Top Rated Parks to Visit in Kitchener

"255 & 371 Concession Street Sam Lawrence Park, situated on the Mountain brow at the top of the Jolley Cut, is one of the jewels in Hamilton's park system. Its features include a rock garden with perennial flowers, ornamental benches and lighting, walkways (most of which are accessible), wildflowers and prairie grasses, and an extensive system of interpretive signs. The park also offers spectacular, panoramic views of the lower city and the harbour."

"Sam Lawrence Park offers up the most incredible skyline views of Hamilton, whether you’re visiting during the day or at night. It’s one of my favourite spots to visit in Hamilton – it’s a view you’d never get sick of looking at!. You can park right in front of the viewpoint, then take a little walk around to see the pretty florals and greenery surrounding the park."

"This park on the edge of the city’s escarpment or “Mountain Brow” offers a panoramic view of the entire lower city from east to west and north to Hamilton Harbour. Picnic among rock and wild flower gardens and prairie grasses."

"Waterdown Memorial Park is a popular sports park featuring a lit soccer/football field, four softball fields, play equipment, a wading pool, a park shelter, parking, and washrooms. Little ones will love the sprinklers and misters. The surface is concrete and parts are rubberized concrete."

"200 Hamilton Street, Waterdown Waterdown Memorial Park is a popular sports park featuring a lit soccer/football field, four softball fields, play equipment, a wading pool, a park shelter, parking, and washrooms."

"GENERAL VIBE:  Urban, Big city, DowntownBEST SEASONS TO SHOOT IN:  Spring, Summer, Fall, ChristmasHIGHLIGHT FEATURES:  Water fountain, Tall trees, Skyscrapers, City streetsTHOUGHTS:  The centre of the city, Gore Park is a really unique-to-Hamilton place if you want to combine urban-vibes with a city park. The fountain in this spot is gorgeous and honestly one of a kind. Exploring the park and some of the nearby areas (like the roof of Jackson Square, for example) will give you tons to work with in an area that most people drive by but never explore on foot."

"It doesn't get much more iconic than Hamilton's Gore Park fountain. This centrepiece of downtown's Gore Park looks majestic from any angle and draws photographers day and night, year-round."

"940 Arvin Avenue, Stoney Creek A woodlot is located at the front of the park and a retention pond is situated at the rear of the property."

"33 Clinton Street by Barnesdale Avenue North Lucy Day Park is geared to children and has two new play structures from 2010, swings, and a new spray pad for 2011."

"610 York Boulevard Dundurn Park is a historical park and the former home of Sir Allan MacNab. The property consists of Dundurn Castle, the Hamilton Military Museum, the Coach House Restaurant, and the Cockpit Theatre. The park overlooks Hamilton Harbour and is adjacent to Harvey Park and Dundurn Parkette."

"This park has a little bit of everything, making it the perfect location for a quick outing for the kids to burn some energy or a longer outing with picnic lunch. Being close to the beach means being able to build a sand castle or throw some rocks in the lake. Access to a wading pool means the kids can still go swimming without having to go in the lake."

"387 Beach Blvd. Located on the east side of Beach Boulevard, Kinsmen Park has three play areas with swings, spring toys, and a creative play structure shaped like a ship, a wading pool, benches, and picnic tables. It is adjacent to Lake Ontario."

"Places like 193 Bench Kitchen are what lunchtime is all about. A sister location to the popular Grimsby staple, 193 Bench Kitchen sets a high bar for sandwich makers in Hamilton. Pretty much everything you’re shoving in your mouth from this place is either locally-sourced or made in-house, down to the freshly baked sourdough bread."

"Get ready to have your mind blown: Rise Above Pizzeria is serving up seriously stellar vegan alternatives to your favourite Friday night indulgences. A spin-off of the immensely popular St. Catharines eatery of the same name, Rise Above Pizzeria is already exceeding pizza lovers’ expectations, and doing so with not a shred of cheese or scrap of meat in sight. The tangy, smokey, and oh-so-satisfying Buffalo Wing Pizza is a stand-out on Rise Above’s current menu of pies, but in some ways, the main attraction here are the incredible seitan wings, slathered in flavourful house-made sauces."

"Rise Above Pizzeria, an offshoot of a restaurant and cafe in St. Catharines, is pure pizza and wings heaven. The intensely flavourful food options are unfailingly filling, the portions are huge, and the ingredients and toppings are fresh as can be. Did I mention that the entire menu is also 100% vegan?"

"Their French-inspired cuisine can tantalise your tastebuds and make even the basic comfort food delectable. You can find sandwiches & wraps, salads, desserts, and various other dishes from light Moroccan Cous Cous to a hearty Shep’s Pie. Pre-order from here to celebrate Dad’s special day."

"Planted in Hamilton doesn’t see dietary limitations as restrictions — they see them as an opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible with plants. Everything that is served at Planted in Hamilton is both vegan and gluten-free, making them the perfect spot for those with food sensitivities. Their regular menu offers a variety of shareables, salads, sandwiches, mains and sides."

"While most of us are self-isolating at home, it can be easy to say “screw it” and nosh on some junk food for lunch. Don’t get us wrong: we love our chips and chocolate too. But when your body needs a break and you want to switch it up to something both delicious and healthy, Planted in Hamilton has got you covered."

"The place is inconspicuous on the plaza it's on; we had to drive around twice before we saw it from the road...."

"The Pearl Company is a two-floor creative arts hub, housing performance, event, rehearsal and exhibition spaces. The company is committed to presenting work that draws on all of the arts, including music, visual art, dance, film, spoken word and theatre. The Pearl is home to two different galleries, showcasing work created almost exclusively by Hamilton artists."