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Category Archives: Arts & Entertainment

Barb Honsberger

Meet Barb Honsberger, Owner of Honsberger Estate Winery, one of Ontario’s smallest boutique wineries, known for producing nationally award-winning wines. Nestled in the quaint Jordan village along the Niagara Escarpment, Honsberger’s family-run farm showcases the unique agriculture and welcoming hospitality of the Niagara Region.

Amidst blooming orchards, lush vineyards, wandering livestock and tail-wagging rescue dogs, Honsberger Estate Winery is a rural oasis set on farmlands exuding charm and family tradition. With Honsberger’s farming roots dating back to 1811, the land’s heritage and history are very much a part of now-owner Barb, a sixth-generation farmer.

“The bounty that Niagara has to offer is embedded in me,” she said. “It comes from generations of farmers loving this land before me and seeing the care for the generations ahead of me.”

Having grown up in Jordan watching her father tend diligently to their family farm from sunrise to sunset, Barb credits her upbringing for instilling her with the passion she has for her work today.

“I spent my childhood just like generations before me, running between fruit trees and riding the tractor on my father’s lap,” said Barb. Eventually, Barb’s past would lead her to her future calling—“after stumbling through a variety of careers, opening Honsberger Estate Winery is exactly what I was meant to do.”

 

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Initially only selling barrels of grapes to other wineries, in 2002, they began planting Riesling and Cabernet Franc vines. Only in 2012, did Honsberger Estate eventually start keeping a small portion of grapes for their own label, simply for the love of winemaking.

While the art of making wine is far from easy, being backed by heart, history and the support of the local winemaking industry confirmed their decision to become a small-batch winery.

“Even though Honsberger Estate is one of the oldest farms in Niagara, I’m always humbled by the support of the community and how we were welcomed into the industry,” she said. “The community has a common goal. We all want to see Niagara at its best. When we all work hard in our own backyard, yet also lift and support our neighbours, everyone becomes inspired.”

 

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Today Honsberger Estate Winery continues to be steadfast in their decision to remain small and craft offerings that are a testament to the quality farm-grown grapes they are made from.

“By working with the motto of ‘quality over quantity’, we can offer a product that we are proud of,” said Barb. “That’s why we put ‘from our roots to your table’ on every bottle of wine.” Their philosophy has enabled the winery to stand confidently on its own, alongside fellow award-winning wineries in the area.

Whether you stop by Honsberger Estate Winery for a sip or a bite from one of their two restaurants, or simply to say hello, one thing’s for sure—there’s no doubt it’s a uniquely Niagara experience that will make you feel right at home, no matter where you’re from.

“Niagara is home. It’s family, it’s friends, it’s giving and it’s a gift to all of us,” Barb shares. She invites guests to the region the same way she would invite someone into her home – with a smile and with outstanding hospitality.

For more on Honsberger Estate Winery, visit www.honsbergerestate.com

• • • • •

CONTACT

Honsberger Estate Winery
Phone: (905) 562-4339
Website: honsbergerestate.com
4060 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station
ON L0R 1S0

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Cory Linkson

Cory Linkson knows he’s going to be judged when he’s at work today.

It won’t be for anything he says. It certainly won’t be for his outfit — Linkson wears the mandatory chef’s whites every day. Instead, strong opinions will be cast about what the executive chef does behind the burner at AG Cuisine in Niagara Falls, which is to be expected when yours is a four diamond-rated restaurant 11 years running.

“Who goes to work every day and gets judged on everything they do?” Linkson asked rhetorically. “Not too many people. You can’t have an off day in a restaurant. It’s not an easy environment to work in, for sure.”

Still, it’s one he loves. The proof is in that consistently high rating Linkson and AG Cuisine, set in the Sterling Inn just off the well-worn tourist path, have received every year since the restaurant opened in 2007. Not only are there four diamonds, awarded by CAA/AAA, to live up to, there are other reputations to uphold, including being one of OpenTable’s 100 most romantic restaurants in Canada, or residing on the reservation app’s best overall list.

 

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That success is rooted in Linkson’s talent as a chef, which he began honing as a teen while working in the commissary of his parents’ St. Catharines pizzeria. But it can also be attributed to something else: Linkson’s passion for showcasing Niagara du jour on a plate.

“We try to take seasonal and local to a hyper-extent,” Linkson explained.

 

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The reason is simple. It’s not only because Linkson cooks in one of the most fertile regions in Canada, whose microclimates make it easy for almost anything to grow here. It’s because ingredients from far-flung places have passed their four-diamond prime by the time they make it to a professional kitchen.

They simply aren’t good enough for Linkson’s calibre of cooking.

“All food in the grocery store is designed for you to eat in the last 30 per cent of its life,” he said. “By the time it gets to a restaurant, there’s really no life left in the stuff. We wanted to get closer to farmers. I wanted to change the paradigm of how we eat our food.”

He does that by having land and a staff farmer who uses permaculture, farming that “goes in the way of nature,” to grow vegetables harvested the same day they appear on an AG menu.

Linkson’s drive to be a good steward of nature led to the addition of bee hives at the farm three years ago, and with it, the birth of the AG Busy Bee Honey Factory. The honey and pollen the bees provide inspire creativity in the kitchen, but they also do the heavy lifting during a growing season that no farmer can: they pollinate crops on the AG farm and those surrounding it.

“It’s sort of a circle of life that we’re trying to develop,” Linkson said. “It’s not just singular. It’s many things that we’re doing to be good stewards to the land and planet.”

What they don’t grow themselves is easily sourced on other local farms whose names and stories are shared with diners, he noted.

“We should be highlighting the farmers in this area. The terroir of this soil is really special in this area and this is why we should be doing it.”

It was also the next logical step after 30 years working in an industry with a black eye for being wasteful.

Linkson, who travelled throughout North America to climb the ranks in a professional kitchen, could have taken his cues from some of those mentors in the early days of his career, who called suppliers across the globe for ingredients. That was when imported was de rigueur, and little thought was given to how food was grown in other countries, or farm labour conditions.

The years spent in kitchens operating this way wore on him, and Linkson didn’t want to be part of what he saw as a significant problem.

He was struck by a chef he worked with out West who did “Rocky Mountain cuisine,” featuring local bison and berries on the menu. Returning to Niagara in 1996 to help usher in the farm-to-table movement that spawned the region’s wine country cuisine also inspired him to forge a solution to the restaurant industry’s largesse.

At that time, Niagara was importing chefs bringing a new approach to fine dining. The first winery restaurants were opening and big city cuisiniers, including Tony de Luca at Hillebrand in Niagara-on-the-Lake (now Trius), were hired to begin a shift away from the quantity over quality mentality that drove many kitchens in tourist hot spots here.

Linkson worked as de Luca’s sous chef for five years before moving down Niagara Stone Road to the restaurant at Peller Estates. In both winery kitchens, he fell into the rhythm of Niagara’s seasons and it moved him.

“You get into this rhythm year over year. You gravitate toward that rhythm of nature. I was really glad I could come (to AG Cuisine) and do the same. Maybe I was a farmer in another life,” he said with a laugh.

Those rhythms of the growing season set the tune for the daily menu changes that happen at AG to show diners “this is Niagara Falls right now.”

“Whatever is ready at the farm has to go on the menu, so we just change, change, change,” he explained. “We sort of fly by the seat of our pants. The goal is to keep the same quality level menu change after menu change. It doesn’t matter what you order, we try to have the same quality, the same freshness. We try to let the area speak to you.”

And then let diners speak about the experience — something that drives Linkson “to get to that level of expectation I need to meet.”

“It’s a creative endeavour,” he said. “You have to be a person who enjoys having a creative idea, turning it out on a plate and seeing guests’ reactions.”

Tiffany Mayer, My Niagara Profiles

• • • • •

CONTACT

AG Inspired Cuisine
Phone: 289.292.0005
Website: agcuisine.com
5195 Magdalen Ave.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
L2G 3S6

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Yoga in Niagara Wine Country

Operators are beginning to resume socially distanced Vineyard Yoga Classes as of late June, 2020. Please visit respective links below to see the most up to date status of Niagara Vineyard Yoga Classes.

