Niagara-on-the-Lake is considered one of the most charming towns in Canada and is a must-visit when exploring Ontario. This town on the shores of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Niagara River, has played a significant role in American history and, as a result, boasts strong historical buildings and structures. Nearby are the Niagara Falls, which are the most famous attraction in this border region between the United States and Canada.
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Niagara on the Lake Information and History
Despite being a small town with fewer than 20,000 residents, Niagara-on-the-Lake has had an important role in the history of Canada. It was the first capital of the Province of Upper Canada, which is now Ontario. The first settlement dates back to 1781 and was named Butlersburg, in honor of John Butler, a colonel who led the Butler’s Rangers, a provincial (and pro-British) military unit during the American War of Independence.
It served as a refuge for many British loyalists fleeing the United States. The town was then renamed West Niagara in contrast to Fort Niagara, located on the eastern bank of the river, in what is now New York State. In 1792, it was renamed again, this time as Newark, and it was during this period that it became the capital of the province. It remained the capital until 1797 when the capital was moved to York (now Toronto) to distance it from the American border.
Between 1796 and 1799, Fort George was built south of the town, which played a prominent role in the Battle of Fort George during the War of 1812. Fort Mississauga, on the other hand, was constructed between 1813 and 1816. It was destroyed during the war but later rebuilt by the townspeople. In 1880, it took on its current name, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Initially, this name was used only for postal purposes to distinguish shipments from the nearby city of Niagara Falls. However, since 1970, it has been the official name.
How to Get There
Niagara-on-the-Lake is located in Canada, in the Province of Ontario, precisely where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. It is less than half an hour from the Canadian city of Niagara Falls, which stands opposite the Niagara Falls. It takes 30 minutes to reach Niagara Falls State Park, 50 minutes to get to Buffalo, and 1.20 hours to reach Toronto.
Things to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a historic and charming town. Especially during the warm months when it’s adorned with flowers, it’s delightful to stroll through the streets of the downtown area and the gardens and parks of this lakeside destination. The historic forts and surrounding wine regions also make Niagara-on-the-Lake a place where you can combine a historical visit with excellent wine tastings.
The Historic District
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The historic district of the town is centered around Queen Street, the most important and characteristic street where you’ll also find the tourist office, making it the perfect starting point for any visit to the town. Here, you’ll first come across the Memorial Clock Tower, the most recognizable symbol of the city. Elegant architecture characterizes many of the buildings in the downtown area.Among others, it’s essential to mention a historic hotel, the Prince of Wales Hotel. Another notable building is the Old Court House, which now houses the tourist office. The “round” Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar is also quite unique. This bar is dedicated to the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, and every year since 1962, the city has hosted the Shaw Festival, which brings world theater to Canada.
One way to explore the historic downtown area is to take a horse-drawn carriage tour, immersing yourself even further in the city’s history. In this area, you’ll also find elegant boutiques and charming antique shops. In addition to Queen Street, other excellent streets for leisurely strolls include Front Street, Ricardo Street, Prideaux Street, and the perpendicular streets of Gate Street, Victoria Street, Regent Street, and King Street. This quadrilateral area between Queen Street and the river is the most interesting part of the town. Here are some options for exploring the downtown:
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museums
The city’s primary museum is the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. It boasts one of Canada’s most extensive collections of local history and covers a period of 9,000 years: from the early indigenous tribes that lived on the shores of Lake Ontario to the 1970s. Among the highlights of the collection is a powder horn that once belonged to Joseph “Thayendanegea” Brant, the Native American leader who served as an officer in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that change from year to year, covering various themes. Furthermore, there is a virtual exhibition, part of the Google Arts & Culture network, that allows remote viewing of the artworks. The museum is open from May to October, from 10 AM to 5 PM, and from November to April, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Admission costs $5 for adults, $3 for those over 60, $2 for students, and is free for all minors.
Another noteworthy site is the McFarland House. This private residence, constructed in the 19th century by the Scottish John McFarland, was used as a hospital during the War of 1812 by both the British and the Americans. Today, it serves as a house museum where guides in historical costumes provide guided tours to visitors. The entrance fee is $7.75 for adults and $5 for children aged 3 to 12.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Parks
The town also features some beautiful parks and gardens. The most famous one is Queen’s Royal Park. Overlooking the mouth of the Niagara River, it’s the perfect place to stroll while enjoying views of Lake Ontario and the river flowing into it. The gazebo on the shore is the park’s symbol, and it’s also the starting point for kayak excursions offered by some local tour operators.
Another park not to miss is Simcoe Park. Apart from being a lovely public garden, it features a statue of John Graves Simcoe, the English military and political figure who served as the first Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. In the eastern section of the park, you’ll find the Polish World War I Military Cemetery, where 41 Polish soldiers who lost their lives in World War I are buried.
Adjacent to the cemetery stands the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, a Catholic church with an unusual central spire, and in the green area beyond Byron St is St. Mark’s Anglican Church. A very beautiful and well-maintained garden is The Gardens at Pillar and Post, owned by Vintage Hotels and popular for events. Finally, I highly recommend taking a sunset stroll in Ryerson Park: it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun dip into Lake Ontario.
Fort George
South of the town, you’ll find the Fort George National Historic Site. The fort was built by the British in 1790 to replace Fort Niagara, which they had to abandon on the opposite bank of the Niagara River. Most of the fort’s buildings were destroyed in 1813 during the Battle of Fort George, which saw its occupation by U.S. forces who remained there for seven months.
