Niagara on the Lake is one of Canada's best-kept secrets.
If you're planning a visit to Niagara Falls, it's well worth
journeying 20 minutes beyond those amazing waterfalls to visit
the charming and historic Ontario town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
For nearly 50 years, honeymooners and romantics of all kinds
have traveled to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the scenery, the
shopping, the wineries, and to see world-class performances
at the Shaw
Festival. Perhaps the greatest attraction is the NOTL
environment itself. Small in scale, Niagara on the Lake inspires
walkers, hikers, joggers, and bike riders to explore its beauty.
In season, plantings along the main street of NOTL are lovingly
tended, yielding neat beds of flowers in every color. A well-landscaped
park, complete with benches for daydreaming and enjoying the
sunset, overlooks the shimmering lake.
There are many wineries,
Hotels
and inns, Resorts
and spas in the area. It is one of the country's best-known
viticultural areas, with dozens of wineries, including those
making the world's largest volumes of ice wine.
During the War of 1812, Niagara-on-the-Lake came under fierce
bombardment and was the scene of bloody battles. Today the
town is still under siege, but by hordes of friendly tourists
shooting cameras instead of muskets. And there is good reason
for the ongoing invasion.
Besides having the reputation as one of the prettiest towns
in Canada, Niagara-on-the-Lake is also one of the most fascinating
historically.
The Town has retained its 19th century charm and is a wonderful
place to explore with its forts, grand mansions, colourful
gardens and parks, and "pot-pourri of arts and crafts."
Strategically situated at the mouth of the mighty Niagara
River, Niagara-on-the-Lake played a key role in much of the
early government, the War of 1812, commerce, and most recently
as a centre for tourism and the arts.
In fact, it is said that to understand the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake
is to understand the history of early Ontario.
On your travels in Ontario you must
stop in the "Garden City of Niagara" |
If you're visiting Niagara, you've probably discovered that
all roads lead to St. Catharines the Garden City of Niagara.
Our region is known for its waterfalls and wineries, but as
you'll discover there's a whole world of vibrant culture, outstanding
beauty and world-class recreation awaiting you in St. Catharines
– all of which makes our city the place to visit when
you need a little Niagara! A Niagara Falls Bed and Breakfast,
Bala Place B&B in St. Catharines is your home away from
home, Bala Place B&B is just 1 mile from Old
Port Dalhousie and St.
Catharines Marina
plus just a short 10 to 15 minutes drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Niagara Falls, Welland Canal Museum
& Lock 3 and over 40 wineries.
St.Catharines the lovely "Garden City" is situated
in the heart of the Niagara Fruit belt. The city is home to
the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and to the popular Niagara
Grape and Wine Festival and much more. Whether it's your
destination of choice or the home base for your Niagara getaway,
St. Catharines is right where you want to be.
St. Catharines is a city with a rich past, exciting future
and a spirit of wonder in the present. Lying between the shores
of Lake Ontario and the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment,
St. Catharines is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and all
that Niagara has to offer, whether a destination of choice
or a home base to an Niagara Adventure, Ontario's Garden City
is right where you want to be.
In St. Catharines you'll find a wide variety of excellent
accommodations from economy motels and family inns to major
hotels and quaint Bed and Breakfasts like Bala Place. From
your comfortable accommodations or lodging you can explore
the city at your leisure or take a short country drive around
Niagara to Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Grimsby, or Long Beach.
Travel time from Toronto international airport is only an
hour and 45 minutes, from Hamilton or Buffalo airports only
45 minutes to one hour by airport bus or rental car.
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