//
Town in Ontario, Canada
Photo: Richie Diesterheft from Chicago, IL, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town of 19,000 people (2021) in the Niagara Region of Ontario. It sits on the shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River. It is a frequent destination for daytrippers from Niagara Falls, and a destination in its own right. It is in the middle of a thriving grape- and fruit-growing area featuring many wineries. There are also several craft breweries. The town name is often abbreviated NOTL.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Museum featuring a restored 1869 pharmacy.
St. Mark's is the oldest Anglican Church in Ontario with construction begun in 1800. Its roof was destroyed in 1813 during the War of 1812, and was subsequently replaced.
A reconstructed British fort and living museum which featured prominently in the War of 1812. It provides visitors a glimpse of military life in 19th century Upper Canada, and exhibits on the War of 1812. Ghost tours offered some evenings.
A fort on the shore of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Niagara River that was built from 1814–1816 during the War of 1812, to replace nearby Fort George. The remains consist of a box–shaped brick tower and historic star–shaped earthworks. Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course surrounds the site, but public access is permitted via a walking path, with a warning to look out for golfers, who have the right of way. The interior of the blockhouse is closed, but has wooden staircases leading to some upper windows.
Preserved 1800 house features guided tours by costumed interpreters, and (in summer) afternoon tea with scones and desserts.
It's claimed to be the world's smallest church by several internet sites.
The homestead dates from before the War of 1812. During that war, Laura Secord became a heroine by walking 20 miles to warn the British of an impending American invasion. Costumed interpreters provide historical information. The site also offers souvenirs and refreshments for sale.
William Lyon Mackenzie (newspaper publisher, rebellion leader and Toronto’s first mayor) lived in this house 1858-1861. In 1936, the house was converted into a museum displaying heritage printing machinery.
This park includes the Brock and Laura Secord Monuments, dedicated to Isaac Brock and Laura Secord who played a role in the War of 1812; the Battle of Queenston Heights took place here. The park is also an end point of the Bruce Trail, which winds it way northward over 800 km (497 mi) to Tobermory.
A clock made entirely of flowers.
Named after playwright George Bernard Shaw, this theater festival runs from April to November and features plays by Shaw, playwrights who lived during Shaw's lifetime, or plays about his era (1856-1950). Three main theaters plus the Studio Theatre comprise the festival venues, and all are within walking distance of downtown. The season opens in April.
Seats 869.
Seats 200. Doubles as a rehearsal hall.
Seats 327. The flagship theatre.
Seating 328, the theatre will close after its final performance sometime in 2025. Then it will be demolished and rebuilt on the same site.
Summer music festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake featuring internationally renowned musicians of classical, jazz, opera, and more. From brilliant pianists (Andre Laplante, Dick Hyman), engaging ensembles (Swiss Piano Trio, Métis Fiddler Quartet), terrific instrumentalists (Paul Pacanowski, Julie Spring), and tremendous vocalists (Brett Polegato, Krisztina Szabo), hear great music round the clock in intimate venues including wineries, churches, and bistros. The season runs from mid-July to early August.
There is also an Icewine Festival in January and a New Vintage Festival in June of each year. Festivals include winery tours and tastings, cuisine, and entertainment.
First Saturday in August to celebrate peaches. It starts at 9AM sharp and the day is full of jams and pies and peaches.
Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre
Art by the Lighthouse is a juried fine art show held on the grounds of the Niagara Pumphouse Visual Art Centre, accompanied by live music. Running concurrently; a free gallery exhibit of Robert Uhre and Katherine McDonald inside the Pumphouse Gallery.
Historical NOTL Walking Tour
Join Pyrates in an historical walk through the town as they regale ye with true tales of Pyrates that used Niagara-on-the-Lake as a base of operations! Sunken ships, daring raids, men "put on account", merchant ships and sunken wrecks that sit at the bottom of Lake Ontario. Learn the secrets of Fort Mississauga & Fort Niagara, and what role Pyrates may have played in the disappearance of a notorious NOTL resident.
Prepare yourself to stroll back through history and hear tales of haunted pubs, inns, forts and homes where restless spirits of the past are still said to linger. Regular walks offered March to December start at the Angel Inn on Regent at 8:30PM.
Powerful jet-boats speed upriver, making their way into the breathtaking stonewalled canyon that is the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boats splash into the whitewater of Devil's Hole Rapids. April - October.
The southern end of the trail is in Queenston Height Park. Sidetrails follow the Niagara Parkway, toward downtown, while the main trail leads west toward St. Catharines.
140-km trail that goes through Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland, Thorold, St. Catharines and Niagara on the Lake.
