A Total Tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara Falls is indisputably one of the world’s best vacation destinations; after all, you can’t expect the place to fool all 12 million of its annual visitors. The city has long held the title of Honeymoon Capital of the World for its passion-inspiring mists, and the tourist district is suffused with family-friendly attractions that are as educational as they are entertaining. Niagara Falls has it all, plain and simple.

However, at some point on your whirlwind Niagara vacation, you might seek a quieter location, free from the hustle and bustle surrounding the falls. For this, there is no better place to flee than Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quaint village just minutes from the city but imbued with plenty of small-town charm. If you think you might be interested in heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake during your next Niagara vacation, you should definitely keep reading to learn what you can do and eat in this must-visit Niagara community.

What to Do

Most visitors will confess that stepping onto the streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake feels like stepping back in time. The charming architecture along the main square, the local boutiques that sell unique items, and the gorgeous greenery that decorates the roads make the town feel frozen in the golden years of long ago. As is fitting with such an antiquated feeling, there are a handful of relaxing, low-tech activities you can do during your visit.

• Stroll the parks. The parks and gardens of Niagara-on-the-Lake are landscaped to perfection, with large, cropped lawns just begging for you to sit and back and relax.
• See a play. Niagara-on-the-Lake celebrates the magic and pleasure of the stage with its seasonal Shaw Festival, during which the city’s four theaters put on magnificent shows.
• Tour the historic sites. As the town obviously places emphasis on the past, several important houses have been maintained for visitor education and enjoyment.

What to Eat and Drink

Niagara-on-the-Lake is nestled comfortably in the middle of Niagara’s lush wine region, which means the town is just a stone’s throw from some of the best vineyards in the country. Most wineries boast world-class restaurants and cafes that impeccably pair their wares with food crafted from fresh, local ingredients. While in town, you can’t miss the following cellars:

• Vineland Estates Winery
• Henry of Pelham
• Status Vineyards
• Peller Estates

How to Get There

To reach Niagara-on-the-Lake from your cozy, well-appointed hotel in Niagara Falls, you need only hop in the car, follow signs for Queen Elizabeth Way, take the exit for Niagara Regional Road 81, and park; in less than an hour you’ll be strolling down the cobbled streets of an old-timey Canadian village.

However, not many travelers to Niagara Falls come equipped with their own vehicles. Unfortunately, Niagara-on-the-Lake isn’t accessible via train, but during the busy summer months, Niagara Falls extends its famous WEGO transit system to include two stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This comfortable bus is the best way travel in and around Niagara Falls, but you may also elect to hire a taxi, or you may even choose to rent a bike, as the scenery to and from Niagara-on-the-Lake is simply superb.

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