Niagara-on-the-Lake Activities: 20 Ideas for a Rainy Day

NOTL in May

Rain, rain, go away… Remember this children’s rhyme? On the brighter side, April showers do bring May flowers.

We plan for sunny-day activities, and then Mother Nature rains on our agenda, reminding us just who’s in charge here. Hakuna Matata! We’ve got you covered. From museums and retail therapy to live stage performances, there’s something for every taste, interest and budget. You won’t even notice it’s raining! And remember…

“If plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters
– 204 if you’re in Japan.”

― Claire Cook, writer and motivational speaker

1

Take in a 2 p.m. or an 8 p.m. performance at one of the Shaw Festival theatres in town. (Mondays are dark.)

2

Book a one-hour backstage tour at the Festival Theatre to discover the secrets that bring each production to the stage. Cost: $10, $5 with ticket to a performance.

Outlet Collection at Niagara Stores

3

Shop til you drop at the Outlet Collection at Niagara where you’ll find more than 100 trendy boutiques. But first, head over to the Guest Services building to pick up your VIP Visitor Card, available to all out-of-town visitors, to access exclusive discounts and offers from on-site retailers. (You’ll need ID or a passport to prove you are from out of town.)

4

Hunt for treasures at some of the many antique shops in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake.

5

Visit the Butterfly Conservatory located next to the Botanical Gardens on the Niagara Parkway.

Orange butterfly

6

Check out local artists. Browse through Lakeside Pottery on Lakeshore Road, Queenston Pottery on York Road in St. David’s, or Bélisle Pottery on Four Mile Creek Road where you can also take a class.

7

Tour the historical Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston.

8

Check out the Riverbrink Art Museum in Queenston.

9

Visit the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum in Queenston.

10

Step into an educational experience at the Niagara Parks Power Station to discover the incredible history and heritage of this 115-year-old engineering marvel.

11

Work out in the fully-equipped gym at our Community Center located on Anderson’s Lane. A day pass costs $5.50.

12

Stones Massage

Book a spa treatment or massage at one of many venues in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake.

13

Purchase a day pass at the Pillar and Post for $75 per person. Your day pass includes access to their indoor pool, indoor sauna, a locker in the upstairs change room with robe, as well as the Hot Spring if space is available upon arrival.

14

Spend time at the charming Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum on Castlereagh in Old Town.

15

Book a chauffeur-driven winery tour with one of many wine tour companies in the area that include Grape Escape, Crush Wine Tours, Niagara Grape & Wine Tours, Niagara Wine Tours International, Niagara Getaways Wine Tours and more.

Two Women on Wine Tour

16

Learn all about wine production at one or more of the informative seminars and tours offered by some of the wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area.

17

Watch ships “climb the mountain” at the Welland Canal Center Lock 3 Museum.

18

Visit Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world.

19

Take in a Music Niagara performance at various indoor venues during the months of July and August.

20

Whirlpool Jet Boat

Go ahead! Embrace the weather and head off on a Whirlpool Jet Boat adventure anyway. After all, you’ll be getting wet, rain or shine!

 

Niagara-on-the-Lake: Activate Your Passion

March 20 heralded in the Spring Equinox and the Aries Season while a New Moon on March 21 added a punch to underscore the importance of this annual celestial event. Think of this lunar lift as a ribbon-cutting ceremony for your freshest, most out-of-the-box ideas. This cosmic invitation is summoning your inner warrior to recommit to living life by your own design!

As it turns out, passion is an essential element to living a fulfilled life. So, you might say, this celestial combo is asking you to tune in to your passion meter for excitement and let the hot blood pump through your veins as you spring into action.

Some of our best insights and ideas come to us when we’re active and enjoying something we love — cycling, hiking, golfing, birdwatching, dining, spa treatments, live stage performances, music, museums and historical re-enactments, gardens… Our minds are relaxed and our intuition — our personal GPS — works best when the mind is engrossed in the present moment. Like they say, time flies when you’re having a good time.

And what better place to enjoy good times and indulge your passion(s) than in Niagara-on-the-Lake?

Spring Into Action
Vineyards, fruits orchards and fields of vegetation surround Niagara-on-the-Lake, making it a culinary haven for chefs, foodies and wine-lovers alike. Dining venues throughout the area range from affordable pub fare to five-star gourmet experiences. Why not make a day of it with friends? Chauffeured guided tour companies offer an excellent way to experience three or more wineries, and some tour options even include lunch or supper at a local dining establishment.

Partying with friends

Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake is a safe, very walkable community, perfect for daytime and evening strolls along residential streets and nature trails that meander through provincial parks and along the Niagara River where there is year-round birdwatching at its best. Most bed and breakfasts and short-term rental properties are within easy walking distance of restaurants, theatres, shops and wine- or beer-tasting venues. So, why not park the car and forget about it?

Flat terrain and quiet country roads in the area are ideal for cycling and e-bikes — a great way to combine fresh-air exercise with touring some of our award-winning wineries on your own. Be sure to check out the 2020 Chardonnay at Two Sisters Vineyards, winner of a Gold Medal at the 2023 Chardonnay-du-Monde competition held in Burgundy, France. Bring your own bike or rent one at one of the local businesses, such as Zoom Leisure, Grape Escape, Vino Velo and eBike Rental Niagara, to name just a few. Many also offer guided cycling wine tours.

Take in a round of golf and some of the area’s most scenic views at the oldest surviving golf course in North America. Its lakefront restaurant patio and indoor lounge are popular watering holes for a light post-game bite, a brew and some friendly banter.

Perhaps self-care is one of your passions. Niagara-on-the-Lake features a selection of world-renowned spas, each of which offers a menu of treatments that are sure to leave your body singing with relief and gratitude.

Passionate about live theatre and musical performances? Niagara-on-the-Lake also hosts world-class performances at the ever-popular Shaw Festival, which, in 2023, is presenting 14 plays, and several concerts and events at the Festival Royal George and Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatres as well as the new Spiegeltent outdoor venue.

Choose Your Private Retreat
After a full day of activities and sightseeing, a well-deserved night’s rest is in order. STAY Niagara-on-the Lake offers a long list of accommodation options where you can relax and reminisce over that fine bottle of Niagara wine you picked up earlier.

For couples, a bed and breakfast is the perfect choice. Today, most B&Bs feature secluded guest quarters with private ensuite washrooms for complete privacy, as well as indoor and outdoor nooks where you can mingle with your hosts or other guests — or not. Nightly rates include breakfast, on-site parking and internet access. For parties of three or more, self-catering apartments, villas or cottages may be a more reasonable alternative.

Go ahead and check us out. Make a few calls and ask questions. We want you to make the choice that’s best for you and your needs.

Plan Ahead
Here is a taste of things to come this spring and summer to rev up those passion meters and get your creative juices flowing:

April 1 – Fort George opens Saturdays and Sundays, and daily May 20
April 29 – Queens of the Vineyard at Caroline Cellars
May Weekends – Sip & Sizzle at various Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries
May 6 – TD Niagara Jazz Festival Spring 2023 Fundraising Event at The Hare Wine Co.
June 9 – White Effect Dinner at Peller Estates Winery
June 24 – Shaw Guild Garden Tour
July 1-3 – Artistry by the Lake
July 8 – Cherry Festival
August 12 – Peach Festival
August 12 – Sip, Savour & Stroll
August 13 – Shades of Summer Dinner