Easter Events in Burlington

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of that cute little rabbit known as the Easter bunny.  For those with children you know that the excitement of searching for hidden treats from a furry little friend is second only to awaking Christmas morning.  For those looking to enjoy some family fun there are two great Easter themed events happening over Easter weekend.

Springridge Farm is starting off the year with their annual Easter Festival March 29-31, which includes an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, wagon rides and farm tours, face painting, and take home bunny ears to colour and wear.  Kids will love the puppet show “Peter Rabbit’s Eggcellent Easter Show and the fun farmyard which features the animal barn, giant sandbox, corn trail and straw bale jumping.  Enjoy lunch from the BBQ or pick something up in the café.  While you’re there be sure to check out the new spring home décor, and outdoor pansies for your garden – you won’t leave empty handed! 

Another great family fun event is the Easter egg extravaganza at Mountsberg Conservation Area running March 29-April 1.  Youngsters can join in the Easter egg hunt and children 10 years and up can participate in the Scavenger Hunt.  Other Easter activities include a colouring book station, bubble station, candy jar guess and Easter jeopardy.  Make sure to leave plenty of time to visit the playbarn, visit with the farm animals and check out the Raptor Centre.  Plus, as an added bonus you can visit Maple Town and enjoy all the sugar bush activities as well!

If you haven’t had a chance to get out and enjoy the maple syrup festivals you still have time, both Conservation Halton events at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake continue to April 7^th and Bronte Creek Provincial Park runs weekends through to March 31.

The Royal Botanical Gardens is the place to be for Easter Brunch.  You can stroll through the Gardens and catch some early blooms, then feast on a delicious Easter brunch, followed by a dino egg hunt with the Easter Bunny.  You will also have the opportunity to has just the right thing to get you eager to explore some history. Be sure to visit the Battle of the Titans before it becomes extinct on April 7^th.  This event features a Tyrannosaurus Rex/Triceratops life size diorama and lots of fun & educational activities for kids and adults alike.

For those looking for a culinary delight consider the self-guided Burlington Chocolate Trail,

Casteleyn Chocolates

a decadent day of all things chocolate in Burlington.  Check out the video of our day on the trail.  Be sure to visit the chocolatiers including Walker's Chocolates, Casteleyn Belgian Chocolatiers, and Purdy's Chocolates on the trail to pick up all your Easter goodies!  *please check individual hours of operation over the holiday weekend.

Sunday March 31st the following restaurants will be offering an Easter Brunch:

Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Centre is featuring a wonderful combination of culinary specialties to appeal to everyone's appetites from 11am-1pm.  Call 905-639-4443 for reservations.

The Easter Champagne Sunday Brunch at Spencer’s on the Waterfront features an Easter egg hunt, live entertainment, bar service and a seafood extravaganza including lobster.  $47 per adult, $21 per child (4-12yrs), call 905.633.7494 for reservations.

Stone House Restaurant will feature a delectable Steak & Seafood Buffet from 11:30am-8:00pm. To reserve your table by calling 905-632-1316.

The Water St. Cooker  is having its annual Sunday Brunch (right through dinner), and reservations are filling up very fast.  Emma’s Backporch will be featuring breakfast until 2pm (reservations only).  Call 905.634.2084 to reserve.

Join Tyandaga Golf Course for Easter Brunch. Seating times are 10:30a.m., 12p.m. or 1:30p.m. $29.99/Adult, $9.95/Child (5-12).  Call to make your reservation at 905.336.0006 ext 4, or 905.708.2913.

For those looking to stay active over Easter, consider signing up to participate in the Good Friday 5km, 10km and Kids’ Bunny Hop races.  The races begin on March 29^th at 8:50am at Aldershot High School and you can find race details and registration information on their website.

Other great outdoor activities include visiting Conservation Halton Parks, Bronte Creek Provincial Park, or Royal Botanical Gardens all of which have excellent walking/hiking trails.  You can also head to the Burlington Waterfront to walk/bike along the scenic trail or visit one of our many parks to enjoy a day out.

Our visitor centre will be closed on Friday March 29th and Sunday March 31th and open regular hours on Saturday March 30th and Monday April 1st. Our administrative offices will be closed Friday-Monday over Easter.  You can also visit our website 24 hours a day or reach us on Twitter and Facebook.

