Niagara Falls Day Trip: Niagara-on-the-Lake & Winery

You book a trip to Niagara Falls, and you stay in one of the many amazing hotel options: Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview, Wyndham Grand Fallsview, Tower Hotel Fallsview, Wyndham Garden Niagara Falls Fallsview, DoubleTree by Hilton, Ramada by Wyndham Niagara Falls Near the Falls right smack in the middle of town, but the overwhelming sensation of all the things to do:

And not enough time to do it all sets in, and you think to yourself, “Instead of doing everything the city has to offer, what if we had a slow day instead? Somewhere filled with wineries, countryside and scenic drives?” And to your surprise, your partner, family or friends agree with you.

You retrieve your car from valet services, and off you go.

A 25-minute drive north of Niagara Falls, and the entire world shifts. The pace softens, and the landscape opens up. The sun sits high in the sky as you glance out the left window, where endless rows of grapevines seem to race alongside you, keeping your speed, as if they’re part of your day journey too.

You arrive in a little cobblestone town that doesn’t seem real.

Is this cottage country?

Nope. You’ve reached Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), the heart of your day trip.

Established in 1779 as a British Loyalist settlement and serving as the first capital of Upper Canada, NOTL is a picturesque, historic town in Ontario, Canada, located at the mouth of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Known as a premier wine region (especially for ice wine), it features 19th-century architecture, the Shaw Festival theatre, and is considered a top Canadian tourist destination, often called "Canada's Prettiest Town".

Packed full of history, a clock tower, boutique shops, coffee shops, haunted hotels, culture, lake side views and beautiful gardens, this pretty little town is sure to keep your day serene and slow pace but full of things to do.

After exploring everything Niagara on the Lake has to offer, you decide you’re ready for something to eat. A little snack and wine pairing perhaps?

But where to?

Two Sisters Vineyards is located at 240 John Street East, Niagara on the Lake, ON

“Inspired by our Italian heritage, our family wanted to bring a little bit of Europe to the Niagara River. The landmark Estate pays homage to the exquisite architecture of Europe while embracing the beauty of Niagara wine country. The main Estate, which opened doors in November 2014, was inspired by Italian Renaissance design, which was made popular by the 16th-century Venetian architect, Andrea Palladio. The Estate and surrounding grounds have been laid out much like our wines – with great respect for nature, attention to detail and thoughtful design.”

Stratus Vineyards is located at 2059 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

“At Stratus, our dedication to sustainability, quality and design guides our winemaking and vineyard practice. We delight in making wines that reflect the eccentricities of the climate and our vineyard's unique geology.

Our 55-acre farm, set in the Niagara Lakeshore appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is planted to 16 grape varieties. This breadth, allows us to embrace diversity for complexity and produce our signature Stratus White and Stratus Red alongside a range of small-lot single varietal bottlings - delicious and notable expressions of time, of place - of the essence of our vineyard.”

Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant is located at 290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

“At Peller Estates, from the moment you step foot on the grounds of our Niagara-on the-Lake property, you’ll feel like you’re a part of our family. From thoughtful tips from your guide on how to best enjoy our wines, to unexpected culinary treats from Chef Parsons and his team, our wine & culinary tours, experiences and dining events will make you feel like a true insider.”

Konzelmann Estate Winery is located at 1096 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

“Konzelmann Estate Winery is Niagara’s exclusive lakefront winery and is heralded for providing one of the most friendly, informative and educational experiences in Niagara's wine country.”

Following your serendipitous day of exploration

You take the long way back to your hotel, letting the scenery close out the day. The sun dips lower as you pass orchards and farms, the light catching on historic estates and rows of fruit trees, and maybe, just maybe, you pull over at a roadside stand and bite into something fresh and juicy, still warm from the sun.

You finally arrive back at your hotel, slipping into a room that’s been tidied and turned down courtesy of the attentive staff, soft pillows waiting, the Falls beginning to glow right outside your window as daylight fades. You sink into the calm of it all, content and satisfied. Your day trip was a success.