Niagara-on-the-Lake is a superb getaway vacation spot for a solo traveler. The meals, wine, theater, and out of doors actions have lured me again many occasions and every time I discover new issues to do.
On my most up-to-date go to I spent extra time outdoor, biking, and climbing than on earlier journeys which have usually been about meals, wine, and theater.
For me, the true draw of Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it’s enjoyable. Whatever you select to do, whether or not lively or cultural, it looks like a vacation.
It’s not difficult journey. It’s simple. The city has been developed to greet guests graciously and make them really feel comfy. It looks like being at a house but it surely’s a house that feeds many pursuits and makes no calls for of you. As a vacation spot, it isn’t so massive that you simply concern lacking out on one thing particular and it isn’t so small that you simply’re completed with it in a day.
A solo journey to Niagara-on-the-Lake is an ideal getaway for rest and rejuvenation.
How to Get to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is tucked into essentially the most southwest nook potential of the Canadian aspect of Lake Ontario. In reality, it is bordered by each the Lake and the Niagara River. Look throughout the river and also you see the United States. It’s simple to succeed in from many factors of origin.
- From Toronto, it is a 2-hour drive or a 1 1/2 hour prepare to St. Catharines, Ontario adopted by a taxi to the city.
- From Buffalo, it is a 45-minute drive. There are additionally shuttles that run from Niagara Falls USA Official Visitor Center on sure days.
- From Detroit, it is a 4-hour drive. You can even take the prepare from Windsor to Burlington and a GO Bus to the middle of city.
To go to from main cities within the US you are greatest to fly into Buffalo and cross the border or fly into Toronto and hire a automotive.
There are bus excursions for the wineries and/or for the theater from most main cities on each the Canadian and American sides of the border.
A Solo Trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake: Cultural Activities
From wineries to theater to artwork galleries and positive eating places, this city affords most of the finer issues in life.
To really get pleasure from it, I recommend you propose on doing a number of strolling. The city is designed for it.
Queen Street is the primary drag the place there are a lot of enjoyable and trendy retailers. Don’t miss Il Gelato Di Carlotta. Their chocolate gelato is to die for, particularly when paired with both a scoop of lemon or tangerine. The BeauChapeau Hat Shop is all the time enjoyable as is the Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe for a nostalgic show of treats and toys. And, in fact, there are many choices for vogue and a few nice eating places.
That’s only the start of your stroll. Don’t miss the parks and the graveyard. Simcoe Park is true throughout from The Apothecary, a pharmacy museum, on Queen. The gardens are lovely and it is an ideal place to chill out. Walking away from Queen Street, by way of the park, you’ll be able to cross the highway into the very outdated St. Mark’s Cemetery. It’s fascinating to learn the stones. The oldest headstone within the cemetery is that of Elizabeth Kerr, who died on January 21, 1794. On the opposite aspect of the cemetery, you will see Queen’s Royal Park alongside Lake Ontario. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic. And in the event you’re into historical past, about one other kilometer away is the Fort George National Historic Site.
For theater, one ought to e book prematurely to go to The Shaw Festival. The Festival has three theaters and usually runs reveals from April to October. The Shaw Festival is likely one of the premier dwell theaters in Canada. Leave loads of time earlier than a efficiency to park as house may be troublesome to search out.
Niagara is Food and Wine Country
The historical past of wine within the Niagara area goes again to a lower than stellar starting within the 60s and 70s. I keep in mind the wine of these days. It really was not appropriate for ingesting.
But fifty years on, that is an unimaginable wine area. The space is dwelling to many wineries plus craft breweries and distilleries and a solo journey to Niagara-on-the-Lake simply would not be proper with out visiting a number of of them. Some of the wineries even have eating places, lodging, and leisure. You can discover the wine route on bike, bus, or automotive. Just achieve this responsibly. Tourism Niagara has the knowledge it’s essential to plan your wine excursions.
As for eating, you have got loads of choices from pubs to excessive finish delicacies. See if the menu at Treadwell Cuisine on Queen strikes your fancy. For pub fare strive The Irish Harp at 245 King Street, only a block off Queen Street. I actually loved the Old Winery but it surely’s only a bit out of city. As talked about, it is price contemplating the eating places on the wineries. I did a chef’s desk at Peller Estates a number of years in the past which was great.
Soft Adventure on the Niagara Peninsula
There are many choices for comfortable journey in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I cycled and hiked however there are further choices.
Cycling within the Niagara space is so standard that they’ve a devoted tourism website. The Niagara Cycling Tourism Centre factors you to 10 completely different biking routes. I did a portion of the Niagara River Recreation Trail which runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie. The full path is 56 km. If you do not carry your bike, you’ll be able to hire from Zoom BikeShare racks at numerous factors alongside the path. If it is a longer journey you keep in mind, there’s a community of cycle-friendly B&Bs that additionally provide baggage transportation.
For climbing, why not get began on the Bruce Trail? The path begins at Queenston Heights Park and follows the Niagara Escarpment all the best way to Tobermory. I say “get started” as a result of the Bruce Trail is “Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath – 900 km from Niagara to Tobermory”. It’s a problem that many individuals tackle and full over time. At Queenston Heights the path was not busy however busy sufficient for a solo traveler.
Other choices within the space embrace the Zipline to the Falls and the tree-to-tree impediment course referred to as the Whirlpool Adventure Course that’s provided at three ranges of depth. Both of those are from Wildplay. The Niagara Glen Nature Centre affords bouldering and climbing trails in addition to guided hikes.
Finally, on a much less adventurous level, you might also need to purchase the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass that’s provided by Niagara Parks. The go consists of the Journey Behind the Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, Whitewater Walk, the Floral Showhouse, and the Whirlpool Aero Car.
For extra concepts, see Solo Travel Canada: 60 Tips to Plan an Exciting Adventure.
Last up to date: seventeenth May, 2023