Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town of 19,000 people (2021) in the Niagara Region of Ontario. It sits on the shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River. It is a frequent destination for daytrippers from Niagara Falls, and a destination in its own right. It is in the middle of a thriving grape- and fruit-growing area featuring many wineries. There are also several craft breweries. The town name is often abbreviated NOTL.

Understand
Niagara-on-the-Lake is important in the history of Canada: it served as the first capital of the Province of Upper Canada, the predecessor of Ontario, called Newark from 1792 to 1797. During the War of 1812, the town, the two former villages of St. David's and Queenston, and Fort George were the site of numerous battles following the American invasion of Upper Canada and the town was razed. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the oldest Anglican and Catholic churches in Ontario, and the oldest surviving golf course in North America.

Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake draws tourists with its quaint colonial-style buildings, the Shaw Festival, Fort George, wineries, an outlet mall on the highway, and its proximity to Niagara Falls. The Niagara Region has the second-highest percentage of seniors in Ontario.

Visitor Information

 * Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism
 * Destination Ontario: Niagara-on-the-Lake

From the US
Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, New York, is about an hour's drive away — assuming you don't encounter any delays at the international border.
 * Buffalo Airport Shuttle (, toll-free +1-877-750-2550) offers service from the Buffalo-Niagara airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake. A group of up to 4 can expect to pay approximately $95 each way and the drivers often have great tips on where to go and what to avoid.
 * BUF Buffalo Airport Taxi Service Provides service from the Buffalo-Niagara airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake.  A group of up to 6 can expect to pay approximately $80 each way.
 * Elite Buffalo Airport Shuttle & Limo specialize in airport transfer to and from Buffalo International Airport at the most affordable flat rates and hassle-free.

Niagara Falls International Airport is also across the border in Niagara Falls, New York, but less than a 45-minute drive (not counting border delays).

From Canada
Hamilton John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton is about a 75-minute drive away.

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is about a 1½-hour drive away.

You can fly to St. Catharines/Niagara District Airport and drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 15 minutes. The airport is mostly generation aviation but it has daily flights Toronto's Billy Bishop (downtown) airport, offered by FlyGTA Airlines.

By car
Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 1½ 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 (Niagara Regional Road 55). Go north for 20 minutes.

From Niagara Falls (Ontario) follow the scenic Niagara Parkway north along the Niagara River.

By bus

 * The Niagara-on-the-Lake Shuttle offers hourly seasonal shuttle bus service between Floral Clock (connection with WEGO buses in Niagara Falls) and Fort George (Niagara-on-the-Lake). There are intermediate stops at McFarland House, Laura Secord Homestead and Queenston Heights Park. Shuttle tickets are sold at Floral Clock and Fort George, and credit cards are accepted. Purchasing a return ticket allows riders to hop off and on the bus at any stop along the route without paying an extra fare.
 * The Niagara-on-the-Lake Shuttle offers hourly seasonal shuttle bus service between Floral Clock (connection with WEGO buses in Niagara Falls) and Fort George (Niagara-on-the-Lake). There are intermediate stops at McFarland House, Laura Secord Homestead and Queenston Heights Park. Shuttle tickets are sold at Floral Clock and Fort George, and credit cards are accepted. Purchasing a return ticket allows riders to hop off and on the bus at any stop along the route without paying an extra fare.


 * Bus tour companies such as King Tours, Niagara Tours, Queen Tour Niagara Falls Tours and City Sightseeing Niagara offer excursions to (or including) NOTL from several cities in Ontario.

Queenston
The community of Queenston is located within Niagara-on-the-Lake near its boundary with Niagara Falls. The sites listed below are within 2KM of that boundary with the Floral Clock being approximately on that boundary.

Outdoor activities

 * Bike the scenic bike paths along the Niagara River.
 * Take a horse-drawn carriage ride or sleigh ride through the old town.
 * Bike the scenic bike paths along the Niagara River.
 * Take a horse-drawn carriage ride or sleigh ride through the old town.

Buy
The village of Niagara-on-the-Lake is well known for the little shops along Queen Street. Hats, jams, cheese, fudge and many other items are available in these stores.

Beyond the village
The following are not within walking distance of the village (King and Queen streets):

Wine tours
The Niagara Peninsula is one on the principal Wine Regions of Ontario. 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.

Wineries
Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake You don't have to take a tour to visit one or two of the local wineries. As of 2020, there are 37 wineries — 10 more than two years before. Most feature tasting rooms, and have their wines available for purchase.

Craft breweries
Craft beers have become very popular in North America.

Sleep
There are a number of fine hotels, including several within walking distance of the Shaw Festival theatres and the centre of town. The town also has an extensive network of B&Bs, which provide an opportunity to mix with other tourists.



Go next

 * Niagara Falls - for the Falls, of course
 * Toronto - Ontario's multicultural capital
 * 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