Happy Easter!

Family Day in Burlington Ontario

No matter what the weather is on February 18th, there are lots of great activities to enjoy on Family Day.  You can spend time in Burlington or the surrounding area and be sure that the little ones have no reason to say “I’m bored.”

If the snow remains you can dig out those toboggans, ski’s, skates, or snowshoes, blow off the dust and put them to good use.  The Conservation Halton parks are a great place to hike, bird watch, enjoy nature, and use those snow toys. Please check individual park sites to find out what activities are available at each location.

Have you ever heard of Snowsnake?  I honestly had no idea what this was when it was first mentioned to me, but I found out that this is a traditional Iroquoian game taking place at Crawford Lake Conservation Area as part of their Snowflakes & Snowsnakes event.  This unique event includes winter survival hikes, legends in the longhouse, hemlock tea tasting, and much more.

If you are more interested in an event that includes snuggling up and keeping warm, you can head to Mountsberg Conservation Area for Tales by a Winter Fire starting at 10am. You will be able to toboggan, hike, and enjoy an outdoor bonfire and if you prefer not to trek through the woods, relax on a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon ride being offered ($) through the fields and forest. 

Glen Eden offers tubing, fresh slopes, and even nighttime lighting for those of us who want to sleep in.  Although I am not much of a skier, I was able to master the bunny hill at Glen Eden.  If you are looking for a challenge or just trying something new it is it is well worth it, with their Discover Skiing and Snowboarding packages, this is a day of fun which is easy to organize.

Bronte Creek is always an inviting location to spend the morning, afternoon, or evening!  With the Olympic-sized outdoor rink you can lace up your skates and enjoy the pleasure of skating outside from 9am-9:30pm.  I personally love this because my friends enjoy skating while I am more of a watcher.  No matter how many times I try, I can never seem to get the hang of things, which ends up with me falling down constantly.  So instead, I’d rather sit and sip on a cup of hot chocolate, while they enjoy themselves.  With heated change rooms, washrooms, music, skate rentals, farm and play barn open from 9am-4pm, this is something that both friends and family can enjoy together.  Sometimes I even bring my dog, Nyssa, to run free in the leash free areas.  She is just as much a part of my family as my younger sister! 

The Rotary Centennial Pond offers a stunning view of the waterfront to enjoy while you skate.  Public skating is open daily from 10am-10pm depending on the weather. Don’t worry if the weather is not looking great for outside skating, The Appleby Ice Centre will be open with drop in programs for the entire family.  Check the website for skate types and times.

If you prefer the indoors, why not spend some time at the pool.  Pull out the swimsuits, goggles, and nose plugs and splash around in the water with public swimming at Aldershot Pool or Angela Coughlan Pool. Check the website for swim types and times.

Have your kids saying “RARW” at the Royal Botanical Gardens – Battle of the Titans.  Visitors can learn about paleontology, see a Tyrannosaurus Rex/ Triceratops life size diorama, play dress up, see dino prints, or try the digital dig pit. On February 17^th & 18^th Dr. Phil Manning, an internationally renowned dinosaur hunter from the University of Manchester will be on-hand to answer any of your questions on these prehistoric creatures.  The RBG is an affordable day out at only $30.50 for a family of four.  Once you’ve had the opportunity to see through dino-vision and learn about dino-diets, you will likely become “dino-hungry.”  The Garden Café at the RBG is featuring a Family Day Feast feeds two adults and two children and includes a salad, entrée and drink for only $30 + HST. (reservations are recommended).

For those that are more dramatically inclined be sure to get your tickets for Sing-a-long A Sound of Music at the Burlington Performing Art Centre. This interactive screening event is complimented with onscreen lyrics, props, costumes, and vocal warm-ups.  Be sure to visit the website to get a real feel for this cool interactive event and for ticket information.  

If you need a little extra incentive to get out of bed on the 18^th, the Burlington Chocolate Trail is a delectable treasure path Take your teen, best girlfriend or a special individual out to enjoy some decadent treats on this self-guided trail.  Is there anything better then spending the day with a little self enjoyment and chocolate - I don’t think so! 

Don’t worry about finding somewhere to eat on your day out, the restaurants of Burlington are always offering tasty meals. If you are looking for a prix fixe dining experience be sure to try one of more of the 23 restaurants participating in the Taste of Burlington from February 17 – March 10, 2013. 

