My husband and I just got back from a night away in Niagara-on-the-Lake and I thought I would share some of the things we did to help you plan your next getaway!

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming town located in Ontario, Canada. It is famous for its picturesque scenery, rich history, and beautiful architecture. The town is located on the Niagara Peninsula, near Niagara Falls and offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city. Visitors can explore the town's colonial past, enjoy its scenic beauty, and indulge in its wine culture.

Visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake is a must for those who are looking for a peaceful and charming getaway. The town offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and culture. Visitors can stroll through the streets of the town, admire its beautiful homes, and enjoy its stunning views. The town's wineries and vineyards also offer an opportunity to indulge in some of the best wines in the world.

Getting There

Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 140 km from Toronto, Canada's largest city. The drive from Toronto takes approximately 1.5 hours. The town is also approximately 45 minutes from Buffalo, New York and just over an hour from Rochester, New York.

This past weekend the roads were dry and traffic wasn’t too heavy so it took us just under 2 hours to get there.

If you are travelling from somewhere farther there are a few different options. Visitors can fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is the nearest major airport. From the airport, you can rent a car or take a shuttle bus to the town. Another option is to take a train to the nearby city of St. Catharines and then take a taxi to the town.

Once you arrive in Niagara-on-the-Lake, getting around is quite easy. Visitors can walk or bike around the town to explore its charming streets and scenic beauty. The town is also served by taxis and shuttle buses, making it convenient to get to and from attractions and wineries. Visitors can also rent a car if they prefer, but keep in mind that parking can be limited in the town's busy areas. Visiting in the winter, we had no trouble finding street parking. However, I was a bit surprised that it cost $10 to park for 2 hours. You can pay by cash or use an online app to pay at the parking meter.

Where to Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Accommodation Options

When it comes to choosing where to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you have several options to choose from. The most popular options include:

Hotels: From luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, Niagara-on-the-Lake has a wide variety of hotels to choose from. Some of the top hotels in the area include the Shaw Club Hotel, The Oban Inn, Prince of Wales Hotel and the Pillar and Post.
Bed and Breakfasts: If you’re looking for a more intimate and homey experience, consider staying in one of the many bed and breakfasts in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Vacation Rentals: For a more private and spacious option, consider booking a vacation rental in Niagara-on-the-Lake. From apartments to whole homes, you can find a wide variety of rentals to fit your needs and budget.

We chose to stay at the Pillar and Post hotel. We’ve stayed there before and really enjoyed it. We arrived at the hotel around 1pm and since we were early, our room wasn’t ready but they checked us in and sent us a text when the room was ready. Our room was large with a King sized bed and a sitting area with a couch, chair and a gas fireplace. We felt that the room was a bit dated and needed some upgrading but it was clean and we had everything we needed for the night away. There were a couple of bottles of water in the room and they gave us a couple more when they did the nightly turn down service, which I really appreciated. I’m always thirsty! They also left a rose on the pillow which was a nice touch!

What to Do

Top attractions and activities in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Shaw Festival Theatre: Experience live theater performances at the Shaw Festival Theatre, which is dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.
Fort George National Historic Site: Explore the history of the War of 1812 at Fort George National Historic Site, where visitors can see original fortifications and military structures.
**this was closed when we visited so call ahead or check website for opening hours
Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage Trail: Take a walk along the Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage Trail, which winds through the town's historic district and offers a chance to admire its beautiful homes and architecture.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club: Tee off at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, which offers breathtaking views of the Niagara River and the surrounding countryside.

Wine tasting and tours

Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for its wineries and vineyards, which offer some of the best wines in the world. Visitors can take a wine tour to taste and learn about the different varieties of wine produced in the area. Some of the top wineries to visit include Inniskillin, Peller Estates, and Stratus.

On this trip we took part in the ‘Greatest Winery Tour’ at Peller Estates. Peller Estates offers a range of tours and tastings, but the ‘Greatest Winery Tour’ stood out to us because of the 10Below Icewine Lounge. The tour started in the main foyer where we sampled sparkling wine and learned about the history of the Estate. Next, we walked down to the cellar, where we saw the wine barrels and learned about the wine-making process. We got to sample a white and red wine. Some of these wines were exclusive to the Estate and not sold in the LCBO. Lastly we got to visit the 10Below Icewine Lounge to sample the ice wine. It was delicious and so awesome to be in a bar made entirely of ice!

Food and Drink

Finding food that we can eat, when travelling, has always been stressful for us. It was hard to find vegetarian options years ago and now that we are plant-based, it is even more difficult. We often use the Happy Cow app to find restaurants with vegan options.

When we arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, it was around lunch time so we decided to checkout ‘Nolaa’s’. They have many vegan options on the menu! I got the Vegan Millionaire Toast. It was very filling. They have oatmilk for coffee and tea. I had the chai latte. We also got desserts to go.

We looked at some other menus while we were walking around the shops in town but didn’t see too many other vegan options.

To reduce the stress around food choices, we usually try to find and book restaurants ahead of time. A Google search led us to Masaki Sushi. We were able to make a reservation online. When we arrived, we were seated right away. The staff were very friendly and attentive. We asked which items were vegan and the waitress brought us a separate menu that had vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. All the food we chose was delicious! They even brought us a vegan soy sauce because the house sauce is made with fish.

If you’ve visited Niagara-on-the-Lake and have any vegan places that you would recommend, please let me know in the comments below.

Shopping

Historic Queen Street is lined with charming boutiques, shops, and cafes. After our lunch we wandered through the different gift shops and boutiques. I couldn’t resist buying a pair of Yoga Bear pajamas from Hatley.

Before heading home, we stopped at The Outlet Collection at Niagara. We got a couple of things from the Nike store but we find we don’t usually have a lot of luck at the outlet malls.

Why it’s Worth a Visit

Niagara-on-the-Lake is worth a visit for so many reasons. Whether you are looking to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area, or to explore the local food and drink scene, this charming town has something to offer everyone.

For those of you who are planning a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the future, there are several suggestions to help make the most of your visit. Firstly, be sure to book your accommodations early, as this charming town is very popular and can get booked up quickly. Secondly, plan your itinerary in advance to ensure you make the most of your time in the area. Finally, check out the different restaurants and make reservations in advance. No one wants to be around a ‘hangry vegan’!

Discovering the Charm of Niagara-on-the-Lake