It's a (Play) Date on Niagara's South Coast

Beautiful Lake Erie beaches, a happening food and beverage scene, fun shopping, and a calendar full of events make Niagara’s South Coast a perfect playground for grown-ups searching for a change of scenery and a relaxing reset. Gather up your favourite gang of besties, or book sometime with someone special and make the most of Niagara’s South Coast with these fun play date ideas for grown-ups.

Slow Dinner and a Sunset in Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach’s dining scene is so diverse, why restrict yourself to just one restaurant? Stretch your dinner over an entire evening by enjoying different courses at different destinations. Hit the cute little patio at Gather Tasting Room to kick off your tasting tour with a glass of VQA wine and some charcuterie. Next, make your way to South Coast Cookhouse for delicious pub-fare favourites. After a big dinner, you’ll be ready to stretch your legs, so grab some ice cream from Maplewood Gelato and Sweets and make your way to Bay Beach to catch the sunset. Once the sun has dropped, head over to Utopia Lounge and end your evening enjoying a carefully crafted cocktail, and, if you time your trip right, some live music.

Paddle and a Patio

For those who prefer spending a summer day on the water instead of in it, Sugarloaf Marina's paddleboard and kayak rentals make it easy to get out and explore the shorelines of Lake Erie in the Port Colborne area. Afterward, relax on a sunny Port Colborne patio with some icy cold drinks and tasty snacks at The Smokin’ Buddha, Breakwall Brewing Company, or Canalside Restaurant.

Wander Niagara’s Newest Wine Region

There’s a new kid in Niagara’s wine industry, and Sons and Daughters Winery is well worth an introduction! The winery is the very first to be located on the Fonthill Kame Delta, a unique growing area formed by retreating glaciers after the last Ice Age. Sons and Daughters Winery makes hearty reds, delicious whites, beautiful rosés, and sensational sparkling wine. There’s also an on-site coffee bar, serving a tasty selection of caffeinated drinks. Guests can also explore the winery’s walking trails and relax at picnic tables, where they're welcome to sip wine and enjoy pizza fresh from the outdoor wood oven.

If you're in the area during tulip or sunflower season, plan a trip to JP Niagara Tulip Experience to snap flower-filled selfies, wander through Insta-worthy fields, and lose yourself in a dreamy maze of petals.

Sip and Shop

Niagara’s South Coast is home to a collection of unique retailers that’s just begging for an afternoon browse. Head to Ridgeway to check out one-of-a-kind shopping stops,​​ including Lasting Impressions, Social Graces Market and Cellar, Rookleys Canadian Art, and Lovely Day Gift & Home. Visit Brimstone Brewing Co. to sip on some of their carefully crafted small-batch brews while you're in the area.

The growing village of Fonthill is also home to some unique boutiques and retailers, including Oliver and Rust, Everyday Market, and The Village Boutique. Just beyond Fonthill, the hamlet of Ridgeville also boasts some neat little shops, like Hamiltons of Pelham, Sweet Thoughts, and Bob’s Boys Antiques and Collectibles. Kame and Kettle Beer Works is a great mid-shopping sip stop.

Area farmers’ markets, including Port Colborne’s weekly Friday morning summer market, Pelham’s Thursday evening market, Stevensville’s Wednesday afternoon market, and Wainfleet’s Tuesday afternoon/evening market, are another great way to get out and mingle with friendly local food, beverage, and craft vendors.

An Afternoon at the Races

The fact that Niagara is home to a horse racing track that’s almost as old and equally as charming as Churchill Downs may be one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Fort Erie Race Track is a fantastic place to spend a summer afternoon, and there’s so much happening here besides horse racing, including an entertaining series of races for Wiener Dogs, Basset Hounds and Corgis.

Golf and Pizza

Golfers are spoiled for choice when it comes to incredible public golf courses in Niagara’s South Coast. Fan favourites include Port Colborne’s Whisky Run Golf Club, where you can book a vacation rental that’s steps from the course, Niagara National in Stevensville, a challenging par 72 lay-out that can be stretched out to 7,000 yards or streamlined to a very playable 4,900, and Pelham Hills Golf and Country Club, a parkland-style course with generous fairways, greenside mounding, numerous bunkers, and thick rough. After your game, compare the game’s slices over a delicious slice. Buzzed-about pizza places in Niagara’s South Coast to taste your way through include Ridgeway’s 335 on the Ridge, The Lock Wood Fired Pizza in Port Colborne, and Mossimo’s and Volcano Pizzeria in Fonthill.

Beaches and Bands

How do you make a sunny day at a Niagara’s South Coast beach even better? Wrap up your day with some free live music! Here are some fun beach and band combinations to add to your summer bucket list:

● Spend a summer Thursday afternoon at Bay Beach or Waverly Beach and stick around for the Crystal Beach Waterfront Supper Market, where you can dine on delicious food truck fare served alongside great live music.

● Hit Nickel Beach or Centennial-Bay Beach on the Civic Holiday weekend and then make your way to Port Colborne’s Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, a free festival that revolves around great live band performances. The Port Colborne Community Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park bandshell is another fun option for those hitting the beach on a summer Friday.

● After enjoying the sun and sand at Long Beach or Reebs Bay Beach, it’s just a 30-minute drive to Fonthill, where the award-winning Pelham Summerfest, which takes place for four days each July, offers live music and entertainment.