COVID-19 Update

Relax, recharge and experience Yoga in Niagara Wine Country.

Here are some of the Yoga classes available at wineries throughout Niagara, for the calendar year of 2019

Westcott Vineyards

Yoga in the Vineyards, with Modo Yoga St. Catharines
Every Thursday night until August 29th 7-8pm
https://www.westcottvineyards.com/products/yoga-in-the-vineyards

 
 
 
 
 
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Redstone Winery

Yoga Uncorked, with The Energy Lab
Thursday, August 15th 6:30pm
https://www.theenergylab.ca/

 
 
 
 
 
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Small Talk Winery

Cider and Baby Goat Yoga, with Fox Den Yoga
Saturday, August 17th & Sunday, August 18th
http://www.foxdenyoga.com/events.html

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Château des Charmes

Yoga by the Vines, in partnership with Liberty Life Yoga
Sunday, August 18th 10am – 12pm
http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/event/yoga-by-the-vines/

 
 
 
 
 
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Pondview Estate Winery

Yoga & Wine
Wednesday, Aug 21st, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
https://www.ashleyavisyoga.com/book-online

Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

Yoga & Wine, in partnership with Elev8 Events
Thursday, August 22nd & Thursday, September 26th
http://www.elev8events.ca/shop/

Fielding Estate Winery

Yoga Uncorked, with The Energy Lab
Saturday, September 7th 11am
https://www.theenergylab.ca/yoga-wine

 
 
 
 
 
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Andrew McLeod

Andrew McLeod

Take a seat with a view of the kitchen at Bolete and chances are you’ll see chef and owner Andrew McLeod wearing a button-up shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, jeans and a canvas apron to protect from the hazards of the job.

There are no starched and pressed chef’s whites, no towering, pleated hats. And yet, it was those formalities of kitchen life that captured McLeod’s attention as a teenager while dining at Toronto’s iconic Canoe, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a career behind the burner.

“I remember seeing the chefs with all their tall Bragard hats. I thought it was awesome,” McLeod recalled. “Everyone knew their jobs and what they were doing. It was just a really gorgeous room and I thought I’d like to explore that. It was a cool thing to watch.”

Now McLeod and his chef Jayde Burton are the ones to watch as they cook at Bolete, creating elegant dishes inspired by the seasons in an entirely casual atmosphere.

“Just the way the kitchen is set up, we want it to appear like we’re cooking in our house,” McLeod said. “It’s just like a house party. Everyone wants to be in the kitchen. It’s just where everyone ends up.”

 
 
 
 
 
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It’s where McLeod, who grew up in Whitby, found himself as a 15-year-old in need of a job. The aspiring culinarian took a gig washing dishes at a small Italian restaurant, and eventually worked his way into cooking. It wasn’t fine dining — McLeod was a short-order cook — but he learned to be fast and efficient, skills that would prove essential when what started as just a pay cheque morphed into a career after that fateful dinner at Canoe.

McLeod headed to cooking school at George Brown College. He stood out among his classmates, some of whom had no idea how to hold a chef’s knife never mind ever setting foot in a professional kitchen. It was the dawning of the age of the celebrity chef, brought about by the polished cooking shows on TV, and those drawn to culinary school by the prospect of fame rather than a passion for food saw their 15 minutes evaporate before the clock even started ticking.

“It was interesting to see. Then they found out it wasn’t what they expected, like on the cooking shows. They were dropping like flies,” McLeod recalled.

After graduation, McLeod stayed in Toronto, testing his skills as a newly minted cook at La Bodega, a highly rated French bistro on Baldwin Street. McLeod didn’t stay relegated to the entry-level garde manger, responsible for creating salads and cold dishes. He got to do dessert, trying his hand at classics like crème brulée, and had opportunities to practise butchery.

He also learned — perhaps the hard way — not to make mistakes. McLeod’s roommate was the restaurant’s chef. “If I did something wrong at work, I’d hear about it all night at home, so that pushed me to do everything right,” McLeod said.

From there, he graduated to coveted posts at the high-volume Auberge du Pommier in the Oliver & Bonacini restaurant family. There he worked under one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs, Jason Bangerter. They were intense jobs, but McLeod, set on being an executive chef, was keen to push himself professionally in those early days.

He was also eager to learn, so when he got thirsty for more than a cursory knowledge of pairing food and wine in 2005, McLeod, then 27, took to the Queen Elizabeth Way. His first few interviews at winery restaurants didn’t go as hoped. But then he knocked on the door at Peller Estates where Chef Jason Parsons, a fellow alumnus of an Oliver & Bonacini restaurant in Toronto, hired McLeod as sous chef. It was a busy job that he did and loved for six years, not only for the education in winemaking it provided, but also for everything else Niagara taught him. There were the farms producing stone fruit and vegetables, opportunities to raise animals, and a collaborative spirit among chefs in the region. And Parsons was the ultimate leader after which McLeod could model himself — constantly checking in on the morale of his kitchen staff.

“There are a million things you can get your hands into here,” he said. “We didn’t have access (in Toronto) to the products you have here. You can’t get in your car and be two minutes away from vegetables or beekeeping.”

McLeod has immersed himself in every opportunity to learn about food and wine production that has come his way in Niagara, either in those early days or since opening Bolete in 2016. He’s spent time with beekeepers at Rosewood Estates Winery in Beamsville, and has willingly stepped into the pen with Paul Harber at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery to learn more about raising pigs.

Executive chef jobs presented themselves after Peller Estates but they took McLeod away from the region. He helmed the kitchen at Edgewater Manor in Stoney Creek, then at the landmark Spencer’s on the Waterfront in Burlington.

But being a boy from the ‘burbs in Toronto, McLeod didn’t want to hang around Burlington. He loved St. Catharines, being close to vineyards, and market gardens. He also dreamt of owning a restaurant.

He searched for a time before finding Bolete’s home on a stretch of St. Paul Street that was the epicentre of downtown revitalization in St. Catharines. Other restaurants serving beautiful, thoughtful food were opening along the artery and yet no one was stepping on anyone’s toes, McLeod noted.

All of those relationships he cultivated along the way are apparent at Bolete today, be it on the wine list, dominated by world-class Niagara vintages, or the roster of artists in residence whose work has hung on Bolete’s walls over the years.

And, of course, a menu that takes its cues from what’s available in Niagara, complemented by ingredients, such as East Coast oysters or Prince Edward Island beef, from elsewhere in Canada.

The spectacle of Burton and McLeod at work — even without those Bragard hats — makes the experience all the better.

“I love being here on a Saturday night, taking plates over to a table, saying ‘Hi’, telling people what we’re doing,” McLeod said. “I don’t like to create a pretentious atmosphere… . It’s more about making people feel comfortable and at home.”

Tiffany Mayer, My Niagara Profiles

• • • • •

CONTACT

Bolete Restaurant
Phone: 905.641.9559
Website: bolete.ca
176 St. Paul St., St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2R 3M2

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My Niagara Profiles – James Treadwell

James Treadwell

Since 2006, James Treadwell, Sommelier and Owner at Treadwell Farm-to-Table Cuisine in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, has been delighting taste buds with flavours that are uniquely local, uniquely Niagara. Think dishes infused with seasonal ingredients from artisan producers within the region, paired with world class Ontario wine. Needless to say, there’s no better place to sink your teeth into all that Niagara has to offer.

Why did you choose to work and live in Niagara

Over the past 13 years, Niagara has been a wonderful place to have our business as it is a growing tourist market, especially for gastronomy, while providing easy access to Toronto.

My wife and I currently live in Grimsby and find it a terrific mid-point between the restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Toronto, where she works. There seem to be a lot of things changing around the region and there are now many activities and businesses that suit our lifestyle.

What makes you passionate about your role?

I’m equally passionate about wine and providing hospitality to guests at Treadwell. I’m inspired by the professionalism and work ethic of our team and feel positively challenged to go above and beyond our guests’ expectations. A lot has been made of how challenging the restaurant industry is (and it is), but I’m proud of what our business has accomplished up to this point and will continue to push myself and our team to be better.

