Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small town with a quaint Heritage District. From the Niagara falls area, you can get to Niagara-on-the-Lake via the scenic Niagara parkway. Many beautiful houses line the shores of the lake. When you get to the Heritage district, just look for one of the Green P parking areas, but be prepared because parking slots are limited.
There are many boutiques and art galleries in the area. Our favorite store is the Just Christmas store where Christmas items are sold year round. Nothing beats feeling Christmasy in July!
There are quite a few dining places, some fancier than others. We have enjoyed lunch at Bistro Six-One, and recommend it for a nice casual lunch.
Stagecoach Family Restaurant, on the other hand, will satisfy the usual burgers and fries that the kids want. And for dessert, you can have yummy ice cream at Cows or get some tea at Victoria Café. Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, it is nice to just walk around and look at the boutiques. Horse carriage rides are offered seasonally, and if you are into theatre, you might want to catch a show during the Shaw Festival (which runs from April to October).
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| The Royal George theatre where the Shaw Festival is held |
The main attraction for me, however, is the winery trail (and the many wine-related events that are held every so often). I do not claim to be a connoisseur but I do love a good glass of red, white and rose. As for dessert wines, ice wine is pricey (about $80 for a bottle) but is worth every penny. There are many companies which offer tours that take you winery-hopping through the region. I’d recommend this if you prefer a structured excursion. Here you can learn more about pairings and sample the wines of several wineries (depending on your package). As for me, I try to go to a different winery every time we are in the area--that is the luxury of living an hour away from the region. Here are some wineries I have visited (in alphabetical order):
· Hillebrand
· Inniskillin—hubby and I love their Select Late Harvest Vidal from 2004! I also got some Gewurtzraminer there as well which would have been perfect for that Winterlicious dinner at Lee’s
· Jackson Triggs
· Joseph’s
· Peller Estates
· Pillitteri Estates
· The Ice House
The last one we visited was Chateau des Charmes. The chateau was just lovely! Nestled in a vineyard, the grand structure is also known as a beautiful setting to many weddings and special events. Here, I got some Cabernet-Merlot. While it tasted good, I was told that it would even be better in 4 or 5 years! I guess that bottle is not going to be opened anytime soon.
I recommend going on a tour of a winery where you can learn a lot of things about wine-making. Just ask the winery if they offer tours; some would have this information posted up front. Wine tastings are a must, of course! Charges do apply in some wineries. My final tip: make sure you have a designated driver. Cheers!
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