No matter where you are, or where you decide to move, you want to know what that place can offer. Your daily life mostly revolves around your family and daily tasks, and that’s just the way it is. However, when the time comes to have a bit of fun and relax, you need a good escape plan. This can be a museum, a bar, a restaurant, or just a regular park for a relaxing walk. Many of these places have a specific culture based around them, so you will have many options to choose from. The most important thing is finding a place that makes you comfortable and peaks your interests. So, after dealing with professional Ancaster movers and settling in, it is time to start exploring. To help you on this journey, we will tell you about some of the top things to do in Ancaster.
A brief history of Ancaster to get you familiar with the town
Established in 1792, Ancaster was known as Willson’s Mill for a very short period of time. The name came from James Willson, who established a gristmill and a saw there. The next year, the city became known as Township of Ancaster. Through the years, it served as a large industrial center in Canada. It is a town full of history, so if you have some antique items, contact furniture movers Ontario and head on down to Ancaster. Located next to a significant creek, which branches off of the Niagara Escarpment, the city became home to many sawmills. This was a logical move to make since mills used water as a source of power at the time. In the 19th century, it became a dominant and stable community. In 2002, Ancaster, with a few other communities, merged to form the city of Hamilton. Despite this, Ancaster retains pride and community identity.
Top things to do in Ancaster that delight your taste senses
Food is often the staple of a community, and Ancaster has a lot of good places to surprise your taste buds. From some casual to fine dining, there is something for everyone in beautiful Ancaster.
Coach and Lantern
There are many British themed bars around, but this one feels the most authentic. Home of great food, great beer, and amazing staff. What you will find here, is some classic pub grub. Chicken wings, meat pies, beef dip sandwiches, and curry, all for a very affordable price. Built way back in the late 1700s, this is the third oldest building in Ancaster. Many residents believe that the Coach and Lantern is haunted, which just adds more to the mystery and attraction of the place. In the year 1812, traitors were sentenced in this building, and these sentences often ended in execution. Some of the harshest punishments of the time. This spawned many stories of people disappearing, and strange shapes appearing on photos taken in the pub. Regardless if this is fiction or not, it adds an interesting element to the place, so it is definitely worth checking out.
Ancaster Old Mill
You can get a great meal at any point of the day, but the Sunday brunch is what stands out the most. Located in a place of an actual sawmill, it offers it’s guests a light-filled dining room overlooking a beautiful waterfall. Here, diners can fill their plates with roast turkey, lamb, beef, omelets, salads, and many more tasty treats. Because of the beautiful view, and beautiful food, the Old Mill is a place that pleases all of your senses.
Sights and parks of the town that mesmerize
As we mentioned, Ancaster is an old town full of history. Because of this, it offers many attractions that keep up with this vintage feel. With hiking trails, forests, and waterfalls, you can be certain that you will not have a bad time if you decide to go exploring.
Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum
In addition to the amazing buildings, the town hosts an amazing park that showcases the rich history. The small museum located in the park celebrates the past with rotating exhibitions and art galleries. Because of the cozy, old town feel, Ancaster is one of the best places in Canada to retire to. In addition, it hosts the old town hall, a fine piece of architecture and one of the oldest buildings in the area. Today, it serves as a setting for weddings, receptions, and other public events. The memorial park offers a beautiful landscape and gardens, paired with interesting workshops.
Carluke orchards, apples galore
Apples come above all in this cozy slice of heaven, with 13 different sorts grown on-site, available for sale at the orchard’s retail store. It started in 1965 as a pick-your-own orchard, but eventually grew to include a bakery and a food market. The orchard also grows pumpkins, making it one of the top pumpkin patches in Hamilton. So, when the apples are in season, you can pick your own, or take a delicious apple pie home to enjoy. The bakery also offers delicious sour cream muffins, cookies, and other tasty meals to go.
Tiffany Falls, a treasure of nature
The short walk to this cascade waterfall is incredibly beautiful, going through a forested area over bridges that span a stream. The hike takes about ten minutes, giving you and your kids the opportunity to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy nature. If you are a fan of hiking and want to go further, the hike to the waterfall connects to the Bruce Trail, which has over 500 miles of paths. The cascade waterfall has a height of 21 meters, and it is at its peak strength in spring when it roars down the ravine due to the spring melt. In the winter, it is frozen in place and forms a huge wall of ice. For the more daring hikers, ice climbing is allowed at the location, making it one of the top things to do in Ancaster if you are a fan of both nature and adrenaline.