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OldeTowne

Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario

   

This small historic town was the first capital of Canada.  It was burned to the ground during the War of 1912, but was promptly  rebuilt and has been well preserved since.

  

Today, it is a popular upscale destination that hosts 600,000 tourist annually.  The town maintains its quaint character and intimate atmosphere by protecting its historic structures, planting flowers along the streets, restricting traffic, and prohibiting hotels and chain stores.  There are about 300 bed and breakfast inns here.  Parking is limited, so plan to walk from shop to shop.  The shopping is outstanding.  In addition to the restaurants, galleries, and boutiques, you will find Irish, Scottish, and British shops.  Several artists live and work here.

  

The nearby Niagara Falls area sees 14 million visitors per year and is very commercialized.  The countryside along the river, with its vineyards and peach orchards, is very scenic.

  

Location

About 30 miles northwest of Buffalo, New York, USA

Near St. Catharines, Ontario
On the west bank of the Niagara River
Where the river empties into Lake Ontario  

  

Population

About 14,000 (Nearby St. Catharines: about 130,000)

  

Features

Antiques Shops
Art and craft galleries
Bed and breakfast inns (about 300)
Bicycle rentals
Boutiques
Cafes and restaurants
Campgrounds and RV parks in the vicinity

Canadiana shop (Native art, etc.)
Christmas shop
Fort George National Historic Site (reconstructed fort)

www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/index_e.asp

Fort Mississauga (remains)
Fudge shop
Golf courses (40 in the area)
Gourmet coffee shops
Hat shop
Historic homes and other buildings
Home decor shops
Horse-drawn carriage tours (10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.)

Hotels and vacation rentals in the area

Ice cream parlors
Jet boat rides on the river
Jewelry shops
Niagara Falls Aviary
Niagara Historical Society Museum (displays and gift shop)

River cruises
Spas
Theatres (live performances)
Tours of Niagara Falls

Steam boat
Helicopter

Tours of Niagara-On-The-Lake

Classic car tours
Horse-drawn carriage tours

Tours of Niagara wine country (guided bicycle tours)

Victorian architecture
Visitor information and welcoming centers
Walking tours of Old Town (costumed guides)
Waterfront
White Oaks Resort (golf, restaurant, spa)

Wineries

  

Features of Niagara Falls Canada (nearby)

(Population about 80,000)

Clifton Hill (entertainment complex)

IMAX theater
Marine Land
Niagara Falls (fireworks nightly at 10:00 pm)
Night clubs
Observation towers
Restaurants

  

Festivals in and near Niagara-On-The-Lake (partial list)

January:  Icewine Festival

April-November: Shaw Festival (live theatre)

April:

Niagara Classic Antique Festival

Queenston Art Show

June:

Beamsville Strawberry Festival
Flower and Garden Show
Garden Tour (Niagara-On-The-Lake Conservancy)
Rose Show (Horticultural Society)

July:

Canada Day (fireworks at Fort George)
Cherry Festival
International Chamber Music Festival
Potato People Family Festival

August:

Peach Festival
Shaw Show and Sale of Arts and Crafts (Shaw Guild)

September:

Artisans at the Vineyard (craft fair)
Niagara Food Festival
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
Polo Tournament
Virgil Craft Show

October:  Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Festival Craft Show & Sale

December:  Santa Claus Parade

  

Recommended stay

1-4 days

  

General tourist information:

Niagara-On-The-Lake Chamber of Commerce and 

Visitor and Convention Bureau  www.NiagaraOnTheLake.com

Parks Canada  www.pc.gc.ca

Canadian Tourism Commission  613-954-1900

Canadian Heritage Rivers System (Parks Canada)

819-994-2913  www.CHRS.ca

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

(fishing permits)  613-258-8204

  
  

The information on this page may not be up-to-date.
Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 10/20/2005 .
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