Tourism Burlington will be open on Family Day from 9am-4pm,  and we are always available on the web, via Facebook or Twitter.

Whatever your plans are this Family Day we hope you enjoy your time together!

TourBurlGrl2

Battle of the Titans - Dinosaurs invade the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON

It is billed as a Battle of the Titans with Tyrannosaus Rex (T-Rex) facing off against the Triceratops for dinosaur supremacy!  For my daughters it was just about really cool dinosaurs at the Royal Botanical Gardens.  No matter your age, I think we can all agree there is something about dinosaurs that captures our imagination and intrigues us. 

Last year my five-year old was in junior kindergarten and she learned about dinosaurs and since then she has had a keen interest in these prehistoric creatures peppering me with questions about their size, what they ate, how they died…the list goes on and on.  My two and a half year old not to be outdone by her big sister also has become a fan of dinos but her questions are much easier to answer.  As you can imagine, when we were at the Royal Botanical Gardens over the holidays and the girls heard about the upcoming dinosaur exhibition they were so excited.  Flash forward to Wednesday when I told the them we were going to see the dinosaurs at the RBG the next day – the five year old responded with an exasperated “finally!” and the two year old ran around the house yelling “dinosaur” at the top of her lungs.

The Battle of the Titans does not disappoint! We entered the RBG and headed for the action.  As we passed the Atrium we noticed to large dinosaur heads peeking out from the foliage and the excitement rose.  My two year old ran ahead with her dad and by the time we caught up with them she was already outfitted in a dinosaur costume and roaring up a storm.  The five year old opted to read some books (dino themed of course) and we enjoyed some time in the “play area”.  Next up was crafting, one of the great things about the events at the RBG is there is always creative opportunities which is ideal for younger (and older kids) when you need some down time.  Their activity of choice was colouring and it kept them out of mischief for a while.  For a listing of all the daily activities check the website.

The foyer has some cool activities including the digital dig pit.  Kids have the opportunity to uncover dinosaur bones under digital dirt (so tidy!) and then sweep them into place to create a skeleton which comes alive and “walks off the table”.  I honestly think that my girls would have spent the whole night and much of the next day here.  I also had the opportunity to speak to the gentlemen that created this super cool exhibit and they were thrilled to watch it in action.  Up to that point they had only tested it themselves and I think they were very pleased with the final result. This is a great activity for kids of all ages – my two year old picked it up in no time.

There are other interesting and education exhibits around the foyer but once my girls got to the dig pit they weren’t keen to do much else.  That is until the prehistoric puppet show.  This cute puppet show features a T-Rex and Triceratops and manages to be both fun and sneak in some educational facts along the way.  Post show the staff came out with the two puppets and let the children “meet” the characters. 

We finally managed to get back to the Atrium to take in the main attraction.  The diorama of the T. rex and Triceratops locked in battle.  The upper level is full of fascinating and interactive displays.  From video displays to the dino vision skulls there is plenty to see and do and it covers a wide range of information which means older kids and adults will be engaged and learn but younger kids will still find things they can connect with.  As expected the dinosaur “output” display was met with giggles and interest.  I guess it’s not just boys that like that stuff.

The actual dinosaur replicas are huge and both girls liked getting up close and checking them out.  To quote my two year old “that the biggest dinosaur I ever seen”…her grammar is not perfect yet.  The actual creation of this exhibition is very impressive.  I asked Nick Kondrat, the Manager of Communications at RBG about the artist and exhibits and he explained, “Paleo-Artist Hall Train and his studio Hall Train Studios has provided world-class exhibit design to many of the most prominent institutions in North America. Those institutions include the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Universal Studios, and the Royal Tyrell Museum in Alberta.   His collaboration with leading paleontologists, biochemical engineers, curators and museum designers allows Hall Train studios to create some of the most scientifically authentic re-creations in the world. With Pioneer Energy’s Battle of the Titans, Hall was able to go further into his craft than ever before and tell a unique, multi-layered story about the fine ecological balance that dinosaurs tread so long ago. This is the first time that Battle of the Titans has been presented to the public and there are plans for the exhibit to travel to other institutions after its run at Royal Botanical Gardens.”  Lucky us to be the first to see this.

