Niagra-on-the-Lake
 

2 years ago we visited Niagra-On-The-Lake as part of a tour. We loved the city and would like to return as part of a Canadian vacation this fall. Can anyone advise on a nice B&B or small hotel in the city area, as well as other sites we might visit on a 4 day journey. Also, since we would be flying from Texas, what would be the closest city to fly into and if we wanted to stay in the area for another 4-5 days what other areas might we find interesting. Quite a lot of questions but would certainly appreciate any advice or help.

Thanks

Toronto is likely the best airport to fly into, although you might be able to get a good fare flying to Buffalo.

You could spend an enjoyable four or five days touring the wineries of the Niagara peninsula. Niagara on the Lake is a good place to base yourself, but there are also some nice places elsewhere, such as Jordan Village (Inn on the Twenty).

Many of the wineries have first class restaurants, including Hillebrand and Vineland Estates. On the Twenty in Jordan (next door to Cave Spring Vineyards) is also good.

For more information, try these websites:

http://www.grapeandwine.com/visiting_niagara/

http://winesofontario.org/

The Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, with first class theatre performances runs until the mid-November. You should plan to take in at least one play there:

http://www.shawfest.com/2006/web/index.php

You could also fit in a day or two in Toronto, where there's plenty to see and do.

Hello, johnoge! You shd fly into Buffalo. It's closer to NOTL than Toronto & a much easier drive. Also, Buffalo airport is a lot smaller than
Toronto so it's much easier to find your way around. Presumably you will be renting a car.
I prefer the process of entering Canada via one of the border crossing bridges frrm the US rather than going through Cutoms @ the Toronto airport. So, fly into Buffalo. The fares are probably substantially less from Texas/Buffalo than Texas/Toronto!

Fall is a very pleasnat time to visit the Niagara Region. The Shaw Festival in NOTL has an excellent Fall line up. You may also enjoy a "day trip" to Toronto( about 1.5 hours from NOTL). Leave NOTL around 9:00AM to avoid rush hour traffic & come back in the evening...maybe around 7:00 or later. Or, stay over in Toronto & come back the next day.
Sorry, I do not know of any small hotels or B&B's in NOTL. But, if you do a search here on Niagara-on-the-Lake you will find some very good rec's.

Consider vintageinns.com with three properties, the Prince of Wales as the pricy stay, Queens Landing, mid-level and Pillor and Post as tier three... also the Charles Inn, Riverbend Inn and Harbour Inn as other quality properties... all are hotel or inns... there are dozens of B&B properties, but search carefully for location and amenities...

There are now over 50 wineries in the region, plenty to keep you busy, or you can do the Falls, Toronto, Buffalo for wings, the Bills, or just enjoy the Fall colors... there is plenty to do within 1 hour drive...

I have stayed twice at this place:

http://www.stamfordvillagebedandbrea...contactus.html

and I can highly recommend it. Stamford Village is just outside Niagra Falls and about 20 minutes from NOTL. Due to the fact it is outside the NOTL main area, you get more for your money here. The people owning the B&B constructed a separate annex on their home for guests, so the rooms are very private. The breakfasts are to die for.

The location is very convenient for everything you would want to see and the rooms are spotless!

Hi john,

We really like The Riverbend Inn when visiting Niagara. It's right on the Niagara Parkway surrounded by vineyards, yet only a minute from the downtown area of Niagara on the Lake. The dining room is lovely there too.
http://riverbendinn.ca/

The suggestions you have for wineries, theatre and shopping would keep you busy, as well as a quick visit to Niagara Falls. There are often featured performers at The Avalon Ballroom in the Fallsview Casino Resort. It's a great venue if that interests you at all.
http://www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com/

If you like Niagara on the Lake and wanted to go a little further afield from there with 5 days, Stratford is another charming Ontario theatre city to visit. There are a number of B&B's in the city though a fabulous spot to stay and take in both Stratford and possible Elora and St. Jacobs, would be Langdon Hall. It is a beautiful property, even for lunch.
http://www.langdonhall.ca/

This link is for the theatre, but it will give you access to tourist info about Stratford as well. We just saw Oliver! and South Pacific this month and could recommend both. This rural part of Ontario has much to offer as well if you have time.
http://www.stratford-festival.on.ca/
http://www.stjacobs.com/

You will have no problem filling 5 days with sights and activities!

If you like history, visit Old Fort Niagara on the American side.

www.oldfortniagara.org

It's a fantastic, beautiful, very intact fort that dates back to the days of the French and Indian war and has the oldest structure on the Great Lakes - the French Castle.

It is situated on Lake Ontario where the Niagara River empties into it - directly across from NOTL.

It is, shamefully, very overlooked by most visitors to the Niagara Falls area.

Are you talking about nine days total in the area? If so, what about a few days in Toronto?

Buffalo has great theater and fabulous architecture if you find that interesting.

Have fun!

Just a thought if you'll be renting a car. There is a self guided audio driving tour available that takes you along the Niagara Parkway(in Ontario) in a loop from NF to Niagara-on-the-Lake and back. It plays in the CD player and the guide tells you all about 20 different sites along the way. This would be a great way to get an inexpensive tour of the area. I think it's about $30CAD

ttt