 
 
 
 
 
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How does Niagara inspire what you do?

From day one, our restaurant has always tried to showcase the many artisanal producers of the region. Many of our suppliers from the area are listed on the back of our lunch and dinner menus and we’re delighted that we have been able to continue those relationships today. Seeing the quality and freshness of the product being produced just minutes from the restaurant inspires me the most.

Following the focus of the kitchen, our wine program has been built on showcasing what we felt was the very best of Ontario winemaking, with a specific focus on Niagara. Over the past 13 years, we have built what many believe to be the finest collection of Niagara wines in Canada. Seeing the success of the Niagara wine industry, both on a national and international level, inspires my team and I to continue promoting these diverse and exciting wines.

What does Niagara mean to you? What is ‘Your Niagara’?

Niagara has been my home, off and on, for the past 22 years. It’s an unbelievably beautiful region with an eclectic mix of individuals and businesses.

It’s safe, affordable and tolerant. While it has changed quite a bit over the past decade, I feel there is so much more potential and I’m excited by the opportunities being presented to not only my business, but other likeminded locals as well.

Why should people make a trip out to Niagara?

Niagara is unique in that it presents a diverse mix of experiences throughout the region. Whether that be sport, arts, wellness, gastronomy, or history— this region accommodates the interests of many. Its location from Toronto and the major cities of the Northeastern US, makes it accessible to those looking for a multiday vacation that is not too far from home and unlike any other.

• • • • •

CONTACT

Treadwell Restaurant
Phone: 905.934.9797
Website: treadwellcuisine.com
114 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, L0S 1J0, Canada

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Niagara Supper Markets

Mingle with the local community, relish scrumptious food and enjoy live music at the supper markets in the Niagara Region. These evening gatherings are a great way for locals & visitors to celebrate summer, enjoy the outdoors and have a whole lot of fun.
 
Take a look at some of the wonderful Niagara supper markets taking place in 2019:
 
 
Fonthill, in Pelham, is an idyllic area known for its scenic landscape and fruit orchards. It also hosts the Pelham Supper Market, held at Peace Park. Eat all you want as there is an assortment of delicious food and drinks from local vendors.
 
The locally prepared lip-smacking fare includes:
  • burgers
  • hot dogs
  • perogies
  • sandwiches
  • pizzas
  • salads
  • roast pig
  • chicken coleslaw
  • beef
  • bacon
  • tacos
  • nachos
  • fries
  • popcorn
  • ice creams
 
Wine & beer from local wineries & breweries are also offered. Take a stroll to visit each colourful stall and discover the foodie spread in each. The music at the Market showcases Niagara’s local bands, energizing the atmosphere with their foot-tapping tunes.

 
Eat, drink and unwind with your family and friends at this supper market.
 
Visiting Times:
  • All Thursdays
  • June to September
  • 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
 
 
Make your way to Lakeside Park for the Port Dalhousie Supper Market, in St Catharines. With its lovely waterfront location, the park is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the supper market in the evenings. Good company & great food is a combination that is hard to resist. So while you bring your family & friends, local vendors ensure a steady supply of mouth-watering fare.
 
A vast range of foods to choose from include:
  • pizzas
  • hot dogs
  • pies
  • schnitzel
  • pulled pork
  • ice creams
 
Kids too can have a fantastic time here–they can hang out with their friends, eat some delicious food and enjoy fun activities. Pets are also allowed. You can bring your own picnic mats or chairs to truly enjoy the outdoor ambience. A good supper market becomes even better when there’s some amazing music, and the Port Dalhousie Supper Market has fabulous local talents as part of the live entertainment each week.

 A truly fun experience!

 
Visiting Times
  • All Tuesdays starting July 9th until end of August
  • 4.30 pm onwards till dusk (about 9 pm)

 

 
The Supper Market in Welland offers amazing food, drinks and community bonding, ensuring a delightful experience.
 
Located on Merritt Island, the market buzzes with a lively energy as people relish the fantastic array of fabulous cuisines prepared locally. Feel the breeze and the charming vibe as you walk around.
 
Food vendors & food trucks offer:
  • Canadian food
  • barbecued food
  • burgers
  • sandwiches
  • hot dogs
  • Italian cuisine
  • ice creams
  • vegan dishes
  • vegetarian food
 
Drinks are available as well so you can savour local wines, craft beer, cider or the tipple of your choice. Non-alcoholic beverages too are available.
 
The Supper Market is a great place for families with children as there are plenty of fun activities for kids. Musical entertainment in the form of solo artistes, duos, as well as bands, will make the evenings even more enjoyable. Support these local talents from Niagara while they perform live every week. There is a lot of parking space for cars and bicycles at the venue.
 
So drop in at the Welland Supper Market to have a great time this summer.
 
Visiting Times
  • Every Friday in July and August (except July 12th & July 19th)
  • 4:30 pm to 9 pm
 
 
Celebrate summer at this delightful Supper Market with your family & friends. It is always great to be outdoors when the weather’s sunny and this market provides an amazing blend of food, drinks and live entertainment all through summer. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Supper Market has been in existence for more than 5 years and this year too offers a wonderful community experience to locals and visitors alike.

A vast range of food and beverages served by over 20 food vendors and food trucks makes this supper market a very appetizing affair.
 
Dishes offered include:
  • pizzas
  • nachos
  • corn
  • perogies
  • Asian cuisine
  • vegetarian
  • vegan dishes
 
Wine, beer, cider and other beverages too are available. Savour your food and drinks at one of the picnic tables or bring along a picnic mat or chairs to enjoy the foodie delights. Live music and other entertaining acts performed by local talents will keep you enthralled all through summer. The Supper Market also conducts various contests and encourages donation in the form of non-perishable food items.
 
Visiting Times
  • All Wednesdays
  • May 22, 2019 to September 18, 2019
  • 4:30 pm to 9 pm
 
Experience food, fun & entertainment at the Supper Market!

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Cycling in Niagara

Cycling is one of the best ways to experience the Niagara Region.
 
Several trails along different routes in the Region offer a chance to see:
  • varied flora
  • historical sites
  • natural beauty
  • wine country
  • …and so much more

Here are some of the major routes that you can navigate through cycling.

So push those pedals and explore the Region!
 

Welland Canals Parkway Trail

 
Cycle your way through the trail in Welland Canal. It runs between St. Catharines and Port Colborne for a distance of 45 km.
 
This interesting trail enables you to take a closer look at the shipping activities in the historic Welland Canal. You can view massive ships moving through the water to transport goods. A major attraction are the locks that lift these ships and lower them again enabling a smooth passage through the canal. Lock 7 at Thorold involves the highest climb for ships in the canal. Lock 8 at Port Colborne is one of the world’s longest locks.
 
There are viewing platforms at St. Catharines, Thorold and Port Colborne so you can stop by to take a look at these engineering marvels. The trail offers a comfortable ride for cyclists along with scenic views.

 

Niagara River Recreation Trail

 
This 56 km route offers some of the most picturesque views along the way. Pedal through the Fort Erie area where you can halt at historic sites as well as beaches. There are several natural & historical attractions throughout the trail, including the scenic Niagara Parkway.
 
Stop in Niagara Falls and walk along the sidewalk with your bicycle to admire the lovely views of the Niagara River and the Falls.
 
There are several other attractions including
 
At Queenston, you can see dramatic views of the Niagara Gorge and the Whirlpool.
 
Along the route, the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake offers wonderful views, historic sites and several lovely wineries. The recreation trail is a bicycle friendly route. There are many restaurants on the route that have bicycle racks and well-maintained washrooms.

Pelham Route

 
Explore the wonderful farmlands, orchards and community life along the Pelham route. Pelham also hosts a farmers’ market and supper market. The town offers a wonderful glimpse into its natural beauty & agricultural bounty along the 34 km route. You can enjoy soothing views of the Welland River and make a halt to enjoy some good food.
 
