Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town of 17,500 people (2016) in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. It sits on the shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River. It is a frequent destination for daytrippers from Niagara Falls, and a destination in its own right. It is situated in the middle of a thriving grape and fruit growing area featuring numerous wineries. There has been a recent growth in craft breweries. The town name is often abbreviated NOTL.

Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Understand

Niagara-on-the-Lake is important in the history of Canada: it served as the first capital of the Province of Upper Canada, the predecessor of Ontario, called Newark from 1792 to 1797. During the War of 1812, the town, the two former villages of St. David's and Queenston, and Fort George were the site of numerous battles following the American invasion of Upper Canada and the town was razed. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the oldest Anglican and Catholic churches in Ontario, and the oldest surviving golf course in North America.

Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake draws tourists with its quaint colonial-style buildings, the Shaw Festival, Fort George, wineries, an outlet mall on the highway, and its proximity to Niagara Falls. The Niagara Region has the second-highest percentage of seniors in Ontario.

Visitor Information, 26 Queen Street (in the lower level of the Court House building), [phone]. Open daily.

Get in

By plane

Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BUF ^IATA) in Buffalo, New York is about a 45-minute drive away.

• Buffalo Airport Shuttle (716-685-2550, toll-free 877-750-2550) offers service from the Buffalo-Niagara airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake. A group of up to 4 can expect to pay approximately $95 each way and the drivers often have great tips on where to go and what to avoid.
• BUF Buffalo Airport Taxi Service (716-292-4425) Provides service from the Buffalo-Niagara airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake. A group of up to 6 can expect to pay approximately $80 each way.

Hamilton John C. Munro International Airport (YHM ^IATA) in Hamilton is about a 75-minute drive away.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ ^IATA) in Mississauga is about a 1 1/2-hour drive away.

By car

Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 1½ hours from Toronto (depending on traffic) and 45 minutes from Buffalo.

From Toronto Airport: Take the QEW east (QEW Niagara). Once you pass St. Catharines, exit at Niagara Stone Road (Niagara Regional Road 55). Go north for 20 minutes.

From Niagara Falls (Ontario) follow the scenic Niagara Parkway north along the Niagara River.

By bus

Daily bus service is available from cities throughout Ontario from bus companies such as King Transportation, or bus tours companies such as eTours and Niagara Tours.

Get around

By bus

• Niagara-On-The-Lake Transit, ☎ [phone] ext 270, e-mail: [e-mail]. All buses are wheelchair-accessible. 

By taxi

• Niagara-On-The-Lake Taxi, ☎ [phone]. $3.00. 
• Niagara Classic Transport, ☎ [phone]. 

See

• Shaw Festival, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Named after playwright George Bernard Shaw, this theater festival runs from April to November and features plays by Shaw, playwrights who lived during Shaw's lifetime, or plays about his era (1856-1950). Three main theaters plus the Studio Theatre comprise the festival venues, and all are within walking distance of downtown. The season opens in April. 
  • Festival Theatre, 10 Queen's Parade. Seats 869. 
  • Court House Theatre, 26 Queen St. Seats 327. The flagship theatre. 
  • Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St. Seats 328. 
  • Studio Theatre, 10 Queen's Parade. Seats 200. Doubles as a rehearsal hall. Beside the Festival Theatre. 
• 🌍 Fort George, 26 Queen St, ☎ [phone]. A reconstucted British fort which featured prominently in the War of 1812. Open April to November. Ghost tours offered some evenings.  
• Music Niagara, toll-free: [phone]. Summer music festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake featuring internationally renowned musicians of classical, jazz, opera, and more. From brilliant pianists (Andre Laplante, Dick Hyman), engaging ensembles (Swiss Piano Trio, Métis Fiddler Quartet), terrific instrumentalists (Paul Pacanowski, Julie Spring), and tremendous vocalists (Brett Polegato, Krisztina Szabo), hear great music round the clock in intimate venues including wineries, churches, and bistros. The season runs from mid-July to early August. $10-60. 

