By: Angela (Level 4 Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization; First Year Experience Program Assistant)
Getting to James St North
Getting to James St North from the main campus is easy. Take the 1, 5, or 51 bus heading eastbound from any campus bus stop, or hop on the 10 from Main Street & Emerson. The bus ride takes approximately 20 minutes to downtown. Get off at the MacNab Bus Terminal (Main & MacNab). This terminal is a great spot to disembark as it’s easily identifiable and a hub for buses going all over the city, making it perfect for further exploration of Hamilton.
Art and Culture: Art Gallery of Hamilton
123 King St W
Our first stop was the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH), which is free for students every day with a valid student ID. If you’re bringing a non-student along, the AGH is free for everyone on Thursdays. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday and offers a variety of beautiful exhibits that change throughout the year. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop for some great finds!
Taco Lunch: The Mule
41 King William St
For lunch, we headed to The Mule. While two tacos weren’t quite filling, they were delicious! For a satisfying meal, we recommend getting 3-4 tacos or 2-3 tacos with an appetizer.
Study Break: Relay Coffee Roaster
27 King William St
After lunch, we went to Relay and enjoyed iced matcha lattes and nachos with cheese. With free Wi-Fi available, it was the perfect spot for a quick study break.
Exploring Hamilton’s Farmers Market
25 York Blvd
Next, we visited Hamilton’s Farmers Market, which has a variety of vendors offering fresh produce, snacks, flowers, and more. We treated ourselves to gelato from Lina’s European Pastries and Coffee House.
Mural Walk on James and York Streets
As you walk down James St and York St, you’ll find lots of interesting murals. Don’t miss the new mural on the building at the southeast corner of James and York/Wilson.
Window Shopping on James St North
For some window shopping, check out these unique stores:
- Pretty Grit (128 James St N): A homewares and gift store with a range of home decor and gift items for your friends and family. Closed on Mondays.
- Daddy’s Plastic (148 James St N): A vintage clothing store. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Vintage Soul Geek (150 James St N): Another great vintage clothing store. Closed on Mondays.
- Phoenix Emporium (133 James St N): Full of cute finds.
- Store on James (129 James St N): Offers pottery, books, and gifts. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Chocolat on James (123 James St N): Delicious chocolate snacks, goodies, ice cream, and more.
- Gong Cha (109 James St N): Perfect for bubble tea and studying.
More Recommended Spots:
Although we didn’t visit this spot on tour, it comes highly recommended:
The Bard and the Bear: A board game café that’s ideal for playing games with friends or meeting new people. They charge a $7 cover fee for a minimum of 3 hours of gameplay, with half-price cover on Tuesdays between 4-5:30 PM. They also offer various deals and events throughout the week. Closed on Mondays.
Returning to Campus
To return to campus, take the 5, 10, or 1 bus from King and Hughson and I hope you enjoyed your amazing day on James St North! Happy adventuring and see you next time on the Hello Hamilton Tour!
Remember to stay safe by keeping an eye on your belongings and being aware of your surroundings as you explore! Click this link for more information about personal safety.
Ok byeeee!!! <3
From: The First-Year Experience Team