Visit North Pelham to see an ancient church founded in 1828, or stop by the Lookout Point Country Club, for a panoramic view of Niagara as well as the Toronto skyline.

 

West Lincoln and Wainfleet Route

 
If you wish to see the coastal areas of Niagara, this is a great trail to go cycling. Rivers, wetlands, beaches and some amazing flora & fauna are the rewarding sights on this 49 km route. You can see small animals and birds along a part of a sub-trail known as Gord Harry Trail. If the weather’s sunny you can also stop at the Long Beach Conservation Area and Campground to relax at the beach. Scenic vistas welcome you in West Lincoln and several other places on this trail.
 

Grimsby and Lincoln Route

 
Cycle your way through the towns of Grimsby and Lincoln stopping to take in the views.
 
The 40 km route includes
  • parks
  • vineyards
  • charming cottages
  • museums
 
You will also pass through a section of the Niagara Escarpment on this route. There are several places where you can enjoy a meal and enough restrooms to freshen up at various places along the route.
 

Niagara Wine Route

 
Exploring Niagara’s wine country through cycling allows you to truly enjoy the spectacular scenery and the charming wineries.
 
If you wish to understand Niagara’s contribution to the wine industry, and the winemaking process that goes into making award-winning wines, this route will help you do that.
 
Feel the wind on your face as you ride past vineyards, farmlands and wineries. The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has several wonderful wineries where you can stop and take a tour. Jackson-Triggs  Estate Winery and Inniskillin Winery are two such fantastic wineries that offer a varied range of red and white wines as well as icewines, dessert wines & more. Buy a bottle or two of your favourite drink as a keepsake of your cycling tour along the route!
 

Niagara Greenbelt

 
The Greenbelt consists of 1.8 million acres of protected land, stretching across various territories in Ontario. It also includes the 48 km Niagara section. Farmlands, forests, wetlands and the Niagara Escarpment are a part of the Niagara Greenbelt.
 
It offers an opportunity to understand the beauty of the region as you cycle through St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake and other areas. The area is rich in agricultural produce and you can see plenty of fruits and vegetables grown in the farmlands here. Navigate country roads and rustic settings as you discover, vineyards, wineries and fruit farms. There are plenty of places to relax and you can also halt at one of the restaurants along the way to grab a bite.

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Best Places to Treat Mom this Mother’s Day in Niagara

Mother’s day is right around the corner. What better way to treat Mom than to take her out for a forgettable experience she’ll never forget. Instead of buying another bouquet of flowers, take her out to a Jazz Concert, a wine & culinary tasting pass, an artisan market or a special Mother’s Day Brunch at one of OpenTable’s Top Brunch Restaurants.
(more…)

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OpenTable Awards Niagara As The Most Romantic Dining Location In Canada

Niagara continues to be Canada’s most romantic destination and the recently announced OpenTable Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in Canada confirms it. The Niagara Region led all of Canada with 11 award winners. These romantic Niagara restaurants are the perfect place to unwind, and share an unforgettable experience.

Niagara Region’s OpenTable Top 100 Romantic Restaurants

AG Inspired Cuisine
AG Inspired Cuisine serves regionally and seasonally inspired cuisine. This acclaimed fine dining restaurant has received the CAA 4 star rating every year since its inception.  The intimate dining room at AG is best described as chic and romantic, and is the ideal choice for couples looking for a romantic dining experience. TripAdvisor User @LuluReview
We visited for dinner to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and were treated to an amazing evening! The atmosphere while sophisticated, is relaxed and inviting, and certainly conducive to a romantic dinner. The service – especially Darren – was excellent. We started with lovely creative cocktails… Everything was delicious!!! This is definitely a new favourite and we can’t wait to return!
Cannery Restaurant Get carried away in the beauty of exposed brick and beams that transports diners to a romantic respite in the Tuscan region. TripAdvisor User @Desmond C
My wife and I celebrated our 50th at this wonderful location. The service was exceptional. We had the traditional Slow Roasted Prime Rib and the Beef Tenderloin. Both choices were excellently prepared to perfection. For dessert the Baileys and Salted Caramel Brulee completed the perfect celebration.
The Drawing Room at Prince of Wales Treat yourself to a taste of Victorian elegance in the Drawing Room of the Prince of Wales hotel. Take your little prince or princess back in time with ornately decorated tea sets, tasty scones and over-the-top royal treatment. The Victorian Tea Room and English delicacies are fit to be enjoyed by guests who appreciate regal treatment with an imaginative twist. Honsberger Estates Winery
 
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TripAdvisor User @Laurie N
Honsberger is a little magic piece of paradise. Outside on the patio in the summer or inside in the Samll Barn in the winter……it is just magical. Great food, ambiance, service…..nothing is overlooked at Honsberger. They know how to make your experience very special…..please don’t miss it – also their wine is amazing!
Inn on the Twenty On The Twenty was envisioned as a place where Niagara’s food and wine bounty could be presented in an innovative and inspiring way. The restaurant aims to deliver freshness and sophistication to meals that will harmonize well with the wines of Cave Spring and its colleagues in this unique wine region. All in all, Jordan Village makes a great destination for a day trip, special event, or a romantic getaway. OpenTable User @winemusiclife
A wonderful evening in a charming dining room with great service from our waiter. The food was different, tasteful, exciting and extremely delicious. Certainly not a disappointment but was exceptional which is what we wanted for the evening we were there.
Kitchen 76 @ Two Sisters
Kitchen76 offers delicious, elegant menus showcasing produce from local farmers, as well as seasonal produce from the on-site property – in beautifully-presented dishes with authentic Italian ingredients that pair perfectly with wines from Canada’s #1 Small Production Winery. OpenTable User @ Chellabella000
This was a wonderful dining experience. The decor is phenomenal, elegant classy place and still has a comfortable feel. Would recommend this restaurant for any occasion.
Lake House Restaurant Enjoy the ambient charm of dining in an old Niagara home with an unparalleled view of Lake Ontario. Dine on excellent Mediterranean cuisine at a cozy table by the fireplace, with a lakeside view in the sun room or “al fresco” on the outdoor patio. The Restaurant at Pearl Morrissette A restaurant located at Pearl Morissette, serving an ever changing multi-course menu of the best ingredients of the Niagara region; inspired by seasonal French cooking. OpenTable User @PatK
Culinary artists, excellent staff, visually pleasing room with soft music gently adding to the overall relaxing atmosphere. You are meant to savour not only the amazing flavours but also the warm yet professional attention. Trust them – they have a culinary vision and they are achieving it!
The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge Peninsula Ridge Estates is truly a world class wine and culinary destination catering to guests who are looking to pair a relaxed and casual atmosphere with an incredible dining experience. The property is stunning, with breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment, Lake Ontario including the Toronto Skyline and of course our pristine vineyards. Trius Winery and Restaurant Trius Winery Restaurant celebrates the relationship between Niagara’s local land, people, wines and food.  Toronto Gold Medal Plates winner, Chef Frank Dodd showcases locally inspired cuisine made with ingredients from the bounty of Niagara Wine Country. Winemaker Craig McDonald pairs them with wines made from grapes that grow in the same soil. TripAdvisor User @816daveym
Reservations were easy, greeted quickly and friendly. The presentation, the quality, ambiance was diamond quality. I don’t want to describe every single detail because it would spoil your experience I will guarantee if you go today, you’ll plan your next visit before you leave.
The Restaurant at Vineland Estates Restaurant
As one of Niagara’s first winery restaurants and a forerunner of Niagara’s flourishing wine and culinary scene, Vineland Estates offers cuisine featuring ingredients from local purveyors. Guests dine indoors in the beautifully appointed locations such as the renovated 1845 farmhouse or outdoors under the new shade sails. Wherever you are seated, take in the views of rolling vineyards, the forests of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario and Toronto in the distance. TripAdvisor User @Lauriet447
This was a first visit on a recommendation from an acquaintance. Although the weather was overcast it did not deter from the scenery and outstanding food. Wherever you sit in the restaurant you will have views of the vineyards…The entire Estate is beautiful and a romantic setting to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or any occasion. We will definitely return in early summer on our next visit to Ontario.
See the entire list of: OpenTables Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada
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Frozen Niagara Falls

It has been a really cold winter in Niagara Falls…

The City welcomed 2019 with record breaking temperatures, and a seemingly frozen falls.

