1. FOR ADVENTURE TRAVELLERS: Harbour swing
Whether you like a brisk stroll or would rather bring along your in-line skates or bicycle, the Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail is both breezy and energizing. Start at Princess Point, which is part of the Cootes Paradise wetland being nurtured back from the ecological brink by a determined community devoted to screening out non-native fish and plant species and restoring the marsh to its previous pristine state.

From there, the paved, 6-metre-wide, 7.5-kilometre route hugs the Lake Ontario shoreline, where you can observe waterfowl and enjoy panoramic views of everything from willow groves to distant steel-industry smokestacks. Sailors and scullers from nearby yacht and rowing clubs scoot past over the waves.

Visitors, too, can get out onto the water on a harbour cruise or explore a completely different perspective aboard the permanently berthed venerable warship HMCS Haida. Along the trail, there are opportunities for refuelling with ice cream, coffee or a bite and a brew. www.waterfronttrail.org

2. FOR FAMILY TRAVELLERS: Village stroll
Westdale Village, near McMaster University, is an early-20th-century neighbourhood of red brick, front porches and gently curving streets. It is family-friendly, enlivened by international students and rich in green space. Along the stretch of King Street West that curves into the 900 street numbers, families can pop into the venerable Weil's of Westdale Bakery and browse through fine shops, such as "The” Boutique, which features high-end crafts.

There's great take-away fair-trade coffee and sandwiches at the Global Village Market and other eateries range from pub to fancy bistro. To feed the mind, savvy staff at the award-winning independent Bryan Prince Bookseller will advise readers of any age.

Consult the marquee at the old single-screen Westdale Theatre, or take a short ravine stroll from the trailhead near Churchill Field, where you might also spot baseball, soccer or cricket players or white-clad lawn bowlers inside the red-rose-dotted iron railings that surround their own patch of green. Kids, of course, will head straight for the new splash pad. www.westdalevillage.ca

3. FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS: Gallery-going
Galleries and a little grit around the edges define the vibrant James Street North arts district (north of Cannon Street, near the old Armouries). Here, you'll find a stimulating range of exhibits in a variety of settings, including a former tailor's shop (Hamilton Artists Inc.) and The Print Studio, which draws working artists from around the world.

For the James North Art Crawl, a festive event on the second Friday night of each month, galleries keep their doors open until around 11 p.m., so visitors can explore and chat.

Check out Mixed Media, an art-supply store and incubator for many of the area's bright ideas. Nearby, on King Street West, the recently renovated Art Gallery of Hamilton, is also worth a visit. www.jamesstreetnorth.ca

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