While the town of Waterdown, Ontario, has definitely retained its quaint, village-like feel, calling Waterdown a small town just doesn’t seem to do it justice anymore.
One of Ontario’s most rapidly expanding communities, the municipality of Waterdown has been attracting visitors, tourists, and new residents alike for quite some time now. And, in our opinion, finally receiving the attention it deserves.
As an increasing amount of housing developments, community centres, public amenities, new businesses (including the headquarters of a Fortune 500 company) continue to open and expand the growing community of Waterdown, this hidden gem has begun to shine.
So, if you’re keen on learning more about this friendly and welcoming community and all it has to offer, our Waterdown community guide is here to lead the way.
Location
While technically still a community of Hamilton, Ontario, Waterdown is almost equidistantly situated between the larger cities of Hamilton and Burlington.
Sat just a short jaunt northwest of the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario, Waterdown has the benefit of being close to busier metropolitan areas while remaining relatively peaceful and quiet in its own right.
Perched right at the very top of the Niagara Escarpment, Waterdown is only about an hour’s drive away from both the busy streets of downtown Toronto and the sprawling vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Within the immediate Waterdown area, you’ll find uninhibited access to some of Ontario’s most beautiful natural landscapes, whether they’re shoreline views of the lake or woodland trails through seemingly untouched land.
Whatever you’re looking for in Waterdown, you’re sure to find close by.
Waterdown Real Estate
When it comes to real estate in Waterdown, it’s hard not to get excited about how far your dollar will take you. While larger surrounding cities have seen dramatic rises in housing prices and cost per square foot, Waterdown has remained relatively untouched by these recent spikes in listing price.
Here, you can still find a generously-sized single family home for a fraction of what you would have to pay just a short drive away. Plus, there really is something for everyone here — whether you’re looking for that expansive single family home or don’t need something quite as large.
Within the community’s core, you can find Waterdown’s collection of striking heritage homes alongside some of the newly-built townhouses and smaller homes. The further you venture outside the central core, the wider the lots and bigger the homes become.
From historic heritage homes and modern townhouses to new subdivisions and suburban properties, all the way out to larger rural and agricultural properties, there’s a space to suit the needs of essentially everyone here.
For more on Waterdown real estate read:
The Local Community
As Waterdown continues to expand, we’ve seen big changes in the local population. While Waterdown was traditionally more of a sleepy, seniors and family-oriented community in the past, the influx of new residents has breathed new life into the local community.
Whether you’re young or old, single or part of a large family, everyone in Waterdown seems to respect the community’s deep roots. Although recent housing developments and newly built homes have attracted new residents to the community, most locals here have lived in the area for their entire lives.
In some places, that might make for a less appealing overall community vibe, but not here. In Waterdown, you’ll find the perfect blend of new inspiration and historic tradition among the residents of this proud community.
For some inspiration on ways to enjoy the local area with your loved ones read: 5 Family Friendly Things To Do In Waterdown
Getting Around Waterdown
Within the downtown Waterdown core, you’ll find people get around just the same as they would any other city. Pedestrian foot traffic populates the sidewalks along the major main streets while cyclists like to stretch their legs over longer distances, whether that’s from one of the community to the other or while exploring the nearby trail systems.
Alternatively, the Hamilton Transit System’s number 18 Waterdown bus makes several stops along its route around the town’s central core. Or, take a hop, skip, and a jump over to the neighbouring community of Aldershot and take advantage of the closest GO Station.
While plans to further extend the public transit system in Waterdown are still in development, cars and other personal vehicles are probably the most common modes of transportation here.
Whether you’re travelling near or far, Waterdown is a great place for a drive — especially compared to the bumper-to-bumper traffic of the ‘big cities’ close by.
If you’re a commuter, major highways like the 403, 407, and the Queen Elizabeth Way are just a stone’s throw away from downtown Waterdown. No matter if you’re travelling west to Kitchener, Cambridge, or Hamilton, or east to Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, or beyond, it takes just minutes to get where you need to go from Waterdown.
Local Amenities
For a place with a relatively small footprint, there are a ton of exciting and inclusive things to do in Waterdown. From local farmers’ markets, art galleries, public parks, and a thriving downtown core, there truly is something for everyone in Waterdown.
