SHOPPING AND WATERFRONT ROMANCE IN HISTORIC NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
Romance and History can both be defined in a number of ways, but in conjunction with Shopping one location stands out - Niagara-on-the-Lake!
Situated at the Niagara River’s meeting with Lake Ontario, the settlement grew to be an important centre in the 1780s as the original capital of the colony which became Ontario. Today this town of some 14,000 is the capital of central Canada’s premier romantic region.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a community that is very mindful of its heritage, and its heritage status. You’ll see this in the elegantly restored homes and shops, and in the fact it has Canada’s only Lord Mayor. In addition it is recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Community.
Home to a number of national historical sites, including the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes and several military establishments which played critical roles in the War of 1812 (and all worthy of a visit!), the town also has the region’s finest heritage shopping district.
This prize is also known as Queen Street. You’ll discover all manner of shops and boutiques here, dedicated to offering you the very best in wine, fashion, art, antiques, collectibles & on & on!
Purchase a packet of greeting cards printed by handpress just yesterday from a shop that’s on the verge of its two hundredth birthday.
Find some two dozen varieties of copper-kettled, marble-slabbed, hand-cut fudge.
Are the two of you inveterate antiques collectors? Perhaps you just wish to spend some time among timeless wonders that have survived from your great grandparents’ day. Niagara-on-the-Lake has a plethora of antique shops for you to investigate. There are co-op shops with the goods of several dealers on display, as well as single-owner operations. Antique furniture, china, glassware, jewellery, folk art, militaria.... and it’s all available here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Maybe you’re in the market for antique stained glass sold by a shop housed in a former church over a century old? It’s here. Maybe you’re hunting for 7,000 square feet of wheelchair-accessible classic Victorian furnishings, early kids’ lit and vintage millinery - it’s here too! Visit www.niagaraantiques.com or www.theuppercanadian.com for more information.
Horse-drawn carriage tours of the town and its environs are available; the operators are friendly and knowledgeable. And, weather permitting, if you’re a fan of riding horses, Niagara-on-the-Lake has riding stables ready to take you for a scenic trail adventure. You may find it cold here in the middle of February, but we prefer to think of it as bracing. Head to Niagara Shores Park. You may very well spot some very braced windsurfers.
Brace yourself with some vino. Several of the wineries which are within a goblet’s throw of the centre of Niagara-on-the-Lake have special weekend (if not daily) events throughout February. Whether your treat-and-wine fantasies run to hand-dipped Belgian-style chocolates or matching the perfect strawberry to the perfect local Meritage, you’ll find your temptations treatable. Visit www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/events for full details.
Valentine packages are available at many of the town’s numerous hotels, inns, resorts and bed-&-breakfast establishments. Think luxurious, think rekindle, think exclusive and award-winning. Think of visiting www.vintage-hotels.com and bbcanada.com/associations/stayniagaraonthelake
And if the fudge, bread and chocolates weren’t enough for the both of you, don’t fret: an incredible range of dining options is available to you in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There are upscale comfort food providers aplenty here. Or do you crave a four-diamond-rated restaurant experience featuring locally-grown ingredients? You can satisfy that craving here. Are you up for a fondue and hot stone grill happening? Here too! Or perhaps your cup of tea is a cup of tea. Traditional high teas are available, and in settings which would make Queen Victoria proud. For further information to plan your Niagara-on-the-Lake dining, visit the town’s Chamber of Commerce cuisine page at www.niagaraonthelake.com/cuisine
Niagara-on-the-Lake is, simply put, a lovely town. Get a feel for it this Valentine’s Day, but be ready to find yourself wanting to return before you’ve even left!
