Embrace Winter’s Gifts in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on January 25, 2024

Winter in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a magical time of the year. The stillness and deep sense of wonder resonate with our very souls.

Nature hits the pause button and quietly seduces us to relax, restore and reflect. Contrary to popular belief, winter is never the time for setting goals. Not yet. Save that for spring, when you naturally have more energy.

Until then, it’s “dream time.” Much like the rest of nature, we pause and ponder what we achieved in 2023 and where we might be headed in 2024. It’s also time to let go what no longer serves us so we can move forward unburdened.

Research shows that our best ideas come to us when we’re dreaming, relaxed or at play. Winter is the ideal season for restoration, self-care and sharing the fruits of our fall labour with our loved ones. After all, February is Cupid’s favourite month.

And Niagara-on-the-Lake has everything you need to meet these wintertime goals.

Bundle Up and Get Outdoors
Niagara-on-the-Lake is riddled with walking paths. One takes you past wineries along the Niagara River to the charming village of Queenston and the forested Escarpment trails. Another follows the shores of Lake Ontario and offers a view of Toronto’s skyline on clear days. Other local favourites are the Heritage Trail and the walkways that meander through The Commons where you may sight a deer, fox or coyote foraging in the distance.

Skating is a popular winter activity in Niagara-on-the-Lake. An old-fashioned skating rink at the the Monet-inspired gardens across from the Pillar & Post Hotel invites you to lace up those skates and twirl your favourite partner. Enjoy a hot drink and a snack from the on-site Outpost, then cozy up at one of many warming stations located throughout the park.

A Wayne Gretzky fan? Check out the skating rink at the Great One’s winery in the town of Virgil, just five kilometres up the road from Old Town.

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day
What better way to let your thoughts drift off into dreamland than under the caressing hands of a professional therapist? The variety of treatments and services on the menu is endless.

The Vintage Hotels feature two spas, each offering a very different ambience. The 100 Fountain Spa and the Secret Garden Spa have been in this people-pleasing business for decades and it shows. Their services and treatments have expanded to suit the times and your preferences.

In addition to traditional spa services, the one-of-a-kind hydrotherapy wellness circuit at Spa at Q on Queen Street includes the only snow room in Canada, hot and cold pools, sensory showers, a cedar sauna and a eucalyptus steam room.

Not to be outdone, the harmonious, peaceful mood at the OSpa at the Oban Inn complements its amazing soothing and personalized treatments.

Located across from the Outlet Collection at Niagara, the Spa at White Oaks promises to rejuvenate, revitalize and refresh you before you head out for some retail therapy.

Wine and Dine Your Sweetheart
If there is one thing Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for, it’s the wide selection of fine vintage and culinary experiences the area offers. Not only is this the birthplace of modern Canadian winemaking, but it also attracts some of the most innovative chefs in Canada, such as celebrity chefs, Jason Parsons at Peller Estates and Treadwell.

Up for a culinary adventure? Introduce yourself to delectable creations prepared by Niagara’s aspiring chefs. The School of Culinary Arts at Niagara College operates the award-winning on-campus Benchmark restaurant, where lunch is served from Wednesday to Friday under the watchful guidance of culinary virtuoso, Chef Justin Downes, and Catering Manager, Victor Oliveira.

Hoping to impress someone special? Three of Niagara’s finest dining establishments — Zee’s, Niagara’s Finest Thai and Tiara — are offering prix-fixe menus this winter.

In keeping with the Valentine’s Day spirit, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are presenting the Chocolate & Cheese Passport Event every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February. Here’s your chance to indulge in the perfect pairing of wine, chocolate and cheese at 20 wineries.

Lighthearted fun and a Gourmet S’mores Board await you at Konzelmann Estate Winery where you get to sit back and relax in a Muskoka chair and enjoy a seasonal wine flight in the warmth of their enclosed winter patio.

Snuggle Up and Get Warm
Regardless of what you decide to do while in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you want to be comfortable and feel welcomed and warm.

STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake features a list of short-term accommodation choices that range from self-catering apartments, cottages and villas to charming bed and breakfasts and country inns, where you gently awaken to mouthwatering aromas of freshly prepared breakfasts prepared by your on-site hosts.

