One Day in Niagara-on-the-Lake: What To See, Do & Eat

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Thinking about spending one day in Niagara-on-the-Lake? 

If you’re already in the area to see Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake is definitely worth visiting—even if you only have a day.

The great thing about Niagara-on-the-Lake is that you can pack in as much or as little as you want during your visit. 

Feel like taking a leisurely walk and admiring the scenery? Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great place to wander aimlessly.

Want to sample local wine, uncover all the best foodie spots, and learn about the town’s history? You can do that too. 

This guide covers all the must-sees in Niagara-on-the-Lake, along with additional activities for different interests—so you can plan the perfect day trip.

PS: I’m a Niagara local, and I worked at the town’s tourism information centre for five years back in the day. So I know a thing or two about helping people plan their NOTL trips 😉

Explore Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage district

If you’ve ever seen photos of Niagara-on-the-Lake—with its Victorian-era architecture and bright, blooming flowers—it was probably a picture of the town’s heritage district. 

The main street in this area is Queen Street; this is where you’ll find most of the boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries.

Since NOTL’s downtown core is relatively compact, the best way to explore is by foot.

While you’re walking, here are some things to look out for on Queen Street and the side streets that connect to it:

Historic landmarks

Several notable and historic buildings are located on (and near) Queen Street, including the Prince of Wales Hotel, the Old Courthouse, and the Memorial Clock Tower. 

Another can’t-miss historic site is the Niagara Apothecary. Now a museum, this building operated as a pharmacy from 1820 to 1964. It gives you a fascinating peek into the past and how pharmacies worked over 100 years ago.

Many historic buildings and heritage homes have plaques out front with little snippets of their history if you feel like stopping to read.

Shops and galleries

Queen Street is also filled with a variety of boutiques and shops. 

There are dozens to choose from, but I’ll list a few of the most popular shops (and some of my personal favourites) to give you an idea of what you can find here:

Just Christmas: Christmas ornaments, decor, and more.

Neob Lavender Boutique: Locally-made essential oils and lavender products.

Serendipity: French linens, soaps, and pottery.

Greaves Jams: Locally-made jams, jellies, and marmalades.

Old Tyme Candy Shoppe: Nostalgic candy and sweets.

Art lovers may want to check out galleries like Artspace106, King Street Gallery, and Gate Street Studio.

Cafes and bakeries

There’s no shortage of cute bakeries and coffee shops in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up or just want to grab a sweet treat, head to one of these cafes:

• Balzac’s: Parisian-inspired cafe with indoor seating and an outdoor patio area.
  
  
• Il Gelato di Carlotta: Gelato shop that also happens to have some of the best espresso in town.
  
  
• Soko Bakery Cafe: Cute and quiet Korean cafe with terrific coffee and matcha lattes.

For pastries and baked goods, I recommend Fritters on the Lake for decadent apple fritters or Niagara Juice Co. for made-from-scratch cookies, pies and more.

Niagara Home Bakery also has delicious chocolate butter tarts and Il Gelato di Carlotta’s pistachio croissants are amazing (all of their pastries are, really).

Ice cream shops

I don’t know what it is about Niagara-on-the-Lake, but this town has seriously good ice cream and gelato options.

For ice cream, Cows is a must-visit. They have tons of fun and unique flavours like Nanaimo bar, PEI blueberry, and dairy’s chocolate orange.

I realize I’ve already mentioned Il Gelato di Carlotta twice in this article, but that’s how good this place is. You can’t go wrong with any gelato flavour here, but their dark chocolate is my favourite.

Nina Gelateria also has excellent gelato and pastries. I’m a big fan of their chocolate croissants and Ferrero Rocher gelato.

Learn about the town’s history

It’s hard to imagine this quaint town as a battlefield, but Niagara-on-the-Lake played a significant role in the War of 1812—a nearly three-year military conflict between the United States and Great Britain.  

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is the best place to learn about the town’s storied history—from Indigenous settlement to the present day—under one roof.

Here, you can explore different exhibits and a collection of over 40,000 artifacts and archives.

Not a fan of museums? I get that. Try these options instead if you’re not a hardcore history buff:

Guided walking tour

Free Walking Tours NOTL offers daily guided tours led by a local Niagara-on-the-Lake resident. 

Yes, you’ll learn about the town’s history, but you’ll also hear personal anecdotes and interesting stories from someone who’s lived here for decades. 

FYI: these tours are tip-based (technically free to join, but the guides rely on tips).

Explore Fort George

Fort George played a key role in the defence of Upper Canada during the War of 1812.

Today, you’ll find a collection of reconstructed buildings designed to showcase what life was like here in the 1800s.

It’s similar to a museum but more interactive. As you walk around the grounds, you can chat with costumed staff, ask questions, and watch live musket demonstrations.

