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Niagara Peninsula

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Wineries, the Shaw Festival and a flat cycling road along the river, twenty minutes from the Falls.

  • Wine
  • Food
  • City

Best in January · May–June · September–October

Niagara-on-the-Lake in January · May–June · September–October

About this place

A small Georgian town at the mouth of the Niagara River, ringed by vineyards and joined to Niagara Falls by a car-free riverside trail. Summer weekends fill with day-trippers from Toronto. Harvest in late September, May before the buses, and icewine picking in January are when it earns its reputation.

Things to do

  • Cycle the Niagara Parkway

    The Niagara River Recreation Trail is flat and paved for 53 km; Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Falls is 20 km each way, past Queenston Heights and the whirlpool. Bike rentals and winery-hopping tours start in town.

  • Wineries within a bike ride

    Peller, Ravine, Stratus, Two Sisters, Konzelmann and Inniskillin are all within a few kilometres of town. Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are the strengths; icewine is the signature.

  • The Shaw Festival

    Ten plays a season across three theatres from April into December. Spring previews and the autumn run are cheaper and easier to book than July.

  • Icewine harvest

    Grapes are picked at −8°C or colder, usually in December or January, often at night. The Niagara Icewine Festival runs across three January weekends with street tastings.

  • Twenty Valley

    Thirty minutes west, the Beamsville Bench and Jordan village have the smaller producers. The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines is the last two weekends of September.

  • The Falls without the crowd

    Go before 9 am or after dark, when the Table Rock viewpoint empties. In winter the mist freezes on the railings and the Winter Festival of Lights runs from November to February.

When to go

  • Late September to October

    Harvest, the wine festival, and foliage along the parkway. Warm days, restaurants at full strength, and rooms cheaper than July.

  • May and early June

    Orchards and vines in blossom, the Shaw Festival opening, and the tour buses not yet running at full tilt.

  • January

    Icewine festival, frozen Falls, and the lowest hotel rates of the year. Some restaurants take a winter break; check before booking.

  • Summer weekends

    Queen Street gridlock and full patios. If summer is unavoidable, come midweek.

How to get there

  • From Toronto

    Ninety minutes by car on the QEW. GO and VIA trains reach Niagara Falls station; a taxi or shuttle covers the last 20 minutes to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

  • From the United States

    Buffalo (BUF) is an hour away over the Peace, Rainbow or Queenston–Lewiston bridges. Bring a passport.

  • Car optional

    Wineries near town are cyclable and tour companies run half-day loops. A car helps for Twenty Valley and the Bench.

Trips here

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Travel month

Nights
Price per person (CAD)

2 packages

  • Niagara Harvest Wine Trail
    Niagara-on-the-Lake3 nights

    Niagara Harvest Wine Trail

    Three nights in Niagara-on-the-Lake with a chauffeured harvest-week tour of six wineries and a vineyard dinner.

    • Food
    • Guided

    From $870 per person

    approx. £462 / €539
  • Niagara Parkway Cycle & Icewine Weekend
    Niagara-on-the-Lake4 nights

    Niagara Parkway Cycle & Icewine Weekend

    Four nights cycling the Niagara Parkway between the old town and the Falls, with winery stops and an icewine tasting.

    • Self drive
    • Culture

    From $1,040 per person

    approx. £553 / €645

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