Niagara on the Lake, page 2

Niagara on the Lake is famous for its cultural attractions, shopping and dining.

Mary Haney as Mrs. Basham and Graeme Somerville as Isaac Newton in In Good King Charles’s Golden Days. Photo by David Cooper (Courtesy Shaw Festival)

Art & Culture

Every year, thousands of visitors attend plays and readings at the Shaw Festival Theatre, which boasts three different venues. The company specializes in plays by George Bernard Shaw and other playwrights from his era like Noel Coward but includes more contemporary works on occasion as well. In 2009 they're featuring a play by Michel Tremblay.

If you love art, you’ll find several art galleries, including The Romance Gallery which sells paintings by Trisha Romance, a popular local artist.

Music fan? Don't miss the Music Niagara Festival in the summer.

History: Remembrances of things past

The "big" historic star in town is, of course, Fort George. While a daytime tour is very informative, for fun you've got to take the Ghost Tour in late October, just in time for Hallowe'en. One warning though: go with a close friend – one who won't mind if you clutch their hand as you go through that tunnel…

History is also on display at the Niagara Historical Society Museum which always has lively changing exhibits.

On Queen Street, you’ll find an old-fashioned pharmacy known as the Niagara Apothecary (built in 1819), which is now a museum operated by the Ontario College of Pharmacists. It’s a great chance to have a look at so-called “cures” of generations past.

Food, Drink and Shopping

Niagara-on-the-Lake is in the heart of the Niagara Region, the fruit belt of southern Ontario. You can visit farms and buy produce direct from roadside stands, or if you're energetic, pick your own fruit on farms that provide this opportunity. Check this site to find a farm to suit you: http://ontario.farmvisit.com.

Of course, Niagara wineries are world-famous. Many visitors build their entire vacation around winery tours. You can pick up a map and go at your own pace, or join an organized tour with experts.

Shopaholics love Niagara on the Lake. I'm more of a window-shopper myself, but I can't help dropping in to the fudge store, the jam store, the Irish Design shop, the hat shop and the wonderful Niagara Book Shop whenever I visit. I love the art galleries and home décor places too.

Niagara on the Lake Restaurants

Backyard patio of the Epicurean

The town offers a range of eateries, and though they tend to be on the pricier side, there are some that are a little more affordable. We almost always have lunch at the Epicurean, which offers gourmet sandwiches, quiches and great salads… a few dollars more than a typical sandwich joint but well worth it for the quality. Plus, you can't beat their backyard patio under the trees if you need an escape from the crowds out on Queen Street.

Discover more Niagara on the Lake restaurants on a budget.

Special Events

Niagara-on-the-Lake's annual festivals include: