Visitor Experience Centre
Your first stop for tourism information, locally made gifts and rotating exhibits in the heart of downtown Hamilton
Welcome to Hamilton
In 2022, the City of Hamilton’s Tourism and Culture Division received funding from FedDev Ontario to create a new mixed-use tourism, exhibition and programming space called the Visitor Experience Centre.
This new space was designed to provide the highest quality experience for tourists and locals, showcasing Hamilton’s rich cultural heritage and providing meeting and event space for the City and its community partners.
Exhibitions at the Visitor Experience Centre
The Visitor Experience Centre offers a diverse program of temporary exhibitions that are free to visit.
On Display January 27 to December 31, 2026
Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music
Celebrate Hamilton's thriving music scene and the journey of music-making!
Learn about the contributions of promoters, venue owners, songwriters, photographers and sound engineers to your favourite Hamilton songs, and revel in the nostalgia of iconic Hamilton concerts and music venues, past, and present. The exhibit will highlight local musicians including Jackie Washington, Boris Brott, Terra Lightfoot and the Arkells, as well as the industry that helps to create and share this music.
This exhibition is curated by the Hamilton Civic Museums in collaboration with the Hamilton Music community.
Events at the Visitor Experience Centre
Upcoming events at the Visitor Experience Centre are featured below. For a full listing of events at all Hamilton Civic Museum sites, check out our Events page.
Visit Us!
Contact & Site Info
Visitor Experience Centre
28 James St N, Hamilton, Ontario, L8R 2K1
Admission
Admission to the Visitor Experience Centre is free.
Hours & Accessibility
Open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, 10am - 4pm.
Closed Sundays, Mondays and all statutory holidays.
The Visitor Experience Centre is fully accessible.
Exhibitions at the Visitor Experience Centre
The Visitor Experience Centre offers a diverse program of temporary exhibitions that are free to visit.
On Display January 27 to December 31, 2026
Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music
Celebrate Hamilton's thriving music scene and the journey of music-making!
Learn about the contributions of promoters, venue owners, songwriters, photographers and sound engineers to your favourite Hamilton songs, and revel in the nostalgia of iconic Hamilton concerts and music venues, past and present. The exhibit will highlight local musicians including Jackie Washington, Boris Brott, Terra Lightfoot and the Arkells, as well as the industry that helps to create and share this music.
This exhibition is curated by the Hamilton Civic Museums in collaboration with the Hamilton music community.
Explore the Visitor Experience Centre with Mayor Horwath
In late fall, 2023, Mayor Andrea Horwath visited the inagural exhibition at the Visitor Experience Centre. In this video she explores Moving Forward, Looking Back: why heritage conservation matters to Hamilton and shares her personal memories of the historic Lister Block building.