Many parts of Canada, including Ontario, were in the icy grip of winter around the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, while Niagara Falls prepared to welcome a brand new year, temperatures recorded were in the range of -14°C to -17 °C, and -26 °C to -27 °C with the wind chill. These have been among the lowest recorded temperatures in the area on New Year’s Eve and those who welcomed the New Year in Niagara Falls did so with these historic minimum temperatures. In fact, thousands of people attended the New Year’s Eve Concert at Queen Victoria Park braving the freezing temperatures, and were rewarded with a night of amazing live entertainment.

In spite of the weather, visitors still flocked to visit Niagara Falls around the New Year. The falls had seemingly frozen over due to a major dip in temperatures and it made for an incredible sight. People still continue to pour in from all over the world to see the stunning waterfall in all its winter glory. And what a spectacular sight it is!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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  • Blankets of ice & snow cover the landscape including the ground, the river and the falls
  • Ice sheets on the ground, icicles formed by the water from the falls and frozen mist are attracting visitors like never before
  • It is a wondrous sight to see something as massive as the Horseshoe Falls seemingly frozen over in ice with beautiful icicle formations

But despite the appearance of having completely frozen, the waterfalls actually keep flowing beneath the surface. The immense volume of water continuously flows while mist and spray on the outer surface develop an icy crust giving the appearance of frozen waterfalls. It gives the illusion that the waterfalls have stopped flowing but in fact, they haven’t. The entire winter landscape with the ‘frozen’ falls is something that you cannot see at any other time of the year, and makes it all the more special. It’s a white winter wonderland! You can see this magnificent sight from close quarters at the Journey Behind the Falls attraction at the Table Rock Welcome Centre. While the lower deck is closed during extreme temperatures, you can still get a superb view of the falls from the upper deck.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the Niagara Falls during winter, and you can make the most of the season by visiting this natural wonder!

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14 Romantic Restaurants in Niagara

Celebrate the day of love with a romantic meal for two in the Niagara region this Valentine’s Day! February 14 is a great time of the year to make the special person in your life feel even more special.  Lunch or dinner at one of the several splendid restaurants in the region would be the perfect treat.

You can dine at any of these 14 restaurants for a romantic February:

AG Inspired Cuisine

AG Inspired Cuisine, in Niagara Falls, is a great choice for couples who wish to enjoy a meal together. Located in the basement of the Sterling Inn, the restaurant offers farm to table cuisine blended with French techniques. Savour varied dishes prepared using meat as well as vegetarian food with ingredients straight from the farm in a special Valentine’s Day menu. Complement your meal with Niagara VQA wines, beer, cocktails, and other drinks.

Skylon Tower

Skylon Tower Dining

Dine at the 360 degrees revolving dining room atop the 775 foot Skylon Tower! It is a fabulous location in Niagara Falls for a romantic dinner for two. Relish continental cuisine as you take in the views of the falls. The waterfalls will be illuminated in pink and red lights to celebrate Valentine’s Day from 7 p.m. till midnight. In fact, the Skylon Tower too will be illuminated on this day.

Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant

Another restaurant in Niagara Falls with spectacular views of the Falls and a delectable cuisine is Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant. The restaurant is located on the Fallsview Dining Level of the Sheraton Fallsview hotel. Experience the tempting menu and extensive wine list for a perfect meal with your partner.  All seats provide an exceptional view of Niagara Falls which enhance the dining experience inspired by celebrity chef Massimo Capra. Anticipate great food, great wine and spectacular views! 

Milestones on the Falls

The food, and the view of the Niagara Falls from the Milestones on the Falls restaurant are an unbeatable combination. You can try the dishes from a Valentine’s week special menu. Situated inside the Marriott on the Falls hotel, lunch or dinner at this restaurant includes amazing appetizers, salads and soups, a diverse main course with meat and seafood, as well as desserts. Savour a selection of Niagara wines, beer as well as a popular favourite – the Original Bellini.

Weinkeller

Weinkeller in Niagara Falls is a restaurant and craft winery offering superb red and white wines off the tap as well as in bottles. It also has a range of beers. The lip-smacking fare includes soups, salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. You can also enjoy a 3 or 5 course dinner at a set price. You can also choose from the special Lovers Menu available from February 12 to 15. With its intimate ambience inside a brick wall basement, Weinkeller is the place to be if you are looking for something different. It is open from 5 p.m. until midnight.

Kitchen 76

Famous for its wineries and vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming and picturesque place to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And there are several restaurants with a romantic ambience such as Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards. Savour authentic Italian cuisine paired with fine wines for lunch or dinner. Pastas, paninis and pizzas are some of the delicious offerings that you can enjoy at this lovely vineyard locale.

Peller Estates Winery Restaurant

Peller Estates Winery Restaurant

One of the most popular wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the beautiful Peller Estates is also home to a wonderful restaurant. Various dishes are prepared using regional ingredients and you can taste some fabulous wines as well. Order à la carte or go for the four course or five course menu accompanied by wine. Celebrate the special day of love at this charming winery!

LIV Restaurant at White Oaks

A wonderful restaurant situated at the White Oaks Spa and Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, LIV has a chic and relaxed ambience that is perfect to celebrate a romantic outing. Enticing dishes with large portions produced with the finest local ingredients, and a fabulous Niagara wine list make for an enjoyable meal. Head there for dinner to relish a scrumptious meal for two!

Trius Winery Restaurant

Located at the famous Trius Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Trius restaurant has everything you need for a memorable meal! You can also order from a special Valentine’s Day menu. Expect delicious food paired with excellent wines that you can enjoy in the beautiful ambience of the restaurant. There are tempting desserts as well!

Cannery Restaurant

Cannery Restaurant

With its delightful interiors, the charming Cannery Restaurant is a lovely place located at the five star country inn Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The warm and cosy Tuscan ambience, and a seat by the fireplace makes it even more romantic! Choose from an array of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, and drool-worthy desserts. There’s a Valentine’s Day special dinner menu as well. Pair your food with Niagara or international wines to complement your meal.

Treadwell Restaurant

Enjoy food that celebrates the farm to table concept at in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Fresh ingredients are used to craft delicious dishes that you can team up with organic or biodynamic wines. The seating inside the restaurant overlooks an open kitchen so you can watch as the chefs prepare your meal. Beautifully plated with fabulous flavours, the food is cooked to perfection–just what you need to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Lake House Restaurant

In addition to a beautiful waterfront setting, Lake House Restaurant in Twenty Valley has a lovely ambience and beautiful decor. Enjoy a variety of dishes for dinner including steak, seafood, risotto, pasta, pizzas and salads. A special Valentine’s Day dinner menu is available too. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is amazing – it’s the perfect way to dine with the one you love.

Inn on the Twenty Restaurant

With its peaceful location overlooking the Twenty Valley, the restaurant at Inn on the Twenty is an elegant place to enjoy a Valentine’s meal if you happen to be in the area. The ambience and décor are wonderful and the food is full of flavours. Relish the regional cuisine and the Ontario wines at this restaurant.

The Keg Steakhouse and Bar

If you go to St Catharines on Valentine’s Day, visit the Keg Steakhouse and Bar for some good food. With its history and architecture, the building that houses the restaurant provides for a very interesting ambience for an intimate meal for two. Settle yourselves at a booth and enjoy a delectable variety of steaks, seafood, other dishes, desserts, and wine. Although it does get busy on special days, it is worth the wait.

