Niagara

Around Niagara

Photo: Trappy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Ontario · 433k people

Niagara

“The Garden City”, “Honeymoon Capital of the World”

Where the falls thunder and the vines grow.

Brock RedNiagara River BlueVineyard Green

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Welcome to the Niagara hub! Whether you're here for the vines, the falls, or the friendly towns, you'll find plenty to talk about. Grab a glass of ice wine and join the conversation.

Clubs for Niagara

No clubs for Niagara yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Niagara. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

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Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Niagara. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Niagara Falls The iconic waterfalls that draw millions each year.
  • Queen Victoria Park Parkland right at the falls with gardens and viewpoints.
  • Welland Canal Ship canal with a series of locks connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
  • Fort George National Historic Site War of 1812 fort in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
  • Shaw Festival Theatre Renowned theatre company in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
  • Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens Formal gardens near the falls with themed displays.
  • Outdoors Hike the Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment
  • Outdoors Cycle the Niagara River Recreation Trail
  • With kids Visit the Butterfly Conservatory
  • With kids Tour the Welland Canal locks
  • Evenings Wine bar hopping in Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Evenings Live music at local pubs in St. Catharines
  • Locals love Wineries and vineyards
  • Locals love Fruit stands

Through the year

  • Niagara Icewine Festival January January celebration of ice wine with tastings and events.
  • Niagara Grape and Wine Festival September September wine and harvest celebration in St. Catharines.
  • Shaw Festival April to October Theatre season in Niagara-on-the-Lake running April to October.
  • Niagara Falls Fireworks Series Summer Summer fireworks displays over the falls.
  • Welland Rose Festival June June community festival with parades and garden tours.

Niagara enjoys a moderate climate thanks to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Best time to be out is late spring to early fall. Best: Late spring to early fall

Talk like a local

“The Falls”
Niagara Falls
“NOTL”
Niagara-on-the-Lake
“The Canal”
Welland Canal
“The Peninsula”
Niagara Peninsula

Getaways

Local flavour

Teams

  • Niagara IceDogs OHL
  • Niagara River Lions CEBL
  • Welland Jackfish IBL

Also rooting for Buffalo Bills (NFL), Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Raptors (NBA)

Eat and drink

  • Ice wine Niagara is Canada's premier ice wine region.
  • Niagara peaches The fruit belt is famous for its tender, juicy peaches.
  • Artisan cheeses Local dairies and cheesemakers are part of the region's culinary identity.

Where people go

  • Wineries and vineyards The Niagara Peninsula is one of Canada's top wine regions.
  • Niagara Falls The iconic natural wonder that defines the region.
  • Niagara Escarpment A UNESCO biosphere reserve with hiking trails and dramatic views.
  • Welland Canal A major shipping route with locks that are a local attraction.
  • Historic towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Fruit stands along the Niagara Fruit Belt Seasonal stands selling local peaches, cherries, and more.

Heritage and traditions

Niagara is proud of its breathtaking natural wonder—the falls—and its rich heritage as a wine and fruit-growing region, along with its pivotal role in the War of 1812 and the Underground Railroad.

This time of year in Niagara

  • Shaw Festival season spring–fall Theatre performances run from April to October.
  • Grape harvest and wine festivals fall Autumn celebrates the wine vintage with tastings and events.

Say it like a local: “The Garden City” — St. Catharines

Festivals

  • Winter Festival of Lights November–January Millions of lights illuminate the falls and parks from November to January.
  • Niagara Folk Arts Festival June Celebrates the region's multicultural heritage with music, dance, and food.
  • Canal Days August A maritime festival in Port Colborne honouring the Welland Canal's history.
  • Niagara Peach Festival September Peach pie contests, parades, and family fun in St. Catharines.
  • Niagara Jazz Festival August Jazz performances at venues across the region.
  • Mighty Niagara Dragon Boat Festival June Dragon boat races on the Welland Canal in Fort Erie.

Landmarks with a story

  • Salem Chapel (British Methodist Episcopal Church) A stop on the Underground Railroad in St. Catharines, where freedom seekers found refuge.
  • Laura Secord Homestead The restored home of the War of 1812 heroine in Queenston.
  • Niagara Apothecary A restored 19th-century pharmacy in Niagara-on-the-Lake, now a museum.
  • Old Fort Erie A War of 1812 fort that saw fierce battles, now a living history museum.
  • Niagara Historical Society Museum The oldest museum in Ontario, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with local artifacts.
  • McFarland House A Georgian-style home from the 1800s, used as a hospital during the War of 1812.

Food traditions

  • Icewine harvest Grapes are left to freeze on the vine and pressed in the cold of January, producing a sweet dessert wine unique to cold climates.
  • U-pick fruit Families visit orchards in summer to pick peaches, cherries, and plums—a beloved seasonal ritual.
  • Winemaker's dinners Wineries host multi-course meals paired with their wines, often during harvest season.
  • Niagara peach pie Local bakeries and home cooks make pies from fresh Niagara peaches, a summer staple.
  • Greek festival food St. Catharines' Greek community hosts an annual festival with souvlaki, pastries, and dancing.

Music and arts

  • Shaw Festival A major theatre company in Niagara-on-the-Lake, producing plays by George Bernard Shaw and others.
  • Niagara Symphony Orchestra Performs classical and pops concerts in St. Catharines.
  • Niagara Jazz Festival An annual jazz event with local and international artists.
  • Niagara Artists Centre A community art gallery and studio space in St. Catharines.

A little history

  • 1792 Niagara-on-the-Lake becomes the first capital of Upper Canada
  • 1829 The Welland Canal opens, connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie
  • 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights and Laura Secord's famous walk
  • 1905 The Niagara Movement, a civil rights group, is founded at Niagara Falls
  • 1895 First large-scale hydroelectric power generated from Niagara Falls

Rivalries

  • Niagara IceDogs vs Hamilton Bulldogs OHL hockey rivalry.
  • Niagara River Lions vs Hamilton Honey Badgers CEBL basketball rivalry.
  • Game day Cheering for the Niagara IceDogs
  • Game day Supporting the Niagara River Lions
  • Outdoors Walk across the Rainbow Bridge
  • Outdoors Visit the Floral Clock
  • With kids Clifton Hill
  • With kids The Butterfly Conservatory

People in Niagara speak with a typical Southern Ontario accent, featuring Canadian raising and the frequent use of 'eh'. Local vocabulary includes terms like 'The Falls' for Niagara Falls and 'The Garden City' for St. Catharines.

Only here

  • The Niagara Falls' mist can be seen from both sides of the border.
  • Icewine harvest happens in winter when grapes freeze on the vine.
  • The Welland Canal's flight locks are an engineering marvel.
  • The Shaw Festival is one of the largest theatre companies in North America.
New here? A few tips
  • Pronounce 'Niagara' as 'nye-AG-rah'—locals drop the second 'a'.
  • The falls are just the beginning; explore the wineries, fruit stands, and historic towns.
  • Winters are cold and snowy, especially near the lake; be prepared for lake-effect snow.
  • Summer traffic near the falls can be heavy; plan extra time or use the WEGO transit system.
  • Try local icewine and fresh peaches—they're world-class.

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Nearby

Every area
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St. Catharines - Niagara. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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