Little was done to rebuild the fort, and it was instead replaced by Fort Mississauga in a considered better location. In the late 1930s, the Niagara Parks Commission initiated the reconstruction of Fort George to preserve its historical value and opened it as a museum in 1940.
Today, visiting Fort George allows you to see its irregularly shaped earthworks with six differently shaped bastions placed at varying distances. Its large size is due to the fact that initially, it was meant to be more of a supply depot than a defensive fortification. Among the buildings you can see today, the only original one is the powder magazine.
Butler’s Barracks
The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake was initially called Butlersburg in honor of Loyalist Colonel John Butler, and the Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site, which is part of the Fort George National Historic Site, preserves the barracks and other historic buildings. The first barracks were erected in 1778 but were demolished in 1800 with the construction of Fort George.
The current barracks date back to 1818 and were initially used for the Indian Department and later by the British Army. In addition to the barracks, there are also other buildings, including the British officer’s and commissariat officer’s residences (from 1839), the Minor Commissariat Officer’s residence (from 1817), the Indian Council House (from 1812, converted into a hospital in 1822), and other warehouses and minor buildings.
When the British transferred control of the area to the Canadian military in 1871, these became military training grounds and the headquarters of the Second Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Navy Hall
Another interesting structure within the Fort George complex (east of the fort) and also recognized as a national historic site is the Navy Hall. It is a wooden structure that was later enclosed in a stone structure. The interior structure was built in 1765 by Royal Naval Commanders and originally served as a small shipyard, complete with docks, residences, and shops, serving as a transshipment point for posts on the Great Lakes. It was also the site of the first provincial parliament of Upper Canada from 1792 to 1796.
Fort Missisauga
Fort Mississauga, located north of the town, was constructed between 1814 and 1816 to replace the older and less suitable Fort George. It is a fort made of bricks and stone, salvaged from the ruins of the town of Newark (modern-day Niagara-on-the-Lake), which had been burned by the retreating American army after the War of 1812.
This area had been used by indigenous peoples in the past, and in 1804, a lighthouse, the first on the Great Lakes, was erected here, later demolished for the construction of the fort. The British Army was stationed here until 1855, and the Canadian militia used it as a training ground from 1870 and during both World Wars and the Korean War.
It is not possible to enter the tower, only the surrounding green area where informational panels are placed. Access is free. In the 1970s, a golf course was built around the historic site, so you have to follow a pedestrian path through the golf course to access it. Fun fact: this is the oldest golf course in North America.
Things to Do Near the Town
A visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake easily pairs with exploring other nearby destinations. As I’ve mentioned before, and it’s perhaps an obvious point, Niagara Falls is the quintessential stop on a journey in this region, but it’s not the only one (on the American side, you might consider Fort Niagara, for example).
Even on the Canadian side, nestled between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the Niagara River serving as the border with the USA, there are other must-see attractions. Here are a couple of destinations to consider on the Canadian side.
Queenston
Queenston is a charming village on the banks of the Niagara River, situated between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. At the Queenston Heights National Historic Site, you can explore some battlefields and a small museum, but there’s also a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the river.
On the other hand, the RiverBrink Art Museum is a museum that exhibits over 1,400 artworks by both Canadian and international artists. In addition to paintings and sculptures, there are also prints and a rich archive of rare books. Originally a private collection of the lawyer and patron Samuel E. Weir, it is now managed by the Weir Foundation, which continues to expand the museum’s collection through donations and new acquisitions.
Furthermore, there are some historic homes. The Laura Secord Homestead is the house of what is considered Canada’s most famous heroine. Laura Secord, during the War of 1812, undertook a perilous 20-mile journey to warn British soldiers of an impending American surprise attack. Her house has been restored and can be visited with guided tours.
Another historic home is Glencairn Hall: an elegant classical revival-style residence built by John Hamilton in 1832 and later purchased in 1866 by William Thompson, the president of the Erie and Niagara Railway. In 1904, it was acquired by John Durrant Larkin, a Buffalo businessman who spent weekends there and hosted important guests, including the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Niagara Wine Region
When one thinks of wine, it’s difficult to associate it with Canada. However, the Canadian Niagara Peninsula is the primary wine region in Canada and one of the most significant in North America. The unique climate of this region makes it ideal for producing certain red wine varieties in the summer and icewine in the winter: a sweet wine that requires very cold temperatures for the grape clusters to freeze. This Canadian specialty is produced by hand-harvesting frozen grape clusters in December, when temperatures typically average around 14°F.
Moving into the peninsula, particularly in the area encompassed by Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines, wineries abound. If you want to do wine tastings and sample the typical wines of this region, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Winery tours departing from Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls
Places to Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Despite Niagara-on-the-Lake being a small town, its proximity to Niagara Falls and other tourist attractions means that accommodations are plentiful, and you won’t have trouble finding a place to stay. Since it’s a historic town, why not consider staying in a historic residence? Two excellent examples are the Historic Wilson-Guy House and the Harrogate House Inn, both located in the heart of town.
Another option is the School House Bed and Breakfast, situated in a house completely covered in climbing plants and set in a beautiful setting. If you prefer to stay outside of town and immerse yourself in the midst of vineyards, I recommend the Vineyard Villa, an elegant residence surrounded by vineyards where the rooms overlook a spacious garden.
