10 THINGS THAT MUST DO IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

10 THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

1- VISIT NIAGARA FALLS

As Niagara on the Lake is only a half-hour drive from the world-famous waterfall, you can’t go to Niagara without seeing this famous Canadian landmark at least once.

Although there many things to do in Niagara Falls and a multitude of ways to see and experience the Falls, just getting up close to feel the power of this gushing body of water is an incredible experience.

Niagara Falls straddles the border of the USA and Canada.

Canada’s Horseshoe Falls is the most impressive, with six million cubic feet of water flowing over every minute.

How To Visit Niagara Falls From Niagara On The Lake

• If you prefer not to drive, you can take the shuttle between Fort George and the Floral Clock (CAD$14 CAD both ways) in Niagara Falls and connect with the WEGO bus to get to most Niagara Falls attractions (a 24-hour pass costs $9 CAD).
• A memorable way to visit Niagara Falls from Niagara on the Lake is to take an exciting  30-minute flight in a fixed-wing aircraft for a bird’s-eye view over the region and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side as well as the stunning Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian Side.

2- TASTE ICEWINE IN THE 10BELOW ICEWINE LOUNGE

The Niagara region is famous for its icewine, which is a sweet wine that originated from Germany and Austria.

Icewine is made from grapes that are left on the vine through winter and handpicked when frozen at -8C.

These frozen grapes are quickly picked and pressed so that the juice made is very high in sugar, which is then made into wine, which is luscious and sweet.

Many of the region’s wineries produce excellent icewine, however, an experience you won’t forget is rugging up in an Arctic down jacket for a tasting experience in the 10Below Icewine Lounge at Peller Estate.

Peller Estate is a European-style château with a large and busy tasting room.

The Andrew Peller Signature Series Oak Aged Vidal Icewine 2017 by Pellar Estates won a gold medal at the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Other wineries that produce excellent icewine are Inniskillin, Ice House Winery and Pillitteri Estates Winery.

Experience the 10Below Icewine Lounge on the Greatest Winery Tour ($35).

3- SIP WINE IN THE VINEYARDS 

Lake Ontario is cooling in summer and warming in winter, making it a good place for vineyards to thrive.

The climate in Niagara on the Lake is perfect for growing red grapes but the region also produces excellent white varietals as well.

Warm days and cool nights create an environment where the wines have a balance of ripe fruit and acidity.

There are 37 wineries and 27 restaurants in Niagara on the Lake.

Many offer winery tours all year round, including Canada’s oldest winery, Inniskillin Wines.

Inniskillin’s 1989 Vidal Icewine put Canada on the winemaking map when it won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Honneur at Vinexpo in France bac in 1991 and has since won many more international awards.

Relax at Two Sisters Vineyards (pictured above) with a glass of Cabernet Franc, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon or a fruity Merlot.

4- GO SHOPPING ON QUEEN STREET

Niagara on the Lake’s main shopping street is Queen Street, which is packed with gift shops and boutiques selling a range of shoes, clothes and accessories.

There are bakeries, cafes, ice cream and candy shops such as the Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe, which specialises in nostalgic candy that will take you back to your youth and stocks brands that you might be surprised to find.

For local flavour, Kurtz Culinary Creations is a shop owned by local third-generation orchard farmers.

5- STEP BACK IN TIME AT THE APOTHECARY

While exploring Queen Street, visit the Niagara Apothecary, which is a museum that retains the atmosphere of an 1869 pharmacy.

Its walnut cabinets and shelves displaying porcelain jars of tonics and drugs is a portal to the past.

6- WATCH A SHOW AT THE SHAW FESTIVAL THEATRE

Shaw Festival Theatre was named after Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw and offers a programme of musicals, comedies and dramas.

For a theatre in a small region, the quality of the production is impressively high and is as good as the productions in major cities.

When I visited, I saw Brigadoon and thoroughly enjoyed it.

There’s a lovely garden area where you can have a drink at intermission.

Four theatres host to a series of plays either by Shaw himself, his contemporaries or by playwrights in the Shaw tradition.

The 2020 program will include a Shaw play The Devil’s Disciple as well as popular plays Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse, Prince Caspian, Gypsy and Mahabharata, a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic.

7- HAVE A PICNIC IN THE PARK

You don’t have to go to a garden to see flowers in Niagara on the Lake as the sidewalks are planted with rows of healty Cana lilies and flower boxes cascading with petunias and other colourful flowers.

Niagara on the Lake has beautiful gardens and parks, with colourful garden beds where you can relax or have a picnic on a sunny day.

Queens Royal Park has lovely water views and Simcoe Park is a popular park for families and pets with benches under the old oak trees.

At the end of Queen Street, where the road takes a sharp left turn, there are benches with a view of Lake Ontario.

8- TAKE HIGH TEA  AT THE PRINCE OF WALES

Enjoy the Victorian elegance of polished silver, frilly lace and lovely roses as you partake in the traditional tea ritual.

Enjoy dainty sandwiches and scones served with decadent Devonshire clotted cream and jam.
The Prince of Wales Hotel is a Niagara on the Lake landmark that has been in existence since 1864. The name of the hotel reflects the visit of the 1901 visit of the Duke and Duchess of York (who later became King George V and Queen Mary).

The traditional afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales is excellent value for money (CAD$36).

9- SPEND THE DAY AT THE BEACH 

The beach at Queens Royal Park is a popular local spot to feel the sand between your toes.

10- RELAX IN A SPA

This picture-book town is the place to relax and rejuvenate with a spa treatment. Here are our picks:

124 On Queen Hotel And Spa

Signature treatments include the Caliente Hot Chocolate Wrap,  a body mask that combines the benefits of Hungarian hot peppers and chocolate, and the Coconut Body Bliss.

Shaw Club Hotel And Spa

Try the Divine facial, anti-oxidant vine skincare from France with bio-organic ingredients.

Secret Garden Spa At Prince Of Wales Hotel

Try the Head to Toe Tea Taster, which offers a taste of three signature treatments: the Beau-Tea Facial, Beau-Tea Body Wrap and Green Tea Pedicure.