Niagara Escarpment—Ontario

There is a wide variety of options in this part of Ontario or even across the border in New York. It is a major Canadian wine region, has coastline on two of the Great Lakes, there are many national historic sites and of course Niagara Falls. Here are a few things to consider:

Great Lakes

This region borders Lake Ontario in the north and Lake Erie in the South. The coastline offers lighthouses, beaches and stunning views.

St. Catharines, on Lake Ontario, was once a manufacturing and shipping hub, but today is primarily a tourist destination. Its harbor and downtown accommodate visitors.

Historic Sites

There are a ton of historic sites in this part of Ontario. Most are related to the War of 1812, when the United States attempted several ill-fated invasions of Canada. Forts and battlefields are in a broad arc along the border.

Wine Country

This part of Ontario is by far the largest Canadian wine-producing region. It is an area known for its ice wines, but it offers a full range of wines made from cooler-climate grape varieties. It is very difficult to find these outside Canada, so be sure to visit at least one winery.

Niagara Falls

Niagara is the most powerful falls in North America and has been a tourist destination since the mid-nineteenth century. There are really a total of three waterfalls that drain Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, but Horseshoe Falls (also known as Canadian Falls) is the largest of the three and the one that everyone knows. It can be viewed from either Ontario or New York.

This can be a stand-alone trip or combined with other nearby itineraries. See the interactive map to check out follow-on travel options.