Off for March break? Here are more than a dozen things to do around Hamilton

Pull back and unwind over March break. Daylight saving time starts on Sunday, and while we lose an hour, it can only mean one thing: spring break.

We are all looking forward to those precious seven days from March 12 to 18.

If you're sticking around, we've packed up some free and cheap things for you and the kids to do around Hamilton.

Cue the matinee

Who doesn't love the cinema? Hamilton's got a couple great local cinemas sure to add a special touch to your March break.

The Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N. The theatre is offering March break matinees for just $6. Showing are The Sea Beast," Iron Giant" and Ratatouille." Visit playhousecinema.ca for dates and times.

The Westdale, 1014 King St. W. March break matinees are $8. Show times are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. On the bill are Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," Sing," Abominable," Spirit Untamed," Hook," ET," How to Train Your Dragon" and more. Visit thewestdale.ca for dates.

In Burlington, check out Cine Starz, 460 Brant St., Unit 3, where matinees are always $6. Visit cinestarz.ca.

Planetarium

Hamilton holds one of the few planetariums around at McMaster University. The William J. McCallion Planetarium is running eight Introductory Astronomy for Kids shows during March break. Make sure you preregister early, it fills fast. The planetarium is located in the Burke Science Building, B149, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks for the duration of the show as the space is small and enclosed. Please note that if you are late, your reserved tickets may be given away to those without reservations. Tickets are $7. physics.mcmaster.ca/planetarium/schedule.html

Rock lacrosse

Hamilton's Rock lacrosse takes to the floor Saturday nights at FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd. The Albany FireWolves are in town March 11, opening draw is 7 p.m. torontorock.com

Try lacrosse

Never played before? Lacrosse is Canada's national summer sport and here's your chance for boys and girls to try lacrosse for free on March 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Players Paradise, 565 Seaman St., Stoney Creek. The Hamilton Lacrosse Association offers this session, geared to new players (age four and up) and their families, to give you the skills necessary to start your box or field lacrosse journey. All participants must have a caged helmet. Sticks can be borrowed. Registration is required, visit hamiltonlacrosse.com.

Bulldogs hockey

Your Hamilton Bulldogs take on the Ottawa 67's for their last home game of the regular season March 12 at 2 p.m. in FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd. hamiltonbulldogs.com

Hamilton Civic Museums

Dundurn National Historic Site, the Hamilton Military Museum, the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, Whitehern Historic House, Battlefield House and Fieldcote Museum are open to public. The Hamilton Children's Museum remains closed, see their pop-up event below. hamilton.ca

Free admission to all Hamilton Civic Museums with a Hamilton Public Library card.

• Hamilton Children's Museum presents The Art of Science from March 13 to 17 with hourly sessions between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Blvd. Preregistration is required. Tickets are $5.

Burlington museums

Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd. E., and Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line, are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. museumsofburlington.ca

Public swims

City of Hamilton pools offer drop-in swimming in more than 20 pools. Admission is $11.04 for a family of four, or $3.63 each. Visit hamilton.ca/things-do/recreation/locations/recreation-centres-indoor-pools for full schedules.

In Burlington, visit burlington.ca/en/recreation/swimming-and-aquatic-programs.aspx.

Public skating

Free public open skating is offered at Lawfield, Chedoke, Glanbrook, Inch Park, Rosedale, Saltfleet and Valley Park arenas over March break. Visit hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2023-03/recreation_marsh-break-skating-2023.pdf for the full schedule.

In Burlington, drop-in skating is available at Aldershot Arena, Appleby Ice Centre, Central Arena, Mainway Ice Centre, Mountainside Community Centre Rink and Nelson Arena. Visit burlington.ca/en/recreation/skating.aspx for full details.

AGH

Art Galley of Hamilton's March break camp registration is closed, but you can still take an excursion to 123 King St. W. See the current exhibitions and more, open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission applies to access Gallery Level 1. Admission is $15 for adults and free for children and students. Gallery Level 2 and Thursdays are always free. Visit artgalleryofhamilton.com.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Take on the trails, gardens or exhibits during March break. The RBG has five gardens, 27 kilometres of trails in Hamilton and Burlington, and more. rbg.ca

• Frogs! A Ribbiting Exhibit runs through March break to April 16. Admission is $20.50 for adults, $12.50 for children ages four to 12, and free for infants and toddlers. A family pass is $48.50 for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. Time-ticketed exhibition, preregistration required.

Spring Tide Bulb Show

Enjoy the very first sights and sounds of spring at the Spring Tide Bulb Show. With hundreds of bulbs on display, this year's theme is Spring at the Cottage." The event runs March 10 to 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Enjoy a vendor marketplace, cafe, scavenger hunt and more. Hamilton's Spring Tide Bulb Show is free to attend and is held in the Gage Park Greenhouse, with free parking in the lot off Lawrence Road. Donations to Hamilton Food Share appreciated. hamilton.ca

Trail Mix Museum

Stretch those gams this week with 30 minutes of easy hiking in Hamilton along the Pipeline Trail between London and Strathearne streets. Along the way, you'll be treated to artwork presented by Red Tree Collective. Imagery presented along the trail establishes connections to the industrial and ecological history of the six-kilometre pipeline that has carried clean water to the City of Hamilton underneath the trail since 1859. redtreecollective.org/trail-mix-museum-2/

Maple syrup season

Tap into the sweet life this March break. It's up there with learning to skate, a must for any Canadian, young or old. Events include demonstrations, wagon rides, pancakes, hikes and more depending on where you go. Admissions start around $10 and up. Note that some programs require you to preregister.

