest month. For those seeking to participate in cold weather sports, the highest chance of snowfall falls in January and February.
For travelers seeking a slower, quieter time of year to visit, early May through June is perfect. Prices are reasonable during this time, and crowds are minimal. Nature is also waking up, so you can enjoy the start of a beautiful warm weather season. If traveling to Burlington on a budget, this is also a good time to visit.
Top Things to Do in Burlington
Whether you are seeking a retreat filled with relaxation or ready to spend your days exploring, Burlington is a perfect destination in a spectacular location. The activities you choose, of course, will depend heavily upon the weather. To help with your planning, below we provide suggestions of what to add to your list for your next trip to Burlington.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Choose how much energy to exert while roaming the approximately 250 acres that house the Royal Botanical Gardens. Brimming with over 2,400 plant species, there is always something to see, whatever season you arrive. Spend time indoors admiring the wonder and beauty of natural life, or go outside and discover the eye-catching gardens. There are also over 16 miles (27 kms) of nature trails for you to explore as well. Two restaurants and a teahouse are on-site as well for you to enjoy.
Location: 600 Plains Rd. W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4
Art Gallery of Burlington
Whether it’s cold, rainy, or blazing hot outside, the Art Gallery of Burlington is a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon. This gallery is one of the largest in Ontario for public art and includes permanent collections of Canadian ceramic art along with dynamic changing exhibits which vary from sculpture to photography to paintings to textile art. You can also find various Canadian artists working on -site during your visit, and enjoy an interactive experience in the Living Lab. Admission is always free, and donations are appreciated.
Location: 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
Village Square
Head to downtown Burlington and enjoy a day discovering historic buildings, culinary delights, quaint boutiques, and specialized shops. You’ll feel as if you are in a true turn-of-the-century village as you meander along the cobblestone streets and get to know the people and culture of the area. The Square is just a short walk from the waterfront.
Location:418 Pearl Street, Burlington, ON L7R 2N1
Crawford Lake Conservation
Whatever time of year you visit, Crawford Lake Conservation in nearby Milton has something for you. Spend wintery days cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or come in warmer weather and enjoy fishing, hiking, and enjoying the shoreline with a picnic. You can venture along a Hide & Seek trail, seeking out larger-than-life wooden carvings along the way. There is also a meromictic lake, with noticeable distinct layers that differ in salinity and temperature. Another fascinating site is the Longhouse Village, full of 15th century Iroquoian history, giving you a glimpse of what life was like back then. This conservation area is a global scientific research site and reservations are recommended, even to hike the trails.
Location: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X3
Springridge Farm
Just north of the city, you can visit Springridge Farm, where you can choose between fresh produce, baked breads or sweets, and other market fare. Children will enjoy the various attractions available at this working farm, including tractor rides, rope climbs, straw playgrounds, and even a singing chicken show.
Location: 7256 Bell School Line, Milton, ON L9E 0N7
Where to Stay in Burlington
While Burlington is not as large as other cities in Canada, it does offer a range of hotel accommodations fitting every taste and budget.
Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington
- Address: 2020 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4G8
- Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Best for: All travelers
Situated along Lake Ontario, the Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington offers both indoor and outdoor features for guests to enjoy. You can spend time looking at the spectacular panoramic lake views, enjoy hanging out on the outdoor patio, join friends in the stylish lobby, or swim in the heated indoor pool. This landmark property sits within walking distance of downtown shops, museums, seasonal events, and diverse eateries. You’ll be steps away from walking trails as well as bike paths.
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington
- Address: 1110 Burloak Drive, Burlington, ON, L7L 6P8
- Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Best for: convention attendees, business travelers, families, groups
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington is a chic, upscale, contemporary hotel complete with a fitness center, flexible business workspace, and indoor saltwater pool. The hotel is conveniently located near the Burlington Convention Centre, so it can serve as a base for business and convention travelers as well as families or groups traveling in the area. Enjoy drinks, snacks, or meals at The Bistro, the on-site indoor and outside patio restaurant.
Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Center
- Address: 3063 S. Service Road, Burlington, ON, L7N 3E9
- Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Best for: business travelers, groups, families
An all-purpose accommodation option is the Holiday Inn Burlington & Conference Center. Business travelers will appreciate the designated executive area as well as the meeting rooms available, while families and groups can enjoy various recreational facilities on-site, including a pool, game-room and fitness gym.
