Many people would
take a trip out of the city to see the Niagara Falls while traveling to
Toronto, but what if I told you there was a must-visit destination en-route for
anyone who wants to experience the Canadian countryside, local wine and learn
about the history of Canada?
This was one of
our favorite destinations on The FourCreeds's recent tour through
Canada and a total surprise at that. Read on to find out our top tips on what
to do on the lake in Niagara!
Sample the local Ice Wine on a tour of the winery
The Niagara region
is well known for its wine, and with over 20 wineries surrounding the town, the
areas surrounding Niagara on the Lake are no exception. The production of wine
in the region is relatively recent, starting about 30 years ago, due to the highly
fertile soil. As a result, winemakers are constantly experimenting with the
grapes they use, so in the future, wines from the region may get even better!
There are plenty of wine tours available in the region, with prices for the
most fully-featured tours running into the hundreds of dollars. We discovered,
however, the Konzelmann winery tour, available for just $10. They did not
skimp out, considering the low price, as it included a visit to the vineyard,
the production plant, and then a formal tasting of four of their wines,
including the popular ice wine from the area.
Originating from Germany and
Austria, ice wine allows the water inside to freeze when the grapes are left on
the vines in the winter. The grapes are then pressed, resulting in the ultimate
dessert wine with a very sweet flavor.
You will also get the opportunity to try their flagship white and red wines, as
well as peach wine, a specialty of this particular winery if that's not for
your taste. That's because the land that the vineyard is on was originally
devoted to growing peaches, and after moving from their native Germany,
Konzelmann became the first product from the region.
If you're a wine
buff, make sure that you're not limited to only one of the local wineries.
That's because, around the Niagara region, different soil types and
microclimates mean that there is a big difference between the grapes grown in
the area. Since you would no doubt want to bring a few samples home with you,
make sure to leave some space in your suitcase!
Explore the Picturesque Town
Believe it or not,
this small town was once the first capital of Upper Canada (now Ontario), and
that means there is a lot of history around every corner, as you can imagine,
given that the area has not grown into a big city.
Head down to Queen Street, the main thoroughfare in the center of the city, and
you'll feel like you're back in the early 19th century. Oh, of course, aside
from the odd vehicle. There are several old houses, each with its own past, and
helpful plaques throughout the area that describes the context of the area.
There are plenty
of beautiful historic churches, houses, and other buildings beyond Queen
Street, and best of all, it's all walkable due to the size of the area. You
can't go wrong with arranging a day to explore your itinerary and take some
pictures. Specifically, make sure you visit:
- Queen Lane Street
- Road Front
- Barracks with Butler's
- Street Ricardo
- Royal Park of the Queen
Learn about the origins of Canada
It is not just the
town where the history of the region can be witnessed, there is also the
National Historic Site of Fort George, an important fort defending Canada
during the War of 1812. You may not have even heard of this war if you're not
from Canada, but it was really a critical event in the creation of the nation
of Canada. At the time, a highly significant strategic position was the mouth
of the Niagara River, where Niagara on the Lake is located. Whoever owned the mouth
of the river would have regulated trade efficiently through all of North
America's great lakes.
Fort George is a short walk across the river to the east of the city,
facing off towards the American Fort Niagara. Here, there were several wars to
protect river power and extension to Canada.
Even if military history isn't your thing, it's well worth a visit to the fort
to learn about the city's significance, why it's there, and why it didn't
develop into a massive metropolis on the other side of the lake, like Toronto.
