Home / Common questions
What is there to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
The Shaw Festival presents plays in three theatres in Old Town. Queen Street is the walkable centre of the Heritage District. The town is home to about 40 wineries. Fort George National Historic Site is at 51 Queens Parade; it is closed for the 2026 season, so check Parks Canada hours before a later visit. Queen’s Royal Park looks out on the Niagara River, and the Niagara River Recreation Trail runs 56 kilometres from Historic Fort Erie to Fort George. See things to do, planning a Shaw day, and wineries.
Where should I stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Old Town is the usual base for Queen Street and the Shaw Festival theatres. It is the walkable Heritage District. The town’s other communities are St. Davids, Virgil, Glendale, and Queenston. See where to stay.
Where should I eat in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Queen Street in Old Town is the main street for restaurants. Several of the town’s wineries also have restaurants, often serving lunch. This guide does not have a restaurants page. For the wineries, see wineries.
How far is Niagara-on-the-Lake from Niagara Falls?
About a 25-minute drive north.
How do I get to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Toronto?
About 1.5 hours from the Greater Toronto Area via the QEW. Driving is the usual way. GO Transit runs year-round to Niagara Falls GO Station; from there, a seasonal WEGO shuttle continues to Fort George when that shuttle is running. Flixbus also stops at Fort George. Check GO Transit, Niagara Parks, and Flixbus for current times. This guide does not publish a timetable.
Where do I park in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
The Heritage District has municipal lots and street meters. Machines accept credit, debit, and coin, or you can pay with Honk Mobile or ParkedIn. For 2026, most zones are $5.25 an hour, with an eight-hour maximum, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Queen Street between King and Gate, the rate is $5.75 an hour with a four-hour maximum. Shaw Festival on-site parking at the Festival and Studio theatres is $25 per performance. Ontario veteran licence plates may park free at Town-owned metered spaces. See the Town parking page and the paid parking map for current rules.
Is Niagara-on-the-Lake worth visiting?
Yes. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a compact town for the Shaw Festival, about 40 wineries, and a quieter day than Niagara Falls. Old Town is walkable, and the Falls are about a 25-minute drive south. See where to stay, planning a Shaw day, and wineries.
When is the best time to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake?
For the Shaw Festival, the 2026 season runs from 2 April to 23 December, and the 2027 season from 31 March to 23 December. The Niagara Icewine Festival is held for two weeks every January. Fort George is a seasonal site and is closed for the 2026 season; check Parks Canada hours before a later visit. See planning a Shaw day and wineries.
When is the Shaw Festival?
The 2026 season runs from 2 April to 23 December. The 2027 season runs from 31 March to 23 December. Plays are at the Festival Theatre and the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, both at 10 Queen’s Parade, and at the Court House Theatre at 26 Queen Street. The Royal George Theatre is not a current venue; it is due to reopen around fall 2028. Tickets are at shawfest.com. This guide does not sell tickets. See planning a Shaw day.
Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls — where should I stay?
Stay in Niagara Falls for the falls themselves and a wider choice of hotels. Stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a walkable Old Town, the wineries, and the Shaw Festival. They are about a 25-minute drive apart, so either can be a day trip from the other. See where to stay.
Where do I buy Shaw Festival tickets?
At shawfest.com, or through the box office at 905-468-2172 or 1-800-511-7429. This guide does not sell tickets.
Where should I stay for the Shaw Festival?
Old Town puts you nearest the theatres. The Festival Theatre and Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre are at 10 Queen’s Parade; the Court House Theatre is at 26 Queen Street. See where to stay and planning a Shaw day.
Do I need a car? Is Old Town walkable?
Old Town and Queen Street are walkable. A car, or a booked tour, is the practical way to reach most of the town’s wineries and Niagara Falls. For a rental, see Renting a car on the things-to-do page.
How do I get there from Buffalo or the US border?
The usual way is to drive. The closest crossing is the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge; Queenston is one of the town’s five communities. The Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls and the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie, next to Buffalo, are the other usual crossings. From Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake is about a 25-minute drive north. Check current wait times with the Canada Border Services Agency or the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Canada Border Services Agency recommends that US citizens travel with a valid passport. To return to the United States, you need a passport or another document accepted under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Check the official rules before you travel.