- Answered Mostly a’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Adventure Seeker
- Answered Mostly b’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Culture Seeker
- Answered Mostly c’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Scenic Beauty Seeker
- Answered Mostly d’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Variety Seeker
Answered Mostly a’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Adventure Seeker
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Ideal Vacation HQ: NIAGARA FALLS
A hotel in the heart of Niagara Falls will put you right in the centre of all the action that you crave! If you’ve got little thrill seekers in your travel crew, be sure to book a room at a hotel with access to one of Niagara Falls’ three incredible indoor waterparks: Great Wolf Lodge, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, or Waves Indoor Waterpark.
Must-Try Activities
Niagara Falls overflows with activities sure to get your heart racing! After a day spent ziplining high above the Falls, jetboating through the Niagara River’s rapids, and exploring the ancient bedrock tunnels behind Niagara Falls, hit Canada’s biggest casino for some gaming excitement.
Dial In Your Dining
Thrill seekers looking for meals that also satisfy their sense of adventure will adore the interactivity at Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, the hands-on fun of a make-your-own pasta experience at Terra Mia or grilling their own modern Japanese barbecue at one of KOCHI’s awesome Yakiniku tables.
Explore A Little More
Plan a day trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake to brave the chill of Niagara’s Icewine harvest in Peller Estates’ 10 Below Icewine Lounge while you sip Canada’s liquid gold in an igloo-like space constructed out of over 13,000 kg of ice! Then, make your way to St. Catharines’ new K1 Speed, an electric go-karting facility with electric karts that can race at speeds up to 45 km/hour.
Answered Mostly b’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Culture Seeker
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Ideal Vacation HQ: NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
A hotel room or bed-and-breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the first capital of Canada, is an ideal hub for Niagara explorers who love being surrounded by historic homes and buildings, while within walking distance of world-class theatre and a broad assortment of galleries and museums.
Must-Try Activities
Before your visit, be sure to book tickets for a show at The Shaw and then build your day around a matinee or evening performance that includes time to explore Fort George National Historic Site, RiverBrink Art Museum, and Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre. You’ll want to leave plenty of time to stroll the streets of Old Town and browse the interesting art at stops like King Street Gallery, Edward Spera Gallery, and Upper Canada Native Art. Popular Niagara-on-the-Lake festivals and events, including Soirée en Blanc, the Peach Festival, Shades of Summer, Artistry by the Lake, the Candlelight Stroll, and the Icewine Festival, are fun ways to experience the close-knit culture of this friendly community.
Dial In Your Dining
Get a taste for Niagara’s thriving farm-to-table scene at beloved local restaurants like Treadwell Cuisine, the MICHELIN-recommended Trius Winery Restaurant, and the restaurant at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery.
Explore A Little More
Culture seekers won’t want to miss the chance to spend a day touring around Niagara’s South Coast. Artists who participate in the annual Niagara’s South Coast Studio Tour also open their spaces throughout the year to visitors who make appointments. Other delightful diversions for your day include strolling around the shops and galleries of Ridgeway and Port Colborne, touring Fort Erie National Historic Site, and catching a performance at the Roselawn Theatre.
Answered Mostly c’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Scenic Beauty Seeker
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Ideal Vacation HQ: NIAGARA BENCHLANDS
Nestled against the craggy cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Benchlands’ miles of rolling vineyards and family fruit farms are broken up by a collection of small towns brimming with local charm. Choosing a hotel or vacation rental as your home base here will help you explore all this picturesque region has to offer.
Must-Try Activities
A Bruce Trail hike or e-bike tour are both relaxing ways to take in the beauty of this part of Niagara at a slower pace. Finding one of Niagara’s more off-the-radar Escarpment waterfalls while exploring Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Rockway Conservation Area, or Louth Conservation Area is another fun activity to add to your itinerary. If you’re visiting in the spring, Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is one of the best vantage points in the region to watch the annual hawk migration and boasts incredible panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.
Dial In Your Dining
Restaurants and wineries in the Niagara Benchlands excel at blending tasty dishes with terrific views. Best bets for a meal with a side of stunning scenery include Megalomaniac, Vineland Estates Winery, Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery, The Good Earth Food & Wine Co., Lake House Restaurant, and The Shore. Those eager to experience Niagara’s first and only MICHELIN Star-rated restaurant will want to make a reservation at Restaurant Pearl Morissette well in advance of their trip. Missed the reservation window? Swing by RPM Bakehouse, the restaurant’s sister property, for a delicious brunch.
Explore A Little More
Once you get a feel for the verdant vistas of the Niagara Benchlands, it’s fun to see and sip from a completely different wine country point of view in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Spend an afternoon touring around the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and plan a stop or two at an area craft brewery as well, like Silversmith Brewing Company, The Exchange Brewery, or Niagara Oast House Brewers. On your way back to your Niagara Benchlands accommodation, make a stop in Port Dalhousie to catch a spectacular Lake Ontario sunset.
Answered Mostly d’s → Can’t-miss Niagara Itinerary Adds For The Variety Seeker
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Ideal Vacation HQ: ST. CATHARINES
Smack dab in the centre of Niagara, a St. Catharines stay is a wonderful option for those seeking a vacation that offers a little bit of everything. In addition to having a downtown that feels edgy and urban in all the right ways, just a short drive away, you’ll find lovely rural wineries, the cute lakeside town of Port Dalhousie, and convenient access to some really excellent hiking and biking.
Must-Try Activities
A visit to the St. Catharines Farmer’s Market is highly recommended for a fresh-from-the-field take on Niagara’s vibrant farm-to-table food scene. Afterward, vintage treasure seekers will be pleasantly surprised by the excellent selection of vintage and thrift shops within just a few blocks. Spend some time watching the huge ships make their way through the lock system at the Lock 3 viewing platform located right beside the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre. Those who prefer a stroll or cycle on a paved path can follow the Welland Canals Trail all the way to Port Dalhousie. For a hike on the more natural side, hop on a section of the Bruce Trail at Short Hills Provincial Park, which is just down the road from Henry of Pelham Family Estate. Be sure to check the events calendar at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to see which concerts and arts performances coincide with your visit.
Dial In Your Dining
St. Catharines is home to a red-hot food scene that’s recently captured the attention of MICHELIN Guide inspectors. Can’t-miss culinary spots for a meal to remember include Fat Rabbit, Les Incompetents, Odd Bird, Bolete, and Pharmacii. Those who love a sweet treat will want to leave room for a buzzed-about Beechwood doughnut or buttertart from 13th Street Winery’s bakery.
Explore A Little More
Since it’s just a short drive down the QEW to Niagara Falls, scheduling a few hours of Horseshoe Falls fun is extremely easy from St. Catharines. Take a misty cruise to the base of the Falls, follow the Niagara Parks Power Station’s incredible underground tunnel to a one-of-a-kind view of the Falls, hike the White Water Walk, or hitch a ride for a sky-high view on the Niagara SkyWheel.
