Ontario Road Trip: Niagara on the Lake
- Lyn (aka Jazz)
- Mar 28
- 5 min read
Niagara Falls! The world-famous waterfalls are on most travellers' shortlists. It takes very little research to discover that the best viewing of the Falls is from the Canadian side. The Falls are truly spectacular, but once you've "ooohed" and "awed", taken the boat ride, and taken hundreds of photos, what else do travellers need to know?
The town of Niagara, which has grown around the tourism industry, has a carnival-like atmosphere. There are luxury hotels with fabulous views of the Falls and restaurants that serve amazing meals, but at street level, there are erupting neon volcanoes, Ripley's Believe or Not, and wax museums. There are street performers and food carts. It's noisy, chaotic, and full of tourists and overstimulated children.
That's cool if it's your thing, but when asked, I always direct people away from Niagara and point them down the road to the charming Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL).
Table of Contents
A Bit of History of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
The history of Niagara-on-the-Lake is deeply rooted in both Indigenous presence and settler development. Long before European arrival, the Niagara region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, notably the Neutral Nation and later the Haudenosaunee, who established communities and trade routes, utilizing the river and its surrounding lands.
The town's settler history began in the late 18th century with Loyalist refugees seeking refuge after the American Revolution. Initially called Butlersburg and then West Niagara, it quickly became a vital British military outpost. In 1792, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe designated it Newark, making it the first capital of Upper Canada. The town's strategic importance was further highlighted during the War of 1812, during which it sustained considerable damage.
Rebuilt after the war, Niagara-on-the-Lake's architecture now reflects the British Classical style of that period. Eventually renamed Niagara-on-the-Lake, it has since become renowned for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, attracting tourists and becoming the center of the Niagara wine region.
Explore The Town
Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a captivating blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and scenic beauty, making it a premier destination for travellers. A stroll through the town's beautifully preserved heritage district reveals stunning 19th-century architecture, with elegant shops and inviting cafes lining the picturesque streets.
There are plenty of shops with fun and funky items, folk art, and artisanal products. Spend some time browsing through the displays to find the perfect keepsake to remind yourself of your visit.
Historical displays in the Niagara Apothecary feature interesting objects. In this one, a coin is inserted. A lady places her handkerchief under the bell for a perfumed spritz. This often made living amongst those who rarely bathed much more bearable.
There’s a mix of luxurious architectural eras: Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed wandering about the pretty town, just admiring the homes. Many larger homes operate as guest houses and B&Bs for those looking for unique accommodations.
Visitors can treat themselves to a little town tour in a horse-drawn carriage. Concerns exist regarding the ethics of horse-drawn carriage tours that visitors should consider. Niagara-on-the-Lake has regulations in place to protect the horses. These include requirements for shelter, areas for defecation and urination, shade, and a minimum tether length of four meters. Additionally, protocols dictate that horses must wear blankets when the temperature drops to -15 degrees Celsius. The town council has also discussed implementing a criteria-based application process for carriage operators and is working on operating terms that outline standards that the owners must follow.
Catch a Show at the Shaw Festival
The Shaw Festival, a cornerstone of Niagara-on-the-Lake's cultural identity, is a world-renowned theatre festival dedicated primarily to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Held annually from April to December, the festival transforms the charming town into a vibrant hub of theatrical artistry. Featuring a rotating repertory of plays performed across multiple stages, the Shaw Festival offers a range of productions, from classic masterpieces to contemporary works that resonate with Shaw's themes. The high calibre of acting, directing, and design attracts theatre enthusiasts from around the globe, contributing significantly to Niagara-on-the-Lake's reputation as a cultural destination. Reserve your tickets in advance.
Check out the Wineries
NOTL is known for being Canada's oldest and most established wine appellation, with more than a dozen wineries, most within walking distance of one another. There are many tours available, including tour groups, single establishment tours and tastings, private drivers and curated tasting experiences.
The Inniskillin winery is the oldest and created the first Canadian ice wine to attract the attention of international wine experts. It is particularly proud of its gastronomic pairings.
Peller Estates also believes in providing a full gastronomic experience by blending food and wines. Their award-winning restaurant is run by celebrity chef Jason Parson, who collaborates closely with chief winemaker Katie Dickieson. More casual gourmet food is also available at their Grill overlooking the vineyards.
Trius Winery is a beautiful winery with Canada's largest sparkling wine cellar. It also has a celebrated restaurant and a lovely outdoor patio. Trius Winery has won several prestigious wine awards, and its Trius Red was the first Canadian wine to be recognized as the "best red wine in the world." During the summer, they hold regular movie nights, which can be a lot of fun!
From Trius, there is a walking path the Gretzky Winery and Distillery, owned by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. In addition to wine, Gretzky Estates also serves beer and wine. It also has a restaurant. The patio pool becomes an ice rink in the winter months.
My personal favourite is Château des Charmes, and not just because I adore the traditional French estate architecture. Château des Charmes has been a commercial enterprise and family home in the Bosc family for seven generations. Their wines have received countless prizes and awards. I often leave with a case of different bottles to enjoy as I continue my road trip journeys.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a fan of George Bernard Shaw, artisan shops, wineries, or charming little towns, Niagara-on-the-Lake will please most travellers much more than Niagara. Spend a day admiring everything there is to admire about the magnificent falls, but once you've seen the Falls lit up for the night and you need a quiet place to sleep, head down the road and spend the next few days in delightful NOTL.
For further adventures in the region, check out my Things To Do Around Niagara post here.
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It's awesome to see how they have built a small but sizeable wine industry in this area, and it makes sense given how close it is to a lake. It's also great to see that all are within walking distance, and there are tours available. At some point, I intend to visit Niagara Falls, but this area would definitely be a nice day trip!
I visited Niagara Falls a few times before I sought solace in the more refined and beautiful town of NOTL. I wish I'd discovered it sooner. The cute shops, nice buildings, and fancy vibes with a little less neon and craziness than Niagara Falls. Shaw Festival would be good to see, and maybe I should visit some of those wineries next time
It's impossible not to know about the Falls, and I imagined Niagara itself to be geared up for visitors, so it was fantastic to know about Niagara-on-the-Lake, which would definitely appeal more as a place to visit after seeing the Falls. The apothecary looks fascinating, and I know we'd enjoy the wineries (hic!) but I had no idea that there was a George Bernard Shaw festival, nor that it lasted for such a long time. That really appeals, so we'd make sure to time our visit to catch it.
This is a fantastic summary of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Having lived nearby in Fort Erie for almost 10 years, NOTL was always a better destination than the Falls. There are several places that have amazing brunch and if you are doing a bicycle tour (guided or not), stopping in a winery for lunch along the Niagara Parkway is so relaxing. If you spend the night, ghost tours provide another take on the history of the town.
Thanks for sharing!
I loved your description of Niagara-on-the-Lake! The part about the historic apothecary really caught my attention—there’s something so charming about old-timey remedies and antique bottles. I’d definitely want to step inside and imagine what it was like back in the day. I spent most of my time at Niagara on the Lake at the wineries (not that I'm complaining) but there is much more to see here!