A Traveler’s Reprieve in Niagara-on-the-Lake

…helping you explore & experience Niagara!

BOOK DIRECT (ON OUR WEBSITE OR CALL US) AND SAVE SUBSTANTIALLY!

If your heart beats faster each time you pack your bag to discover new and exciting sights, then Explorer House is your ideal lodging choice! This modern home-turned boutique bed and breakfast was built with guests’ needs in mind, and reflects the owners’ love of global travel. Inside you’ll find luxuriously comfortable accommodations for your explorations of the Niagara Region.

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Each of our beautiful guest suites is uniquely decorated with a global décor. All are lavishly appointed and include luxurious amenities, use of common areas and a delicious breakfast each morning.

Experience Niagara from our peaceful and beautifully landscaped location on a quiet cul-de-sac near parklands, just a 15-minute walk from Queen Street. Explore the Old Town area with its 19th-century charm; take a carriage ride through the beautiful streets of town or marvel at our town’s beauty by foot, as you duck into the specialty shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants throughout town. Nearby visit the oldest golf course in North America, historic sites, biking/walking trails, wineries and the famous Shaw Theatre Festival; all can be reached via a short walk, bike or car ride. Then return to a quite oasis in our beautiful backyard, which includes a fire-pit-table sitting area, gazebo and hot-tub.

There is so much to explore and experience in the Niagara Region. Let Explorer House host your southern Ontario travels!

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake License #045-2024

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” – Saint Augustine of Hippo.

                                   
Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2024
 
Upcoming Explorations:

Keep checking in here to see the latest in happenings in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There is always lots to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

And if you feel like just relaxing you can enjoy our lovely guest sitting area with Adirondack/Muskoka chairs & firepit table, or the gazebo and/or the hot tub…all available for our guests. So don’t forget to bring along your swimsuit! Come explore with Explorer House, book your travel now!

NOTL Update:

Here is a quick link to many upcoming events Go To Niagara.

Winery Tours & Tastings! Please note many wineries are requiring reservations so we recommend booking in advance. Looking for a guided tour that includes wineries, breweries & distilleries, Brewery & Distillery Tours has numerous options, ask us for a code to save $10 off per person (if you want to book a e-bike with them we can also save you $10 per bike). 

Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake provides a listing of many wineries but you will also find a list of many others on the “Explore Niagara” tab of this website. Also, here is a handy list of many wineries and their current offerings. Interested in learning more about wine in Niagara, check out Rick VanSickle’s “Wines in Niagara” website. 

Don’t miss the 2024 Holiday Season at Shaw Festival! Shows for this holiday season are My Fair Lady & A Christmas Carol. They run until Dec. 22, 2024. Shaw Festival has also announced their 2025 season! Get ready for another Narnia adventure with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Along with Anything Goes, Murder on the Lake and much more!

Enjoy delicious holiday inspired food and wine pairings during Taste the Season on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November (including Sunday, December 1st). Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a wine connoisseur, or simply looking for a unique way to celebrate the season, this event promises a memorable month of indulgence and festive cheer. This self-guided tour allows you to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries while enjoying delicious holiday inspired food and wine pairings.

The annual Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays. Niagara Falls will be lite up from Nov.16, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025. New this year is The Hot Chocolate Trail. Warm up this winter season with a hot beverage while exploring the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. This new self-guided trail will lead you to delicious stops of chocolatey concoctions from classic combinations with mint, orange and s’mores to inventive cocktails like a Dulce De Leche or Naughty But Nice Hot Chocolate features more than 20 stops with over 30 unique and delicious flavours to sip and savour (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options).

Come & enjoy the Holiday Sip & Shop on Nov. 16, 17, 23 & 24 at Queenston Pottery. Join them for a festive gathering with a glass of holiday cheer! Explore unique pottery gifts and find everything you need to delight the pottery enthusiast on your list. Discover exciting new pieces alongside with their beloved classics, including mugs, bowls, platters, wine goblets, and more. A fresh kiln firing will be ready just in time for the holiday season!

Ravine Holiday Market takes place Nov.17, 2024. Celebrate the holiday season in style by shopping the Ravine Vineyard’s annual Holiday Market! Discover, sip, and savour as you stroll through the event center and barrel cellar. It’s the perfect opportunity to find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your holiday list!

The 14th Annual Handmade Holiday Market takes place Nov. 29 – Dec 1, 2024 at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre. Get a jump on your holiday gifting with heaps of one-of-a-kind handcrafted goodness all under one roof!

This year it will be the 25th year for the Annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour! Don’t miss it on Dec. 6 or 7, 2024! If you like interior design, architecture, and seasonal decorations, the annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour is for you. Tour 6 gorgeous, beautifully decorated homes; visit local historic and cultural sites; sample complimentary tastings from 3 featured wineries and a winery/distillery; and enjoy specially priced luncheons for attendees as well!
 
It’s almost that time of year! The Annual Candlelight Stroll will take place on Dec. 6, 2024. This event kicks off the festive season in NOTL.
 
Don’t miss the Port Dalhousie Christmas Market on Dec. 7, 2024. With numerous vendors your sure to find the perfect gift!
 
It’s the most wonderful time of year! Join the Reif Holiday Market as they get into the holiday cheer! On Dec. 7th and 8th 11AM – 5PM, Reif Estate Winery will be hosting 50+ artisan local vendors! Take a tour of the winery where they will have local artisan vendors spread through out our winery, helping you finish your holiday shopping list!
 
On Dec. 14, 2024 the Annual NOTL Christmas Parade takes place. Be captivated by the joyous spectacle as Santa himself leads a procession of festively adorned floats, spreading cheer to all. It’s a magical experience for everyone!
 
Ice Wine Festival returns on the weekends in January 2025. The Cool As Ice Gala will take place on Jan. 18, 2025. It promises to be an unforgettable evening where Niagara’s finest wineries and top chefs come together to showcase the best of VQA Icewines, cocktails, mocktails, and farm-to-table cuisine. Set in the stunning Niagara Parks Power Station, this luxe, immersive event promises exciting flavours, live performances, and vibrant music. This all-inclusive ticket includes exclusive access to the Tunnel—a captivating 180-foot underground walk that leads to the base of Niagara Falls, and unlimited access to the incredible selection of food and drink.  The NOTL Icewine Village will take place on Jan. 18-19, 2025 and Jan. 25-26, 2025. Over the two weekends the festival transforms Niagara’-on-the-Lake’s Historical District into a winter wonderland, where you can indulge in the best of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Icewines, gourmet food pairings, and unforgettable winter experiences. Stroll through cozy outdoor spaces, sip Icewine by roaring bonfires, and enjoy entertainment that bring the winter season to life. From Icewine-infused cocktails to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
 
Indulge in these perfect pairings Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in February, 2025 during the Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival at over Twenty Wineries! Passports on sale January 1, 2025.
 
Also find us and the latest happenings at Explorer House, along with tips on what to do while visiting us on our Facebook page.