Niagara-on-the-Lake has that quaint small town feeling. It is all at once relaxing, rejuvenating and safe from the everyday cares of life.
Historic Queen Street is the main attraction of town with its beautiful gardens lining the front of the many shops and restaurants. The majestic clock tower/cenotaph is a town trademark and is located in the middle of the street at the center of town.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has been noted for stewardship of a historic destination. National Geographic Traveler has evaluated the qualities that make a destination unique, measuring the "integrity of place". Historic destinations around the world were ranked by assessing their authenticity and stewardship, with Niagara-on-the-Lake placing #52 of 109 worlds best destinations.
A great number of homes date back to the early 1800s. Many have been preserved and faithfully restored. Grand estate properties flank the golf course overlooking the water as evidence of a time when the great local industrialists vacationed here at their summer residences with their huge lots and awesome landscaping.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a vibrant place and is the center for, unique shops, superb restaurants, antiquing, horse & buggy rides, sailing, jet boat rides, the Music Festival, the Peach, Cherry, Strawberry, and Ice Wine Festivals. And of course that popular annual event the "Candle Light Stroll". In the first weekend of December they block off Queen Street for the heart warming Christmas evening which typically has participation of around 5,000 people. All hold candles and strolling around the heritage district to view wonderfully decorated homes and listen to the carolers, bell ringers and the fife & drum band.
Old Fort George. The restored fort circa 1812 is available to tour and interpreters give you some insight into living there in the 18th century.
See world Class theater at the Festival, Royal George and the Courthouse Theaters. It draws over 300,000 people every year to see plays between the beginning of April and the end of October.
Dine in luxury in one of the many fabulous restaurants in town. Many are walking distance from your B&B or hotel. Award winning chefs serve up fresh local fruit and produce with the finest meats, fish and poultry available.
Only 20 Minutes from the Niagara Falls by car along the Niagara Parkway a trip once described by Sir Winston Churchill as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world".
There are miles of paved walking and cycling trails all along the picturesque Niagara River. Stop and picnic in the beautiful parkland along the way.
Niagara is wine country. There are large estates, medium operations, and boutique wineries. Something for all tastes and styles. Friendly staff, relaxed tasting rooms and a wide range of samples, some of which are only available at the wineries. Tour behind the scenes to get a real sense of the wine making business. It is a great mix of respect for the old methods and integration of new technology. The wines are world class and comparable to those from France, Italy, Australia and South Africa. Our climate offers perfect conditions to produce ice wine. Just one taste you'll see why our wineries bring gold ribbons from all corners of the world.
Golf anyone? There are 25 courses within a 30 minute drive. Including the oldest golf course in North America the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club which is still open to the public.
Local accommodations are top class. Over 200 top rated bed and breakfasts serve over half of the tourist trade. The town is well known for its high quality B&Bs. Many of these are historic homes located downtown within walking distance to shops, restaurants and theater. Fabulous boutique hotels and Country Inns, all conveniently located, make staying in this town a wonderful experience.
With all its beauty, charm and activities it is no wonder that it is listed as #8 on the list of New York Times Best Vacation Destinations.
Distances to major markets:
Toronto 80 miles
Buffalo 35 miles
New York 425
Rochester 100 miles
Cleveland 230
Pittsburgh 255
The population of Old Town is approximately 8,000
David Wardle and his wife Gail have a historic bed and breakfast in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. Visit http://www.appletreebb.ca
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