Typically maligned as cheesy, dingy and disappointingly kitsch, Niagara Falls suffers a nasty rap.
Lately, it has even needed to fend off the doubtful distinction of being named Canada’s worst vacationer lure. However as a long-time Ontarian (albeit one who now lives full-time in Paris), I’m throwing out an unpopular opinion: anybody who berates the Falls didn’t do them the fitting method.
Discover the planet’s most shocking adventures with our weekly e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Most worldwide guests who go to the Falls accomplish that as a day journey from Toronto or elsewhere. They may head straight to the star attraction, the Horseshoe Falls, take their compulsory selfie, then dart out and in of town – which is, admittedly, like Las Vegas, solely maybe gaudier – earlier than hopping of their tour bus or automotive and again to their level of origin.
But as many locals know, one of the best ways to expertise the Niagara Peninsula, bordered by Lake Eerie to the south and Lake Ontario to the north, is to tack on a number of the area’s award-winning wineries, quaint villages, noteworthy theatrical performances, craft breweries and nature trails to spherical out any go to. Increase your itinerary, and also you’ll come away with a richer, rather more rewarding expertise.
The historic Prince of Wales Lodge is the centerpiece of downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake © Gilberto Mesquita / Shutterstock
Stroll the streets of a superbly preserved heritage city
You would name the city of Niagara-on-the-Lake the antithesis of Niagara Falls, the place flashy neon lights, casinos, theme rides and chain eating places in neighborhoods like Clifton Hills and Lundy’s Lane dominate the cityscape.
Only a half hour’s drive north of Horseshoe Falls, NOTL (because the locals name it) is against this a picture-postcard heritage city the place baskets of pink and purple petunias dangle from Victorian avenue lamps and charming boutiques promote the whole lot from antiques and handmade pottery to maple fudge and selfmade jams.
Assume the Gilmore Ladies’ Stars Hole come to life.
Positive, the city additionally swells with vacationers throughout excessive season. However the brick heritage buildings (the Prince of Wales Lodge is town’s landmark), colourful storefronts, genteel avenues and horse-drawn carriages supply guests a leisurely respite from the loud and garish environment of Niagara Falls (town).
The Niagara Peninsula is the guts of Canada’s wine nation © Sketchart / Shutterstock
Go to the rolling vineyards of Canada’s wine nation
Due to the realm’s lake-moderated microclimate, Niagara is Canada’s largest wine area and counts greater than 120 wineries – many small-batch, boutique producers.
Although Canada is finest generally known as the world’s largest producer of ice wine (an intensely candy and complicated dessert wine made with frozen grapes), the Niagara area has additionally gained recognition as a notable producer of cool-climate wine varieties like Riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc.
Alongside the extra established wine manufacturers similar to Inniskillin and Jackon-Triggs, take a look at newer and smaller, specialty wineries in NOTL like Frogpond Farm, Ontario’s first natural vineyard; and Two Sisters Vineyards, which lately gained a gold medal for its 2020 Chardonnay on the 2023 Chardonnay-du-Monde, a a prestigious worldwide wine competitors in Burgundy, France.
A number of corporations additionally present full-service excursions that embody transportation to and from the wineries (thus eliminating the necessity to designate drivers), excursions, tastings and on-site meals.
Set off on an ale path
When you’re not a wine drinker, fret not: a devoted Niagara Ale Path leads beer lovers to greater than a dozen standout breweries stretching from the Benchlands of the Niagara Escarpment within the west, to town of St Catharines and NOTL on the east.
At The Bench Brewing Firm in Beamsville, beers are barrel-aged and brewmasters focus on bitter and blended fermentation beers.
The Service provider Ale Home in St Catharines has been brewing on-site for greater than 20 years. Clients can wash down their beer-battered pickles, Québec poutine and beneficiant brisket burgers with blueberry wheat ale, pina colada bitter beer aged in coconut barrels, nitro stouts and non-alcoholic brews.
And in NOTL, The Change Brewery makes use of native fruits – Niagara can also be Canada’s stone-fruit belt – like blue plums and bitter cherries for his or her fruit beers. The area additionally produces ciders (Ironwood Cider Home) and fruit-based spirits (Spirit Niagara).
The well-known Shaw Competition attracts theatergoers from throughout Canada and the US to Niagara-on-the-Lake © Peter Andrew Lusztyk / courtesy Shaw Competition
Soak up a present
Launched in 1962 as a showcase for the works of sensible Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Competition has made NOTL a premier theater vacation spot. At present, it’s the second-largest repertory-theater firm in North America and levels the whole lot from classics and comedies to musicals, mysteries and modern performs.
The pageant runs from February to December and places on a couple of dozen annual productions throughout its three levels, attracting some 250,000 spectators a 12 months.
Hire a motorcycle and hit the paths
Out of doors lovers may wish to dedicate a day to hitting the bike trails of the Niagara Parkway, a simple, paved riverside path that stretches 35 miles alongside the Niagara River. Make sure to consider stops at historic websites and wineries alongside the best way; scenic photograph ops; a waterfront picnic; and snack breaks on the many roadside fruit stands. Each common and e-bike rental providers can be found at NOTL.
Different bike trails embody the “Fruitland Ramble,” which passes fruit orchards, farms, seashores and prime picnic areas from Beamsville to Grimsby; and the “Backyard Metropolis Glide,” circling town of St Catharines (nicknamed Backyard Metropolis for its many gardens, parks and trails).
As a substitute of the Maid of the Mist, clip into a zipper line to zoom over the majestic Niagara Falls © Steve Russell / Toronto Star by way of Getty Pictures
Expertise the Falls in a different way
When you’re an adrenaline junkie, forgo the standard Maid of the Mist boat tour – and strap your self right into a zip-line to whip alongside the sting of the Niagara River at speeds of as much as 40 mph as a substitute. Or board the historic Whirlpool Aero Automotive: relationship again to 1916, the open-air cable automotive lately underwent a refurbishment and glides 3500ft throughout the Niagara whirlpool.
One of many latest sights on the Niagara Parks Energy Station is The Tunnel. Opened final 12 months, this 2200ft-long underground passageway as soon as expelled the station’s spent waters again into the Niagara River. The viewing platform on the finish of the tunnel rewards guests with a brand new perspective of the Horseshoe and American Falls.
Conclusion: give the Falls an opportunity
When the Falls was named Canada’s worst vacationer lure in a report launched in April 2023, it kicked off a storm of cut up reactions.
As a repeat customer, I’m of the common-or-garden opinion that both you go together with the understanding that town itself is camp to the purpose of absurdity and snigger it off – otherwise you add on the aforementioned websites to spherical out the expertise.
As a result of should you heed the haters and dismiss the Falls altogether, you deprive your self of witnessing an exhilarating and highly effective instance of nature’s brute pressure that has been 12,500 years within the making.
