Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake
Niagara Falls and Niagara On The Lake
Enroute to a conference, we stayed the weekend in Niagara On The Lake and drove The Parkway to the iconic Niagara Falls. First, let me say, Google Maps was critical helping us navigate out of the Toronto Airport and towards the Niagara Region. Otherwise, we might still be driving in circles!Even upon entering the Niagara Region, the landscape changes, the homes are older world beautiful and there were flowers everywhere. NOTL was established in 1792 as the capital of Upper Canada and named Newark at the time. That changed about 1796 when the capital of Ontario was moved to Toronto because of the U.S. base right across the Niagara River. That’s also when the name changed to Niagara On The Lake.Niagara On The Lake is truly as pretty or prettier than a picture. For early May it was green, and the flowers were front and center.We stayed at The Prince of Wales Hotel. It is truly impressive, 1 of 7 Vintage Hotels in the area. The Prince of Wales is a historic landmark in NOTL, built in 1864. It has 110 guest rooms along with event spaces and some restaurants. Each day there were Bridal Showers being hosted in event spaces, and High Tea in the Drawing Room was sold out due to the Coronation. High Tea hasn’t usually been on my radar; Celiac’s requiring Gluten Free don’t often attend. But to my surprise, had we been more organized, GF options can be ordered 24 hours prior to reservations. The Churchill Lounge serves some of the same menu items as the famous Noble Restaurant. We had one of the best ever Charcuteries in the Lounge. The next day we set off to amble along the slower, more scenic Parkway to Niagara Falls. The Falls are about 23 km away from NOTL. The Parkway hugs the Niagara River. New York on one side and Ontario on the other. The scenery is beautiful, so there is no need to rush. In 1943 Sir Winston Churchill described it as “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”.Well! Niagara Falls is everything they say it is! We had a beautiful spring day. Full of tourists – can you expect anything else? We walked and wiggled ourselves into pictures and have close up videos. There is a particular corner where most people take a picture or video. My Grandparents went East to be married and stopped in Niagara Falls on their return to Saskatchewan in 1934. A long trip for kids from the Prairies.Niagara Falls or “The Falls” are about 12,000 years old. The largest and most spectacular are the Canadian “Horseshoe Falls”. The American and Bridal Veil Falls land in the U.S. and to give them credit, they are beautiful as well.There are tourist gift shops, lots of restaurants and parking. We parked near a casino up the hill and walked around for several hours. Parking nearby fills up quicky.We did not stay to see The Falls lit up at night. Instead, returning to NOTL. We walked and looked at homes and neighborhoods. We shopped and then stopped at the Charles Hotel, to sit outside and have an Aperol Spritzer. Built in 1832, The Charles (Mansion) Hotel has 12 guest rooms and is a bit removed from the shopping district.The Just Christmas Gift Store will hand paint names on ornaments while you wait, if you are looking for more souvenirs. NOTL is home to the Shaw Festival – a world class theatre, running from February to December. There were busloads of people who appeared to attend the theatre and then wandered around prior to meeting up with their bus. The Niagara Region is Ontario’s largest wine producing area. It very much reminded us of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, without the hills. Recognizable names include Peller Estates, Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate and Wayne Gretzky Estate Wines.Well worth the trip, expect The Falls to be busy. Enjoy the scenic slower paced areas in Niagara On The Lake, Simcoe Park, bring a picnic, or take a bus tour. There is so much to do and so many options of how to get there, travel around and make the most of your trip. It really is up to you!