The insiders’ guide to Dundas
Plan a future escape with this one-day getaway guide to one of Ontario’s most charming towns
Within 10 seconds of entering Dundas, it’s immediately clear why it’s such a popular filming location for Hallmark Christmas movies: The lovingly preserved 19th-century main street is small-town charm personified, while the surrounding residential streets are a veritable museum of Victorian architecture and century-old trees. Nestled in a valley beneath the Niagara Escarpment just 10 minutes from Hamilton, Dundas is also surrounded by stunning conservation areas and waterfalls, making it a natural location for day-trippers and location scouts alike.
Owen Taylor, manager of Detour Café (41 King St. W.), a stylish outpost of the local coffee roaster, has lived in Dundas since he was eight years old. A habitué of the small shops, galleries, and restaurants lining the main street, Taylor urges visitors to grab a cortado and flaky scone from the café and then check out the region’s green spaces. “There is a multitude of choices for any outdoor hobby, be it cycling, hiking, rock climbing, photography, and more,” he explains. “We often serve folks in need of a pick-me-up before tackling the trails — or seeking a hot drink and somewhere to rest up upon their return.” Here, Taylor shares his favourite spots in his beloved hometown.
Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. (65 Hatt St.)
This microbrewery and pub is housed inside a historic property that originally hosted the Dundas Curling & Skating Rink — a fitting location for a company dedicated to serving classic brews in a fun, hospitable atmosphere. The signature lager, LagerSHED Original, is as crisp and hoppy as a classic Bavarian pilsner, and the brewery’s seasonal beers hit just the right balance between tradition and novelty.
Mickey McGuire’s Cheese (2 King St. W., Unit 1)
The friendly staff, cheese knives in hand, are happy to walk you through the store’s more than 200 varieties, which include a cornucopia of local and imported favourites, artisanal offerings, and unpasteurized and lactose-free choices. Try McGuire’s own Maplewood smoked cheddar, based on a recipe passed down through the family for generations.
Cumbrae’s of Dundas (26 King St. W.)
Part of the Toronto mini-chain of gourmet butcher shops, Cumbrae’s of Dundas partners with Ontario and Quebec farmers committed to humane and ecologically sustainable animal husbandry. A scrumptious selection of pork, beef, lamb and poultry is on offer, supplemented by baked dishes and everything you need to grace that cedar charcuterie board you got for Christmas last year. á Picone Fine Foods (34 King St. W.)
Handcrafted pastas and sauces, gourmet oils and vinegars, mustards, jams, cured meats, chocolate and local produce:
Picone Fine Foods is a one-stop shop for foodies. A destination shop since the original store opened in 1915, Picone Fine Food also offers a daily menu of delicious prepared foods including sandwiches, pizza, soups and pastas.
Dundas Driving Park (71 Cross St.)
Formerly a village green and walking track for the affluent to exercise their horses, the Dundas Driving Park has been a gathering place for locals and visitors from nearby Hamilton for more than 150 years. It boasts several soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, a lawn bowling club and a massive children’s playground and outdoor skating rink. In almost all weather, extended families gather to cook a cornucopia of global cuisine in the picnic pavilions.
The Dundas Valley Conservation Area (650 Governors Rd.) Boasting 40 kilometres of hiking trails, dozens of stunning waterfalls and creeks, and unbroken tracts of almost pristine Carolinian forest, this 1,200acre nature preserve is a short drive from downtown Dundas. Highlights include the McCormack Trail, which joins up with a section of the Bruce Trail, and the Hermitage, the ruins of a 19th-century country estate. Tews Falls, the highest of the area’s many waterfalls, offers beautiful views of the entire valley.