December 11, 2020

Here’s your Weekend Inspiration to get out and stay out

Outdoor Christmas Events

Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail, Vineland
Ball’s Falls has decorated the Heritage Village of Glen Elgin so make sure you go after dark, you can follow the illuminated trail from the main Centre, across the bridge and into the Heritage Village, and then make your way to the Lower falls which is also lit. It’s an easy, family friendly trail and if you bring a flashlight you can check out the old Lime kiln (over by the furry cabin) which would be fun (you might say creepy) to see in the dark. Daily from now until December 20, from 5pm to 9pm. Check out the website for more info on this weekends Giving Weekend which includes distanced Santa Visits

Magic with Santa at Mountsberg CA
Take a hike through the woods out to Christmas Town with all the usual Mountsberg magic (Santa’s Cabin, toy central, flight academy, outdoor bonfires, cookies, crafts, zoom visit with Santa), if you go during the day you can also visit the resident raptors, farm animals and play on the new natural playground. If you go at night they have new and improved christmas lighting throughout Christmas Town. You do have to make reservations and it’s booking up fast.

Light Up The Hills, Halton Hills
Take a walk through three parks in Halton Hills that have been decorated with light displays. Light Up The Hills

Lakeside Festival of Lights, Spencer Smith Park
Walk the Burlington waterfront to see over 60 festive light installations

Winter Wonders, Royal Botanical Gardens has transformed Hendrie Park into a winter wonderland, focused on ‘nature and light’ the displays tell the stories of unique winter wonders. Wednesdays to Sundays until December 23, the RBG Express is also running, get your tickets at the door or pre-order here, after December 16 RBG has introduced time-ticketing and it’s selling out fast

Hiking

Royal Botanical Gardens, Cherry Hill Gate
If you’re not going to the RBG for the Winter Wonders, check it out for a fun hike, lots of wildlife to see, trails, boardwalks over Grindstone Creek, it’s easy and great for all kids big or small.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Crawford Lake has a fun trail called the Hide & Seek Trail, on this trail you can find big wood carvings of Species at Risk, this is the kind of trail that’s great for everyone but especially if you’ve got a non-hiker or a kid who loses interest quickly. You need something that keeps them moving along.

Princess Point & Sassafras Point
This is part of Cootes Paradise and is an out and back hike with a couple of steep hills, lots of birds to see and views of the Lake. Click here for more info

If you’re looking to stay in town, in Halton you can find trails at Millcroft Park (Millcroft Park Dr), Orchard Woodlot Central (Orchard Rd) and Village Wood Park (Chalmers St Oakville). In Hamilton some options are the Randall Park (Robson Cres), William Connell Park – which also has a really fun playground (West 5th), Bayfront Park (Harbour Front Dr).

And finally, don’t forget after you take a nighttime walk, Active Parents has a giant GPS-friendly map of all the best decorated houses in the Hamilton-Burlington Area