It's hot out. Really hot out. Don't get me wrong – I'm glad summer has finally arrived, but you can only simmer on a couch in a 40°C room for so long before you start exploring some options to stay cool.
We all know the standard places to exploit free air conditioning: The mall and the movie theatre. Both are well air-conditioned and accessible. The mall, however, is boring. The movie theatre is too expensive to visit daily. Luckily, there are some other options:
1. Splash Pads. Did you know there are almost 40 parks in Hamilton with either a splash pad or wading pool? There are even a couple with both. It's an easy way to stay cool, and it's free. Visit my.hamilton.ca for a list of all of the locations across town.
2. AGH. The Art Gallery of Hamilton offers free admission to its Level Two galleries year-round. Current Exhibitions include The Shock of Seven: The Group and Their Contemporaries and Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Vedute E Capricci an exhibit featuring large etchings by the artist. On the first Friday of every month, admission to Level One exhibitions is free from 5-9pm. Mark September 4 on your calendar to check out On the Edge of Your Seat: Italian Chairs for the Collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (or pay the $10 admission fee and check it out today)!
3. Libraries. The city of Hamilton has 24 public libraries (although Valley Park will be closed for most of September), plus there are four libraries on the McMaster University campus and one at Mohawk. Libraries are a great place to stay cool, catch up on some summer reading, or look just intelligent while napping.
4. Dundas Museum and Archives. In addition to their permanent collection, Cradled in the Valley: Stories of Dundas, the museum currently features Something Borrowed, Something Blue: Celebrating Wedding Traditions through August 31. Admission is PWYC (Pay What You Can).
5. Waterfalls. There's a good reason some people have started referring to Hamilton as the City of Waterfalls. We have loads of them. According to www.cityofwaterfalls.ca, as many as 125 (admittedly, that includes dozens of cascades – the postcardy ones aren't quite as numerous). They're wet, cool, refreshing, and pretty neat to look at. Just be careful if you decide to take a dip. Some of those waterfalls move pretty quickly.
6. Wild Water Works. It’s definitely more expensive than free, but if you're willing to put your trip to the park off until later in the day, you can chop the cost of admission pretty much in half. After 3pm, adult admission to the part is $11 (it's regularly $21). Keep in mind the park is only open until 6pm, so use your 3 hours wisely. For more information, visit them online.
The city of Hamilton also has public swims and ice skating. Adult admission is $3.75. Learn more.
