Aliu IsaRenowned for its natural beauty, cultural attractions, and thriving communities, Burlington offers an idyllic urban lifestyle. The city also boasts a blooming tech sector, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Burlington embraces its waterfront location with an abundance of outdoor activities. Stroll along the scenic waterfront trail, soak up the sun at one of the many beaches, or explore the lush greenery of Royal Botanical Gardens.
Planning to visit Burlington? Read on to find everything you need to know about one of the most beautiful cities in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Spencer Smith Park
- Brant Street Pier
- Beachway Park – Burlington Beach
- Garden Swing Mural
- RBG Hendrie Valley Sanctuary
- The Pearle Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
- Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites
- Holiday Inn Burlington Conference Centre, an IHG Hotel
Time Zone
Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4)
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Burlington is during summer when the city is abundant with outdoor activities, including swimming, boating, hiking, and cycling.
The season is also notable for its Numerous festivals and events, such as the Burlington Summer Music Festival and the Burlington Ribfest.
That said, winter is also a fun time to visit due to the festive atmosphere and holiday decorations. You can also bring your family and explore the enchanting winter wonderland at Spencer Smith Park.
Things to Know
Currency: Canadian Dollar
(Check the current exchange rate)
Languages: English
Calling Code: +1
Where is Burlington?
Burlington is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, just to the northeast of Hamilton and the Niagara Peninsula. It’s roughly in the geographic centre of the urban corridor known as the Golden Horseshoe.
The city is a part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a metropolitan region that includes Toronto and the surrounding municipalities.
How to Get There
By public transit:
From Union Station in downtown Toronto, take the GO bus route 40, which runs directly to Burlington’s GO Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes, and the fare is between $15 and $22.
By car:
From downtown Toronto, take Highway 407 East and take Exit 226 to merge onto Highway 403 South. Follow Highway 403 South towards Burlington.
Once you arrive in Burlington, there are plenty of parking options available, including free on-street parking, paid parking lots, and park-and-ride facilities.
Where to go in Burlington
Spencer Smith Park
Address: 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7S 1Y2
Phone: +1 905-335-7738
Spencer Smith Park was named in memory of Spencer Smith, a former president of the Burlington Horticultural Society who was instrumental in the development of the park system throughout the city.
The park features a man-made pond that is popular for ice skating in the winter and boating in the summer and a wide promenade that offers a magnificent view of the lake, the beach, and the Skyway Bridge.
The park also serves as a vibrant cultural hub, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including a free music festival every summer. It also has a playground and a splash pad where kids can play.
Brant Street Pier
Address: 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7S 1Y2
Phone: +1 905-335-7777
Brant Street Pier extends 137 metres into Lake Ontario, providing stunning views of the lake and the city skyline. The pier is open from 7 am to 11 pm daily and is a great place to take a walk, enjoy a picnic, or go fishing.
The pier was officially opened in 2013 and has quickly become one of Burlington’s most popular attractions. It’s the perfect spot to relax and take in the beautiful scenery.
Beachway Park – Burlington Beach
Address: 1100 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7S 1A7
Phone: +1 905-335-7777
Beachway Park is a park located on the shores of Lake Ontario and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and fishing. The water is shallow and warm, making it perfect for families with young children.
The park is also home to a playground, a seasonal concession stand, and two kilometres of lakeside trails. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills in the park where you can enjoy snacks and drinks from the seasonal vendors.
Garden Swing Mural
Address: 2027 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7R 1A2
The Garden Swing is a vibrant and interactive mural by world-renowned street artist Kelsey Montague. It’s located at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Lakeshore Road in downtown Burlington.
The mural features a large jungle swing adorned with colourful flowers that stand out against a backdrop of lush foliage and hidden symbols of Burlington. These symbols are cleverly disguised within the patterns, and visitors are encouraged to search for them.
RBG Hendrie Valley Sanctuary
Address: 444 Patricia Dr, Burlington, ON L7T 4L7
Phone: +1 905-527-1158
The Hendrie Valley Sanctuary is a 50-hectare nature preserve of the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) and is home to a variety of plants and animals, including forests, meadows, wetlands, and streams.
There are several boardwalks in the sanctuary that make it easy to explore the wetlands and other areas that would be difficult to access on foot. You can find lookout points in the sanctuary that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Where to stay in Burlington
The Pearle Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
Address: 3 Elizabeth St, Burlington, ON L7R 0G3
Phone: +1 905-340-0590
Pricing: $$
The Pearle Hotel & Spa is a luxury lakeside hotel that’s part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, a group of upscale hotels with a focus on unique and personalised services. Its rooms are spacious and elegant, with balconies that offer stunning views of the lake.
The hotel’s spa, The Pearle Spa, offers a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps. The spa also has a hammam, which is a traditional Turkish steam room.
The hotel’s fitness centre is equipped with a variety of cardio and weight training equipment. The hotel’s amazing location, luxurious accommodations, and wide range of amenities and facilities make it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites
Address: 2412 Queensway Dr, Burlington, ON L7R 3T3
Phone: +1 905-639-2700
Pricing: $
The Best Western Plus Burlington Inn & Suites is a comfortable and convenient pet-friendly hotel. It’s close to the city’s main attractions, including the Burlington Waterfront Trail and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The hotel’s indoor pool and hot tub are a great place to relax after a day of exploring Burlington. They also serve a delicious hot breakfast buffet each morning.