One of the things I like best about the exhibitions at the RBG is that they spend a lot of time creating special events and programming to tie into the main attraction.  This year is no different with something for children, youth and adults to enjoy.  My two personal favourites are the Dino-snore sleepovers and the Prehistoric Brunch.  Check out the entire listing and be sure to sign up early to ensure your space and if you are looking for a unique March break camp they have those too.

If after all your prehistoric adventures you are feeling a bit hungry be sure to stop by the Gardens Café for their special dinosaur themed menu. 

We had a great time at the Battle of the Titans and will definitely be visiting again (and again) before it ends on April 7.  The Royal Botanical Gardens has so much to do beyond the exhibition.  Take some time to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean Garden and relax by the koi pond (another child favourite) and escape the winter cold or if you are the outdoor type take a hike on the trails, and be sure to bring some sunflower seeds for the birds who like to eat from visitor’s hands.

All in all this was a “roaring” good time!

Holiday Fun in Burlington, Ontario

And so comes the Christmas season (hard to believe it's less than 20 days away) and with it lots of holiday fun. 

Crafting at RBG

Until January 6, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens for Holiday Traditions including an all new and extensive botanical model train installation. You can read all about our sneak peak at this event here. 

Be sure to head to the waterfront during the holiday to take in the Lakeside Festival of Lights running to January 9^th.   

Weekends and evenings (Wed-Fri) you can visit Bronte Creek Provincial Park for Homestead Christmas and experience the traditions of a Victorian Christmas on the farm in 1900.  Visit the reindeer barn and then enjoy a personal visit with the big guy - no reservations required.  

This Friday December 7^th join the Museums of Burlington at Ireland House for A Taste of Christmas Past: Festive Food & Drink of Yesteryear.  Enjoy festive holiday food samplings and beverage tastings from the Ireland Family home. Special activities, live entertainment and costumed historic performers complete the evening. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out.

For those that appreciate the indie music scene, be sure to check out Burly Calling – a DIY Music Festival December 7th-9th.  Hometown Youtube sensation Walk off the Earth return home for this awesome event.

Streetcar Museum

Head to the Streetcar Museum December 8th for Christmas on the Rails and enjoy a ride among the trees with carols in the air.  Also on December 8th you will want to be in Downtown Burlington for the Santa 5k run, when over 3,800 Santas will hit the streets - check out the video from last year here.  

Sunday December 9^th, The Crossroads Centre presents a Kid’s Christmas with crafts, snacks and a God rocks concert. On Monday December 10^th join them for Christmas in the Square.  Country sensation Michelle Wright, along with six other talented Canadian musicians, will perform your favourite Christmas classics . Radio and television personality Casey Clarke will host this inspiring Christmas evening. A limited number of tickets are available for this intimate taping performance.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Conservation Halton has launched a new holiday event at Hilton Falls - December 16^th enjoy the simple pleasures of nature with Christmas on the Trails.  

Experience the Magic of the Holidays at Paletta Mansion Open House on Monday December 17th from 11am-3pm.  Refreshments available to purchase. Donations of unwrapped toys or canned food will be collected for the Salvation Army.

If you are a fan of the arts, there are lots of great holiday performances coming to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre including The Nutcracker Suite, Leahy Family Christmas and many more.  Be sure to check the calendar for a complete event listing and get your tickets before these popular shows sell out.

As the holiday winds-up, take advantage of your last opportunity to celebrate 2012 and welcome 2013 with the City of Burlington New Year's Eve Celebrations at Central Park.  Lots of family fun activities capped off with fireworks to ring in the New Year.  Conservation Halton rings in 2013 with their New Year's Eve Hoopla and Bronte Creek is guaranteed to be a howling good time with their New Year's Eve Howls & Hikes.  

Don't worry the new year will be lots of great events too...no matter what you choose remember if you need ideas and help planning your trip visit our website or give us a call at 1-877-499-9989.

Holiday Traditions at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Every year we look forward to visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens during the Christmas Season.  The holiday decorating coupled with lots of fun activities for both children and adults make for a great way to spend a few hours or more exploring indoors and out.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a sneak preview of this year's Holiday Traditions event which will run from Friday November 16, 2012 to January 6, 2013 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.  From the moment my daughters (aged 2 & 5) heard they were going to the RBG that's all they could talk about. I am sure both the children and teachers at their school and daycare can attest to the excitement surrounding this evening and I have to say that the event did not disappoint.

