Niagara-on-the-Lake at a glance
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town in Ontario with a Heritage District, known as the Old Town, a visitor information office, a major theatre festival and the Niagara Peninsula wine region around it. Most visitors come for half a day or a full day: a walk through the Old Town, a play, a tasting.
The town works well as a second day after the falls. If you are still choosing what to book at the falls, start with the Niagara Falls tours and the list of things to do, then add the town and the vineyards.
Theatre, Old Town and the Niagara Parkway
What you can fit into a day, and what runs only in season.
The Old Town
The Heritage District is the historic core of the town, and it has a visitor information office. Ask there for current opening times of what you plan to see.
Shaw Festival
The festival season runs from 2 April to 23 December 2026. Not every play is staged every day, and not every production runs until the last day of the season. Ticket prices depend on the production, so check the programme for your date.
The Niagara Parkway
Several Niagara Parks sights stand along the parkway corridor, among them the White Water Walk and the Whirlpool Aero Car. They fit well on the way between the falls and the town. Both are open April to November. Do not plan to the minute: allow extra time on busy days.
More things to do →Our pick: a wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Four wineries and free time in the old town, with pickup.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and day trips around Niagara Falls
Winery tours with transport, boat tours, day trips and more, with live prices and availability.
Wine region and icewine
The Niagara Peninsula is a protected wine appellation. The grapes you will see most often on the list include Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
Icewine is a certified category: the VQA program checks that it is a sweet wine made from frozen grapes. It is not the same as any dessert wine. Harvest and tasting dates depend on the winery and the weather, so ask before you plan a visit around them. Check too whether a winery needs a reservation before you go.
A guided wine tour with transport takes care of the driving, and you can compare the options in the list above. If you drive yourself, decide who drives before the first tasting.
How to get to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Four ways from the falls, with the season and the catch for each.
| Option | When | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Year-round | About 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, with no fixed time. Allow more on busy days. |
| WEGO Orange Line | Seasonal | Change at the Floral Clock. The 24-hour and 48-hour WEGO passes include it. |
| GO train plus WEGO | April to October | The GO+WEGO ticket includes the seasonal onward ride from 6 April 2026. Some group tickets include a shuttle from 1 June to 31 October 2026, so check the dates that apply to your ticket. |
| Guided wine tour with transport | Check your date | Pickup in Niagara Falls, tastings at several wineries, no driving. |
For most visitors without a car, a WEGO pass in season is the simplest way to see the falls and the town on one ticket. If wine is the main goal, a tour with transport solves the driving question. Fares and timetables are on the getting there page, and the best time page shows how the seasons line up.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that pair well with a day in the town.
Getting to Niagara Falls
Train, bus, car and local transport from Toronto, Buffalo and New York City.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and what runs in which season.
Where to stay
Fallsview, Clifton Hill, downtown on the US side or the town itself.
Things to do in Niagara Falls
Fifteen ideas on both sides of the border.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: frequently asked questions
How far is Niagara-on-the-Lake from Niagara Falls?
Allow about 20 minutes. There are no fixed start and end points behind that figure and no guaranteed time, so allow extra time on busy days.
When does the Shaw Festival run?
The 2026 season runs from 2 April to 23 December. Not all plays are staged every day, and ticket prices depend on the production. Check the programme for your date.
Can I visit Niagara-on-the-Lake without a car?
Yes, in season. The WEGO Orange Line connects with a change at the Floral Clock, and the 24-hour and 48-hour passes include it. The GO+WEGO combination also covers the onward ride. Season dates differ by product, so check the current timetable before you go.
What is icewine?
Icewine is a sweet wine made from frozen grapes. In Ontario the VQA certification checks these features, so it is not the same as any dessert wine. Ask the winery about tasting dates, which depend on the weather.
Is niagara-falls.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to Niagara Parks, the Niagara Falls State Park, the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a tourism organization, the Shaw Festival or any winery or tour operator.