The best auto insurance rates in Burlington go to those who compare.

Facts

• Burlington's Royal Botanical Gardens has the world's largest collection of lilac flowers on display. The Gardens are located near the western edge of town off of Plains Road West and north of Spring Gardens Road.
• The Royal Canadian Naval Association Naval Memorial is in Spencer Smith Park, south of Lakeshore Road and Burlington Avenue. The memorial honours the Royal Canadian Navy officers who served during WWII. The names of every ship that was sunk during the war are also engraved in the bronze statue.
• Paletta Lakefront Park is home to the Paletta Mansion, a popular venue for weddings. Drivers, be aware that the roads surrounding this park are extra busy during wedding season.

Myths

• You can park on residential roads at any time. False. Burlington by-laws prohibit parking on residential streets between 1:00 am and 6:00 am. RVs and other passenger vehicles can file for temporary exceptions at the municipal office.
• Parking at local parks is free.False. While most Burlington parks and recreation areas have free parking (except during special events), you have to pay when you park at Spencer Smith Park.
• There's no public transit in Burlington. False. Burlington Transit services the community and connects to the Hamilton and Oakville public transit systems. There are also three Burlington stops along the Lakeshore West GO Train line.

1. If you're driving in Barrie during the winter, buy snow tires — now. Barrie lies in Ontario's snowbelt, and it regularly gets over 100 inches of snow annually — that's more than on some ski slopes.
2. Use Fairview Street to get downtown. Fairview Street runs east-west through the centre of town, and it unofficially serves as a border between the more residential and commercial regions of Burlington. It's also a great way to travel into the heart of the city, especially since GO Transit's Burlington and Alderney train stations are located along this busy street.
3. Drive along Lakeshore Road to enjoy the scenery and the restaurants. Lakeshore Road is one of Burlington's most popular streets. It runs along the shores of Lake Ontario, and the street is dotted with glamorous condos, fancy restaurants, and great shopping. If you're driving through Burlington and have time to spare, make a stop along Lakeshore.
4. Plan alternative routes to the Skyway Bridge. Traffic can get congested on the Skyway Bridge or, if there's a serious accident, the Skyway can be blocked off. That's why you need to be aware of alternate routes, especially if you travel north or south from Burlington.