Hamilton — it's more than just halfway to Toronto.

That's certainly not the official tourism slogan. But for many Niagara-region residents on the U.S. side, it might turn a lot more heads than something like "Hamilton Undiscovered."

This expansive metropolitan area of more than 700,00 has far more to offer a visitor than the smokestacks, mega-box outlets and other sights visible during a trek up to a Blue Jays game.

If you're in the market for a true one-tank trip, just 45 minutes north of Niagara Falls, check out some of these options, or check in at tourismhamilton.info to do your own.



Dundurn National Historic Site

• 610 York Blvd., (905) 546-2872.

A lot more than just a space where stuff happened a long time ago. The site features Dundurn Castle, the Hamilton Military Museum, the Coach House Restaurant’s fine dining atmosphere and the nifty Kitchen Garden, where they still grow seasonal goods used to prepare the meals.

Dundurn Park and the grounds around it are one of the most popular places for couples to have their wedding portraits taken. From Nov. 25 to Jan. 7, you can see the castle decked out in Victorian Christmas splendor, or take a Christmas evening tour from Dec. 1-30.

Hamilton Bulldogs

• 101 York Blvd., (905) 529-8500, hamiltonbulldogs.com.

If you didn’t buy your Sabres tickets by now, it’s probably too late for anything but the most, well, “value” packages available. Why not check out one of the better teams in minor league hockey, the Bulldogs?

The technically young team, moved to Hamilton from Quebec in 2002, plays in the same Copps Coliseum that hosts all the big-name acts that come through town. The Bulldogs are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. From March 3-11, it will also host the Tim Hortons Brier, also known as the Canadian men’s curling championship.

Shopping

• hamiltonundiscovered.com/shopping_default.cfm.

You might think you’re already a fan of at least one portion of the shopping offered in southern Ontario, but there’s a lot more than just IKEA — which is technically in Burlington.

If you are in the home design and decorating market, Ottawa Street is an easy find off the Queen Elizabeth Way (exit at Burlington Street, turn left onto Ottawa) and has fabrics, flooring, lighting and more.

Locke Street South, just a few minutes from downtown, has rare and unique antique and other finds, as well as an ample selection of diverse eateries. Two other options are Westdale Village, near McMaster University, and the nearby village of Waterdown.

Theater and arts

• Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., (905) 522-7529, theatreaquarius.org.

This week would be a great time to check out some local theater in Hamilton at Theatre Aquarius, when it hosts the “Brave New Works” festival through Friday.

The theater fit in six plays by new and emerging artists into a week’s time, but the audience doesn’t just sit and occasionally clap. They serve as critics, revision coaches and discussion leaders, helping their authors assess their strengths and weaknesses.

If you like your arts experiences a bit less interactive, check out the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s display of 75 works from the National Gallery of Budapest, the first time the Hungarian collection has been across the Atlantic, and the only time they’ll make an appearance in North America. Visit artgalleryofhamilton.com or call (905) 527-6610 for more information.

After dark

• whatsup.ca/hamilton/nightlife_home.htm, travel.yahoo.com, virtualtourist.com.

The official line from the local tourism agency is that downtown Hamilton is host to a wide array of coffeeshops, live music venues and “corner hot spots.” But who wants to spend time doing blind walk-ups to bars and clubs, hoping one of them fits?

Luckily, Hamilton has more than one devoted nightlife chronicler that makes their “research” available online.

In general, however, it appears that Hess Village and August Street are two stretches it would be hard to do wrong on. And if you’re in the right kind of bar, ask for a local “Lakeport” brew over the traditional Blue or Molson — you might come off a bit less like someone who fell off a turnip truck on the QEW.

For the children

• African Lion Safari, (800) 461-9453, lionsafari.com, open late June to early October.

This institution in the “Can we stop there?” variety of attractions has grown considerably since it first opened in 1969, housing more than 1,000 animals, including 50 species that are endangered or threatened.

The safari has put its creatures away for the winter, but it’s not a bad idea to mark a day down for next spring or summer, and possibly coordinate a package with a local hotel. It’s not your average lions-behind-bars set-up — the animals roam free, while the cars are penned into a certain track.

Contact Kevin Purdy at 693-1000, Ext. 107.