Holiday Inn Burlington Conference Centre, an IHG Hotel
Address: 3063 S Service Rd, Burlington, ON L7N 3E9
Phone: +1 905-639-4443
Pricing: $
The Holiday Inn Burlington Conference Centre is a modern and stylish hotel situated just off the QEW Expressway and near the Burlington GO Station, making it easily accessible from Toronto and the surrounding areas.
The hotel provides comfortable accommodations, amenities, and services to ensure a pleasant stay for its guests. Unwind and swim in the indoor swimming pool or enjoy a solid workout session at the fully equipped fitness centre.
Where to eat in Burlington
Lettuce Love Café
Address: 399 John St, Burlington, ON L7R 2K3
Phone: +1 905-637-2700
Pricing: $$
Lettuce Love Café is a vegan, gluten-free restaurant for meals, a juice bar and raw desserts, with a farm-to-table approach. They prepare their food with organic and locally sourced produce whenever possible.
The cafe serves up a variety of healthy and delicious dishes, including salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and smoothies. They also use plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives to complete their menu.
The WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer
Address: 443 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2G3
Phone: +1 289-337-2373
Pricing: $$
THE WORKS Craft Burgers & Beer is a Canadian restaurant chain that specialises in gourmet burgers and craft beer. Their diverse menu features over 30 different burgers, such as the Classic Burger, the Bacon Cheeseburger, and the BBQ Bacon Burger.
Their burgers are made with fresh never-frozen beef and are cooked to order. With its friendly atmosphere and a good selection of food and drinks, the restaurant established itself as a favourite for casual and delicious meals with friends and family.
Burro
Address: 4-480 Brant Street South, Burlington, ON L7R 2G4
Phone: +1 289-337-5154
Pricing: $$
Burro is a vibrant laid-back eatery serving Mexican grub & specialising in tacos with varied toppings. Aside from its delicious tacos, the restaurant is also known for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and has a late-night menu that they pair with upbeat music and refreshing drinks. If you’re looking for a memorable and unique taco experience, Burro is the place to go.
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe
Address: 401 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2E9
Phone: +1 905-333-1400
Pricing: $$
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe is an award-winning family-owned bakery in Burlington that specialises in gluten-free, vegan, and peanut-free baked goods. They use high-quality ingredients and make all of their treats from scratch daily.
In addition to their delicious baked goods, Kelly’s Bake Shoppe also offers a variety of custom cakes. They can create a cake for any occasion, whether it’s for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
Joe Dog’s Gasbar Grill
Address: 531 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2G6
Phone: +1 905-632-5110
Pricing: $$
Joe Dog’s Gasbar Grill is a popular neighbourhood bar and grill known for its friendly atmosphere, delicious comfort food, and extensive selection of drinks. The restaurant also features a spacious patio, perfect for enjoying outdoor dining during warmer days.
They serve various classic American comfort food, prepared with fresh ingredients and hearty portions. The bar also regularly hosts live music and entertainment, as well as trivia nights and themed parties.
August 8 Burlington
Address: 834 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2J5
Phone: +1 905-633-8288
Pricing: $$
August 8 is an all-you-can-eat dim sum and sushi restaurant that’s part of a chain with several locations in the Greater Toronto Area. The price for all-you-can-eat varies depending on the day of the week and the time of day.
The restaurant is known for its fresh high-quality ingredients and its wide variety of dim sum and sushi dishes. They also offer various desserts, including mochi, mango pudding, and green tea ice cream.
Montfort Mediterranean Grill – Brant St.
Address: 796 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2J2
Phone: +1 905-632-1232
Pricing: $$
Montfort Mediterranean Grill offers a wide variety of authentic Mediterranean dishes, including fresh falafels, homemade chicken souvlaki, and spanakopita. They also have a kids’ menu, ensuring that there’s always something for everyone to enjoy.
The restaurant is also known for its generous portions. It’s the ideal choice for groups or families looking for tasty Mediterranean food they can share.
Mandarin Restaurant
Address: 1881 Fairview St, Burlington, ON L7S 2K4
Phone: +1 905-632-6000
Pricing: $$
Mandarin Restaurant is a well-known Canadian restaurant chain that offers Chinese and other Asian dishes. Aside from their various dining options that include dine-in, take-out, and delivery, they also have a buffet option available for lunch and dinner.
The restaurant is known for its affordable prices, generous portions, and family-friendly atmosphere. They offer various Chinese classics including dim sum, noodles, rice, and seafood.
Mary Brown’s Chicken
Address: 901 Brant St Unit#3, Burlington, ON L7R 2J6
Phone: +1 905-634-1726
Pricing: $$
Mary Brown’s Chicken is a Canadian fast-food restaurant chain that specialises in fried chicken and taters. The company was founded in Newfoundland in 1969 and now has over 500 locations across Canada.
Mary Brown’s signature chicken is made with fresh chicken that’s hand-breaded and cooked to perfection. Their famous potato wedges are also made with fresh potatoes and boast a delicious combination of crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors.