 

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Fine-Dining Ambiance – – Amplified

Redstone Winery mixes its award-winning fare with music for its annual Summer Concert Series…  

The warm sunshine over a sprawling Ontario vineyard. Patrons enjoying conversations over glasses of white wine. Both pair visually, all while complementing each other experientially. But when joined with instrumental and lyrical brilliance of some of Canada’s finest musicians, these items merge into a singular experience for wine-loving music fans, and it’s the lure of Redstone Winery’s idyllic annual Summer Concert Series. Nestled in Beamsville, Ontario and owned by vineyard veteran Moray Tawse (of Tawse Winery), Redstone has made its name on delectable meals and hand-crafted wines. Its restaurant has become a must-visit for foodies craving the unexpected variety of its lunches and its seafood-accented two-course dinners; and its 2013 Chardonnay and Riesling were chiefly responsible for the locale being named 2017 Canadian Winery of the Year by WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. The tandem has served Redstone and its weekly patrons well. But throughout the summertime, Tawse and his team wanted to offer something a little different. He’d had success with larger live music events at his nearby Tawse location, so he wondered whether he could bring the same element to Redstone, albeit in a smaller helping.
 
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Enter friend, collaborator and legendary TSN personality, Dave Hodge. Aside from his decades-long love affair with hockey—which he covered for both CBC and TSN for more than 40 years—Hodge is a longtime music aficionado, with many professional and personal connections  throughout the Canadian music scene. This proximity to talent helped conceive an idea between Hodge and Tawse: the Redstone Summer Concert Series. “The music came because we were really interested in it. It wasn’t really part of a larger plan,” says Tawse. “It was more, hey, here are some bands we’d like to hear. Let’s bring them here.” Now in its third year, the series—which will run through its September 7 season finale with Canadian roots act, Skydiggers—teams a three-course dinner with a select menu of Redstone Wines and revered Canadian artists, performing against an expansive vineyard backdrop. With crowd capacity around 150, attendees are able to experience intimate live sets with the likes of singer/songwriters like Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, Ron Sexsmith and female trio, The Good Lovelies, all while feasting on medium-rare servings of grilled beef striploin and sweet pea risotto. It’s all served as a new take on the once-cherished dinner theatre, with talent selection key to its ongoing success.
 
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“We haven’t had a dud show here. I can safely say that,” says Hodge. “I’m not sure how many people come out because it’s a lovely night, they want to eat dinner and they’ll stick around for the music. For the most part, it’s the crowd knowledge of the musicians that drives the traffic.” A night at Redstone’s first concert of Summer 2018 shows Hodge to be correct. Radiated by a fading sunlight, diners and drinkers of all demographics enjoyed appetizer arugula salads with the winery’s 2014 Cabernet Franc and 2016 Sauvignon Blanc. At outdoor tables shaded with red and white umbrellas, attendees clad in casual sandals, sunglasses and sundresses shared bottles through their main courses and strawberry rhubarb desserts—all as a precursor to the night’s performance by legendary Toronto rockers, The Sadies. Noted for its hybrid rock-country sound and high-profile collaborations with fellow Canadians Neko Case and the late Gord Downie, the Dallas and Travis Good-led act are likely not the first band most would think of teaming with servings of sangria. But throughout two sets of rollicking rockabilly, country ballads and Good brother guitar duels, the band proved an ideal component to an al fresco dinner veering into evening—and one able to shake patrons from their seats. And that’s the fun of an inventive event series like Redstone’s. It joins the exceptional benefits of a beautiful Canadian restaurant and vineyard, and combines it with another of its host country’s greatest exports—its music. Put it all together and, according to Tawse, it provides a different—and complete—experience.
“This provides a bit of everything,” says Tawse. “Experience of the restaurant, experience the food, experience the wine, and experience a band, all on a nice evening.”
By Mike Farrell

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July Festivities in Niagara

The month of July is chock-a-block with exciting events and activities that are scheduled to take place in the Niagara region. There’s something for everyone this summer of 2018, from wine events and sporting action to theatre festivals and supper markets.

Here are some of the best events and places where you can have a fun time on your own or with your family and friends:

Canada Day Festivities

July begins with a bang as amazing celebrations have been lined up for Canada Day on July 1. Festivities will take place across the Niagara region. Feel the excitement with a parade and musical events that you can attend in Niagara Falls. Participate in a Run/Walk or drop by the Car Show or the Art Show. Head to Rennie Park in St Catharines to enjoy live music by Niagara-based bands. At Welland, you can enjoy free water activities for adults and kids on this day. A pancake breakfast awaits at Niagara-on-the-Lake besides free entry to Fort George for BBQ dinner, awesome artillery demonstrations, and musical performances. Lincoln too has wonderful events with live entertainment and fun activities for everyone. For a more comprehensive list of activities and celebrations, refer to our Canada Day post.

Supper Markets at Port Dalhousie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake

If you are looking to satisfy your desire for good food, you have to try the delicious gastronomical treats at the Supper Markets in Port Dalhousie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Foodies can savour scrumptious grub teamed with pints, cider or wine at the Port Dalhousie Supper Market from 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. every Tuesday till August. Along with food you can also enjoy a fun ambience and live music by local talents.

At Niagara’s original supper market in Niagara-on-the-Lake, feast on an array of tasty treats from more than 20 food trucks and vendors. It’s a great place for tourists to mingle with the locals. Enjoy local beer, wine and cider as you listen to live music by local bands and artists. Besides this, there are children’s activity areas too at the supper market. Experience food and fun with family and friends in the outdoors from 4.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday till September 19.

Foster Festival 2018, St Catharines

For fans of the theater, the Foster Festival 2018 promises to entertain with amazing plays inspired by the works of Canadian playwright Norm Foster. It is the first theatre festival in the country to showcase the works of a living playwright from Canada. The plays will be showcased at the Cairns Hall located in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St Catharines this summer. In its third season, the festival brings to the stage three wonderful works of Foster. In July, you can watch Wrong For Each Other, and Come Down From Up River (World Premiere). The third play Renovations For Six (World Premiere) will be staged in August. Humorous and heart-warming, Norm’s plays will not only entertain fans of the playwright but also those new to his works. Book your tickets now! Besides watching the plays, you can also participate in the Pre & Post Show Artist Talk Backs in the Fore & Aft Lounge at the Robertson Theatre. The Fore & Aft Lounge is also a great place to relax and relish a range of wines and cheese boards.

I4C (International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration) Wine Event

Love a glass of fine wine? Say cheers to Chardonnay at the i4c event in Niagara. Enjoy the weekend from July 20 to 22 with a celebration of wonderful wine and food that includes more than 150 wines from 10 countries. There’s plenty to do during the three days for wine lovers. The Flights of Chardonnay is one such event taking place in the Niagara District Airport. Admire sunset views over the runway as you sip vintages and relish food from six Niagara restaurants. Another exciting event where you can savour global wines is the Cool Chardonnay World Tour Tasting and Dinner. The venue is Ridley College, St Catharines and the evening programme consists of dinner, wine, beer and live entertainment. Other i4C activities include the Moveable Feast Brunch at Ravine Vineyard, and Viticultural and Winemaking sessions. The Grand Cru Weekend Experience includes two tickets for wine and food experiences at three different events, and accommodation at a hotel. You can also visit various wineries in the Niagara region during the i4C event.

TD Niagara Jazz Festival

Jazz aficionados, rejoice! Get ready for a musical experience at the TD Niagara Jazz Festival from July 19-22, and July 27-29, 2018. The entertainment kicks off with the St Catharines edition of the festival from July 19 to 22. Enjoy Twilight Jazz in the Clubs with artists such as Duncan Hopkins Trio as well as James Bryan Trio. There’s live music featuring various artists, food, wine, beer and children’s activities at the World Music on the Beach event at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie. The events also include the Jazz in the City Flagship Event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Jazz on the Lake events too ensure a good time. Jazz in the Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake has live music, food, drinks, artisan vendors, and children’s activities. Various other events will give you a musical high during the festival, and jazz musicians such as Nimmons’n’Braid, and Eric St. Laurent trio will entertain you.

