Things to Do In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Things to Do In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Last updated on September 3, 2025 by W R

Burlington is a vibrant city with diverse lifestyle, located on the shores of Lake Ontario. It is a perfect blend of the hustle and bustle of the city and the calming vibes of nature. Just close to the city, there are plenty of options to connect with nature, including hiking, biking, walking trails, and waterfalls.

The Ultimate List of Things to Do In Burlington

Royal Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanical Gardens: Things to Do In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens, in Burlington, is a combination of indoor and outdoor gardens and 27 km of nature trails. This 250-acre cultivated garden has more than 2400 species of plants. This National Historic Site is the largest botanical garden in Canada. The garden also hosts several events like blossom festivals and more, based on the season.

Art Gallery of Burlington

Art Gallery of Burlington

Art Gallery of Burlington

The Art Gallery of Burlington, located on the Burlington city waterfront, is the seventh largest public art gallery in Ontario. It maintains the largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics. Visiting this gallery is the best way to get to know the city, with interactive exhibits and locally-curated masterpieces on display.

Burlington Waterfront Trail

Burlington Waterfront Trail: Things to Do In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Burlington Waterfront Trail

The Burlington Waterfront Trail is a paved path located along the shores of Lake Ontario, in Burlington. This trail is a part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, and connects the two cities, Hamilton and Burlington. The Burlington Waterfront Trail is the perfect place to relax with family as it offers several recreational activities, beautiful views, and easy access to parks and other attractions.

Village Square

The Village Square is a multicultural space with historic architectural buildings, located in Downtown Burlington. The cobblestone streets in the Village Square are lined up with boutique shops, food outlets, and historic buildings. While walking down the streets you will come across Burlington’s Village Cigar Company & Babershop, which has the finest quality cigars like the Pueblo Cigars.

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

Mount Nemo Conservation Area: Things to Do In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

Mount Nemo Conservation area is a popular spot for rock climbers living around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The conservation area is spread across 88 acres of land. Mount Nemo is part of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The area is home to endangered species such as Jefferson salamanders. Five kilometers of Mount Nemo’s hiking trail connects with the popular Bruce Trail.

Spencer Smith Park

Spencer Smith Park

Spencer Smith Park

Spencer Smith Park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, in downtown Burlington, Ontario. The park is the venue for several events like Canada’s largest ribfest, Sound of Music Festival, and the Burlington Beer Festival. There is a small beach and a lot of walking paths along the lake that people can relax and enjoy in.

Brant Street Pier

Brant Street Pier

Brant Street Pier

Brant Street Pier is an attraction in Spencer Smith Park. It extends 137 m over Lake Ontario, providing stunning panoramic views of Burlington’s shoreline and the lake. For special events, each night the Brant Street Pier takes a different color, providing so much beauty to the entire area. On days of bad weather, the pier will automatically light up in red color, thereby functioning as a lighthouse.

Burlington Centre

Burlington Centre (previously called Burlington Mall) is one of the two enclosed malls in Burlington. The other such mall is the Mapleview Shopping Centre. It is a two-story building that has a number of shops with high-end clothing and accessories. However, it is one of the cheaper mall options in Burlington where many people can afford to buy. It is a great place to buy clothing and souvenirs on your trip to this part of Ontario.

Beachway Park

Beachway Park is a 6.8-acre park area with 2 km of lakeside trails, a playground, and an outdoor pavilion. It is the best place to go to enjoy the sun and sea in Burlington. There are many activities to do at Beachway Park, including running, cycling, lake swimming, and rollerblading.

Mapleview Shopping Centre

Mapleview Shopping Centre

Mapleview Shopping Centre

Mapleview Shopping Centre is a two-story and one of the most prominent shopping malls located in Burlington, Ontario. The mall features 150 retailers, 2 restaurants, and a food court for people to relax and enjoy while shopping.

Crawford Lake Conservation

Crawford Lake Conservation

Crawford Lake Conservation

Crawford Lake Conservation is located along the Crawford Lake in Burlington. You can relax and enjoy doing a multitude of activities at the conservation. People come here to do one of several activities like dog-walking, fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, or picnicking along the shores of Crawford Lake. The Longhouse Village, a 15th century Iroquoian village, is one of the main attractions at this location.

LaSalle Park

LaSalle Park is a picturesque park that is located on Burlington’s lakefront in the Aldershot community. The location open up to scenic areas, including the open green space, waterfront area, and trails. It is a family gathering place with lots for kids to enjoy, such as a splash pad and a wading pool. The park also has a boat launch ramp, two ball diamonds, bocci ball court and playground, and a marina.

Springridge Farm

Springridge Farm is located just north of the city of Burlington, Ontario. The farm is filled with the refreshing smell of fresh produce, baked food items, and other market delights. The farm has goodies based on the season. Therefore, one month you may find apple crumble in the menu while the other month you may find strawberry tarts. The farm organizes many activities for kids’ entertainment. These activities include tractor rides, a singing chicken show, climbing ropes, and straw playgrounds.

Ireland House Museum

The Ireland House Museum is a Georgian-styles building that now houses a museum, in Burlington. It introduces visitors to the lifestyle and era of three generations of family that lived here. It is an interesting place explore if you a history buff.

Cherry Hill Gate

Cherry Hill Gate is a popular trailhead that is located within the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. It is a family-friendly location that provides easy access to wildlife-viewing, especially hand-feeding animals and birds. It connects with the Hendrie Valley trails to provide visitors with a unique experience and opportunity of interacting with wildlife in the area.

Wrap-Up

Burlington is a beautiful city with many attractions to see and things to do, both solo and as a family. These things to do in Burlington, Ontario, are sure to keep you on your toes and make you want to never leave this city.