Things to Do in Hamilton

A passionate project of the nonprofit American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana Film Festival showcases respected and rising voices hailing from Cuban and other Latin-American communities. The festival's executive director, Carole Rosenberg, and film programmer Diana Vargas helm a dedicated staff, who draw cinematic works from countries such as Argentina, El Salvador, and Peru. Their collection of numerous features, shorts, documentaries, and classic Latin movies graces the screens of venues throughout the city, many for the very first time in the United States.

English subtitles assist non-native speakers in following the action, and panel discussions and postscreening Q&As afford audiences a behind-the-scenes glance at the global film industry. The panels also engage the filmmakers and explore new cinematic innovations, such as 5-D movies that rock audiences to sleep by their favorite stars. The festival annually pays tribute to influential actors and directors within the Latino film community.

According to Cyclepath, Toronto’s bicycle traffic has increased by more than 100% during the past six years. Meeting the needs of this growing population of athletes is Cyclepath’s goal, whether those needs be a fresh set of wheels or the protein bars necessary to pedal straight to Greenland. From racing bikes to cruisers by brands such as Trek and Giant, their large inventory holds an ideal fit for any rider. A knowledgeable staff helps customers navigate through a slew of cycles and accessories, and also performs repairs to keep rides purring like kittens rolling down the street on giant yarn balls.

After making a name for herself in the world of theatrical costuming during stints on the production teams of The Lion King and Mamma Mia!, Dilys Tong co-created Sew Be It Studio in 2005 in order to inspire others to craft their own wearable art. Lindsey Wise, a graphic designer and former magazine art director, joined her in 2009, and together they helm workshops and classes alongside a cast of dedicated instructors. At their two studios, the staff lead students through hands-on tutorials or arm them with DIY patterns for items such as a lace tank top, a flower headpiece, or a leather mini wallet ideal for fitting into a regular-size wallet. Enhancing the space are studio mascots Betty and Madi, a pair of well-dressed pups who can often be found lounging around in a variety of miniature ensembles.

Replete with a five-level jungle gym and rock-climbing walls, Lil’ Monkeys Indoor Playgrounds’ 15,000-square-foot fun center has won more than 15 best of awards from the Burlington Post, the Hamilton Spectator, and the Flamborough Review. In the play area In this environment adorned with palms and a green turf floor, kids slip down the swirl slide, dive into the foam-building-block pit, and navigate the boo balls and punch-bag forest. As parents lounge in plush leather chairs with a complimentary coffee, kids bounce from mechanical-horse rides to the enclosed basketball court, their smiles leading the way. Alternatively, parents can get into the action, joining their youngsters at the twisty slides and monkey ropes to relive their college-dorm days. Additionally, the center’s staff accommodates 2.5-hour birthday parties with a choice of four private-party-room packages built around pizza, ice-cream cake, and kids having fun climbing and running through the playground.

Bowling balls trundle down Splitsville's 34 slick lanes as touchscreen scoring tracks each player's strikes and splits. At this interactive entertainment mecca, computer-controlled bumpers emerge automatically whenever players requesting them step up to bowl. Friday and Saturday night cosmic bowling sessions enhance frames with black lights and drop-down screens. More than 20 plasma screen televisions and five projectors over the lane enthrall players awaiting their turn. Further overhead, Splitville's lounge, The Loft, treats guests to two stonewalled fireplaces and an entertainment stage as they munch on the kitchen menu's pub eats. Splitsville also pits drivers against each other in a bumper car arena, lures gamers to more than 55 redemption and video games in the arcade, and baits pool sharks at the billiards table by dangling chum from cues.

Spread across 270 historic acres, Knollwood Golf Course is a challenging 36-hole facility comprised of the Old Course set right alongside the New Course—both designed by well-regarded course superintendent Jack Harris in 1970 and 1990, respectively. Players can opt for a round on the Old Course or the New Course links and enjoy hole designs that embrace the natural Ancaster topography. Elevated tees and long, perplexing par 5 holes with ominous names such as Buried Treasure and Redemption lead to finely timed fairways that open up into stirring panoramas. The New Course entices advanced club swingers, and the Old Course's more accessible series of par 4 holes with large, accommodating greens is appealing for beginners.

Knollwood players don clean-cut golf attire and enjoy a golfer's paradise that has been open to the public since 1970 and keeps players happy with sprightly paced 10-minute tee times, on-site restaurants and beverage carts, and a "no-argue" rain cheque policy. The facility's proud groundskeepers maintain large, naturalized areas on the course intended to encourage the wildlife to thrive and occasionally join in on a game.