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Burlington
- Address: 985 Syscon Road, Burlington, ON L7L 5S3
- Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Best for: families, groups
Settle in for a comfortable and affordable stay while in Burlington at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Burlington. From spacious rooms to enticing public spaces, including an inviting hot tub and indoor pool, you can enjoy a stay here any time of year. The hotel sits next door to the RioCan outlet mall and is less than ten minutes from the waterfront. Enjoy complimentary parking and EV charging stations on-site. Casual dining for breakfast and dinner can be found at The Garden Grille & Bar here.
The Pearle Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
- Address: 3 Elizabeth Street, Burlington, ON L7R 0G3
- Diamond-designation: Not Diamond-designated
- Best for: leisure travelers
Set within historic Burlington, The Pearle Hotel & Spa provides a luxurious waterfront location to enjoy during your stay. The interior is highly influenced by the seasons here and is full of raw and natural designs throughout, including white oak paneling. Once in the hotel lobby, the spiral staircase will catch your eye, and you will know you are somewhere unique and special. Enjoy your meals here as well, with spectacular views of Lake Ontario. The overall design and feel of this property was created to represent the cottage community that once existed here, back when families came to Burlington to enjoy leisure time by the lake.
Where to Eat in Burlington
Burlington has plenty of options when it comes to dining. Below, we list five restaurants you will want to try during your visit here.
The Carriage House Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Address: 2101 Old Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 1A4
- Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
- Reservations: Recommended
- Type of Cuisine: Continental, European, Seafood, Steak
Enjoy meals in an historic brick building in downtown Burlington. The Carriage House Restaurant & Wine Bar offers fine dining and on the menu you will find a range of items to choose from, including fresh seafood, steak, and more. Examples of what you might find on any given day or night include seared diver scallops, grilled octopus, tuna sashimi, Iberica ham, various cuts of steak, rack of lamb, and pasta. Pair your meal with a perfect wine, and you’re sure to create a wonderful memory of your time here in Burlington.
Oliver’s Steakhouse (Oakville)
- Address: 141 Lakeshore Road E, Oakville, ON L6J 1H3
- Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
- Reservations: Recommended
- Type of Cuisine: Continental
A favorite of residents and visitors alike, Oliver’s Steakhouse is just a short drive away from downtown Burlington to the neighboring town of Oakville. Here you will not only find a modern yet chic atmosphere, but also an impressive menu of Continental cuisine, including its popular high-quality steaks. The interior of the restaurant is suitable for celebrating a special event or meeting with business customers or vendors and has an extensive scotch and wine list.
Shakespeares's Steak and Seafood House (Hamilton)
- Address: 181 Main Street E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1H2
- Diamond-designation Three Diamond
- Reservations: Suggested (especially on weekends)
- Type of Cuisine: Steak, Seafood
Located in Hamiliton, about a 20-minute drive from Burlington, is Shakespeare's Steak and Seafood House. With a long history in the area, this restaurant aims to please with its fresh seafood and traditional steaks. Perhaps you will start with smoked salmon or a shrimp cocktail, or go straight to a delicious entrée like rack of lamb.
Risposta Bistro (Campbellville)
- Address: 24 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0
- Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
- Reservations: Recommended
- Type of Cuisine: Italian
Whether you are looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or seeking a good Italian meal, Risposta Bistro in nearby Campbellville is where you want to go. Enjoy classic Italian dishes, fresh homemade pizzas and incredible pastas. You can also choose between special seafood and meat dishes as well. This restaurant has fun with specialty nights, such as BBQ Sundays, so be sure to check out their schedule if you want something different.
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar
- Address: 2429 Fairview Street, Burlington, ON L7R 2E3
- Diamond-designation: Not Diamond-designated
- Reservations: Suggested
- Type of Cuisine: Italian
Enjoy casual dining at Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar. Everything is made fresh each day, including the pasta, mozzarella, meatballs and desserts. The restaurant prides itself on its approach to making and serving Italian in new ways. The atmosphere is usually described as vibrant along with fun and friendly service.
Burlington Photo Spots
Whatever time of year you visit Burlington, you can find those perfect locations for photos, whether to take home to show family and friends, announce your engagement, or to add to your Instagram feed. To help get you started, below we tell you about several photo spots to discover while here.
1. Brant Street Pier: Head to the popular Brant Street Pier for spectacular lake views as well as picturesque shorelines. Capture the sun setting over the water and stay as night descends and colorful lights beam across the area. The pier is located off of Spencer Smith Park, which is another prime spot for your photos.