Upon arrival at the RBG you are greeted by two very large toy soldiers, okay they are not real but they certainly look official guarding the holiday entrance.  Once inside you can't help but feel festive, from the beautiful decorations, live plants and holiday doors that line the walkways to the Pièce de résistance - the train set!

Until you have the opportunity to see the train show you really can't imagine what a work of art it is.  Created by landscape architect Paul Busse this botanical train installation features a coast-to-coast tribute to over 15 Canadian landmarks.  Constructed from over 7 tons of cedar slabs, 3,000 pounds of rock and 250 feet of track this visual homage features landmarks such as LIUNA Station, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, Parliament buildings and so much more.  

We, like everyone else headed straight to the train show and watched as the two trains make their way through this display much to the delight of the children (and adults).  My co-workers arrived shortly after us and my five year old couldn't wait to give them a guided tour of everything - it is a great opportunity to talk to your children about places they might have seen or ones that you hope to visit.  

Once we were finished viewing the train show we headed upstairs for the children's activities.  There was holiday crafting and both my daughters were excited to make ornaments with oranges & cloves, which now smell amazing hanging next to our fireplace. Throughout the event there are various children's activities running on weekends that will keep your little ones engaged and in the holiday mood.  You will also have the opportunity to get outdoors with a guided winter hike.  

Of course no holiday event would be complete without the big man in red - SANTA!  Be sure to bring a camera to capture your visit with Santa and his reindeer.  I hope everyone has managed to stay off the "naughty" list this year.  If you want a chance to get a little more up close and personal with Santa be sure to reserve your spot at the Breakfast with Santa on December 8th or 16th.

Nothing puts me in a festive mood quicker than a jaunty holiday carol and for me, one of the highlights of the evening was the carolling by Harbourtown Sound Chorus Hamilton (also appearing Nov. 25th).  Visitors to Holiday Traditions will be treated to some great entertainment (selected dates) including the Bel Canto Strings Academy, Phunktown 5 and more.

If you plan to visit this weekend you can do double duty and get some holiday shopping done at the annual Auxiliary Christmas Show and Sale.  If you are looking for a unique gift for under the tree this year, this sale is for you.

Aside from the event at the RBG you can also take time to relax and unwind with a stroll through the indoor gardens - nothing like tropical temps and the smell of fresh flowers to melt away the stress!

If you are coming in from out of town we are happy to help you plan your visit via phone, email or check out our website.  

Happy Holidays!

Spooktacular Halloween Events in Burlington, Ontario

Well, it’s that time of year again: the leaves have changed; pumpkin is once again appreciated as an acceptable coffee ingredient and Canadians everywhere are reluctantly stowing away their bathing suits in favour of Mum’s home-made cable-knit sweaters. There’s no doubt about it, with this nip in the air and the ever-comforting smell of damp leaves and steaming cider, this is the time of year to celebrate fun, family and all things cozy; however, let’s not get too comfortable yet because October 31^st is right around the corner, and it won’t be long before the sense of security that accompanies turkey dinners and toasty fires is interrupted by the incredible fun, fear and festivity that is Halloween in Burlington, Ontario!

Now, some people are of the belief that Halloween is a one-day-a-year festivity. To them we at Tourism Burlington say “Nay! Halloween is not to be confined to 24 hours; it is to be celebrated all month long!” Fortunately, the folks at there are lots of great attractions that share this philosophy and provide many occasions on which to celebrate the upcoming fright-night. Outdoorsy ghouls and goblins will enjoy some great events happening around Burlington.

Streetcar Museum

Saturday October 20th and 27^th, take a trip to the Halton Radial Railway for their Halloween Spooktacular.  Walk through the haunted car barn and travel in the old, creaky streetcars along the mainline. Costumes encouraged, reservations not required.  

Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s Camper Halloween on Saturday Oct 20th is a great opportunity to not only get in that last bit of fall camping but also to decorate your campsite, trick or treat and take in a special guided walk.

Springridge Farm

Weekends at Springridge Farm are home to the Harvest Festival. Visit the farm market, take a pony ride, see a professional puppet show, or take a wagon ride to the 5-acre corn trail. More adventurous guests might wish to explore the Boo Barn, monkey around on the Spiderweb Climber, or try their hand at making it through the Witch’s Mouth Corn Maze, and don’t forget to dress up and participate in the Halloween Parade on October 28^th.

