How to Spend One Day in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Voted time after time as “The Prettiest Town in Canada”, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a perfect day trip any time of year! An easy drive from Niagara Falls, Toronto, or Buffalo, it would be a shame to be in the area without making a stop in this quaint town. If you’re looking for old-town charm (think, carriage rides through town), beautiful flowers lining the streets, and all the good vibes you could ask for, then this is the town for you. Here is how to spend one day in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario!

Coffee at the Victoria Gallery

Start your day strong with a brew from Victoria Teas & Coffees. No matter what your palate needs in the morning, they’ve got it. I ordered my classic iced mocha and it really pushed me through the entire day! If you’re a tea drinker, this is the shop for you. Walk straight in and continue towards the back. On the left, you’ll find a huge wall lined with every type of fresh tea you can imagine and the employees are experts in all the varieties. The smell was overwhelming to me, but I can imagine it’s heaven on earth for tea enthusiasts!

Walk Queen Street

Queen Street is the heartbeat of NOTL! The street is lined with adorable shops, restaurants, bakeries, and art galleries. The main hub is between King Street and Gate Street, but also make sure you dip down the side streets for what I like to call “bonus content”. All of these shops are picture-perfect and oh so adorable. Some of my favorite to photograph and pop into were the Beau Chapeau, The Maple Syrup Store, Owl and the Pussycat, and Puppy & Dog Fashion. Keep your eyes pealed because there are some tiny shops that are squished between two buildings. They can be so small you might miss them!

Pastries and Treats at Niagara Home Bakery

You know the feeling when you walk into a place and are completely overwhelmed with your options right away? That’s Niagara Home Bakery! There were five large display cases filled with all the different types of baked goods, pastries, cookies, and sweets that you can imagine. The smell of the fresh baked goods will pull you in from down the street! It was so hard to limit myself to just one item, but I couldn’t say no to this adorable Canada frosted cookie. It was delish!

Lunch… anywhere!

While I would love to give a specific lunch recommendation, you really cannot go wrong with anywhere! Adorable restaurants line the streets and most have al fresco dining. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a warm day, definitely make arrangements to sit outside. The town takes its flowers seriously, so you’ll be surrounded of the fresh smells. Pictured above is the Shaw Cafe which stopped me in my tracks. Check out all those hanging flowers! There were tables and chairs up on the second deck and I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to enjoy an outdoor lunch.

Relax in Simcoe Park

After lunch, take some time to digest by relaxing in Simcoe Park. This tiny park is quaint and charming and packed with – you guessed it – more flowers. There are plenty of benches, a play ground for kids, and even a sprinkler. I was tempted to jump in! Plus, the park is home to public restrooms (so if you need to go, go here). Public restrooms were hard to come by in town, and everywhere I asked referred me to these.

Walk along Lake Ontario at Queen’s Royal Park

After you’ve had some time to digest, make your way a couple blocks down to the shores of Lake Ontario. Queen’s Royal Park is a small park on the coast that is a perfect place to sit and watch the waves (and sailboats) roll by. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could take a dip in the water or rent a kayak or paddleboard from local vendors. I preferred to stay dry and sit down on the rocks and enjoy the scenery. When looking out on the lake, turn your head to the left for distant views of the city of Toronto!

Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel

There is a lot of British influence in NOTL (thanks to when the British took control of Fort Niagara in the 1750’s), so it’s customary to have afternoon tea! Make a reservation to enjoy high tea with finger sandwiches and assorted pastries and channel your inner QE II. If this isn’t your cup of tea (lol), the Prince of Wales Hotel is a landmark worth exploring on its own. Walk into their lobby and be greeted by a gorgeous stained glass mosaic artwork and feel like you’re back in the Victorian Era. Once in the lobby, take a stroll down the hallway to your left. This will take you out the side entrance, but the hallway is lined with Victorian portraits and a you’ll walk by a beautiful staircase. It’s the crown jewel of NOTL and is worth exploring!

Ice Cream at Cow’s

I first stumbled upon Cow’s ice cream in Banff, reunited again with it in Whistler, and had to make the stop once again in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Cow’s ice cream is seriously some of the best I have ever had. Dare I say the best in the world? Bold statement I know, but Cow’s is amazing! They are only located in a handful of cities and resort towns across Canada, so if you happen to stumble upon one, just know that you have found gold. They have tons of homemade flavors and freshly made waffle cones to satisfy any craving. I also am obsessed with their Cow Chips and always pick up a large container whenever I stop into a Cow’s. They’re just chocolate covered potato chips, but so very tasty!

Wineries!

After a jam-packed one day in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you deserve to unwind! Jump in the car (or rent a bike) and make your way out to one of the many wineries in the area. Throw a dart and take your pick- they’re all good! In peak season, make sure you have reservations if you’re hoping to do a formal wine tasting. Otherwise, most have window shops where you can quickly purchase a glass (or at some places- wine slushies!) and kick back. A perfect end to a perfect day!

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