Burlington is a city of about 180,000 on the western shore of Lake Ontario, between Hamilton to the west and Oakville to the east, roughly 50 km from Toronto. It has a pleasant waterfront and a quieter character than its larger neighbours, with good parks along the lake and a strong community arts scene.
The lakefront centrepiece is Spencer Smith Park, a long waterfront greenway with walkways, a Discovery Centre, and a pond that becomes an outdoor skating rink in winter. The Brant Street Pier reaches 137 metres out into Lake Ontario from the foot of the main downtown street. The Art Gallery of Burlington focuses on Canadian ceramics and contemporary craft. The Joseph Brant Museum commemorates the Mohawk leader who was granted land here by the Crown in the 18th century. The Royal Botanical Gardens, straddling the Burlington-Hamilton border, is one of the largest botanical garden complexes in Canada, with the world's largest collection of lilacs.
The Niagara Escarpment rises to the north and the Bruce Trail passes through Burlington, providing access to escarpment forest walks; Mount Nemo is the closest dramatic cliff-top viewpoint. The summer is a long succession of waterfront festivals — Canada's largest Ribfest on the Labour Day weekend, the free Sound of Music Festival in early June. Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake are straightforward day trips to the south.