Free
Niagara River Recreation Trail
A paved path beside the Niagara Parkway, running along the river from Niagara-on-the-Lake toward Fort Erie. Walk or cycle a stretch past orchards and river views.
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Niagara, Ontario
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario: a walkable old town, a rebuilt fort, the Shaw Festival and vineyards in every direction.
Photo: Market Street looking toward the Court House, Niagara-on-the-Lake, DimiTalen, CC0
This is where the Niagara River slows down and meets Lake Ontario, and the town slows down with it. Queen Street runs from the old Court House toward the water, lined with shops and inns. The visitor centre is tucked under the Court House at 26 Queen Street.
Spend the morning on foot. Then follow the Niagara Parkway south past orchards, wineries and the Queenston Heights battlefield. The falls are only about 25 minutes away, but here you get the quiet end of the river.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Queen's Royal Park
The waterfront park at the end of King Street, with a gazebo and wide views across the river mouth to Fort Niagara in New York.
Free
Ryerson Park sunset
A tiny lakeside park on Niagara Boulevard, known locally as a sunset spot over Lake Ontario.
Free
Queenston Heights Park
Gardens, picnic lawns and Brock's Monument on the escarpment above Queenston, where a key War of 1812 battle was fought. The Bruce Trail begins here.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Queen Street and the Court House
The walkable heart of the old town. Start at the visitor centre at 26 Queen Street for a map.
Cheap
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
The local history museum on Castlereagh Street, one of the oldest community museums in Ontario.
Cheap
McFarland House
An 1800s brick home on the Niagara Parkway, used as a hospital in the War of 1812. Seasonal, run by Niagara Parks.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Paid
Fort George National Historic Site
Parks Canada's rebuilt War of 1812 fort at the edge of town, with costumed interpreters in season. Opening days are limited outside summer.
Paid
The Shaw Festival
A major repertory theatre company with several stages in town, running spring to fall plus a holiday season.
Paid
Laura Secord Homestead
The Queenston home of the War of 1812 heroine who walked to warn British troops. Seasonal, run by Niagara Parks.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Wine country tasting rooms
Dozens of wineries sit along the Parkway and inland roads. Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake keeps the listings and maps.
Paid
Niagara Icewine Festival
A winter celebration of Niagara icewine, usually in January, with events in the old town and at wineries. Check dates.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
A wet, fast jet-boat ride up the Niagara River rapids, departing from Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Horse-drawn carriage ride
A clip-clop tour of the old town's heritage streets.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Fort George National Historic Site Tickets
- The Shaw Festival Tickets
Part of our Niagara guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- See a Shaw Festival play in the evening, then walk the empty old town in the morning. A bed in between makes both possible.
- Wine country, Queenston Heights and the falls fill a second day without trying.
- It's a calmer base than Niagara Falls and only about 25 minutes away.
Nearby and worth the drive
Niagara Fallsabout 25 min · Guide ↗
The Horseshoe Falls, the Niagara Glen and the boat into the mist.
Jordan and Ball's Fallsabout 35 min · Guide ↗A wine-country village and a conservation area with two waterfalls.
Ready-made trips with Niagara-on-the-Lake
2 days · Niagara Falls → Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake
A Canadian-side trip: the Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara Glen, then the Parkway into a heritage town and wine country.
3 days · Stratford → Niagara-on-the-Lake
Two festival towns
Ontario's two great theatre towns, with swans, gardens and orchards in between shows.
Good to know
- Official tourism: niagaraonthelake.com; town site notl.com.
- Visitor centre: 26 Queen Street, lower level of the historic Court House. A second desk is at Fort George, 51 Queen's Parade.
- Wine: Plan a designated driver. Many tasting rooms are quieter in winter.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Market Street looking toward the Court House, Niagara-on-the-Lake, DimiTalen, CC0
Photo: The Niagara Parkway along the Niagara River, Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Shaw Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake, JFVoll, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Grapevines in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hannah Clover, CC BY 4.0