Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake on a sunny summer day and you’ll be treated to a picturesque little town that smells like fudge and looks like a Victorian Botanical Garden. And because there are so many indulgent, grownup things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake you’ll want to bring your appetite and your camera when you spend the day here. But fair warning: if you suffer from garden envy (which I do) it might be best to stay home. Because this town is absolutely picture-perfect.
Authentic History and Charm Await in Niagara-on-the-Lake
A year doesn’t go by that I don’t pay at least one visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s version of Celebration, Florida (a Disney-manufactured town where everything has been engineered to look like an American ideal of perfection). Thankfully, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the real deal with genuine history and charm. The historic homes are as authentic as the 19th century Court House and Apothecary downtown (now a museum). In fact, the town itself was designated a National Historic Site in 2003 because it boasts the best collection of Loyalist colonial buildings built just after the War of 1812.
Queen Street’s Clock Tower in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Not to be Confused with Niagara Falls
First of all, let’s be clear: Niagara-on-the-Lake is nothing at all like its neighbour Niagara Falls, Ontario. The natural wonder that is Niagara Falls is definitely spectacular, but nobody would use that adjective to describe the town with the same name: Niagara Falls has a lot of the kitsch you’d expect in an internationally famous tourist town, including wax museums and hokey photo booths where you can take a photo of yourself in a barrel ‘going over the Falls’ as a souvenir. There are also a couple of casinos, if you really want to leave some money there. Niagara-on-the-Lake, on the other hand, offers charms that are both refined and plentiful.
Take in a Performance at the Shaw Theatre
One of the most popular things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake is attend a theatre performance during the Shaw Theatre Festival which happens at several venues from April to December, including The Royal George Theatre located at one end of Queen Street and the flagship Festival Theatre at the other. Of course, tickets to the Festival are in high demand, so if you are planning a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, you’ll definitely want to book these in advance.
FUN FACT: Festival Theatre was actually opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 herself in 1973 – how’s that for the definition of refined taste!
The Royal George Theatre hosts Bernard Shaw’s plays during the Shaw Festival
Get a Taste of Ontario’s Wine Country
Speaking of refined taste, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect destination for wine aficionados, too. Because of its position between the Niagara river and the Niagara Escarpment, the area surrounding Niagara-on-the-Lake has a unique micro-climate that is perfect for growing grapes. Which means the town is smack-dab in the centre of Ontario’s Wine Country, which is reason enough to visit. Visit one of the region’s boutique wineries, enjoy a music and wine celebration at one of the largest, or just shop for the finest vintages at the retail stores on Queen Street. (You really can’t visit Niagara-on-the-Lake without having at least one glass of wine.)
And speaking of vintages, Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its elegantly appointed Vintage Hotels, a collection of historic inns (four of which are located in Niagara-on-the-Lake) that offer everything from spa services and fine dining to romance packages for grownups who want an indulgent weekend escape.
Teatotallers Will Love Niagara-on-the-Lake, Too
On this particular Sunday Henk and I opted instead for an indulgent Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel, which is my favourite place for afternoon tea in Southern Ontario and, in my opinion, one of the best things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Prince of Wales Hotel is part of the Vintage Hotels Collection
The Drawing Room where tea is served has all the trappings you would expect when you think of an English Tea Room, including fine bone china, silver servery, antique furnishings and decor and even a pretty sunroom that overlooks the street.
The beautifully appointed Drawing Room at the Prince of Wales Hotel
Of course the tea itself and the English delicacies that go with it never disappoint.
Afternoon Tea done correctly: Peaches and Cream White Tea for Jane and Masala Chai Classic for Henk
Sandwiches are as fresh and light as the pastries, the Devonshire clotted cream for the scones is as thick as the homemade jam that accompanies them and no matter how hard we try, we can never finish all the tiers of goodies, and end up taking some home.
Worth the drive from Toronto
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Not Just a One-Street Town
Perhaps the best part about Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it’s more than just a one-street town. Yes, the specialty boutiques and art galleries that cater to the visitors are all found on Queen Street, with fudge shoppes and ice cream parlours almost as numerous as the pedestrians. But if you walk a few blocks off the main drag, you can stroll lush streets lined with 19th century clapboard-sided homes, many of which are now B&Bs, or just sit and enjoy a summer concert in the town’s beautiful Simcoe park, whose bordered gardens explode with colourful blooms.
