Expand your trip to Niagara Falls with a visit to nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake

While Niagara Falls is known for its powerful atmosphere and iconic natural beauty, a visit becomes even more memorable when paired with a trip to the nearby town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL). 

Many visitors treat Niagara Falls as a quick stop, snapping photos of the Horseshoe Falls and leaving without exploring beyond the main attractions. However, pairing your visit to the Falls with the delightful sights and experiences in NOTL, located just 25km (15 miles) away, offers a richer, more fulfilling adventure.

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NOTL has many activities that cater to every kind of traveler – whether you’re an art lover, wine enthusiast, or outdoor adventurer. Pairing your trip to Niagara Falls with a few days in NOTL lets you explore the natural beauty, award-winning wineries, quaint streets, and immersive theater of the Niagara Peninsula. It’s the perfect way to create memories that go beyond the roar of the Falls.

When is the best time to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake?

To fully experience the beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake, late spring through early autumn (May to October) is ideal. These seasons provide warmer weather for exploring, with festivals, vineyards, and outdoor attractions in full swing.

Average temperatures vary by season, offering different experiences throughout the year. Summer (June to August) averages around 25°C (77°F), while spring and fall bring mild temperatures around 15 °C (59°F). Winter sees temperatures close to freezing, around 0°C (32°F). For summer visits, pack light clothing, while spring and autumn call for layers. Winter visitors should prepare for cold weather and potential snow, ice, and wind, especially near the Falls.

How can I get to Niagara-on-the-Lake? 

The most convenient airport is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), located about an hour and a half away. From there, rental cars, shuttle services, and private transport options are available. Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is another option, about 45 minutes across the U.S. border.

Driving in NOTL and nearby areas is generally easy and scenic, with well-maintained roads. While traffic increases during peak season, the drive between attractions is manageable, and parking is available throughout the town and at major sites.

How many days should you spend in Niagara-on-the-Lake?

To explore the highlights – wineries, historical sites, scenic trails, and the charming town center – plan to spend at least two to three days in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This allows time for leisure and sightseeing without rushing, as well as day trips to nearby points of interest.

What are the best things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake?

1. Stroll the streets of a beautifully preserved heritage town

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a peaceful contrast to the bright lights and high energy of Niagara Falls’ Canadian side. Located just 30 minutes north of the main attraction, this quaint town is full of historic charm, reminiscent of Victorian towns. 

NOTL (as the locals call it) is by contrast a picture postcard heritage town where baskets of pink and purple petunias hang from Victorian street lamps and charming boutiques sell everything from antiques and handmade pottery to maple fudge and homemade jams.

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Even though the town swells with tourists during high season, the brick heritage buildings (the Prince of Wales Hotel is the city’s landmark), colorful storefronts, genteel avenues and horse-drawn carriages offer visitors a leisurely respite from the busy atmosphere of Niagara Falls (the city).

2. Visit the rolling vineyards of Canada’s wine country

Nestled in Canada’s largest wine region, the Niagara Peninsula, NOTL is home to over 120 wineries, including renowned names like Inniskillin. The microclimate, moderated by Lakes Erie and Ontario, creates ideal conditions for growing grapes. While the region is world-famous for its ice wine–an exquisite, balanced dessert wine–it’s also known for cool-climate varieties like Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Wayne Gretzky Estates, a popular stop, combines a winery and distillery, offering tastings and tours for an immersive experience.

For those who prefer boutique options, Frogpond Farm, Ontario’s first organic winery, and Two Sisters Vineyards, which recently won gold for their 2020 Chardonnay at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada, are must-visits. Frogpond Farm offers a rustic, eco-friendly charm with picturesque views and a commitment to sustainability, while Two Sisters pairs its award-winning wines with a luxurious ambiance and an on-site restaurant that takes your experience to the next level.

Wine tasting experiences at these locations often include curated flights of their best wines, guided tours of the vineyards and cellars, and insights into their winemaking philosophies. Many local tour companies offer shuttle services to these wineries, ensuring you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about transportation. Book a guided wine tour to explore these exceptional destinations with ease.

3. Set off on an ale trail

If you’re not a wine drinker, fret not: a dedicated Niagara Ale Trail leads beer lovers to more than a dozen standout breweries stretching from the Benchlands of the Niagara Escarpment in the west, to the city of St. Catharines and NOTL on the east.

At The Bench Brewing Company in Beamsville, beers are barrel-aged, and brewmasters specialize in sour and mixed fermentation beers.

The Merchant Ale House in St. Catharines has been brewing on-site for more than 20 years. Customers can wash down their beer-battered pickles, Québec poutine and generous brisket burgers with blueberry wheat ale, pina colada sour beer aged in coconut barrels, nitro stouts and non-alcoholic brews.

And in NOTL, The Exchange Brewery uses local fruits – Niagara is also Canada’s stone-fruit belt – like blue plums and sour cherries for their fruit beers. The region also produces ciders (Ironwood Cider House) and fruit-based spirits (Spirit Niagara).

4. Take in a show

Launched in 1962 as a showcase for the works of brilliant Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival has made NOTL a premier theater destination. Today, it’s the second-largest repertory-theater company in North America and stages everything from classics and comedies to musicals, mysteries and contemporary plays.

The festival runs from February to December and puts on about a dozen annual productions across its three stages, attracting 250,000 spectators a year.

5. Rent a bike and hit the trails

Outdoor enthusiasts may also want to dedicate an afternoon to hitting the bike trails of the Niagara Parkway, an easy, paved riverside path that stretches 35 miles alongside the Niagara River. Be sure to factor in stops at historic sites like the Laura Secord Homestead, where you can delve into Canadian history, or Queenston Heights Park, with its breathtaking views of the Niagara River. Enjoy a scenic waterfront picnic at McFarland House or Dufferin Islands, and snack breaks at roadside fruit stands such as Parkway Orchards or Quiet Acres, offering fresh, locally grown peaches, cherries and berries. Both regular and e-bike rental services are available at NOTL.

Other bike trails include the “Fruitland Ramble,” which passes fruit orchards, farms, beaches and prime picnic areas from Beamsville to Grimsby; and the “Garden City Glide,” circling the city of St. Catharines (nicknamed Garden City for its many gardens, parks and trails). Stop at historical sites like Fort George National Historic Site, fruit stands, and wineries along the way to break up your journey.

6. Go for a hike

For those who enjoy exploring from different vantage points, the hiking trails in the area provide stunning views and memorable experiences. The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve features scenic trails along the river, ranging from 2 to 4 kilometers, with unique perspectives of the rapids and surrounding cliffs. The Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, offers panoramic overlooks of the river and lush landscapes, with sections in the area ranging from 5 to 10 kilometers.  For a shorter option, the Queenston Heights Trail is about 2 kilometers and combines natural beauty with historical landmarks like Brock’s Monument for a truly rewarding hike.

7. Experience the Falls differently

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, forgo the traditional Maid of the Mist boat tour – and strap yourself into a zip line to whip along the edge of the Niagara River at speeds of up to 64 kph (40 mph) instead. Or board the historic Whirlpool Aero Car: dating back to 1916, the open-air cable car recently underwent a refurbishment and glides 3500ft across the Niagara whirlpool.

One of the newest attractions at the Niagara Parks Power Station is The Tunnel. Opened last year, this 2,200 ft-long underground passageway once expelled the station’s spent waters back into the Niagara River. The viewing platform at the end of the tunnel rewards visitors with a new perspective of the Horseshoe and American Falls.