It was a quiet day for Hamilton's Ward Street on Monday.

It was hot, quiet and empty in the Hamilton CBD - the only thing missing was a ball of tumbleweed rolling down Victoria St.

It seemed everybody abandoned Hamilton for the coast. Just a few were left behind.

At Casabella Lane, caretaker Don Osborne was watering the gardens. He said this time of the year was peaceful.

"Everyone's on holiday at this time," he said.

"They go to the beach or to Nelson, anywhere other than here."

Osborne's been in the job for seven years now. He, too, will be holidaying in Nelson in two weeks.

Saint Lazzare Cafe in Casabella Lane was open for business as usual. There were three couples seated outside the cafe for lunch.

Hamilton teenagers Emma Fitzgerald, 17, and Kayla Petersen, 18, ate their salad and chicken in peace.

"We don't mind the silence. It's actually quite nice," Fitzgerald said.

"But we're not staying in Hamilton over the New Year - no way."

Cafe worker Bindi Bilimoria said although the Christmas rush died down, the eatery would only close for three days from January 1.

The Centre Place shopping mall lacked shoppers and the only noticeable queue was at McDonald's.

Retailers were reluctant to comment about how many people they'd had through the doors.

Mother-and-daughter shopping duo Annabell and Pier Kirkwood said Monday was a prime time to shop.

"We're from Hamilton and I know when a good time to shop is," Annabell said.

"I came in at 10am and it was pretty dead. There are a few more people now that it's lunchtime, but that suits me because i'm done shopping.

"I definitely wouldn't be anywhere near The Base at this time of the year - that's for sure."

It was a bit more lively at Garden Place. A group of the city's homeless gathered at an outside table and four children played in the fountain behind the country's biggest Christmas tree.

Ben Neera was at Garden Place with his daughters, Bella, Lexzhi, Mya and Rana. The family had walked from their home on Boundary Rd to the city's central library.

"The girls were hoping to rent some DVDs and books, but the library was closed," he said.

"I let them play in the fountain for a bit - she's a hot one out there."

At the northern end of Victoria St, the only person to be seen was a man smoking what smelt like marijuana at the bus stop outside Les Mills.

Hamilton police Senior Sergeant Andrew Townsend said Monday was relatively quiet compared to Sunday.

"There have still been a significant amount of domestics and lots chaos at The Base," he said.

"But it's been a good day, apparently."