A Word to the Wise
With the warmer season fast-approaching, you may want to book your preferred spot early as Niagara-on-the-Lake is especially popular during the high season (May through October). To help you plan your next escape to Niagara-on-the-Lake, here are a few tempting events slated for 2024:

February Weekends: The Chocolate & Cheese Passport Event
February 3: Black History in NOTL: Commemorating National Historic Significance
February 5: Celebrating Black History & Culture at The Harry Winery
February 9: Brock: The Man, the Myth, the Legend at Navy Hall
Until February 25: Inniskillin’s Illumination Nights
February 27: Reif Estate Icewine Dinner
Until February 29: SeaSky International Light Show at Reif Estate Winery
Until Mid-March: Skating at the Great One’s Backyard Rink and at The Gardens at the Pillar and Post
Until April 29: Strike a Pose: The Art of Self-Obsession at the NOTL Museum
June 7: White Effect Dinner
June 15: Shaw Garden Tour
June 15: St. Andrew’s Strawberry Festival
June 29, 30 & July 1: Artistry by the Lake
July 6: St. Mark’s Cherry Festival
August 10: Peach Festival
August 11: Shades of Rose Dinner
October 4: Shaw Autumn Soirée
October 5 & 6: NOTL Beer/Harvest Festival
December 6: Candlelight Stroll
December 14: Christmas Parade

Helpful Tips
Lost & Found: Did you lose something while you were in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Contact the lost and found centre at the NOTL Chamber of Commerce located at 26 Queen Street in the lower level of the building. Or call 1-905-468-1950 or email tourism@niagaraonthelake.com for more information.

Metered Parking: General information on metered parking in Niagara-on-the-Lake is found here. Your STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake hosts feature complimentary on-site parking for guests and are happy to advise you on where to park for free in and around Old Town.

Accessible Parking: Several accessible parking spaces are located throughout the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, both on the street and in municipal parking lots. All vehicles parking in the accessible zone must display an original and current accessible permit. Any vehicle found parked in an accessible zone without the valid accessible permit will be ticketed $400. The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has approved the use of accessible parking permits in the following areas only:

Designated accessible zones/spaces; and
At any meter free of charge, including municipal lots governed by pay-and-display parking meters. In these locations, a pay-and-display permit is not required if the vehicle is displaying a valid accessible permit.

Niagara Wine Country: Where Hope Springs Eternal

Posted on February 25, 2023

While every season is special, springtime in Niagara-on-the-Lake is quite exceptional. It holds such hope and promise for locals and visitors alike — the promise for fine vintages, for fruitful orchards and gardens, for a successful tourist season, for spectacular stage and musical events… You might even say Spring is the official start of a New Year in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Harbingers of Fresh Beginnings
Springtime in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautifully orchestrated, multi-sensory experience, compliments of Mother Nature.

It begins slowly with a teasing warm breeze, the unique trill of a cardinal in the early morning hours or the first robin sighting. Excitement fills the air with a sense of liveliness among Mother Nature’s creatures as they awaken from their winter slumber and go about their business.

Pruned vineyards lie in wait. It’ll be a while yet before young grapes cling to the vines. For now, we can only anticipate the promise of fall’s bounty.

Hardy yellow crocuses poke through the hard ground. Furry magnolia buds formed in the fall are gently teased open to display their floral splendour. Soon, fruit trees in the orchards will be crowned by a soft pink, mauve or white haze, in sharp contrast to the spearmint green carpet at their feet.

In Old Town, brightly coloured tulips line the main street and planters are filled with eye-catching floral arrangements. Queen Street shops, galleries, restaurants and sunlit patios bustle with locals and visitors alike.

The Shaw Festival opens its doors with live stage performances of Mahabharata, a modern retelling of an epic Sanskrit poem at the Festival Theatre from February 28 to March 26. And on March 30, Prince Caspian takes centre stage to welcome theatre goers of all ages into the magical kingdom of Narnia at the Royal George Theatre. Yes, indeed, it promises to be an exciting time at the Shaw.

Wine and Music Make a Fine Pair
Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to some of the oldest and most established wine-producing vineyards in Canada. Over the years, our pioneer winemakers finessed their expertise to make Niagara-on-the-Lake the premium wine-growing region it is today.

Wine-tasting events happen year-round in Niagara-on-the-Lake. For instance, Winemakers’ Selection Tasting Passes are on sale now. For $40 per person, plus taxes and service fee, you can enjoy one tasting of a Winemaker’s Selection wine at each of the 20 member wineries Monday to Friday throughout 2023.

Wish to know more about wine? Check out the Wine Seminar Series at Colaneri Estate Winery happening over six Sundays from February 19 to April 30.

In celebration of its 25^th anniversary, the Music Niagara Festival also holds much promise for 2023. Throughout the year, Music Niagara presents world-class, diverse music experiences in unique venues and settings throughout our community. Watch for unique pairings of wine and musical events, which will be posted here throughout the coming season.

And don’t forget the Twilight Jazz & Blues series happening from February 26 through May 28. Local venues like the Spirit in Niagara Distillery and The Irish Harp Pub also feature musical performances with a twist.

Hospitality at its Best
Accommodation is an important component to any Niagara-on-the-Lake experience. So, why not stay with the best?

STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from hosted bed and breakfasts and inns to self-catering apartments, cottages and villas. What’s your preference? Victorian? Modern? Country? Historic? Themed? We have all that and more.

As experts in the area, our resident hosts and owners can provide valuable information and guidance on what is happening and where to go so that your getaway is the best it can possibly be.

Let us help you create memories to last a lifetime.

Stay Niagara-on-the-Lake: Medicine for the February Blahs

Posted on February 13, 2023

Feeling moody, as if your energy is sapped? Not to worry… planning a quick escape is the ideal medicine for overcoming such common wintertime symptoms. And historic Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect destination for your winter break — and for good reason.

We’re thrilled to announce that TripAdvisor ranked our Town No. 2 “Best Popular Destination Canada.” Not only that. TripAdvisor also listed four of our local wineries as top attractions in all of Ontario: Konzelmann Estate Winery, Reif Estate Winery, Château des Charmes Winery and Peller Estates Winery. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, three local restaurants were listed by OpenTable as Canada’s most romantic places to dine: The Drawing Room at Prince of Wales Hotel, Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards and Treadwell Farm to Table.

We’re All About Choice

Whether you prefer a self-catering experience or long to be pampered by hosts, STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake has you covered. Browse through a list of member properties featured on their website where an array of accommodation choices ranges from country-style inns and bed and breakfasts to private vacation homes, apartments and luxury villas.

Your STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake hosts are experts in the area and are only too happy to offer insider tips on what’s happening in the region or where to dine, park, shop, tour… Consider them your personal concierges. An interactive digital map under the “Plan Your Stay” section makes it simple for you to choose where to stay at a price that suits your budget.

Scroll down the page a little further to find numerous activities for you to experience: tours and popular attractions, wineries, restaurants, spas, performing arts, specialty stores, galleries, bicycle and scooter rentals, outdoor recreation, museums and historical sites… the list goes on and on. Can’t decide where to dine? Check out the online Menu Book for a wide selection of culinary suggestions.

What’s Up and Coming

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you may have your heart set on amping up the romance factor, and we offered many recommendations in an earlier blog. However, there’s much more beyond Cupid’s favourite day.

Here is just a sampling of upcoming events planned for mid- to late-February and beyond:

Calling Wine, Chocolate & Cheese Lovers: Hopefully, fun and self-care are among your New Year resolutions for 2023. And what better way to reward yourself than with these favourite delicacies at the Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Experiences offered by Twenty Wineries every weekend throughout February.

All That Jazz: Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of musical talent presented by the TD Niagara Jazz Festival at various Niagara venues from February through May 28. Scheduled performers include the Neil Brathwaite Group, Faith Amour Trio, Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks, Melissa Lauren Trio, Roberta Hunt and Her Quartet, Alexander Brown Quartet and Sundar Quartet.

Foodie Moments: Cozy up with some of your best friends at your personal fire pit at Trius Winery as you sip a glass of their Showcase wine or a hot beverage paired with offerings from their Fireside Menu. Or, perhaps a puff pastry-wrapped triple-cream baked brie with icewine jelly glaze and praline candied nuts complemented by two Sparkling Wine flights at the Lakeview Wine Co. is more your style.

For the Artist in You: Participate in a meditative and fun two-part painting workshop at the Riverbrink Art Museum, which introduces you to two types of ancient folk artforms practised in India: Mandala Dots and Madhubani painting. Not quirky enough for you? For out-of-the box experiences, check out the workshops hosted at the Gate Street Studio.

An Astronomer’s Delight: Did you ever wonder what the end of the Universe might look like? This six-part series at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library turns your gaze skyward to focus on the beginning of the Universe, the lifecycles of stars, the creation of the elements, the creation and life of black holes, and more.

All the World’s a Stage: It’s never too early to snap up tickets to the Shaw Festival’s 2023 lineup of live stage performances. You don’t want to miss the magic that’s about to unfold at the Festival Theatre, the Royal George Theatre, the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage and the newly added Spiegeltent — a beautifully styled outdoor cabaret venue.

Bloomin’ Gardens: Spring is coming! Between now and March 31, take advantage of early-bird savings to the ever-popular 17^th annual Shaw Guild Garden Tour happening on June 24.

As you can see, there’s never a scarcity of things to do in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. Let STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake and our charming hosts be your go-to guides.

Stay Niagara-on-the-Lake: Spice It Up on a Perfect February Getaway

Posted on January 25, 2023

Traditionally, February is a month of celebration around the world. For instance, New Orleans has Mardi Gras; Québec City has its Winter Carnival; and Brazil has Rio Carnaval. Likewise, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we keep the New Year champagne glow alive. February is a time for love, intimacy and revelry.