Do

• Bike the scenic bike paths along the Niagara River.
• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride or sleigh ride through the old town.
• Take a wine tour - The many wine tours of Niagara-on-the-Lake are an excellent way to spend an afternoon. Several companies downtown offer the tours - it's not strictly necessary to book, and you might want to take a look at the offerings. Choose your mode of transportation - by bike, bus or several other ways, and head off to between 3-5 wineries. Each winery offers a brief tutorial on wine-tasting, as well as a sampling of 2 or 3 of their vintages. Since you will be consuming alcohol it is strongly suggested that you consider joining a tour.
  • eTours.to, toll-free: [phone]. Offers Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours that depart from many locations in Toronto. 
  • King Tours, toll-free: [phone]. Offers group Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours. 
  • Niagara Vintage Wine Tours, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Local and run by an industry professional. 
• Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake You don't have to take a tour to visit one or two of the local wineries. As of 2018, there are 27 wineries. Most feature tasting rooms, and have their wines available for purchase.
  • Inniskillin Wines, 1499 Line 3 (south of the village along the Niagara Parkway), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Inniskillin's winery license, an estate winery license issued in 1975, was the first winery licence issued in Ontario since 1929. They are credited with putting Canadian icewines on the world's stage. They make a variety of red and white wines, including several icewines. Their tasting bar is open daily. 
  • Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery, 2145 Niagara Stone Road, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Public tour $5. 
  • Peller Estates Winery, 290 John Street E, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tour $10. 
  • Reif Estate Winery, 15608 Niagara Parkway (south of the village at Line 2 Rd), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr to Oct: 10AM-6PM, Nov to Apr: 10AM-5PM,. The Reif vineyard was started in 1977, and the winery opened in 1982. They make a number of red and white wines, including several icewines. Their tasting bar is open daily. 
• Visit a Craft Brewery - Craft beers are becoming more popular in North America.
  • Niagara Oast House Brewers, 2017 Niagara Stone Rd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 10AM-5PM, F 10-midnight, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Oast House sources their raw materials from local Niagara area farmers. Public tours & tastings on Saturday & Sunday 11:30AM & 3:30PM. 
  • Silversmith Brewing Company, 1523 Niagara Stone Rd (east of the village of Virgil), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-W 11AM-9PM, Thu-F 11AM-11PM, Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM. In a brick church from the 1890s. Their signature beer is a German-style Black Lager (Schwarzbier). 
• Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room, 6 Picton St (In the Prince of Wales hotel), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. noon-6PM. Traditional English High Tea in a Victorian setting. $33. 
• Art by the Lighthouse, 247 Ricardo St (on the river, between Navy Hall and the marina), ☎ [phone]. 30 Jul - 1 Aug 2011: Sa Su 10AM-6PM, M 10AM-4PM. Art by the Lighthouse is a juried fine art show held on the grounds of the Niagara Pumphouse Visual Art Centre, accompanied by live music. Running concurrently; a free gallery exhibit of Robert Uhre and Katherine McDonald inside the Pumphouse Gallery. Free. 
• Great Lakes Pyrate Lore & Harbour Walks (Historical NOTL Walking Tour), 26 Queen St (Lower Level), ☎ [phone]. Join Pyrates in an historical walk through the town as they regale ye with true tales of Pyrates that used Niagara-on-the-Lake as a base of operations! Sunken ships, daring raids, men "put on account", merchant ships and sunken wrecks that sit at the bottom of Lake Ontario. Learn the secrets of Fort Mississauga & Fort Niagara, and what role Pyrates may have played in the disappearance of a notorious NOTL resident. $10. 
• Haunted Hamilton presents a Lanternlit Ghost Walk of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ☎ [phone]. Prepare yourself to stroll back through history and hear tales of haunted pubs, inns, forts and homes where restless spirits of the past are still said to linger. Regular walks offered March to December start at the Angel Inn on Regent at 8:30PM. 
• Niagara Wine Festival. There is also an Icewine Festival in January and a New Vintage Festival in June of each year. Festivals include winery tours and tastings, cuisine, and entertainment. 
• Peach Festival, Queen St. 9AM-?. First Saturday in August to celebrate peaches. It starts at 9AM sharp and the day is full of jams and pies and peaches. 
• Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, 61 Melville St. Powerful jet-boats speed upriver, making their way into the breathtaking stonewalled canyon that is the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boats splash into the whitewater of Devil's Hole Rapids. April - October. 

