Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara-on-the-Lake

An August 2000 trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake by ms_dj

Whether spending an afternoon mid-week, or taking a long-weekend vacation, Niagara-on-the-Lake has something for everyone. My most recent trip was a rather brief honeymoon.

  • 8 reviews

Niagara-on-the-LakeBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the Shaw Festival with plays running most days in three different theatres. In addition, there are many specialty shops for the shoppers in the crowd, and thrill-seekers can ride the jet boats to the Whirlpool Rapids. This is the heart of Ontario's wine country, and oenophiles can tour several vineyards...for free.

Quick Tips:

By going to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the middle of the week, you miss much of the weekend tourist trade, particularly in the summertime.

Best Way To Get Around:

Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, so I'd suggest parking your car at the main lot, and walking.

Queen's Landing Inn & Conference ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Queen's Landing Inn"

Our room was large with a king-size bed and a fireplace. The bathroom was a good size with a jacuzzi bathtub and separate shower stall with massage settings on the shower head.

The room featured an in-room safe, mini-bar, and television, as well as a writing table and sofa.

We were there mid-week, and probably could not have afforded the weekend rates. But for a mid-week getaway, we certainly got what we paid for.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on October 22, 2000

Queen's Landing Inn & Conference Resort
155 Byron Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
(905) 468-2195

The Pillar and Post InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Our room had a gas fireplace...which we ran at the same time as the air-conditioner, considering it was mid-September and the weather was still warm. It helped with the...ambiance.

The Inn is located about a five minutes'' drive from the shopping/theatre district of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which makes it convenient if you are attending a play, or wish to shop in the unique stores that line the main street.

We found the staff to be quite friendly, and check-in and check-out were quickly done. When we asked for a later check-out time, they allowed it right away.

Of course, a stay at the Pillar and Post is not complete without a visit to the 100 Fountain Spa, which is not included in the room rates, but still quite worthwhile.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on October 14, 2001

The Pillar and Post Inn
48 John Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
1(888) 669-5566

ButteryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The Buttery Theatre Restaurant"

The service was quick and the food tasty. It was definitely a pub-style atmosphere, and advertised a Henry VIII dinner show in the evenings. We were there for lunch.

Service was quick, and the food was good. My Welsh Rarebit was good, but my companion's seafood sandwich was better!

In the summer, you can dine on the covered patio out front, or if you prefer, eat indoors.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on November 2, 2000

Buttery
19 Queen Niagara on the Lake Niagara Falls, Ontario
(905) 468-2564

Whirlpool Jet Boat ToursBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Whirlpool Jetboat Rides"

The jetboat ride is a RUSH! Rain slickers are provided, but unless you seal yourself right up, you're going to get wet. In colder weather, the boat's roof is in place, but we were there in the middle of summer, on a hot day, and got soaked. (Sit on the right-hand-side of the boat for bigger splashes!)

The jetboat ride departs every 30 minutes from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and takes its passengers upstream (towards the Falls) as far as the Whirlpool. The rapids beyond that point are too strong for a boat to go through, so they don't take you all the way to the Falls, but there are other boats that do that.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on November 2, 2000

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
61 Melville Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
(905) 468-4800

Hillebrand Estates Winery TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The free tour of the winery runs every 30 minutes. Each tour begins with a wine-tasting, where participants are taught the proper method for tasting wine. We sampled a rose (not to be confused with a blush wine) and a white.

From the tasting room, we walked back to one of the many vineyards, and learned about the grapes themselves. We learned why rosehips are planted at the ends of the rows (because these plants catch the same diseases, only earlier, allowing for diagnosis before the grapes are affected.)

The tour also included the barrel room, and the room where sparkling wine is made. Of course, the tour ends off at the vineyard's wine shop...
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on November 2, 2000

Hillebrand Estates Winery Tour
1249 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
(905) 468-7123

Shaw FestivalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

We saw "The Return of the Prodigal", written by St John Hankin in 1905. It had a definite feel of Oscar Wilde (and in fact, before I read the programme I thought it was a Wilde play). The acting was superb, and set-changes flawless. The one thing we felt was that it was missing an act...it seemed to end before it should have.

The Courthouse Theatre is just that, a theatre in the old courthouse. It is rather small, but that means that there isn't a bad seat in the house; you can hear everything perfectly from the first row or the last.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by ms_dj on October 14, 2001

Shaw Festival
Courthouse Theatre Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

100 Fountain SpaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The 100 Fountain Spa, located at the Pillar and Post Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake is available for use by the guests of any of the "Vintage Inns" (including the P & P, Queen's Landing, and others).

My husband and I spent our very brief honeymoon at the Pillar and Post, and decided to avail ourselves of the spa services before heading back to work less than a week after our wedding. We both had the "Full Body Swedish Massage" ($90 for 55 minutes), and let me tell you, by the time Doug was finished, I felt like limp spaghetti.

I also treated myself to a session of reflexology, where the pressure points in my scalp, hands, and feet were all massaged. Wonderful!

Other spa services include herbal body wraps, La Stone therapy (hot stone massage), aromatherapy massage, manicures, pedicures, and facials. The last three listed are available in "for men" or "for women" formats. My husband tried the men's pedicure, and I highly recommend it for any of you who, like him, live in boots!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by ms_dj on October 14, 2001

100 Fountain Spa
At the Pillar & Post Inn Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

About the Writer

ms_dj
ms_dj
Ontario, Canada

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