From Mini-Robots to Model Railways: Family Adventures at Doors Open Burlington

What do mini-robots, model railways, fire trucks, lawn bowling and a historic convent chapel have in common? Families can experience them all during Doors Open Burlington on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, one-day event invites visitors inside 10 locations representing the city’s technology, arts, athletics, heritage and community life. Keep reading for the complete list of participating sites and our full interview with one of the organizers behind Doors Open Burlington, including recommendations for planning your route and finding family-friendly refreshments along the way.

This year’s lineup includes everything from a historic chapel and Masonic temple to a fire station, robotics facility, model railway club and two social sports organizations. Visitors can try lawn bowling, see model trains in action, meet local firefighters, explore the world of youth robotics and learn more about the people and places that have helped shape Burlington. All participating locations offer free admission and onsite activities, making this an engaging summer outing for visitors of all ages.

Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, Burlington is conveniently situated near several major Ontario cities. Under typical conditions, the drive to Burlington takes 20 minutes from Hamilton, 45 minutes to an hour from Toronto and approximately one hour and 30 minutes from London. Visitors should review the locations ahead of time, as the event stretches from Kilbride in north Burlington to Aldershot and the downtown waterfront. 

At Teachers on Call, our tutoring team loves sharing opportunities that help students connect classroom learning with the world around them. Doors Open Burlington brings subjects like history, architecture, science, technology, engineering and the arts to life through hands-on activities and real community spaces.

Participating Sites at Doors Open Burlington 2026

• Art Gallery of Burlington – 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
• Burlington Community Robotics – 1140 Heritage Road, Unit 14, Burlington, ON L7L 4X9
• Burlington Lawn Bowling Club – 2275 New Street, Burlington, ON L7R 1J4
• Burlington Masonic Temple – 459 Brant Street, Burlington, ON L7R 2G3
• Burlington Model Railway Club – 1137 Hidden Valley Road, Burlington, ON L7R 3X5
• Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club – 3521 Mainway, Burlington, ON L7M 1A9
• Burlington Fire – Station 5 (Kilbride Fire Station) – 2241 Kilbride Street, Burlington, ON L7P 0H6
• Notre Dame Convent Chapel at Laureate College – 1921 Snake Road, Burlington, ON L7P 4Y2
• St. Luke’s Anglican Church – 1382 Ontario Street, Burlington, ON L7S 1G1
• West Plains United Church – 549 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON L7T 1H1

An Interview With an Organizer Behind Doors Open Burlington

Doors Open Burlington is back! What are some of the most exciting or unique buildings and locations opening their doors to the public this year?

This year we have 10 sites that you can mix and match to make for a great family day out! The sites offer a mix of technology, arts, athletics, and local heritage – a little something for everyone. We are excited to welcome the Burlington Lawn Bowling Club and the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey club as sites this year, offering a glimpse into these social sport communities.

What kind of turnout are you expecting for this one-day event?

We can never really predict what the day will bring, as weather, traffic, and other events impact attendance. My best guesstimate, based on previous years, would be between 400 – 500 visitors between the 10 different sites.

With so many sites to explore in just one day, what are your personal top three “can’t-miss” locations this year—and why should they be on every visitor’s list?

All of the sites are interesting for different reasons! I like to group them geographically so people can explore Burlington more efficiently! Our sites are conveniently mapped out here.

Group 1:

• Burlington Fire Station 5 - Kilbride
• Burlington Community Robotics
• Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club

Group 2:

• Burlington Model Railway Club
• Notre Dame Convent Chapel, Laureate College
• West Plains United Church

Group 3:

• Art Gallery of Burlington
• St. Luke’s Anglican Church
• Burlington Lawn Bowling Club
• Burlington Masonic Temple

Are there any new additions to the lineup for 2026, or returning favourites that tend to surprise first-time attendees?

We have many new sites this year: Burlington Fire Station 5 in Kilbride, Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club, Notre Dame Convent Chapel at Laureate College, West Plains United Church, and the Burlington Lawn Bowling Club. A family favourite is the Burlington Model Railway Club with three model railway layouts (two indoor, and a garden gauge layout outdoors) running throughout the day.

For families with children or teens, are there any interactive or kid-friendly features at this year’s sites that make learning fun?

We have lots of interactive and kid-friendly sites this year. Besides the aforementioned Burlington Model Railway Club, Burlington Community Robotics is back again this year with the opportunity for kids to make their own mini-robot. Kilbride Fire Station will also have firefighters on-site to offer station tours and show off their trucks and tools!

Burlington is known for its scenic downtown and waterfront, what’s your advice for planning a route through the sites? Are there any areas that are especially walkable or easy to explore as a cluster?

Group number 3 is a fairly walkable cluster of sites that will take you straight into the heart of Downtown and along the waterfront!

All that exploring calls for a break! Where would you recommend families stop for a coffee, lunch, or sweet treat during their Doors Open adventure? Any local favourites near the participating sites?

If you are checking out Group 1, Lowville Bistro (6179 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7P 0A6) is a 5-minute drive from the Kilbride Fire Station. For Group 2, Easterbrook’s Hot Dog Stand (694 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4), with their famous footlongs, is a stone’s throw away from West Plains United Church, and has ice cream as well. Group 3 has many options depending on what you feel like eating! Burlington Charcoal Pit (2031 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7R 0A4) is a great option for takeout than can be eaten across the street at Spencer Smith Park, and you could enjoy a Belgian dipped ice cream after from Crème de la Crème Creamery (389 John St, Burlington, ON L7R 2K3).

Doors Open gives residents and visitors alike a rare peek behind the scenes of historic spaces. What impact do you think this event has on how people see Burlington’s past—and its future?

We spend a lot of time on the move, and I’m sure many of us have driven or walked past some of these Burlington locations without giving them much thought or a second glance. Doors Open provides the opportunity to slow down and understand how buildings and the people behind them have shaped a city and its population, and the opportunity to reflect on how we want our city to be shaped and seen in the future.

Extend Your Burlington Adventure at Royal Botanical Gardens

Families planning a day trip to Burlington may also want to make time for the Royal Botanical Gardens, which offers opportunities to explore gardens, trails, plants, wildlife and local ecosystems through hands-on outdoor learning. West Plains United Church is located beside RBG, making the gardens a particularly convenient addition for visitors exploring that group of Doors Open sites.

Royal Botanical Gardens is participating in the Canada Strong Pass from June 19 to September 7, 2026. During this period, visitors aged 17 and younger receive free daytime Garden Admission, while young adults aged 18 to 24 receive 50% off. The savings are applied automatically when purchasing regular Garden Admission online or in person, although they do not apply to special events, programs, exhibits, group visits or memberships. Families can learn more in our guide to the Canada Strong Pass and summer learning adventures across Canada.

Discover Burlington’s Stories During Doors Open

Whether your family loves robots, model trains, fire trucks, sports, art or local history, Doors Open Burlington offers an exciting day of hands-on discovery! Start planning your route and get ready to explore 10 participating sites on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—all with free admission. Check out our blog about last year’s Doors Open Burlington event to see what’s changed.