• Westfield Heritage Village, at 1049 Kirkwall Rd. in Rockton. Maple Syrup Season programs run March 12, 15, 16 and 19. Two demonstration sites are open, including the modern sugar shack. Maple syrup panels are on display, follow the maple trivia trail and get some pancakes from the St. George Lions in Ironwood Hall. Visitors can buy maple treats from the general store and gift shop. Some historical buildings will be open and volunteer historical interpreters will be out. Dress for the weather so you can stay warm for your two-hour visit. Advance reservations are required at westfieldheritage.ca.

• Richardson's Farm and Market, 131 River Rd., Dunnville. Visit Farmer James at the evaporator to see first-hand how the sap is boiled into pure maple syrup. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and then daily March 14 to 18 (closed Sundays). Wagon ride/self-guided tour is $10 plus HST. Taste of Pure Maple Taffy $2 per stick. richardsonsfarm.com

• Sweet Water Season runs daily during March break from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included in your visit: Longhouse Village exploration; First Harvest: Celebrating Sweet Water Exhibit; Maple Syrup Tastings at 12 and 2 p.m.; Maple Taffy on Snow at 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (additional fee applies); Sweet Water Demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1, and 3 p.m. Admission is $10.50 plus HST for adults. An extra $1.50 added when purchasing at gate. Crawford Lake Conservation Area is at 3115 Conservation Rd. in Milton. conservationhalton.ca

• Maple Town runs daily during March break from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included in your visit: Wagon rides (sign up at the discovery centre); Raptor Centre, Cameron Barn, Candy Cabin, Sugar Shack demonstrations and more. Don't miss the Maple Trivia Trail through the sugar bush. Admission is $12 plus HST for adults. Pancake Pavillion is extra. Mountsberg Wildlife Centre, 2259 Milburough Line in Campbellville. conservationhalton.ca

• The Friends of Bronte Creek Provincial Park in-person maple syrup festival is back. Festivities are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every weekend in March and during March break. Enjoy a guided tour of Maple Lane with costumed interpreters, demonstrations, wagon rides and more. Admission is your park admission. The pancake house is extra. Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville. brontecreek.org

March break at the library

Hamilton Public Library offers free programs for kids and teens March 13 to 17. The week is filled with crafts, movies, music, makerspace classes, job search workshops and special guests, including cartooning with Mike Cope, performances by LONE Rhubarbian Paul Fralick and Firefighter Stortytime. Plan your visit at hpl.ca/march-break.

McMaster Children and Youth University Workshop - this workshop is held various days at different branches for ages four to eight years and eight to 12 years.

Family BINGO - on Monday at these branches: Dundas 10 a.m., Concession 2 p.m., and Ancaster 2:30 p.m. See hpl.ca for more days.

Green Screen Photo Booth - March 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Waterdown Branch and March 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Central Branch in the photo studio. You can virtually go anywhere. Stop by and staff will take your photo in front of a green screen then choose from several backgrounds where you'd like to be.

LEGOmania - Build, tear apart and build again. Don't smother your Lego dreams and come make your creations come to life. For ages four to 12 years. No registration or reservations needed to participate in this event. Offered Monday, 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Terryberry; Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Concession, 2 to 4 p.m. at Dundas, and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Ancaster; Wednesday, 10 to 11 a.m. at Sherwood, and 2 to 3 p.m. at Red Hill; Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Valley Park; and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Mount Hope.

Burlington Public Library offers in-person and virtual events over the break. Some are drop-in and some require registration. Don't miss your chance to check out Family STEAM Time, Bucket Drumming, a Tech Petting Zoo and more. Visit bpl.ca.

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 present. 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, youth ages six to 12 is $11 and children under six are free. warplane.com

Disney On Ice

This classic event presents Frozen" and Encanto" March 15 to 19 at FirstOntario Centre. Step inside the magical adventures of Disney's Frozen" and Encanto" as they are brought to life through Disney on Ice. Tickets start at $37.90 plus fees and tax. coreentertainment.ca

Treetop village

Treewalk Village is open during March break with two-hour sessions. Explore the 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 Friday to Sunday and daily over the break. Note that the main aerial park is closed for the season. Advance tickets are required, $10 to $22. treetoptrekking.com

Toronto ComiCon

Take a trip on the GO Train and zip out to Toronto ComiCon. This three-day extravaganza is packed with family-friendly activities and celebrities at the end of March break. It runs March 17 to 19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Blvd., Toronto. Tickets start at $12 and up. comicontoronto.com

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