Enhance your Niagara Falls adventure by including a visit to the charming Niagara-on-the-Lake

Often criticized as gaudy, dull, and overly commercial, Niagara Falls has earned a poor reputation.

Recently, it even faced the unflattering label of being Canada’s worst tourist trap. However, as someone who has lived in Ontario (though now residing in Paris), I’m sharing a controversial view: those who disparage the Falls simply haven’t experienced them properly.

Most tourists visiting the Falls usually make it a day trip from Toronto or other locations. They tend to go straight to the iconic Horseshoe Falls, snap a quick selfie, and then rush through the city – which is, to be fair, reminiscent of Las Vegas but perhaps even flashier – before returning to their starting point.

However, as many locals can attest, the true way to appreciate the Niagara Peninsula, nestled between Lake Erie to the south and Lake Ontario to the north, is by adding visits to the area’s award-winning wineries, charming towns, remarkable theater shows, craft breweries, and scenic nature trails. By expanding your itinerary, you’ll gain a more enriching and fulfilling experience.

Wander through the charming streets of this well-preserved heritage town

Niagara-on-the-Lake could be seen as the complete opposite of Niagara Falls, which is dominated by bright neon lights, casinos, amusement rides, and chain restaurants in areas like Clifton Hills and Lundy’s Lane.

Located just a half-hour drive north of Horseshoe Falls, NOTL (as locals affectionately refer to it) is a picturesque heritage town adorned with hanging baskets of pink and purple petunias from Victorian street lamps, featuring charming shops that offer antiques, handmade pottery, maple fudge, and homemade jams.

Imagine the charming town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls brought to life.

While the town does attract its fair share of tourists in peak season, the heritage brick buildings (with the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel as its centerpiece), vibrant storefronts, quaint streets, and horse-drawn carriages provide a serene escape from the noisy, flashy vibe of Niagara Falls (the city).

Explore the lush vineyards that define Canada’s wine country.

Thanks to the region's lake-moderated microclimate, Niagara is Canada’s premier wine destination, boasting over 120 wineries, many of which are charming, small-batch producers.

While Canada is renowned as the top global producer of ice wine (a richly sweet dessert wine crafted from frozen grapes), the Niagara area has also gained acclaim for its cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.

In addition to well-known brands like Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs, explore newer, boutique wineries in NOTL, such as Frogpond Farm, Ontario’s first organic winery, and Two Sisters Vineyards, which recently earned a gold medal for its 2020 Chardonnay at the prestigious 2023 Chardonnay-du-Monde competition in Burgundy, France.

Several companies offer comprehensive tours that provide transportation to and from the wineries, eliminating the need for designated drivers, along with guided tours, tastings, and on-site dining options.

Embark on a delightful ale trail.

If wine isn't your drink of choice, don't worry: the dedicated Niagara Ale Trail guides beer enthusiasts to over a dozen exceptional breweries, stretching from the Benchlands of the Niagara Escarpment in the west to St. Catharines and NOTL in the east.

At The Bench Brewing Company in Beamsville, you'll find barrel-aged beers, with brewmasters focusing on sour and mixed fermentation styles.

The Merchant Ale House in St. Catharines has been crafting brews on-site for over two decades. Patrons can enjoy beer-battered pickles, Québec poutine, and hearty brisket burgers, paired with blueberry wheat ale, piña colada sour beer aged in coconut barrels, nitro stouts, and non-alcoholic options.

In NOTL, The Exchange Brewery incorporates local fruits—Niagara is also Canada’s stone-fruit region—like blue plums and sour cherries into their fruit beers. The area is also known for its ciders (Ironwood Cider House) and fruit-based spirits (Spirit Niagara).

Catch a performance

Founded in 1962 to celebrate the works of the brilliant Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival has established NOTL as a premier theater hub. Today, it stands as North America's second-largest repertory theater company, showcasing everything from timeless classics and comedies to musicals, mysteries, and modern plays.

Running from February to December, the festival presents around a dozen productions each year across its three stages, drawing approximately 250,000 attendees annually.

Rent a bike and explore the trails

Outdoor enthusiasts should consider spending an afternoon exploring the bike trails along the Niagara Parkway, a smooth, paved path that runs 35 miles beside the Niagara River. Don't forget to include stops at historic landmarks and wineries; capture scenic photos; enjoy a waterfront picnic; and take breaks at the numerous roadside fruit stands. Both standard and e-bike rentals are available in NOTL.

Additional bike routes include the “Fruitland Ramble,” which winds through orchards, farms, beaches, and prime picnic spots from Beamsville to Grimsby; and the “Garden City Glide,” which loops around St Catharines, known as the Garden City for its abundant gardens, parks, and trails.

Discover a new perspective on the Falls

If you're an adrenaline seeker, skip the classic Maid of the Mist boat tour and instead secure yourself to a zip-line to race along the edge of the Niagara River at speeds reaching 40 mph. Alternatively, hop on the historic Whirlpool Aero Car: this open-air cable car, refurbished recently, has been gliding over the Niagara whirlpool since 1916 and stretches 3500 feet.

A fresh attraction at the Niagara Parks Power Station is The Tunnel. Opened last year, this 2200-foot underground passage was once used to discharge the station's spent waters back into the river. At the tunnel's end, a viewing platform offers visitors a unique perspective of both the Horseshoe and American Falls.

Final thoughts: give the Falls a chance

When a report released in April 2023 labeled the Falls as Canada’s worst tourist trap, it sparked a wave of mixed reactions.

As a frequent visitor, I believe you can either embrace the city's campy absurdity and enjoy it, or enhance your visit by exploring the previously mentioned sites to create a more rounded experience.

By listening to the critics and overlooking the Falls, you miss out on experiencing a breathtaking and powerful display of nature's raw energy that has evolved over 12,500 years.