Visit Queen’s Royal Park

After all the walking and exploring, you might want to take a break—and Queen’s Royal Park is the best place to do that.

It’s a lovely spot situated at the point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.

From this vantage point, you’ll have a clear view of Lake Ontario and Fort Niagara across the river in New York.

Queen’s Royal Park has a gazebo, benches, and a few picnic tables if you feel like sitting by the water for a while. It’s also the perfect spot for a picnic. (Cheese Secrets sells to-go charcuterie boxes as an FYI.)

Grab lunch in Old Town

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Niagara-on-the-Lake. Take your pick from breweries, British-style pubs, and farm-to-table restaurants that highlight the best ingredients in the region.

I’ve listed more restaurant recommendations under the “Where to eat section” in this article, but here are a few easy ideas for lunch in NOTL’s downtown area:

• Budapest Bakeshop: Known for their sweet Hungarian chimney cakes, but they also make savoury chimney sandwiches.
  
  
• Irish Harp Pub: Friendly pub with traditional Irish food and North American classics.
  

• Exchange Brewery: Craft brewery on Queen Street with pizza, apps, and shareables.
  
  
• Avo & Co: New casual restaurant with healthy options like salad bowls, poke bowls, and smoothies.

Visit a winery

One of the top things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake is visit a winery (or five). This area is home to roughly 30 wineries, from small family-run operations to sprawling luxury estates and just about everything in between. 

Some popular and well-known wineries are Jackson Triggs, Peller, and Wayne Gretzky Estates.

Personally, I prefer visiting wineries that are a bit smaller and less corporate than some of the big names—like these:

• Stratus: Ultra-modern space with a beautiful back patio facing the vineyards.
  
  
• Konzelmann: Lakefront winery with peach wine (and peach wine slushies).
  
  
• Big Head Wines: Their winery/tasting area is basic, but their wines are excellent (especially the reds).
  
  
• Ravine: Friendly and organic winery with a fantastic farm-to-table restaurant.
  
  
• Southbrook: Organic and biodynamic winery with outstanding wines and a large covered patio.

Where to eat in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Along with my lunch recommendations above, here are some of the top Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurants to try:

• Olde Angel Inn: Hearty British pub food served in a lively and laid-back setting. This is also one of the most haunted buildings in NOTL.
  
  
• BarrelHead (Pilliterri Estates Winery): Top-notch wood oven pizza and a big outdoor patio surrounded by cherry trees.
  
  
• Treadwell: Easily one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Their breakfast and lunch menus have a la carte pricing, but dinner is a four-course fixed-price menu (which is quite pricey).
  
  
• The Grist: Restaurant and brewery with delicious food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. It does get busy and wait times can be long.
  
  
• Ravine: Awesome winery with an ever-changing menu featuring ingredients from their on-site garden and nearby farms. Keep it casual with pizza on their patio or check out their upscale bistro menu.
  
  
• Masaki Sushi: This Japanese restaurant is one of my favourite restaurants in the Niagara Region. Food is on the pricier side, but they do offer sushi and maki specials at lunch.

I mentioned a few already, but so many wineries also have fantastic restaurants. You can check out my article on the best Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries for lunch for more recommendations.

More activities and attractions

Not interested in wineries or just looking for additional things to do? I’ve got more ideas for your Niagara-on-the-Lake day trip:

Walk or bike along the Niagara Parkway: This scenic road runs along the Niagara River and has a dedicated paved path for walking and cycling. You can rent bikes in town from Zoom Leisure Bikes.

Afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel: A traditional English tea experience, complete with scones and dainty tea cups. I’d recommend making a reservation if you can.

Shaw Festival: Along with its wineries, Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for its world-class theatre. Each year, 10 or more productions—from comedies to musicals and more—are performed at three different theatres in town.

Parking in Niagara-on-the-Lake

I still have a bit of PTSD from being screamed at by tourists who received parking tickets (which happened all the time).

So, believe me when I say: the town will not hesitate to issue a parking ticket at any given moment.

Most parking in the town’s heritage district is metered and enforced daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Parking rates range between $5.25 and $5.75 per hour. Some areas also have time limits—another thing to be mindful of. Here’s a handy parking map with rates for a better visual.

The parking machines accept credit, debit, and coins. You can also download the Honk Mobile app to pay online.

Parking is prohibited in certain areas on smaller side streets, so double-check the signs before you park.

There is some free parking in front of Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of King Street and Centre Street. This is where I always park when I come to NOTL.

Read more about Niagara-on-the-Lake:

• Unique Places to Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• 7 Best Winery Experiences in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Niagara Falls vs Niagara-on-the-Lake: All You Need to Know
• How to Get Around Niagara-on-the-Lake With or Without a Car
• 8 Best Wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake for Lunch
• Niagara-on-the-Lake in Winter: 7 Fun Things to Do