Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District
Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
Niagara-on-the-Lake presents quite a contrast to the nearby natural spectacle that is Niagara Falls or the kitsch theme parks of Clifton Hill. The well-preserved buildings of the town’s Heritage District, dating back to the early-to-mid-19th century, house independent boutiques selling local souvenirs, antiques, and crafts. The neighborhood is a beautiful place to stroll, in all seasons.
The basics
If stone churches, leafy streets, and the sight and sound of horse-drawn carriages make you feel all warm and fuzzy, you’ll love the Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District. The town was founded in the late 18th century as a supply depot for British Loyalist forces, and the Heritage District has clung to this British colonial-era aura.
Many people visit the Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District on a day trip from Toronto, before or after time at Niagara Falls. It’s also easy to visit independently from Toronto or Buffalo, across the US border. Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the heart of Southern Ontario’s wine country, famed for its cold-climate ice wine, so it makes a handy base for wine-tasting and culinary adventures.
Things to know before you go
Feeling festive in the middle of summer? Find Just Christmas in the Heritage District, Canada’s oldest year-round Christmas emporium.
Many attractive old cottages are available as vacation rentals.
Some of the streets in the Heritage District are cobblestone, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
How to get there
Niagara-on-the-Lake is directly across Lake Ontario from Toronto; the 80-mile (130-kilometer) lakeside drive takes about 90 minutes. Catching a bus is less convenient, as you’ll need to transfer at St. Catharines. If you’re driving, you can also reach Niagara-on-the-Lake from Buffalo, NY, less than 1 hour away, but factor border-crossing time into the trip.
When to get there
Niagara-on-the-Lake is especially lovely in the summer. Fewer people visit in the cold winter, but this can be a cozy time to come. The little town hosts cultural and culinary festivals year-round, and the annual Shaw Festival of theater is a standout, with shows running between the spring and fall.
Visit historic battlefields and forts
Due to its location beside the Canada–US border, Niagara-on-the-Lake and its surrounding have some fascinating historic attractions. Just north of Niagara-on-the-Lake are the Battlefield of Fort George National Historic Site and early-19th-century Fort Mississauga, both overlooking Lake Ontario. Across the mouth of the Niagara River, and the international border, Fort Niagara State Park is home to the impressive early-18th-century Old Fort Niagara.
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