'''Niagara on the Lake'''[http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/] is a small town in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. It sits on the shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River. It is a frequent destination daytrippers from Niagara Falls and a destination in its own right.
Understand
'''Visitor Information''', 26 Queen Street (in the lower level of the Court House building), 905 468-1950. Open daily.
Get in
By Air
'''Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BUF)''' in Buffalo, New York is about a 45 minute drive away.
'''Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)''' in Toronto is about a 1 1/2 hour drive away.
By car
Niagara on the Lake is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Toronto (depending on traffic) and 45 minutes from Buffalo.
From Toronto Airport: Take the QEW east (QEW Niagara). Once you pass St. Catharines, exit at Niagara Stone Road (HWY #55). Go north for 20 minutes.
From Niagara Falls (Ontario) follow the scenic Niagara Parkway north along the Niagara River.
By Bus
Daily bus service is available from cities throughout Ontario from bus companies such as [http://kingtours.ca King Transportation], or bus tours companies such as [http://etours.to/niagaratours_all.html eTours] and [http://niagaratours.ca Niagara Tours].
Get around
By taxi
'''Niagara On The Lake Taxi''', 905 468-3710.
'''Niagara Classic Cabs''', 905-262-0005. [http://www.niagaraclassiccabs.com www.niagaraclassiccabs.com]
See
'''Shaw Festival''', 905-468-2172 or 1-800-511-7429, [http://www.shawfest.com www.shawfest.com]. 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). The 2008 playbill features two plays by Shaw, and nine other plays and musicals. Three main theaters comprise the festival venues, and all are located within walking distance of downtown:
* '''Festival Theatre''', 10 Queen's Parade.
* '''Court House Theatre''', 26 Queen Street.
* '''Royal George Theatre''', 85 Queen Street.
'''Fort George''', 26 Queen St., +1-905-468-4257, [http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/index_e.asp]. A reconstucted British fort which featured prominently in the War of 1812. Open April to November. Ghost tours offered some evenings.
'''Music Niagara''', [http://www.musicniagara.org]. Music Niagara: July 20 - August 15, 2009 ? Summer music festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Outstanding music in standout settings; 35 concerts with internationally renowned musicians: classical, jazz, opera, choral and cabaret. From the brilliant pianist Janina Fialkowska, to the cabaret phenomenon Patricia O_fCallaghan; from the genius of Chopin to the best-loved songs of Noel Coward. Intimate venues including historic churches, vineyards, wine cellars, and more. Celebrate the joy of music. Tickets: $15-$40. 905-468-5566 or 1-877-687-3378 www.musicniagara.org
Do
'''Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours''', 61 Melville Street [http://www.whirlpooljet.com]. 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.
Peach Festival. ueen Street. AM-?. First Saturday in August to celebrate peaches. It starts at 9AM sharp and the day is full of jams and pies and peaches.
'''Take a wine tour''' - The many wine tours of Niagara on the Lake are an excellent way to spend an afternoon. Several companies downtown offer the tours - it's not strictly necessary to book, and you might want to take a look at the offerings. Choose your mode of transportation - by bike, bus or several other ways, and head off to between 3-5 wineries. Each winery offers a brief tutorial on wine-tasting, as well as a sampling of 2 or 3 of their vintages. Since you will be consuming alcohol it is strongly suggested that you consider joining a tour.
*'''eTours.to''', 1-800-391-0149, [http://www.eTours.to] offers Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours that depart from many locations in Toronto.
*'''King Tours''', toll free:1-866-546-4999, [http://www.kingtours.ca/winetour.html] offers group Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours.
*'''Niagara Vintage Wine Tours''', 905-933-7433 (email: Chris@nvwt.biz), [http://www.niagaravintagewinetours.com/]. Local and run by an industry professional.
'''Haunted Hamilton presents a Lanternlit Ghost Walk of Niagara-on-the-Lake''' [http://www.ghostwalks.com] 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 May - December start at the Angel Inn on Regent at 8:30PM.
*Visit [http://www.ghostwalks.com GhostWalks.com] for the Interactive Calendar or call 905-529-4327.
*Visit [http://www.hauntedhamilton.com HauntedHamilton.com] for other events and free articles on all that is spooky.
Take a '''horse-drawn carriage ride''' or '''sleigh ride''' through the old town.
The '''Niagara Wine Festival''', [http://www.niagarawinefestival.com/], takes place September 19 - 28, 2008. 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.
Bike the scenic bikepaths along the Niagara River.
Mystery on the Lake. nteractive theatre. iagara-on-the-Lake. -866-386-2921. ww.MOTL.ca. A new adventure in interactive theatre! You aren_ft just the audience, you_fre in the show! Stroll through picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake for this memorable 2.5 hour show as you discover new places, and work with fellow audience members to solve historical puzzles and have fun interacting with unusual characters played by actors, as you are caught up into an historic plot of mystery and intrigue. You will be walking about 3km (1.9 miles) with frequent stops, so dress appropriately. Admission to two of the town's premiere historic attractions is included in your ticket price!
Season: May to October ... Buy tickets online!
