The Niagara on the Lake center is about 3 miles east of St. Catharines Niagara District Airport and 3 miles southwest of Shaw Festival.
Niagara-on-the-Lake appeals to visitors throughout the year, but if you enjoy cultural events and wine, your best bet is September and October. You'll delight in the fall foliage, winery harvests and tastings, as well as the end of the theater season. Weather is pleasant, ranging from the low 70s to mid-40s. Cooler temperatures bring down hotel prices as well. As the fall goes on, discounts grow. However, if you plan to visit on the weekend or during the summer during this spectacular time, it's important to note that many hotels require a two-night stay.
Summers are wildly popular because of the enjoyable weather. Average highs are in the low 80s. August brings the Peach Festival, where you can sample some of the deliciousness that gives this area its reputation as an agricultural hot spot. You'll pay top dollar for a trip to this region during the summer, but it's worth it.
January is a beautiful time to visit because of the ice formations on the water and nearby falls. It's also the time the region celebrates its bounty at the Ice Wine Festival. While the ice and snow are beautiful, the temperatures are very cold. If you plan on visiting nearby Niagara Falls, be aware that extremes in temperatures can shut down boat tours and other ways to experience the falls in all their majesty.
For good discounts on hotel rooms and better weather than winter, spring is your best bet. However, temps are still chilly, so you'll miss out on the growing season and all the colorful blooms and events that come along with that time of year in other destinations.
The average hotel rate for a three-star hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake is around $160 a night before taxes. July and August are peak months, and you can expect hotel prices to increase by about $50 a night. You'll also want to book at least two or three months in advance for the best selection and discounts during this popular time.
Discounts are most commonly found at the chain hotels. The Hilton Garden Inn offers AAA, AARP, and government/military discounts. All require ID or a membership card at check-in. Rates vary by day of the week, but most of the discounts provide about $5 off of the standard room rates. The government/military rate saves travelers about $50 depending on the room and date.
The Best Western Colonel Butler Inn offers a 10 percent discount off of the standard rate for AAA and CAA members as well as AARP members. The property does not offer a military or government discount rate.
While the smaller inns and historic hotels are less likely to offer discounts, they do commonly have special rate packages combined with things like theater tickets, fine dining, and other popular activities.
The King George III Inn is a small eight-room property that offers a convenient location, rooms under $150 during the summer, and a continental breakfast brought to your door each morning. The property overlooks the marina area. It adheres to a strict two-night minimum during the summer season, from May through Labor Day. Another value option is the Residence & Conference Center, which offers suite-style accommodations with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, and free high-speed internet.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario isn't home to a lot of inexpensive lodging. You can, however, find deep discounts (and freezing weather) during the off-season. Many of the quaint, historic properties in town do provide the opportunity to indulge in spa services, romantic dinners, wine tastings, and other package deals to take the sting out of the cold. Decide what you'd like to do during your stay, and then look for packages that suit your needs for the best value.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is less than 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's important to note that there is a Niagara Falls, Ontario and a Niagara Falls, New York. The Niagara Falls area offers a lot of inexpensive accommodations on both the Canadian and American sides. As you price hotels, pay attention to whether the price is in American or Canadian dollars. You'll also want to take note of the exchange rate when you book, so you understand exactly what you're paying.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a trip back in time without having to sacrifice amenities. From the delightful mix of Georgian, Victorian, and Coastal architecture to the immense flower baskets that hang from porches and light poles, Niagara-on-the-Lake provides a delicious incentive to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Antiquing, wine tasting, strolling through boutiques, and enjoying decadent spa services are high on most visitors' lists of top activities. This beautiful town is also rich in the arts. Its renowned Shaw Festival attracts theater-goers from around the world interested in seeing the top talent that flocks here for the season. The festival sprung from humble beginnings in 1962, where four performances of two shows took place in the Assembly Room of the historic Court House. Today, the shows run in four venues; the Festival Theatre, the Court House Theatre, the Royal George Theatre, and the Studio Theatre.
The Shaw Festival produces 10 to 12 plays each season. Its 725 performances entertain about a quarter-of-a-million people each year. Each theater is selected with the same careful consideration that the Festival uses in deciding which productions to do, as each space lends something to the performance and experience.
But Niagara-on-the-Lake's charm is not all about theatrical performance. History comes alive in the town's numerous restored homes, many of which have been transformed into romantic inns; Fort George and Brock's Monument, the Laura Secord Homestead, and the Lincoln Welland Regiment Museum. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to several museums, including the MacKenzie Heritage Printery, Canada's largest operating printing museum, and the Historical Society Museum, where you can learn more about the important role this area played in the War of 1812.
No one should visit Niagara-on-the-Lake without enjoying the surrounding countryside and magnificence of Niagara Falls. The Niagara Park's Botanical Gardens is worth the stop on the scenic Niagara Parkway. Also, don't miss the Great Gorge, which is just a 10-minute drive north of Niagara Falls.
If you'd like to experience some or all of the 30-plus wineries in the area, you can pick up a map or join one of the many tour groups.
With such architectural and natural beauty, it's no wonder Niagara-on-the-Lake was named one of the Ten Most Romantic Places in Canada by Reader's Digest magazine. From its fertile ground that yields delicious fruit and beautiful gardens, to its serene waters, this town is the ideal place to slow down and enjoy a quieter pace.
Below are reviews of the city of Niagara on the Lake, ON from an actual visitor's perspective.
My husband and I go to the Shaw Festival every year when possible. We thoroughly enjoy the theatre, the great restaurants, the shops at Niagara on the Lake, the beautiful and colorful flower beds, hanging baskets, and the flower pots, the historical buildings, the horse and carriages, visiting the Christmas store, and of course visiting some wineries. Shirley and Gary Binns
Beautiful gardens and flowers!
I always enjoy Niagara on the Lake. Niagara Falls on the other hand is just a huge tourist trap.