Families will also get a kick out of the Spooktacular Hallowe’en at Mountsberg Conservation on the weekend of October 20-21 and October 27-28. Romp around the haunted playbarn and participate in the skeleton scavenger hunt plus so much more all included in regular park admission rates.  While you are there take some time to explore the park and enjoy the remaining fall colours.

The Hallowe’en Carnival on Sunday October 28th at Ireland House will feature lots of activities and entertainment for young and old. Learn more about historical mourning traditions or, on a sweeter note, learn how candy was made in the past. The price of admission includes treat bags for all kids & a pumpkin per family while supplies last so be sure to get there early for a fun-filled day.

If you are sports-minded don’t worry there are some Hallowe’en themed events that will get your blood pumping.  On Saturday October 27th join the walking dead for the Zombie Race, a 5km obstacle course at Kelso Conservation.  You will be challenged both mentally and physically as you race against the clock and well as dodging hundreds of brain-hungry, virus infected zombies.  Sounds like fun right?

Pumpkin Summit 8k

The next day runners will be able to race zombie free in the Pumpkin Summit 8k also at Kelso Conservation. This on trail race starts with an ascent up the ski hill and then on to the flat terrain of the wooded trails of Kelso.  This will challenge both novice runners and more experienced racers and the view of the fall colours from the top of the hill is amazing. Kids will enjoy the pumpkin rolling contest where after hiking uphill they get to send their pumpkins rolling down the slope. 

Finally, we can’t forget the trick-or-treating itself.

Bring the family to Downtown Burlington on Saturday October 27th for Treats in the Streets.  Put on your costume and treat or treat through the streets of downtown at participating businesses.  The fun doesn’t end there you can also enjoy pancakes from local restaurants in Civic Square, entertainment at various locations, Hallowe’en activities and more. 

Visit Mapleview Centre on Monday October 29^th for their 14^th Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat where “the kids will love the candy and you’ll love the fashion.”  Plus kids can create a personalized flip book or have some fun at the Play-doh™ play centre.

Hallowe'en on Seneca Ave

On Halloween night stop by Seneca Avenue, Burlington’s busiest Halloween street, which typically hosts up to 400 trick-or-treaters between 5 and 8pm! Children, their parents and pets from all over the city flock to this street, so much so that the City has ensured that it is safely blocked off from traffic to guarantee a risk-free and fun-filled night for all. Previous years have included a robotic gorilla, a haunted house, a large projector and hay-bail seating for Harry Potter movie screenings, free popcorn and, of course, some truly amazing costumes. This turns the street into a safe and fun-filled street party where families gather to share the night.

All of us at Tourism Burlington wish you a SPOOKTACULAR Hallowe’en!

Falling into nature and falling in love

“Can he give you a kiss?”

It wasn’t the first thing I expected to hear when my family and I reached Kelso Conservation Park on this chilly but beautiful Saturday afternoon. Then again, I didn’t expect to be greeted by a three foot fork-tongued grizzly lizard named Oreo. The charming fellow was part of the reptile show at Kelso over the Thanksgiving weekend and one of many activities that are part of Conservation Halton’s Fall Into Nature festival.

My daughters Emma and Katie and I laughed as we reeled back when Oreo’s tongue darted toward us. Oreo is owned by “Adventure Ed” who brought his Safari Science show to Kelso for the event, which continues this weekend.

My family and I had been looking forward to checking out the cornucopia of events at Halton’s six parks (Kelso, Hilton Falls, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Crawford Lake and Mount Nemo), especially since the escarpment is now ablaze in full fall foliage. The events continue October 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We were looking forward to rediscovering some of the parks in the area which we don’t always get to. What we didn’t expect - and I’m embarrassed to admit this since I grew up in Burlington - was that we would discover a treasure trove of natural gems we never knew existed.

The list of activities was long - wagon rides, pumpkin painting, chair lift rides, bird of prey shows, and, of course, hiking. We decided to start our adventure at Kelso and, after greeting Oreo, headed over to the chair lift for a ride up the hill.