*Visit [http://www.MOTL.ca MysteryontheLake.ca]</do>
Buy
There are lots of little shops, especially along Queen Street, including one dedicated to Christmas all year round, '''Just Christmas'''.
Visit the '''Shopping''' section at [http://www.niagaraonthelake.com www.niagaraonthelake.com] for a detailed list of shops.
Eat
'''Zees Patio and Grill''', 92 Picton Street, 905-468-5715 or 1-800-511-7070 [http://www.zees.ca/niagara-on-the-lake/]. A great new restaurant that is more like a Toronto hot-spot than something that you normally find in sleepy little Niagara! Great food and great presentation.
'''Charles Inn''', 209 Queen Street, 1-866-556-8883 [http://www.charlesinn.ca/niagara-on-the-lake/dining/]. Good if you are looking for something a little more formal. Amazing food and a nice cozy feel.
'''The Epicurean''', 84 Queen Street, [http://www.epicurean.ca/]. Daily, 9AM-9PM. Made to order sandwiches and you can ask them to pack you a picnic lunch.
'''Hillebrand Winery Restaurant''', 1249 Niagara Stone Road, [http://www.hillebrand.com/Restaurant.php]. Open daily for lunch from noon and dinner from 5PM. Reservations recommended.
'''Peller Estates Winery''', [http://www.peller.com/niagara/dineinourrestaurant.php]. Open daily for lunch from noon and dinner Su - Fri from 5:30pm and Sa from 5PM.
'''Stone Road Grille''', 238 Mary Street at Mississauga in the Garrison Plaza, (905) 468-3474, [http://www.stoneroadgrille.com/]. Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM (lunch), Tu-Su 5pm to 10PM (dinner). Closed Mondays in winter. Reservations strongly recommended.
'''Tiara restaurant''', 155 Byron Street, at the Queen's Landing Hotel, 1-905-468-2195, [http://www.vintage-hotels.com/niagara-on-the-lake/dining.php]. A good choice for Sunday brunch (11AM- 2:30PM). It costs $32, but definitely worth every penny. Traditional French cuisine using local ingredients.
'''Tony de Luca at the Oban Inn''', 160 Front St, 905 468-7900, [http://www.tonydeluca.ca/].
Drink
'''Butler's Sports Bar''', 284 Mary Street, 905-468-0049. It's the spot to be! Pool tables, games, big screen TVs.
'''Olde Angel Inn Restaurant and Pub''', 224 Regent St, [http://www.angel-inn.com/]. For a great variety of domestic and import beers on tap, and a great atmosphere, the Angel Inn is a great spot.
Spa
'''The Shaw Spa''', 92 Picton Street, 905-468-5711 or 1-800-511-7070, [http://www.shawspa.com www.shawspa.com]- offers a unique array of services including ones specializing in vinotherapy
Sleep
There are a number of fine hotels, including several within walking distance of the Shaw Festival theatres.
The town also has an extensive network of B&Bs, which provides an opportunity to mix with other tourists, bookable through the NOTL B&B Assn.
Olde Angel Inn. 24 Regent St.. 05-468-3411. ngelinn@bellnet.ca. ttp://www.angel-inn.com/home/home.html. 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.
Best Western Colonel Butler Inn. 78 Mary Street. -866-556-8882. ooms@colonelbutlerinn.com. ttp://www.colonelbutlerinn.com/niagara-on-the-lake. PM. 1AM. n season: $179+; Winter: $99+. 26 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast 7AM-10AM. Free high speed Internet access and parking.
Girasole, Tuscan style B&B. 211 Line 8 Road. 05-262-7653. IRASOLE.BNB@sympatico.ca. ww.girasolebnb.com. 139 weekdays, $159 weekend days. Italian style amid lush vineyards with spacious rooms with jacuzzis. Cotton linen, antique decor.
Harbour House Hotel. 5 Melville Street. -866-277-6677. nquire@harbourhousehotel.ca. ttp://www.harbourhousehotel.ca/niagara-on-the-lake. PM. 1AM. In season: $295+; Winter: $199+. 31 rooms. Expanded European style buffet breakfast 8AM-10AM. Free high speed Internet access, parking, and shuttle service.
Shaw Club Hotel & Spa. 2 Picton Street. -800-511-7070. nquire@shawclub.com. ttp://www.shawclub.com/niagara-on-the-lake. PM. 1AM. In season: $185+; Winter: $99+. 30 rooms. Continental breakfast included 8AM-10AM. Free high-speed internet access, parking, and shuttle service.
The Charles Inn. 09 Queen Street. -866-556-8883. nquire@charlesinn.ca. ttp://www.charlesinn.ca/niagara-on-the-lake. PM. 1AM. In season: $205+; Winter: $99+. 12 rooms. Free parking.
Get out
Niagara Falls - for the Falls, of course
Toronto - Ontario's multicultural capital
Waterloo - university town
Kitchener - hosting the largest Oktoberfest in the world outside of Munich
Stratford - picturesque city that hosts the Stratford Shakespeare Festival from April to November
New York
Buffalo