Explore Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Region
Some say that Niagara-on-the-Lake is the “loveliest town in Ontario,” and we tend to agree! The beauty of Old Town, the picturesque views along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, our many area parks, the famous Shaw Festival Theatre and our friendly residents make this a definite highlight in southern Ontario. When you stay at Explorer House, you are within mere kilometers of several award-winning wineries, mere minutes from western New York and less than 30 minutes from Niagara Falls.
Did you know that Niagara-on-the-Lake:
- Was originally known as Butlersburg, named after Colonel John Butler, and in 1781 the town got its official status and became known as Newark. Its third name change came in 1798 when it was called Niagara and was named as the first capital of Upper Canada. The town was once again renamed in the 1880s, this time to what it remains today: Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- Was home to many “firsts” in Ontario: the first newspaper, first lending library, first historical museum and first provincial parliament.
- Served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
- Had its historic district designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 2003.
- Is home to McFarland House: is the oldest surviving building in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which was used as a hospital and Officers’ Quarters during the War of 1812.
Links to help you experience & explore Niagara-on-the-Lake:
Festivals [Read Details…]
Dining: Please note, we highly recommend making reservations well in advance. [Read Details…]
Snacks/Treats/Shopping [Read Details…]
- Avondale Dairy Bar
- Cheese Secrets
- Chocolate FX
- Greaves Jams & Marmalades
- Niagara Outlet Collection
- Picard’s Peanuts
- Regal Garden Centre
- The Grove (& In The Smoke)
- Willow Cakes & Pastries
Wineries [Read Details…]
Craft Cideries [Read Details…]
- Ironwood Cider
- Niagara Cider Company
- Shiny Apple Company
- Southbrook Vineyards
- Trius Winery
- Visit Niagara Cider
Guided Tours [Read Details…]
- Brewery & Distillery Tours Niagara – booking a tour, contact us to save $10 off pp
- Crush on Niagara Wine Tours
- Driverseat Niagara
- Ghost Walks of Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Grape Escape Wine Tours
- National Helicopters Inc.
- Niagara Culinary Tours
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tours
- Niagara Wine Tours
- Niagara Vintage Wine Tours
- NOTL Free Walking Tours
- Sentineal Carriages
- Tesla for Hire
- Wheelz Niagara
Spas [Read Details…]
Historic Attractions [Read Details…]
Attractions [Read Details…]
Golf [Read Details…]
Hikes [Read Details…]
- Ball’s Falls
- Decew Falls
- Niagara Glen
- Louth Conservation Area
- Ontario Nature Trails
- Rockway Conservation Area
NOTL Parks [Read Details…]
Transportation [Read Details…]
Niagara-on-the-Lake General Info [Read Details…]