Spas

• Spa at The Oban Inn, 160 Front St, toll-free: [phone]. 9AM-8PM. Intimate boutique spa located in the Oban Inn overlooking Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course and Lake Ontario offering personalized massage, body treatments and aesthetics. Open daily, year-round. Outdoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room. 
• The Shaw Spa, 92 Picton St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. A unique variety of treatments including ones specializing in vinotherapy, chocotherapy, and bio-maple 
• 100 Fountain Spa, 48 John Street E (at the Pillar and Post hotel), toll-free: [phone]. 

Buy

The village of Niagara-on-the-Lake is well known for the little shops along Queen Street. Hats, jams, cheese, fudge and many other items are available in these stores.

• Chocolate F/X, 335 Four Mile Creek Rd, St. Davids, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10AM-6PM. Includes a chocolate tasting bar, and a production viewing area. Sugar free and nut free candies are available. Tours are available ($5 per couple, refundable on purchase), and are wheelchair accessible. 
• Just Christmas, 34 Queen St (by the clock tower in the village), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM. Dedicated to Christmas all year round. 
• Niagara College Teaching Brewery and Winery, 135 Taylor Road, . Although situated closer to St. Catharines than the village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the College is actually in the municipality of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• Outlet Collection at Niagara, 330 Taylor Rd (west of the QEW on Glendale Rd), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Although closer to St. Catharines, this new open-air outlet mall is part of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The first phase opened May 15, 2014. The main anchor is Bass Pro Shops. 

Eat

• The Charles Restaurant, 209 Queen St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Good if you are looking for something a little more formal. Amazing food and a nice cozy feel. 
• The Epicurean, 84 Queen St, ☎ [phone]. Cafe daily 9AM-5:30PM, bistro W-Su 5-9PM. Made to order sandwiches and you can ask them to pack you a picnic lunch. 
• Irish Tea Room, 75 Queen St, ☎ [phone]. Summer: M-Sa 9:30AM-5:15PM, Sun 10AM-5:15PM. When the proprietress is Irish, you know you're getting an authentic Irish experience. The menu is light but filled with comforting homemade-quality dishes like quiche and Guinness steak pie. The restaurant features a number of (carefully prepared!) gluten-free dishes. 
• Little Red Rooster Restaurant, 271 Mary St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, 290 John St East. Open daily for lunch from noon-3PM. Brunch Sa Su noon-3PM. Dinner Su-F from 5:30-8:30PM and Sa from 5-8:30PM. 
• Stone Road Grille (Rest), 238 Mary St (At Mississauga in the Garrison Plaza), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 11:30AM-2PM, Tu-Su 5-9PM. F Sa to 10PM. Closed Mondays. Reservations strongly recommended. 
• Tiara Restaurant, 155 Byron St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. At the Queen's Landing Hotel. A good choice for Sunday brunch (11AM-2:30PM). It costs $32, but definitely worth every penny. Traditional French cuisine using local ingredients. 
• Treadwell Farm to Table Cuisine, 114 Queen St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 11:30AM-3PM, and 5-10PM. Local food producers are the real stars at this upscale eatery. That extends to the wine list, which is dominated by Niagara wines, including their famous ice wines. $31-50. 
• Trius Winery at Hillebrand Restaurant, 1249 Niagara Stone Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone] ext 3. Open daily for lunch from noon and dinner from 5PM. Reservations recommended. 
• Zee's Grill, 92 Picton St (across from the Shaw Festival Theatre), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A great restaurant that is more like a Toronto hot-spot than something that you normally find in sleepy little Niagara! Great food and great presentation. 
• The Garrison House, 111C, Unit 2 Garrison Village Drive, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM; F Sa 11:30AM–midnight. (updated May 2015)

