Niagara-on-the Lake is small, and most of its attractions are along one main street, making it easy to explore on foot. In 1792, it briefly served as the capital of Upper Canada (though the town was then called Newark). The town was burned down during the War of 1812 but quickly rebuilt afterwards.

How Ghoulish!

For those who believe in ghosts, Fort George is one of Ontario’s favorite haunted sites. Reported sightings include a soldier patrolling its perimeter and a young damsel who appears in an 18th-century mirror. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the Ghost Tours are fun for the whole family. They run Sunday evenings from May through June; during July and August, tours take place on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with bonus dates around Halloween. The cost is $20 adults and children 12 and up, and $10 children 11 and under; October tours cost $25 per person. Contact the Friends of Fort George at tel. 905/468-6621, or visit the website for a schedule and for more details.

Along the Niagara Parkway

The Niagara Parkway, on the Canadian side of the falls, is a lovely, scenic drive. Unlike the American side, there is plenty of natural beauty, including vast tracks of parkland. You can drive along the 56km (35-mile) parkway all the way from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls, taking in attractions en route. Here are the major ones, listed in the order in which you'll encounter them:

  • Old Fort Erie (350 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Erie; tel. 905/871-0540)
  • Fruit Farms and Wineries: This is home to some of Canada's best stone fruit and other orchards, so you'll find peaches, apples, pears, nectarines, cherries, plums, and strawberries at Kurtz Orchards (tel. 905/468-2937) and elsewhere; you can tour the 32 hectares (79 acres) at Kurtz on a tractor-pulled tram. Inniskillin Winery (Line 3, Service Rd. 66; tel. 905/468-3554 or 905/468-2187), the pioneering winery behind Canada's famous ice wine, is open June to October daily from 10am to 6pm, November through May Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The self-guided free tour has 20 stops that explain the winemaking process. A free guided tour, offered daily in summer and Saturdays only in winter, begins at 2:30pm.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.