Whether you want to spend the perfect day in Waterdown or looking for some family-friendly things to do nearby, here are a few of our favourite places to go and things to do.
The Waterdown Farmers Market
The Waterdown Farmers Market has been a weekend destination for Ontarians from all across the province since it originated in 1952. With over 30 regular vendors, you can find fresh, locally-grown produce, baked goods, various meats and cheeses, and locally-produced wines, ciders, and beverages. Stop by on weekends from May all the way through to October.
The True North Art Gallery
This unique art gallery is self-proclaimed as the first of its kind — and we’re not sure we’d argue. The True North Art Gallery (A.K.A The Music Gallery Of Fine Art) believes they’re the world’s first gallery dedicated to visual art made by musicians. Here, you can see breathtaking visual artworks by world-famous musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, and more!
Spend Time Outdoors
Waterdown is blessed to be surrounded by a vast collection of parks, trails, and nature-based activities within touching distance of the downtown core. Some of our favourites include Waterdown Memorial Park — a public park featuring numerous sports fields and facilities; Sealey Park — an outdoor space with tennis courts, a playground, and a sand Volleyball court; and Great Falls — home to a spectacular ribbon waterfall flowing directly off of the Grindstone Creek.
To continue this day tour of Waterdown read: How To Spend the Perfect Day in Waterdown
Schools
One of the aspects that makes Waterdown such a family-friendly community is the number of well-regarded schools in the local area. Whether they’re located in downtown Waterdown or are just a short trip away, the local school system is perfectly suited to accommodate kids of all ages — from kindergarten through to secondary school.
Some of our top picks when it comes to local schools include:
- Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School
- Allan A. Greenleaf Elementary School
- Saint Thomas The Apostle Catholic Elementary School
- Guy B. Brown Elementary Public School
- Waterdown District High School
To learn more about these schools check out this post: Waterdown Schools: Five Of Our Top Picks
Restaurants
If you’re like us, food isn’t ever far from your thoughts, and when it comes to Waterdown restaurants, the food scene doesn’t disappoint.
Whether they’re boutique cafes and diners, taverns and bars, or more upscale fine dining restaurants, Waterdown has it all. And, as the community continues to grow and expand, we continue to see more and more restaurants with increasingly diverse cuisines pop up around the town.
For now, some of our favourite Waterdown restaurants include:
Kamoosh Bistro
Perhaps the fine dining restaurant experience in Waterdown currently, Kamoosh is a well-loved and highly-regarded upscale Italian Bistro. Located at 34 Main Street North, right off Waterdown’s main Dundas Street strip, Kamoosh puts a large focus on the value of local. By combining fresh, in-season produce and traditional Italian techniques, it’s a restaurant experience you must try.
The Copper Kettle Cafe
Literally head a few doors down from Bliss Kitchen to 12 Dundas Street East, Unit 4, and you’ll find one of Waterdown’s most popular coffee shops, The Copper Kettle Cafe. While they’re known far and wide for their deliciously indulgent Fritters, The Copper Kettle also serves a variety of soups, sandwiches, salads, and an all-day breakfast. Or, if you feel more like some classic coffee shop delights, their baked goods section is full of sweet treats too.
Bliss Kitchen
Looking for something a little lighter? Then the all-vegan, all-gluten-free menu at Bliss Kitchen is here for you. With health, happiness, and overall well-being at the forefront of everything Bliss kitchen does, they’re a true hub for wellness in Waterdown. Plus, they’ve got one of Waterdown’s best brunches, which runs from11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Shy’s Place
An iconic Waterdown institution, Shy’s Place has been a neighbourhood favourite ever since they first opened their doors. Serving up classic comfort food classics like Pizza, Arancini, and Lobster Mac and Cheese alongside their award-winning wine list, Shy’s Place is a laid-back restaurant you can depend on for a great time.
Do you want to learn more about what life is like in Waterdown? Or, are you ready to start your search for your perfect Waterdown home? Our team of knowledgeable real estate professionals knows Waterdown and its real estate market inside and out. Whether you’ve got questions about living in Waterdown or you’re ready to start looking for homes, we’re here to help. Simply contact us here to get started.