Fort Erie Friendship Festival

There’s loads of family fun in store over a period of four days from July 12 to 15 at the Fort Erie Friendship Festival. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and bond over food, music and fabulous activities. There are rides and thrills with Robertson’s amusements along with body painting, yoga for children and animal encounters with Zooniversity. You can look forward to stunts, flips and tricks by the Xpogo Stunt Team, Geronimo Skydiving Team, Kid’s Karaoke, Interactive Play and Gymnastics area, antique motorcycle show, and lots more. That’s not all! Swing to the music with the live concerts featuring various bands including Liteyears, The Ascot Royals, Ruckus, Arms of America and Rock of 80’s. Head to the food trucks and vendors to grab a bite when you are hungry. Relish BBQ, Indian, burgers, ice creams and other tasty stuff. Besides this, take a look at the interesting range of products from various shops that also includes art and craft.

 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships

If you are looking forward to sporting action, and if water sports, in particular, are of interest, make your way to Welland for the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships 2018. Canoeing and water polo come together in this exciting sport and you can see the best teams battling it out in the world championships for both men and women. While the opening ceremony will take place on the night of July 31, the matches will take place between August 1 to 5. It is a huge sporting event that is expected to attract 60 teams from around 30 countries who will compete in four divisions. Team sports are quite thrilling and this one is no different. It is fast-paced and action-packed. So, come to Welland to cheer for your team at the world championships this summer!

Keep yourself entertained with all the incredible July events in the Niagara region!

 

 

 

 

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Canada Day 2018

Get set to celebrate Canada Day across Niagara in the weekend leading up to July 1, 2018. If you are visiting the region, you can be assured of a wonderful time! It doesn’t matter which part of Niagara you are touring, as there are celebrations lined up across the region. Enjoy fireworks, delicious food, live entertainment, family fun and a range of activities from Friday to Sunday. Immerse yourself in the festivities, fervour and fun!
Niagara Falls Mingle with the locals for the Canada Day Celebration and Parade in Niagara Falls. Many activities are completely free! Events include Jazz After 4 at City Hall on June 29. Experience a live music event with 10 artists and bands on June 30 with Busk 4 a Cause on the stage outside the City Hall from 1.00 p.m. onwards. On July 1, the entire day is packed with amazing events. These include:
  • 1Km & 5Km Run/Walk
  • Performance by the Niagara Falls Concert Band
  • Canada Day Parade, the opening ceremony, and live entertainment
  • Other highlights include a car show, art show, food vendors, and the Scotiabank Children’s Zone.
Besides this, watch the night sky light up with a display of fireworks at the Queen Victoria Park. You can also see the glorious waterfalls illuminated every hour for 15 minutes. St Catharines If you are in St Catharines, you can spend July 1 celebrating the Canada Day festivities. The fun starts at noon in Rennie Park, Port Dalhousie. Events include live music by Niagara-based bands including The Montebellos, and The Athertones. Tim Holland – Puppet Tamer, and dance troupes such as the White Pine Dancers too will entertain the crowds. Kids can have a fun time with pony rides, kids crafts, and a rock climbing wall. Relish scrumptious food including sausages and hamburgers, and sip on beverages during your day out. Later at night, you can see a wonderful fireworks’ display from Jaycee Park or Rennie Park. Welland Enjoy the Canada Day celebrations at Merritt Park in Welland where there are activities at the amphitheatre, park, in the water, and some superb live music acts too. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. Groove to the music of bands and artists such as Jessica Wilson and Pink Floyd Niagara from the afternoon till night. Take your kids to the park for face painting, arts and crafts, inflatables, and KubKar racing. If you like being on the water, head to the King Street Docks to use the paddle boards, pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks for free! Foodies can grab a bite at the food trucks on King Street. Wrap up the Canada Day festivities by watching the fireworks’ display at 9:50 p.m. Niagara-on-the-Lake Begin Canada Day at Simcoe Park with a lip-smacking pancake breakfast. Watch the parade with the 41st Regiment Fife and Drum Corps bringing in the birthday cake. Proceed to Fort George where admission is free on July 1! Snack on hot dogs, hamburgers and other food. The Kiddie Militia and Drill will enable kids to understand the life of a soldier during the war. Artillery demonstrations and historical music performances too are part of the evening. Afterwards, the Howling Horns: an 8-piece horn band will entertain you with their live music. At 10 p.m. the night sky above Fort George will come to life with a musical fireworks’ display. Lincoln If you happen to be in Lincoln during Canada Day, you can have a great time with all the celebrations lined up for the day. Make your way to Charles Daley Park, in Jordan where all the action will take place. The fun starts at 1 p.m. with a performance by Beamsville Music Studios. Afterwards, the opening ceremony gets underway with flag raising and a cake. Other highlights during the afternoon and evening include the Mad Science Show, and live music by Riley Michaels, Off the Record, and Jonesy. Fun activities for kids include:
  • Face painting
  • Climbing wall
  • Inflatable bouncersThe celebrations end with a dazzling display of fireworks at 10 p.m.

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Selfie Day in the Niagara Region

It’s time to celebrate the selfie! Go click happy on June 21 designated as National Selfie Day. If you love putting up selfies on social media, this is the day to upload some perfect pictures. The Niagara region has several incredible places for you to take super selfies and upload it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or wherever else you want to. Stand out from the crowd on #NationalSelfieDay with your unique selfies! If you want those likes, retweets and comments to come pouring in, visit these landscapes and locations in Niagara.

Twenty Valley Vineyards Selfie

If you are a wine lover who loves to take pictures of your winery visits, make your way to the vineyards of Twenty Valley nestled in the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. Lincoln in Twenty Valley that consists of vineyards at Beamsville, Vineland and Jordan offers picturesque locations for National Selfie Day. There are more than 50 vineyards in Twenty Valley so you can go scouting for that perfect view. Some vineyards that make for great selfie spots include Flat Rock Cellars, Vineland Estates Winery, Kacaba Vineyards, and Thirty Bench Winery.

Downtown St Catharines Street Art Selfie

While this little secret of downtown St Catharines has become more popular, it is still quite a unique location to take photos. Make your way to Graffiti Alley near James Street and Garden Park for a vibrant surprise. Colourful graffiti and murals that can be described as street art adorn the walls and buildings of the area. It gives the location an edgy, arty ambience. The paintings and text convey all kinds of interesting messages. Strike a pose next to an eye-catching graffiti or mural for a stunning selfie. Awesome snaps are guaranteed!

Niagara Falls Selfie

The iconic landmark of the Niagara region – the spectacular Niagara Falls is undoubtedly one of the best places to take a selfie. A picture with the crescent shaped Horseshoe Falls coupled with your happy smile will look breathtaking. For a panoramic view, head to the Queen Victoria Park for selfies with the falls in the background. At the Table Rock Welcome Centre on the Niagara Parkway, take a selfie outside, and also head inside for the Journey Behind the Falls experience for a super close view of the falls. Another way to get a striking selfie is to take the Hornblower Niagara Cruises river ride to the falls.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises Selfie

A catamaran ride on the Niagara River is the best way to get that thrilling selfie in front of the falls. Your selfies will look vibrant. The ride is truly scenic with the incredible landscape of the river, gorge and the falls. You can click your photo in front of the American, and Bridal Veil Falls and then proceed on your ride to enter the basin of the glorious Horseshoe Falls. These make for the best selfies as you can get all kinds of pictures against the mesmerising falls– excited, happy, stunned and drenched in water as well!

Beaches in Niagara Selfie

Summer selfies at a Niagara beach are the best – the sun, sand, sea and you make for an unbeatable combination. If you love taking sunset selfies, the sandy stretch of Sunset Beach in St Catharines is a nice spot. Another amazing beach location is the Lakeside Park Beach, Port Dalhousie. It has views of the lake, lighthouse and the harbour. Ideal for National Selfie Day! Crystal Beach in Fort Erie has a lovely ambience and clear waters. You can get all kinds of selfies here – in the water, on the shore, of the splendid nightlife, sunset views, and more.

Memorial Clock Tower, Niagara-on-the-Lake Selfie

 

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Do you like historic landmarks, and have a weakness for clock towers? Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Memorial Clock Tower provides you with the perfect opportunity to take a fantastic selfie. The clock tower, unveiled in 1922, is a cenotaph for soldiers who laid their life down in World War I. Later, it also commemorated soldiers from World War II and the Korean War. Stand in front of this big clock tower to take a historic selfie in the gorgeous downtown area. A moment frozen in time!