There was a brisk wind and I was glad we were wearing mitts but the panoramic view of nature in all its fall glory was well worth it. It was spectacular seeing the escarpment lit up in an artist’s palette of reds, yellows and golds.

The girls then did some pumpkin painting and then we popped in for some hot apple cider as we waited for the Arashido-Taiko Japanese drummers to play. The drummers looked chilly in their light clothing, especially those in sandals, but warmed up as they vigorously pounded their drums.

The next stop was Hilton Falls Conservation Area, a five minute drive away. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never been, especially now that I’ve seen what it has to offer. After Emma and Katie made their own pine cone bird feeders, we headed to the trails.

“Boy, you would think we’d have to go up north to find this but it’s all here,” said my husband, Mike.

So true. The trails were breathtaking in their beauty; the archway of trees, the beaver pond, the carpet of colourful leaves. If Spielberg designed a Hollywood set of the perfect hiking path, he couldn’t have created anything as beautiful as this.

The scenery kept us going as we made the 8-kilometre hike to the waterfall and back. By the time we arrived back at our car it was after five so we headed home to rest up for Sunday when we planned to take in Mountsberg and Crawford Lake.

While Mountsberg is known for its wonderful Birds of Prey show, we also had a delightful visit with a corral full of charming goats. My Katie swears one of them winked at her. Emma spotted the most beautiful grey horse in a nearby fenced area who we learned was a 21-year-old Percheron, a breed that originated from northern France.

“She looks like a statue,” said Katie, as we gazed at the beautiful still creature.

Next we tried our hand at painting the mural of large farm animals on the side of the barn. We headed for the wagon that would take us to see the bisons. As we rode along the bumpy trail, resource interpreter Erica Lagios explained to us that bisons are the largest mammals on the planet and that they once numbered in the 30 to 60 million range but by the late 1800’s there were only 600 left.

Due to conservation efforts, they are back up to around 25,000 and Mountsberg has ten of them. That includes a very macho-looking fellow named Steve, who has a wicked set of bangs that flopped up and down when he loped toward our wagon.

The bisons obviously love the mix of grain and molasses Erica feeds them. My daughters laughed as Steve’s bangs bounced up and down like an overteased hairdo as he ran toward us, obviously looking for more granola.

“Wow, where else can you get this close to bisons,” I said to my daughters.

After our ride, we headed to the bird sanctuary where we met Echo, the owl and Duchess, the kestrel falcon and learned how they are cared for.

Back in the car, we headed off to Crawford Lake to see the longhouses. Chief Topleaf had drawn a crowd as he shared stories about First Nations culture.

After a quick game of lacrosse, which showed off my less than athletic abilities at the game, it was time for a walk around the lake. For all the fun activities we enjoyed, the best part of each park for us was the natural beauty of the surroundings and Crawford Lake was no exception.

It’s an absolutely gorgeous area and we were again reminded again of the hidden gems around us here in Burlington.

As we walked along the wooden boardwalk that wound through the trees, we could hear the lovely sounds of The Playford Players on the hammer dulcimer and guitar. There was nothing quite like seeing the reflection of those trees on the lake while being serenaded by the music.

From the smiling goats and majestic bisons of Mountsberg, to hiking the boardwalk around Crawford Lake, and the breathtaking trails of Hilton, I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend.

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SIDEBAR

On October 13 and 14 you can experience Fall into Nature by bus. It will run from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., starting at Kelso Conservation Area Info. tent. It includes a chairlift ride followed by a BBQ lunch then at 12.30 the bus will leave for Crawford Lake. At 2.30 you’re off to Mountsberg for a birds of prey demonstration and wildlife walk. The bus will leave for Kelso at 4 p.m. and arrive at 4.30 p.m.

Cost is $36 per person plus HST. Reserve your seat by calling 905-336-6684 or register online at www.fallintonature.ca. 

Guest Blogger - Denise Davy

"Denise Davy is a freelance writer who has lived in Burlington for more than 40 years. She is an award-winning writer who wrote news stories, feature articles and columns for The Hamilton Spectator for 26 years. She has travelled extensively and visited India, China, Japan and the Caribbean, thanks to being honoured with three national journalism fellowships. She now specializes in writing about travel, parenting, and health and women's issues. She is proud to call Burlington her home and lives here with her husband and their two beautiful daughters."  You can contact Denise through her web site and blog at www.denisedavy.com