Travel enthusiasts love to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake because of all the activities, events and amenities our region has to offer. Take time to read about the top 10 Niagara-on-the-Lake activities that have been drawing travelers to our region for countless years, so you can better understand why Niagara-on-the-Lake is definitely one of Canada’s favourite spots to relax, dine and explore.
Below, we explore Niagara-on-the-Lake attractions, so you can think about which elements of wine country most appeal to you.
1. Visit a Winery and Sample Extraordinary VQA Wines
Niagara is celebrated as Canada’s wine country, and with more than 100 wineries along the Green Belt, it’s easy to see why. Our guests often visit a number of different estates while they are here and enjoy every single sip and sample.
Depending on the season they visit Niagara-on-the-Lake – and their particular tastes – some people like to bike from one winery to the next. Others prefer the leisurely route of a trolley or private tour where they don’t have to worry about travelling safely between each delicious wine tasting.
Regardless of how you choose to get around, you will spend a wonderful day tasting wines and speaking to experts who are passionate about presenting Niagara’s finest glasses and sampling plates to excite your palette.
2. Get Some Great Local Produce at Local Roadside Food Stands
Niagara’s agricultural output is extremely robust. Especially throughout the summer and fall, you can find such a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to snack on while shopping – or take home to make into your favourite dishes.
Over and above fresh local produce, our artisans and farmers in Niagara-on-the-Lake always have a number of preserves, baked goods, and premade dishes and desserts that contain all the handmade goodness you can only find within a small town with big agricultural roots.
3. Spend Your Day Time Traveling While Visiting Niagara’s Most Famous Landmarks
Niagara had several major roles to play in Canada’s history, and our community has been very careful to preserve the region’s legacy. That means visitors to Niagara-on-the-Lake can explore Fort George, the Laura Secord Homestead, and Queenston Heights to engage in interactive learning experiences, which reveal the extraordinary past of the spaces and people who contributed to protecting our beautiful country – and the freedoms we still enjoy today.
4. Take in a Show at the Shaw Festival
Image courtesy of Peter Andrew Lusztyk
Each year, the Shaw Festival – and the theatre’s incredibly talented cast and creatives – put on a wide array of high-quality productions that attract audience members from across Ontario. As an attraction in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Shaw Festival is the perfect place to sob, smile and celebrate the exceptional talent and passion of Niagara’s artistic community.
5. Take a Stroll or Have a Picnic in Queen’s Royal Park
With its wide-open spaces and carefully cultivated gardens, Queen’s Royal Park is an ideal spot in Niagara-on-the-Lake for families or couples looking to enjoy a scenic walk and bite to eat under the summer sun. Welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists alike, Queen’s Royal Park looks out over the bank of the Niagara River. Most notably, it’s home to a much-loved gazebo where many engagements and photoshoots have taken place.
Be it for romance, relaxation or family time, this park is a must-see for those visitors who appreciate serene landscapes.
6. Explore Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Heritage District
Referred to as our Heritage District, due to its beautifully maintained buildings, these walkable streets are a picturesque ode to times since passed. Step outside of your Vintage Hotel and you’ll be just steps from Niagara’s Heritage District where you can go for a coffee, shop for antiques or collect art, jewelry, and special treats from around the world.
7. Sample Some Local Icewine
Niagara is internationally renowned for its production of the world’s best icewines. A number of our local wineries produce these super sweet wines, and their owners will all be delighted to welcome you into their estates to sample their icewines.
Niagara even boasts a robust Icewine Festival at the beginning of each year. So, whether you want to sip sweetness in the summer or while surrounded by snow, Niagara is a spectacular destination for fans of dessert wine.
8. Visit a Local Lavender Farm
Visit Niagara’s lavender farms for a naturally scenic attraction. Imagine hundreds upon hundreds of rows of gorgeously growing lavender. Long before you reach the Neob Farm, you will be able to smell the intoxicating scent of the world’s most relaxing plant. After your walk through the endless purple fields, you can visit the farmhouse to purchase essential oils and other lavender products to enhance your health and well-being.
9. Take Part in a Niagara-on-the-Lake Ghost Walk
Image courtesy of Ghost Walks
Feeling spooky? Search for spirits during the Niagara-on-the-Lake Ghost Walks. With such a rich history, Niagara-on-the-Lake naturally has a few visitors who chose to linger on long after they bid the physical world adieu (or so the legends go). Our neighbourhood Ghost Walk is a great way to learn more about our town in a fun and interesting way. See Niagara at night during these educational and entertaining walks.
10. Visit the Niagara-on-the-Lake Apothecary
Image courtesy of Historic Places Days
If you have an interest in health, wellness or history, this apothecary museum in Niagara boasts an authentic restoration of a pharmacy from 1869, which was in operation since 1820. Check out some of the curious remedies people used to apply to their various ailments, as you explore this beautiful Victorian building and all the intricate pharmaceutical items that our town’s curators have preserved.
Escape to Niagara-on-the-Lake with Vintage Hotels
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a place of learning, enjoyment, and unique features for visitors of every persuasion.
Keep in mind, the 10 activities in Niagara-on-the-Lake listed above are just a very small snapshot of what Niagara-on-the-Lake has to offer. The best way to learn exactly which opportunities you want to take advantage of during your trip to Niagara is to do your research and, whenever you’re ready, plan a visit to our town and your preferred Vintage Hotel property.