Where do you take a Selfie when your in the Niagara Region?

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Niagara Breweries on St. Patricks Day

With feasts, parades, and religious/cultural activities, St Patrick’s Day is not just celebrated in Ireland, but also in various places all over the world including Niagara. If you are looking forward to enjoying St Patrick’s Day in the Niagara Region, here are some of the best breweries that you can visit for a pint of beer, and some delicious food on the side:

Niagara Falls

If you are in Niagara Falls or intend to visit it on St Patrick’s Day, the city has some amazing breweries where friends, couples and groups can unwind with great beer. Taps on Queen Brewhouse has a buzzing vibe and serves good beer brewed on site along with some tasty bites especially wings, poutines, sandwiches, wraps and burgers. An added bonus is the live music on Saturday! Another great spot for a pint is the Syndicate Restaurant and Brewery with its wonderful décor, amazing beer and gourmet dining experience. You can also enjoy the fresh, crisp pints at the Niagara Brewing Company, on Clifton Hill. Along with fantastic beer, you can savour sandwiches, pizzas, and other delicious bits and bites.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

At Niagara-on-the-Lake situated at just a short distance from Niagara Falls, one of the must-visit breweries is the Silversmith Brewing Company. Located inside a charming former church with a delightful décor and ambience, this brewery has some fantastic beers especially the Black Lager. Team it up with unique tasty bites that don’t come in the category of typical pub food. Oast House Brewers is another wonderful brewery where you can celebrate St Patrick’s Day. It’s a great place to hang out, and taste awesome beers along with wings, fries and other snacks.

St. Catharines

The Merchant Ale House Brew Pub and Restaurant in St Catharines has a superb selection of ales and yummy food including wings, burgers, nachos, fries, salads, quesadillas and more. Also located in the vicinity is Plan B Beer Works, a small batch brewery. In Port Dalhousie, do visit Lock Street for some really good artisanal beer.

Twenty Valley

If you visit Beamsville, you can taste the fantastic craft beer brewed farmhouse style at the Bench Brewing Company.

Southcoast

Ridgeway is home to an excellent brewery–the Brimstone Brewing Company located close to Crystal Beach. Enjoy a range of beers off the tap brewed on site, and relish an enticing range of dishes. With so many great choices, you can spend St Patrick’s Day enjoying a pint of beer at any one of these fabulous breweries. So come March 17 this year, hail the ale and enjoy the day!

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Shaw Festival 2018

Theatre enthusiasts, it’s time to rejoice! The 2018 season of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake is fast approaching, and you can expect an amazing line-up of plays from April 4th to October 28th. Enjoy a selection of plays in various genres that truly reflect the philosophy of Shaw, and also showcases contemporary thought processes. Let us take a look at what the 57th edition of the festival has in store for us:

Festival Theatre

The Magician’s Nephew (World Premiere) Be spellbound with the magical tale of a journey to Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew. Based on the book by C.S Lewis and directed by Tim Carroll, this adventure story is all about friendship and coming of age. Grand Hotel It’s romantic, glamorous and dangerous! Grand Hotel is a musical that tells a story of love, jealousy and murder, based on the book by Luther Davis, and also Vicki Baum’s Grand Hotel. It is directed by Eda Holmes.
 
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Mythos: A Trilogy — Gods. Heroes. Men. (World Premiere) Directed by Tim Carroll, the three plays of this trilogy star Stephen Fry who is also the writer of the plays. It’s a fascinating and hilarious narrative of the myths and tales related to Greek gods, heroes and men. The Hound of the Baskervilles In this popular work by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, follow the super detective Sherlock Holmes in a murder mystery full of twists and turns. Get your dose of intrigue and suspense in the Canadian premiere of this play directed by Craig Hall.

Royal George Theatre

Stage Kiss Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Sarah Ruhl’s Stage Kiss portrays the story of two bitter exes who are cast in the same play as besotted lovers. This entertaining romantic comedy is directed by Anita Rochon. Of Marriage and Men This play showcases two of Shaw’s best short plays on the theme of marriage. Directed by Philip Akin, How He Lied to Her Husband, and The Man of Destiny offer a comic take on relationships. O’Flaherty V.C. Shaw’s witty play directed by Kimberley Rampersad tells the tale of Dennis O’Flaherty who returns home from the front to enlist more Irishmen to fight for the English in the war. It’s certainly not something his Irish Nationalist mother would be pleased about! Oh What a Lovely War A musical that will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, this play is based on the book by Joan Littlewood, Theatre Workshop and Charles Chilton. See World War I from a whole new perspective in this production directed by Peter Hinton. A Christmas Carol This classic Christmas favourite by Charles Dickens tells the story of a miser Ebenezer Scrooge whose life changes after a visit by three ghosts. Directed by Tim Carroll, self-redemption is the central theme of this play.

Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre

The Orchard [After Chekhov] (World Premiere) A gripping story about the Canadian immigrant experience, the play is a South Asian take on Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Written by Sarena Parmar based on her own life experiences, this stage production is directed by Ravi Jain. The Baroness and the Pig Inspired by Pygmalion, the story revolves around a 19th century baroness and her new maid – a feral girl. Humorous and heart-breaking, this play by Michael Mackenzie is directed by Selma Dimitrijevic. Henry V Co-Directed by Tim Carroll and Kevin Bennett, this play based on the one by William Shakespeare follows a troop of Canadian soldiers in a dugout in the midst of World War I. For company, they have a few copies of Shakespeare’s Henry V!

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March Break 2018

Have you planned something exciting for March break?

A trip to Niagara is a fun way to spend this break with your family. There are plenty of activities around the region that are just perfect for both adults and children. On your Niagara tour, you will be able to see not just the spectacular waterfalls but also enjoy various other experiences and indoor/outdoor activities.

Here are some of the best ways to spend your vacation in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and other areas in the Niagara region:

The Famous Waterfalls at Niagara

In March, the grip of winter weakens slightly so while there is a chill in the air and the occasional snowfall, the majestic waterfalls still look incredible. You can have an up, close and personal experience with the Niagara Falls at the Journey Behind the Falls attraction at the Table Rock Welcome Centre. A visit to Queen Victoria Park also gives you splendid views of the falls.

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Niagara Falls

Other great spots to hang out with your family include the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, a wonderful place with an indoor wave pool, outdoor sundeck with pool, 16 waterslides and a mammoth 1000 gallon tipping bucket that will soak you. You will have a tough time convincing your kids to head back to your hotel after spending time here!

Escape Rooms, Niagara Falls

Adventure Rooms Canada, The Crux, and Qube Escape Rooms are so much fun that you and your family might keep coming back for more. Both adults, and kids as young as ten or even lower can enjoy the theme-based puzzle games. Put on your thinking cap and use the clues, codes, keys and props to find your way out of the rooms in a specific time frame.

Niagara SkyWheel and other Clifton Hill attractions

Clifton Hill has a buzzing energy, shops, restaurants, and plenty of activities for all ages. One of the highlights is the Niagara SkyWheel, a giant Ferris Wheel with climate-controlled gondolas. You can go for a ride that takes you 175 feet up into the air and enjoy amazing views of the area including the stunning waterfalls.

Clifton Hill has several other attractions including Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Butterfly Conservatory, and Bird Kingdom

In Niagara Falls, you can see several species of butterflies at the glass enclosed Butterfly Conservatory, and birds at Bird Kingdom–one of the world’s largest indoor free flying aviaries.

Fort George, Niagara-on-the-Lake

If you and your family enjoy learning about history, you can go see the various restored sections of the fort and witness a musket firing demonstration. The fort is open only during weekends in March so check the schedule before you go.

Fort George also has an outdoor skating rink during winter, so it might be still open in March. If it is, you can head there for some fun skating time with your family.

Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Lincoln

Visit the upper and lower falls, explore the trails, and see various structures at a 19th century hamlet in this wonderful conservation area.

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