Drink

• Butler's Bar & Grill, 284 Mary St, ☎ [phone]. 11:30AM-1:30AM. Pool tables, dart boards, games, big screen TVs, and very good pizza and wings. 
• Olde Angel Inn Restaurant and Pub, 224 Regent St. A variety of domestic and import beers on tap, and a great atmosphere. 

Sleep

There are a number of fine hotels, including several within walking distance of the Shaw Festival theatres and the centre of town. The town also has an extensive network of B&Bs, which provide an opportunity to mix with other tourists.

• The Charles Inn, 209 Queen St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 12 rooms. Free parking. In season: $205+; Winter: $99+. 
• Colonel Butler Inn, 278 Mary St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Best Western. 26 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast 7AM-10AM. Free Internet and parking. In season: $179+; Winter: $99+. 
• Harbour House Hotel, 85 Melville St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 31 rooms. Expanded European-style buffet breakfast 8AM-10AM. Free Internet, parking, and shuttle service. In season: $295+; Winter: $199+. 
• Olde Angel Inn, 224 Regent St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. If you're obsessed with the paranormal, then you'll love this inn located in the downtown area. It is supposedly haunted by Captain Swayze, a British officer accidentally killed in the building's cellar during the War of 1812. 
• Pillar and Post, 48 John St East, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• Prince of Wales, 6 Picton St (On the main street), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Featuring elegant, Victorian-style rooms and a contemporary spa, this luxury hotel is just 2 blocks from Lake Ontario. The on-site restaurant holds a traditional English tea time every day. 
• Queen's Landing, 155 Byron St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Waterfront setting. 
• Shaw Club Hotel & Spa, 92 Picton St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 30 rooms. Continental breakfast included 8AM-10AM. Free Internet, parking, and shuttle service. In season: $185+; Winter: $99+. 
• 334 William B&B, 334 William St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Suite features a king-sized bed, private bath, and private entrance via a deck. It's run by two friendly spirits who are avid wine drinkers and love to travel. $125 a night. 
• Woodbourne Inn Bed and Breakfast, 214 Four Mile Creek Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, ☎ [phone]. Woodbourne Inn is in St. Davids, 13 km from Niagara-on-the-Lake town centre. (updated Feb 2017)
• Cape House Bed and Breakfast (cape house b and b), 1895 Lakeshore Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, ☎ [phone]. This adult-only bed and breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lake is 2.5 km from the Shaw Festival Theatre. The property features individually decorated rooms with 4-poster beds and en suite bathrooms. (updated Feb 2017)
• The Butler House Bed and Breakfast, 67 Mary St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, ☎ [phone]. It's on the ground floor. The Blue Room offers a beautiful Queen Bed, with high quality linens, a settee and second sitting area. The English Country décor features a beamed ceiling and Wedgewood blue walls. (updated Feb 2017)

Go next

• Niagara Falls - for the Falls, of course
• Toronto - Ontario's multicultural capital
• Kitchener - hosting the largest Oktoberfest in the world outside of Munich
• Stratford - picturesque city that hosts the Stratford Shakespeare Festival from April to November
• New York
• Buffalo

Routes through Niagara-on-the-Lake

END ←	W  E	→ Niagara Falls → Niagara Falls, NY via
Hamilton ← St. Catharines ←	W  E	→ Niagara Falls → Fort Erie
Hamilton ← St. Catharines ←	W  E	→ END