Have a Drink Overlooking the Niagara River
Keep walking towards Front Street and you’ll arrive on the shore of the Niagara river at Queen’s Royal Park with its gazebo looking out across the water to the site of old Fort Niagara on the American side of Lake Ontario.
Or follow the river a little further west to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, which boasts gorgeous views of its own and where you can end your day with a drink while watching sailboats float past. The best part: no membership required.
It all sounds too good to be true, yet no matter how many times I visit, I always find wonderful things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Which is why this pretty little town always satisfies my craving for a perfect day trip from Toronto (and the perfect Afternoon Tea!).
TIP: Niagara-on-the-Lake is busiest in spring and summer (and prettiest with everything in bloom) but it also means rooms and restaurants can book up quickly. So if you are planning on making any kind of reservation during the peak season of May through September, plan ahead to secure your room – or your spot for tea!
Jane Canapini is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and the North American Travel Journalists Association. She established GrownupTravels.com in 2014 to share information and tips based on personal experience so her readers could get the most out of their travels.
Picture perfect is right. Lovely photos of a spot where I’d be more than happy to share an afternoon cup of tea!
It has been years since I visited Niagara-on-the-Lake. Your article and glorious photos brought back so many memories of this lovely community!!
Well, now you’ve put NOTL on my list! The tea service looks wonderful, and of course a wine route always needs traveling…
They also do an ice wine festival during harvest season (which would be another great time of year for tea after you’ve sampled the wines!
Between the gorgeous flowers and delicious-looking tea I am drooling! I visited NOTL about 25 years ago and loved it. Back then we were having tea and cake, and noticed a man with a long white beard at the next table who seemed to be getting lots of attention. It turned out to be the author Robertson Davies.
How lucky for you to have spotted Robertson Davies. First I thought you were going to say Santa – But Davies is good, too 😉
So charming and picturesque and your photos are lovely. Combine all that with a place that smells like fudge and I’m ready to pack my bag for a visit! Niagara-on-the-Lake looks like a perfect town for a perfect day!
I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday, to be honest. Unless of course, you swap out the tea for a glass or two of Niagara wine!
We stayed at Niagara on the Lake just one night years ago and have always wanted to go back. It’s such a lovely place to stay away from the casino strip of Niagara Falls. I’ve got to go check out that Afternoon Tea it looks lovely.
We actually stayed at the Prince of Wales as a wedding gift 9 years ago and loved it. (if you do stay there, I would try to get a room in the historic part of the main building)
I’ve been to Niagara Falls a few time. The falls are gorgeous, but as you say, the town is tacky. Next time I get back to Canada I’ll have to try an make it to NOTL. I want some that amazing high tea!
I couldn’t agree more – in fact, anytime I have international visitors, I take them to the Falls themselves, then follow the River Road/Niagara Parkway all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake, bypassing the tackiness altogether. The parkway also passes by a bunch of wineries as an added bonus!
How adorable is this place. I love flowers and pretty colours and this has it all
It really does, Paula. I honestly don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this little town!
What a gorgeous town! I have no interest in Niagara Falls but this place is charming – reminds me of some towns I loved when I lived in New England.
It does have a New England vibe, especially with the architecture of the homes near the river. And I agree, I like the Falls themselves, but if I ever take visitors there, I bypass the tacky town itself after seeing the Falls, by driving the Niagara Parkway to NOTL. Beautiful drive along the river, and wineries too!
This town looks so charming, and I went through Niagara Falls and never knew it was there. I’m going to have to go back and check out the Shaw festival. He’s one of my favorites.
Next time, be sure to take the Niagara parkway along the river to Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s a beautiful drive and passes through wineries along the way, too. And as far as the theatre goes, it’s very highly regarded in terms of its calibre.
This sounds absolutely heavenly! I’ve never visited Niagara Falls because that area sounded so unappealing, but Niagara-on-the-Lake sounds like heaven (actually, you had me already at the fudge smell!).
LOL! If I hadn’t saved my cravings for afternoon tea, I would’ve caved for sure and opted for fudge!