2. Spencer Smith Park: Situated lakeside, the Spencer Smith Park is a highlight in Burlington, with huge green spaces to enjoy, a fun playground for kids, a waterjet park, and various statues and sculptures throughout. The boardwalk leads to the Brant Street Pier for more photos. There is something for every season here. Early spring brings blossoming Japanese Cherry Blossoms. In wintertime, the Rotary Centennial Pond becomes a natural skating rink as the cold ices it over. Events occur in the park throughout the year, including the biggest Canadian ribfest celebration.
3. Paletta Lakefront Park: Still more nature can be found in Burlington. Paletta Lakefront Park offers up surprises such as interesting heritage buildings and beautiful, sculpted gardens. Whether you prefer to photograph waterways, unique architecture, or flowers, this is the spot for great picture taking in Burlington.
4. Downtown Burlington: Heading into the quaint downtown can inspire your creativity and provide you with numerous fun spots to include in your photos. The Village Square here offers cobblestone streets, antique lamp posts, a vintage telephone booth, red brick buildings, and various shops and restaurants.
5. Bronte Harbour: Tucked within the coastline here, you will find Bronte Harbour with its numerous boats and yachts. You can also wander through the Bronte Beach Park here to find additional special spots for your photos.
6. Dundurn Castle: A short drive from Burlington into Hamilton offers another special site, Dundurn Castle. Gain a sense of history as you visit this 1830s Italian-style castle. Wander its gardens in Spring and Summer or capture the stillness of Winter in your photos.
Day Trips from Burlington
When you are ready to explore outside of Burlington, there are numerous day trips you can plan. We tell you about five of them below.
1. The Apple Orchard
Distance from Burlington: Approx. 30 minutes
Spend a day in the country with a trip to The Apple Orchard in rural Burlington. Here you can pick apples, taste local maple syrup, roam through sunflower fields, or pick out a pumpkin, all depending on what time of year you visit.
2. Toronto
Distance from Burlington: Approx. 2 hours
For a big city adventure, head to Toronto for a day. We suggest you determine what it is you wish to see and do before arriving, so you have plenty of time to explore what is most important to you. Examples of top sites here include the Royal Ontario Museum, the Casa Loma Castle, the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, and the Toronto Islands. The city also boasts several exceptional restaurants, specialty shops, and quaint boutiques, especially in the downtown area.
3. Niagara Falls
Distance from Burlington: Approx. 1 hour
Take advantage of how close you are to the Canadian side of the infamous Niagara Falls. Enjoy spectacular views, stroll through tunnels, and spend time on the observation deck. You might even want to consider taking an arranged Niagara Falls tour from Burlington so you can leave all the planning to someone and just sit back and enjoy.
4. Stratford
Distance from Burlington: Approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes
Experience what it was like to live during the time of Shakespeare in the Victorian town of Stratford. Time it right, and you can enjoy the Stratford Festival, which runs from April through October and offers numerous plays, including ones by Shakespeare. The largest classical repertory theatre company in North America calls Stratford home and offers these productions every year, so be sure to plan ahead so you can see the ones that you would like to experience the most.
5. Canada’s Wonderland
Distance from Burlington: Approx. 45 minutes
If you’re seeking a dose of excitement for a day, then Canada’s Wonderland is waiting in Vaughan. This large amusement park has something for every type of thrill seeker or sightseer. Boasting over 200 attractions, including rollercoasters and a water park, your day here will be anything but boring.
Visiting Burlington on a Budget
With so much on offer in and around Burlington, travelers can easily travel here on a budget and not miss out on the culture, history, and fun that is available. Here are a few tips to help.
1. Plan your trip during the off-season, such as early May through June, when hotel rates and travel expenses are usually lower.
2. Take advantage of the many offerings that come with AAA membership, including vehicle discounts, tickets and hotels.
3. Lower meal expenses by buying your own food for preparation in your room’s kitchenette and to take on picnics in the various parks. Shop at the local grocery stores and the Lion Market.
4. Seek out free admissions and activities to enjoy, including spending time in the Art Gallery of Burlington admission, which always has free admission (donations are accepted, however).
5. Bring your own bicycle and outdoor sports gear if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. For example, if visiting in winter, bring your ice skates as the pond in Spencer Smith Park freezes over and provides skaters all day fun.
6. Become familiar with public transportation in the city. Burlington's bus service will take you wherever you need to go and also has bike racks, so you can take those with you as well.
Plan Your Burlington, Canada Vacation with AAA
Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Burlington trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or à la carte options.