Plan Your Picture-Perfect Escape Online

Nothing is more memorable than a romantic stay in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake offers an assortment of accommodation choices, ranging from country-style inns and bed and breakfasts to private vacation homes, apartments and luxury villas.

Browse through the member properties listed on STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake’s website where an interactive map of the area helps you pick the perfect location that suits your budget. From popular tours and relaxing spas to performing arts and scenic golf courses, an endless array of experiences and attractions await you year-round in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Need help? Your hosts know the area well and are happy to help you map out your perfect February getaway. If you need an excuse to visit us, here are a few suggestions.

Indulge in Chocolate, Cheese & Wine

It’s been said the best way to the heart is through the stomach. What better way to express your love than sampling decadent sweet chocolate and savory cheese artfully paired with wine.

On four weekends throughout February, 20 Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries invite you to indulge in these tempting pairings. Couples’ passes to the Chocolate & Cheese Festival are now on sale and provide access to all participating properties.

If you’re a frequent visitor to Niagara-on-the-Lake, may we suggest the Winemakers’ Selections Tasting Pass, which entitles you to one tasting of a Winemaker’s Selection wine at each winery any Monday through Friday throughout the year.

Pair Up to Create Magic on Valentine’s Day

This is when Venus and Cupid wing in like a love fairies to set the stage for seduction and ramp up the chemistry between you to create wonderful wintertime memories together as a Supercouple. Apply one or more of our ideas, and you can bet your amour will brag about this day for weeks to come.

Once you’ve booked your overnight accommodation, be sure to arrange delivery of your sweetie’s favourite flowers to your room from one of many florists in the area. Perhaps, a selection of chocolates and nuts is preferred. Either way, your hosts can help you with that.

Begin your day with a stroll down Queen Street lined with whimsical boutiques filled with tempting delights. Saunter down to the lake to take in the majestic view. Meander through the Commons or admire the natural beauty along the mighty Niagara River. Head over to the Monet-inspired gardens at John & King where a skating rink, an outdoor sandwich and beverage bar and warming stations help to keep winter’s chill at bay.

With nearly 40 wineries in the immediate area, Niagara-on-the-Lake features countless award-winning vintages. Book a late-morning or early afternoon tour of your favourite winery to set the tone for an evening of romance.

Or schedule a couple’s full-body massage at one of several spas around Old Town.

As dusk settles in, cuddle up close under a warm blanket as you tour the picturesque streets of Old Town and relive the romance of centuries past. This a good time to slip out that little gift you bought for a moment just like this.

When it comes to dining, you’ll not be disappointed. Niagara-on-the-Lake is renowned for its array of fine restaurants where seasoned chefs prepare thoughtfully curated cuisine using fresh local ingredients and regional flavours, paired with delicious Niagara wines. From here on, you’re on your own…

February is Black History Month

Is history more your style? Follow the Freedom Trail along the majestic Niagara River and learn about the legendary role Niagara played in the Underground Railroad that welcomed an estimated 40,000 African American slaves to freedom throughout the 19^th century.

Stand in the spot where Harriet Tubman crossed into Canada in 1856. Rediscover landing points where freedom-seekers entered Canada. Visit the Mackenzie Printery in Queenston where Upper Canada’s 1793 Act Against Slavery was printed. These are just a few of more than 20 plaques and displays found along the scenic Parkway highlighting some of Canada’s most historic moments that happened right here in Niagara.

On the last Sunday of the month in January, February and March, Niagara Parks is hosting a three-part speaker series exploring perspectives on Black history and culture in Canada, delivered by prominent historians, community leaders and commentators.

Come Just for the Fun of It

Maybe you don’t have any agenda at all. You just want a mid-winter break. We have you covered there too. History buffs, artists, fitness enthusiasts and music lovers will find a host of activities happening.

Start with Fireside Fridays Speakers Series at Navy Hall where hour-long presentations include original artifacts from the War of 1812. Or maybe you’re interested in the various artistic programs and classes at The Pumphouse Arts Centre. Raise a glass of local brew with your Trivia colleagues or share a laugh or two at The Exchange Brewery. Relax in Muskoka chairs in the warmth of an enclosed winter patio at the Konzelmann Estate Winery as you sample a seasonal wine flight, perfectly paired with your very own Smores and Chilli Board.

We know that time spent with family is special too. A vacation rental is the ideal solution to any getaway with kids. And what better place to celebrate your upcoming Family Day Weekend (February 20) than right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In addition to the outdoor skating rinks at the Monet-inspired gardens mentioned earlier, the Niagara Falls Wonder Pass from Niagara Parks features a number of venues and exclusive benefits that are sure to capture young imaginations.

Isn’t it time you booked your February escape with STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake?