Inside Hamilton’s Museums helps to satisfy a growing curiosity about Canada’s steel capital as it evolves into a post-industrial city and cultural destination. In this special excerpt we visit Dundurn Castle, which once stood as the biggest house in British North America and reflected the outsized personality of its builder, Sir Allan Napier MacNab. Of Hamilton's museums, Dundurn Castle ranks as the biggest and most famous. The grounds host the Hamilton Military Museum, which specializes in the War of 1812. John Goddard takes us on a detailed tour of the historic home, providing fascinating historical background and insight.

House museums act as both sources and suppliers of history. Functioning first as private residences, they are then preserved as commemorative monuments and become living history museums offering theme-based tours led by period-costumed interpreters so that visitors might experience "what it felt like to live back then." In Family Ties, Andrea Terry considers the appeal and relevance of domesticated representations of Victorian material culture in a contemporary multicultural context. Through three case studies, Terry examines Victorian homes that have been repurposed as living history museums that host speculative performances of the past. The credibility of Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, William Lyon Mackenzie House in Toronto, and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site of Canada in Montreal, Terry argues, relies on the belief that architectural monuments and the objects they contain are evidence of the time, culture, nation, or people that produced them. Family Ties connects residential artifacts to performance by examining the Victorian Christmas programs offered annually at each site to demonstrate the complex nuances of living history. Through a detailed exploration of the relationship between heritage, living history, and memory, Family Ties illuminates the effects of institutional interpretations of the past that privilege nationalist myths.

Experience the creative pulse of the city or catch a thrill in the great outdoors: it's all possible with Moon Toronto & Ontario. Inside you'll find: Flexible, strategic itineraries including three days in Toronto, a Georgian Bay coastal road trip, and a week covering the whole region The top sights and unique experiences: Take in dramatic views of Niagara Falls on a helicopter flightseeing tour, watch the Changing of the Guard at Ottawa's Parliament Building, or tread the thrilling Edgewalk 116 stories above Toronto. Dine at farm-to-table restaurants or sip your way through wine country. Gallery-hop through Toronto's world-class art scene or learn about indigenous culture at the Curve Lake First Nations Reserve. Outdoor recreation: Hike a section of the Bruce Trail (Canada's longest hiking route!), pedal along Lake Erie, or canoe through the lakes of Algonquin Provincial Park Scuba dive to deep shipwrecks in Lake Superior, relax on the world's longest freshwater beach, or go skiing, snowboarding, or dog-sledding through powdery snow Honest advice from Carolyn B. Heller, who has spent over a decade living and traveling throughout Canada, on when to go, where to eat, and where to stay Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Handy tips for international visitors, seniors, travelers with disabilities, and more Background information on the landscape, wildlife, history, and culture Full coverage of Toronto, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Lake Superior, Georgian Bay, Cottage Country, Algonquin, and the Northeast With Moon Toronto & Ontario's expert insight and practical tips, you can plan your trip your way. For more Canadian adventures, check out Moon Montréal or Moon Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, & Prince Edward Island.

One of the most fascinating figures in Canadian history, Hamilton's Sir Allan Napier MacNab, was a charismatic character who lived large in the political and business world of his day. Born into a genteel family on the fringe of the powerful Family Compact, MacNab began his career as a boy soldier in the War of 1812, then dabbled in the theatre before beginning a law practice. A banker financing his own ventures, he made his fortune in land development and railways, and spent half of his adult life in politics, serving as premier and acting as speaker for both houses during his more than a quarter century in parliament. He built his "fort on the water" that would become known as Dundurn Castle in 1835. Throughout his career, the castle — with its picturesque setting, dozens of rooms, the latest in plumbing and an embellishing dovecote and cockpit — embodied his aspirations and approach to life in a young, enterprising city. Within its walls, he experienced triumphs and loss, including the death of his wife, defeat in politics and finally the crumbling of his finances, leaving him penniless at his death in 1862. This book tells the colourful story of MacNab, family man, politician, and entrepreneur, and describes the grand and beautiful setting of home and grounds against which he played out his life.

Exploring Hamilton through its heritage museums. Inside Hamilton’s Museums helps to satisfy a growing curiosity about Canada’s steel capital as it evolves into a post-industrial city and cultural destination. With an emphasis on storytelling and unsung heroes, the book identifies where Sergeant Alexander Fraser bayonetted seven enemy soldiers in a shocking attack to save Upper Canada in 1813. It evokes the day in 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth opened the Queen Elizabeth Way, the first intercity divided highway in North America. And it illuminates the four months in 1846 when an otherwise immensely privileged teenager, Sophia MacNab, documented her mother’s excruciating demise. Appealing to Hamiltonians and visitors alike, the book brings to life the former residents of Dundurn Castle, Whitehern Historic House, the Old Waterworks, Battlefield House, Griffin House, the Joseph Brant Museum, and the Erland Lee Museum, birthplace of the Women’s Institutes.

This fully updated edition of the Toronto & Niagara Colourguide is written entirely by knowledgeable local contributors and illustrated with more than 400 full-colour photographs. The guide explores Toronto's vibrant culture, cuisine, nightlife and shopping and provides an insider's view of the city's annual events, neighbourhoods, theatre and sports. The expanding Niagara region, a wine, food and cultural destination, is extensively covered. Like other Colourguides, this volume emphasizes cultural and heritage attractions including the recently-expanded Royal Ontario Museum and the revamped and greatly enhanced Art Gallery of Ontario. The listings section gives complete details and contact information about every attraction discussed.

Roots of Entanglement offers an historical exploration of the relationships between Indigenous peoples and European newcomers in the territory that would become Canada. Various engagements between Indigenous peoples and the state are emphasized and questions are raised about the ways in which the past has been perceived and how those perceptions have shaped identity and, in turn, interaction both past and present. Specific topics such as land, resources, treaties, laws, policies, and cultural politics are explored through a range of perspectives that reflect state-of-the-art research in the field of Indigenous history. Editors Myra Rutherdale, Whitney Lackenbauer, and Kerry Abel have assembled an array of top scholars including luminaries such as Keith Carlson, Bill Waiser, Skip Ray, and Ken Coates. Roots of Entanglement is a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for a better appreciation of the complexities of history in the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Professional travel writer Carolyn B. Heller shares the best ways to experience all that Ontario has to offer, from scuba diving shipwrecks in the Great Lakes to dining on contemporary fare at Toronto's hottest restaurants. Heller leads readers to the highlights of this fascinating region with trip ideas such as Food and Wine Touring, Active Adventures, and History and Culture—providing different approaches for different kinds of travelers. Complete with tips on enjoying more than just the falls on the Niagara peninsula, hopping a ferry to Pelee Island for wine-tasting and relaxation, and ice skating on the world's longest skating rink in Ottawa, Moon Ontario gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

As the second largest country in the world, Canada boasts an incredible variety of experiences for the twenty million or so visitors who come to enjoy it each year. From natural wonders and outdoor adventures, to vibrant cities with bustling arts and entertainment scenes, the only challenge for the discerning tourist might be narrowing down all their options. With 100 Things to Do in Canada Before You Die as your guide, you’ll discover a multitude of ways to explore the Great White North. Canadians and visitors alike will benefit from the insider tips and curated itineraries, from the scoop on where to find delectable butter tarts to the best times to be dazzled by the Northern Lights. Check out Dinosaur Provincial Park and discover the fossils of dinosaurs that roamed the world over seventy million years ago. Explore the Bay, where you can kayak on the world’s highest tides or walk on the ocean floor during low tide. Tour North America’s only walled city or ride the rails through the Rocky Mountains. Born and raised in Southwestern Ontario, author Sheri McDonald’s love of her country and its vast offerings comes through on every page. Her tips will ensure that visitors discover that Canada is much more than poutine and snow, while the incredible sights and experiences she recommends will augment any Canadian adventure.

Practical travel guide to Canada featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in Canada, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in Canada, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip. The Rough Guide to Canada covers: Toronto, Ontario, Montreal and Southwest Quebec, Quebec City and Northern Quebec, The Maritime Provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, The Prairie Provinces, The Canadian Rockies, The BC Interior, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, The North Inside this travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Canada, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Wonderstrand, Labrador to family activities in child-friendly places, like Vancouver and Whistler or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Toronto. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including Canada entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Carefully planned routes covering the best of Canada give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for whale-watching, canoeing, skiing and hiking. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Toronto, Ontario, Montreal and Vancouver's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Canada, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, to help to find the best places in Canada, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter features fascinating insights into Canada, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Jasper and the spectacular Niagara Falls COLOUR-CODED MAPPING Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Toronto, Ontario, Quebec City and many more locations in Canada, reduce need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.