Things to do this March break around Hamilton
March break is back and things are looking a little more normal than the last two.
Travellers might want to read, Fully vaxxed and hitting the road! What you need to know to drive across the Canada-U.S. border by The Spectator's Jeremy Kemeny.
For those of us who are staying around Hamilton, here is a list of some things to do.
Bulldogs hockey
Tickets are available for the Hamilton Bulldogs and Oshawa Generals game March 14 at Tim Hortons Field. Outdoors on the first day of March break promises to be a game to remember. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets run from $25 to $45, ticketmaster.ca.
Disney on Ice
Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the Mickey's Search Party when Disney On Ice comes to FirstOntario Centre from March 17 to 20 for nine performances. Call the box office, 1-855-872-5000 or visit ticketmaster.ca.
AGH
Art Galley of Hamilton's March break camp registration is closed but you can still take an excursion to 123 King St. W. for other activities like the Free Exhibition Tours on Saturdays, Sundays at 1 p.m., and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Visit artgalleryofhamilton.com
Spring Tide
Hamilton's annual Spring Tide Bulb Show is in full bloom at the Gage Park Greenhouse, 1000 Main St. E. Stop and smell the spring flowers at this free show on daily from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. until March 20. Take a non-perishable food item if you go.
Try lacrosse
Hamilton Minor Lacrosse is running free March break Try Lacrosse' clinics on March 14 and 20. Pre-registration is required, visit hamiltonlacrosse.com. This clinic is for children who have never played lacrosse to give them an opportunity to have a stick in their hand and ask questions. Ages 4 and up.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Explore this unique collection of almost 50 aircraft and displays - all dedicated to Canada's rich military aviation history from the Second World War to the current. Many of the aircraft still fly and you can book your flight into history. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Adult admission is $16. warplane.com
Van Gogh experienced
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" continues at Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen's until April 2. Open Wednesday to Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Through projection technology and an original score, Beyond Van Gogh" breathes new life into more than 300 of Van Gogh's artworks. vangoghhamilton.com
HIEC program
Halton Industry Education Council offers virtual learning sessions; Career and Life Skills March break Program. For information and registration visit Career and Life Skills March break Program Registration. Or, visit hiec.on.ca
Hamilton civic museums
Dundurn National Historic Site, the Hamilton Military Museum, the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, Whitehern Historic House and Fieldcote Museum are open to public. Battlefield House and Children's museum remain closed. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/museum-events
Free admission to all Hamilton Civic Museums with a Hamilton Public Library Card.
- Hamilton Children's Museum free pop up Wizarding Week Workshop runs March 14 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the Coach House at Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Blvd. Pre-registration is required.
Burlington museums
Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd. E., March break camp is sold out but the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Take on the trails, gardens or exhibits during March break. The RBG has five gardens, 27 kilometres of trails and more. rbg.ca
Under the Canopy of the world's major rainforests, meet some of the animals who call these places home, and find out how your life connects to rainforest ecosystems. This timed ticketed event continues to May 1 at the RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W. Pre-registration required.
- Longing for an elegant indoor and outdoor jazz lounge experience? WinterTide at the Rock Garden continues Thursdays to Saturdays from 5:30 to 11 p.m. until March 12 at the Rock Garden. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. This is a +19 event.
March break at the library
From Lego building, green screen photo shots to online movies and music, there is something for every age at the Hamilton Public Library during March break. For full details on programs and times, see hpl.ca.
- McMaster Children and Youth University Workshop Online - Agents of the Internet is March 14, 1 to 2 p.m., for ages eight to 12 years.
- Green Screen Photo Booth, March 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Central Branch in the Photo Studio. Stop by the Central Makerspace any time on Tuesday to have your photo taken by staff in front of a greenscreen with several choices as backgrounds.
- LEGO Mindstorms Freeplay, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Branch. Build the robot of your dreams with one of our LEGO Mindstorms kits and watch your creations come to life. This is a first come, first served event. No registration or reservations are needed to participate in this event.
Explore science, movement, nature, and stories all week long with Burlington Public Library virtual programs. Live via Zoom. bpl.on.ca
- Family Storytime, March 15 and 17 from 10 to 10.20 a.m.
- Sciensational Sssnakes, March 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. (Registration required)
- Hip Hop Dance with Josh Court, March 17 from 1 2 p.m. (Registration required)
- Coding Club: Python+, March 17 from 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. (Registration required)
Maple festivals
Classic maple syrup events are back and many continue daily through March break. Be sure to register early.
At Westfield Heritage Village, at 1049 Kirkwall Rd. in Rockton, Maple Syrup Season programming runs Sundays March 13, 20 and 27, as well as Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17. Two demonstration sites are open, including the modern sugar shack. Maple syrup panels are on display, follow the maple trivia trail or purchase pancakes the St. George Lions' pop-up. Visitors can buy maple treats from the general store and gift shop. Historical buildings will not be open for this program and all activities take place outside, including takeout pancakes. Dress for the weather so you can stay warm for your two-hour visit. Reserve your spot at westfieldheritage.ca.
Mountsberg Conservation Area will tap around 300 sugar maples this spring, before transforming the clear, sweet sap into maple syrup. Sugarbush events start this weekend and continue through April 10. That includes daytime activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays (a two-hour reservation is $12 for adults) and evening activities from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday to Sunday and holidays ($24 for adults). Make your reservation at conservationhalton.ca. Pre-registration is required.
The Friends of Bronte Creek Provincial Park in-person maple syrup festival remains cancelled in 2022.
Richardson's Farm and Market, 131 River Rd., Dunnville. Visit Farmer James at the evaporator to see first-hand how we boil the sap into pure maple syrup. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and then daily March 14 to 18 (closed Sunday). Wagon ride/self-guided tour os $10 plus HST. Taste of Pure Maple Taffy $2 per stick. richardsonsfarm.com
Treetop Trekking
Treewalk Village is open during March break with two hour sessions. Explore tree house village at Binbrook Conservation Area, 5050 Harrison Rd, Binbrook. Climb from tree house to tree house through eight foot tall hammocks, nets, and wood bridges. Descend to the ground on slides, play on the treewee obstacle courses and other forest games. Open Thursday to Sunday. Advance tickets are required, $10 to $22. treetoptrekking.com
Goat Yoga
Breathe, relax, and feel refreshed. Come join in on yoga with goats. You'll have 40 minutes of yoga while surrounded by goats followed by 20 minutes of cuddle session with the goats and photo opportunity. Sessions are March 13, 19 at 1 and 2:30 p.m., and March 14 at 6 p.m. Triple C Farm, 50 Carluke Rd. W., Ancaster. Cost is $35. triplecfarm.ca
- Family Petting Farm visits are also available. Tickets are $11.30 for an hour. Advance tickets required.
Niagara Falls
There's more than the seventh wonder of the world at Niagara Falls. Here are a few things you can do.
- Mad Science at the Museum runs March 15 to 18. Pre-registration required. Cost: $5 adults, $4 children, $15 families (4-5 participants), children 5 and under free. niagarafallsmuseums.ca
- Little Inventors March break Workshop at the Niagara Parks Power Station, runs March 14 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: Each half-day session is $44 per child, pre-registration required. niagaraparks.com
Legoland Discovery Centre
It's a little out there but every kid's dream. LEGOLAND(R) Discovery Centre has millions of LEGO bricks to create and discover, epic rides, mega-awesome 4D movies, and more. Open March 12 to 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan. Tickets start at $26.99 and must be pre-booked. legolanddiscoverycentre.com
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com