Continuing the tour of River Walks…

Hamilton Portside

One of our favorite places to go on the weekend is to the nearby cruise ship terminal at Hamilton Port. It is little over a mere kilometer as the crow flies, but since it is across the river we have to catch the ferry, and get off 2 stops downriver. From the time of leaving our front door to arrival at the port, it is still only little more than a half hour journey – and we never even have to get into a car. If you look carefully in the picture below you can see the Hamilton Portside ferry station (on the left), a short and enjoyable walk from the cruise terminal. We like to go over there and pretend that we are going on a cruise (sans the luggage, of course).

Hamilton Portside

Cruise Terminal Portside

While At Hamilton Portside

Portside Cinema

If you are not taking a cruise from Portside why not take in a movie at the Portside Cinema and console yourself with some wine and popcorn while you are watching the movie? And a Choc-Top for dessert?

Portside Movie Theatre

Fresh ‘N Wild

We haven’t been to that particular theatre yet, but we do like heading over to Portside to eat at “Fresh ‘N Wild seafood restaurant. Because it isn’t licensed we can bring our own bottle of wine to enjoy while enjoying the open air vibe of the restaurant – and of course, very fresh seafood – usually fish and chips for us. Wine glasses and water provided.

Diane enjoys the open air…and the wine

Order, pay, and wait for them to cook your seafood

Get your wine glasses and utensils

We went for the Salsa Mussels this time, and they were fabulous

Where is my food?

We always had hoped to take a cruise from this port while we were here and although it isn’t likely to happen now, we enjoy heading over to the port when a cruise ship is docked. We time it so that we can watch the ship leave the port. It is fun to watch, from the observation tower, as the little tugboat turn this mighty ship around in the middle of the river.

So close that you can almost reach out and touch it

Ed’s view from the Observation Tower

Instead of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, we have Ferry Boat, Cruise Ship, and Plane.

Almost turned around

And a little further along this side of the river…

Hamilton North Shore

This is the down-river end of the line for the City Cat Ferry. There isn’t too much here, but it is a pretty little area and we like to check it out every once in a while. Sometimes we come across something interesting – such as the Dragon Boat racing event.

Dragon Boat Races

Although distances for this international sport are set up to 2000 m, this one was short 200 m lengths. They barely get started before they stop. There is a small beach area (although you really would not want to swim in the water here.) Notice the dragon head on the 20 paddler boats.

While there, why not take in some refreshment. Again.

: Northshore Cafe coffee

: Glug Jug

Hamilton Northshore

The water area between Hamilton Northshore and Portside is currently populated by warehouses. But these are being torn down and city development plans promise that in the next decade this area will be built up with shops, housing, and park, as well as some commercial. The shops will be an attractive addition to visitors going on a cruise.

We walk by some brightly painted warehouses, which provides some relief in this industrial area.