Intimate boutique spa located in the Oban Inn overlooking Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course and Lake Ontario offering personalized massage, body treatments and aesthetics. Open daily, year-round. Outdoor pool, whirlpool and fitness room.
Prince of Wales Hotel
Traditional English High Tea in a Victorian setting.
The Charles Inn
Good if you are looking for something a little more formal. Amazing food and a nice cozy feel.
Made to order sandwiches and you can ask them to pack you a picnic lunch.
Open daily for lunch from noon-3PM. Brunch Sa Su noon-3PM. Dinner Su-F from 5:30-8:30PM and Sa from 5-8:30PM.
At the Queen's Landing Hotel. A good choice for Sunday brunch (11AM-2:30PM). It costs $32, but definitely worth every penny. Traditional French cuisine using local ingredients.
Local food producers are the real stars at this upscale eatery. That extends to the wine list, which is dominated by Niagara wines, including their famous ice wines.
Open daily for lunch from noon and dinner from 5PM. Reservations recommended.
Shaw Club Hotel & Spa
A great restaurant that is more like a Toronto hot-spot than something that you normally find in sleepy little Niagara! Great food and great presentation.
Pool tables, dart boards, games, big screen TVs, and very good pizza and wings.
A variety of domestic and import beers on tap, and a great atmosphere.
Offers Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours that depart from many locations in Toronto.
Offers group Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours.
Local and run by an industry professional.
Inniskillin's winery license, an estate winery license issued in 1975, was the first winery licence issued in Ontario since 1929. They are credited with putting Canadian icewines on the world's stage. They make a variety of red and white wines, including several icewines. Their tasting bar is open daily.
Home to the oldest commercial planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in Canada. It is known for its complex, well-balanced reds.
One of Canada's largest wine producers.
A fifth generation family farm with organic vineyards. Restaurant on site. Call to reserve a tasting or meal.
The Reif vineyard was started in 1977, and the winery opened in 1982. They make a number of red and white wines, including several icewines. Their tasting bar is open daily.
In a renovated 1940s fruit cannery. Restaurant on site.
Trius sparkling wines are made in the traditional method, aged in Canada’s largest underground sparkling cellar.
Oast House sources their raw materials from local Niagara area farmers. Public tours & tastings on Saturday & Sunday 11:30AM & 3:30PM.
In a brick church from the 1890s. Their signature beer is a German-style Black Lager (Schwarzbier).
Wine Visitor + Education Centre
Niagara College teaches winery and brewery skills, and offers the student production for visitors to sample and buy. The college is about 2 km east of St. Catherines, and 14 km from the village of NOTL. Visitors may sample and buy the student-produced wines.
Brewery Retail Store
Visitors may sample and buy the beer that Niagara College students brew at the teaching brewery.
12 rooms. Free parking.
Best Western
Best Western. 26 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast 7AM-10AM. Free Internet and parking.
31 rooms. Expanded European-style buffet breakfast 8AM-10AM. Free Internet, parking, and shuttle service.
If you're obsessed with the paranormal, then you'll love this inn located in the downtown area. It is supposedly haunted by Captain Swayze, a British officer accidentally killed in the building's cellar during the War of 1812.
Featuring elegant, Victorian-style rooms and a contemporary spa, this luxury hotel is just 2 blocks from Lake Ontario. The on-site restaurant holds a traditional English tea time every day. The 110-room hotel was built in 1864.
Waterfront setting.
30 rooms. Continental breakfast included 8AM-10AM. Free Internet, parking, and shuttle service.
Woodbourne Inn is in St. Davids, 13 km from Niagara-on-the-Lake town centre.
This adult-only bed and breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lake is 2.5 km from the Shaw Festival Theatre. The property features individually decorated rooms with 4-poster beds and en suite bathrooms.
It's on the ground floor. The Blue Room offers a beautiful Queen Bed, with high quality linens, a settee and second sitting area. The English Country décor features a beamed ceiling and Wedgewood blue walls.
Dedicated to Christmas all year round.
Includes a chocolate tasting bar, and a production viewing area. Sugar free and nut free candies are available. Tours are available ($5 per couple, refundable on purchase), and are wheelchair accessible.
Open-air outlet mall opened May 15, 2014. The main anchor is Bass Pro Shops.
From Canada
Niagara District Airport (YCM) is located 15 minutes from Niagara-on-the-Lake. Air Canada flights can be booked to YCM, with a bus connection from Toronto Pearson Airport.
From the US
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) in Buffalo, New York, is about an hour's drive away — assuming you don't encounter any delays at the international border.
By car
Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 1½ hours from Toronto (depending on traffic) and 45 minutes from Buffalo.
By bus
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Niagara-on-the-Lake · Regional · YCM
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Niagara-on-the-Lake and Canada.
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
