More than a dozen things to do in Hamilton-area on Family Day

Family means home and what a better place to spend Family Day than here at home around Hamilton.

It's a holiday like no other. A day for the family or to just be. No football, celebration or agenda to pull you away.

Here are more than a dozen little gems that'll help make Hamilton shine on Monday.

• It's Hamilton Winterfest 2022 and you can stop by the Winterfest Hub at Auchmar House on the northeast corner of Fennell Avenue and West 5th Street on Monday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Parking is free at St. Joseph's Health Care West 5th Campus off Brantdale Avenue. Features at the hub include: Iceberg Expedition, Music Dome, Market Domes, Fly South!, The Journey" mural celebrating the vibrancy and culture of the Black community in Hamilton, food vendors and more.

• Hamilton's outdoor rinks are open. City-operated outdoor rinks have staff maintain the ice and patrol sites up until 10 p.m., lights shut off at 11 p.m. Outdoor rinks are: Waterdown Ice Loop, 200 Hamilton St. N.; Freelton Outdoor Rink, 170 Freelton Rd.; Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre Ice Loop, 876 Cannon St. E.; and Dundas Driving Park Outdoor Rink, 71 Cross St. COVID restrictions are in place.

Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink at Pier 8 is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals are available for $10.

Burlington's Rotary Centennial Pond is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check the ice conditions with the hotline, 905-335-7738, ext. 8587.

• Three of Hamilton's civic museums are open from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is free with your Hamilton Public Library card.

Dundurn National Historic Museum (Dundurn Castle) and the Hamilton Military Museum, 610 York Blvd.

The Hamilton Children's Museum will be hosting four one-hour wizarding workshops throughout the day at Dundurn for children ages five and up. Discover, share and celebrate creative imaginations. Each household can book up to five tickets. Pre-registration is required.

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology, 900 Woodward Ave.

-Sorry, the Family Day Model Train Show is sold out. Pre-registration is required.

• Winterfest Family Day Activity Kits. Reserve a kit by emailing museums@hamilton.ca and indicate your preferred pickup location. Locations are Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology or the Dundurn Castle Gift Shop from 12 to 4 p.m.

• Map out a route to hike in the Hamilton or Halton conservation area, or City of Hamilton hiking trail, or check out the trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Hamilton area is abound with views, escarpment stairs and vistas. Try to see something you haven't before. conservationhamilton.ca

• Bulldogs Family Day game is at FirstOntario Centre with puck drop at 2 p.m. Come on out to see the Dogs take on the Erie Otters. Tickets start at $15. ticketmaster.ca

• Find your Zen along the trails. Hamilton is so much more than just steel town. There are miles and miles of trails for both serious and leisure walkers.

• Hamilton is home to more than 100 waterfalls tucked behind the trails of the Niagara Escarpment. Have you seen Tiffany Falls? It's a must for any Hamiltonian. Visit tourismhamilton.com for a complete guide.

• RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington. Under the Canopy" winter exhibit is open. Meet live animals, including Wicket, the three-year-old Linnaeus's two-toed Sloth, boa constrictor and many more who call the canopy home. Admission is included in your RBG admission, but you will need to book your time slot.

• Slide over to Hamilton's closest ski hill at Glen Eden. This ski resort is the perfect place for anyone who feels like hitting the slopes this winter. Spend a few hours getting your blood pumping as you race down the hills. Whether you prefer snowboarding or skiing, Glen Eden is the place for you at 5234 Kelso Rd., Milton. Cost is about $42 for one adult. gleneden.on.ca

• Where else can I ski? Check out Where to Go For Snowboarding and Skiing in and Around Greater Toronto Area."

• Enjoy Hamilton's Greenhouse in Gage Park on Monday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Parking is off Lawrence Road.

• Hamilton Bulldogs are back to full fan capacity at FirstOntario Centre for the Family Day game on Monday. Puck drop is 2 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $15, visit ticketmaster.ca.

• Family Day is also one of Ontario's Licence-Free Fishing Days. This means you can enjoy the fun of fishing without a licence until 11:59 p.m. Monday. No active events are planned for the Hamilton area, but if you do go fishing, be sure you are following Ontario's COVID safety guidelines. ontariofamilyfishing.com

-Hamilton Conservation Authority ice fishing at Valens and Fifty Point conservation areas are open, but double check for ice conditions before you head out. conservationhamilton.ca

• Treewalk Village at Treetop Trekking is perfect for kids ages three to eight, but everyone can explore. It's open Monday. Explore the tree house village at Binbrook Conservation Area in Hamilton.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com