Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario has been voted the  Number 1 Food & Wine Destination in Canada for 2011 by Trip Advisor. This charming town is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls.  Known for world class theatre and award winning wineries Niagara-on-the-Lake entertains visitors from all over the world. With its moderated climate and fertile soil the Niagara region provides perfect conditions for growing grapes, making it Canada’s premier wine region. The region is well known as the premier producer of that liquid gold, ice wine. Many types of wine tours are readily available; anything from self guided to private limo and everything in between. A nature path along the picturesque Niagara River is ideal for cycling, jogging or walking. There is an assortment of high quality accommodations in town including bed and breakfasts, boutique inns and luxury hotels. Many rooms are walking distance to the beautiful Queen street that is home to shops, fine restaurants, and the Shaw Festival Theatre. Anyone looking for excitement can get their thrills on the Whirlpool Jetboats riding white water rapids on the Niagara River. Peace and tranquility is also abundant for those wishing to picnic at one of the many public rest areas along the Parkway. Fort George has been restored and will be a big attraction this year as Canada and the USA celebrate the peace we have enjoyed since the end of the war of 1812. Get details of the upcoming events at Niagara-on-the-Lake War of 1812 Bicentennial website.

Taste the Season at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It that time of year for one of the fall’s best events. This weekend of November 12/13 is almost sold out with just a few touring passes left. Taste the Season is the “must-do” event of the season for many visitors of Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. Taste the Season touring pass holders will be treated to more VQA wine and food pairings than ever before. Buy your touring passes for the November 19/20 or 26/27 weekends now. Taste the Season is the kick-off to Winter in Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Country. Click here for details about how the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake heat up the coldest season.

How to PURCHASE TICKETS
Taste the Season touring passes are $44.25 per person (plus HST). Each touring pass entitles the holder to a VQA wine and food pairing at each of the 26 member wineries and is valid for one of the featured weekends. Guests are encouraged to purchase early. Touring passes can be purchased online or by phoning the Grape Escape Welcome Centre at 905-468-9959.

The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake will donate a portion of the Taste the Season touring pass proceeds to two local charities. The Red Roof Retreat and the YWCA Niagara Region Women in Crisis Shelter.

Why not book accommodations in Niagara now and have some fun for a couple of days!

Halowe’en in Niagara-on-the-Lake brings one of the most popular attractions. The 2011 Hallowe’en Ghost Tours at Fort George.

Hallowe’en is the time of year when the supernatural powers of the universe are at their most powerful and the barrier between this world and the next is at its weakest. Who can guess what might cross over next? Join us for an exploration of the scariest aspects of haunted Fort George. The 2 hour walking tour includes stories too frightening to be told on the summer tours!!

For more information visit: GhostTours of Niagara www.niagaraghosts.com

October 14, 15 & 16
October 21, 22 & 23
October 28, 29, 30 & 31

This is a popular event so book your tickets now! Call 905-468-6621 or e-mail: giftshop@friendsoffortgeorge.ca

Mark your calendars! Friday July 1, 2011 join us for Canada Day Celebrations in Niagara-on-the Lake.

SIMCOE PARK

8:00 am: Friends of Fort George Pancake Breakfast

12 Noon: Rotary Club of N.O.T.L. BBQ Lunch

1:00 – 3:30 pm – Bandshell: Frankie Phelan Five Plus Two

3:00 pm: The giant ‘Cakewalk Parade’ down Queen
Street features The 41st Regiment Fife and
Drum Corps accompanying a 4‘ x 8’ cake on its
way to the park to be sliced and served

Cake generously donated by Willow Cakes & Pastries.

FORT GEORGE

Free Admission All Day!

Open 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

BBQ by Friends of Fort George begins 6:00 pm

Evening program begins 6:30 pm

Kiddie Militia & Drill

Presentation: 41st Regiment Fife and Drum Corps; Fort George Artillery

Musical Entertainment: More Bad News and the Horns from Hell

Fireworks begins 10:00 pm

Niagara-on-the-Lake Accommodations

It is almost time for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival 2011.

Enjoy a variety of activities and events like winemaker’s dinners, gala receptions, educational experiences and our outdoor Icewine Village.  In addition, on Queen Street in the Heritage District there will be a variety of Icewine-inspired events, the flagship event being the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village.  Held on January 22 and 23 from 11am to 5pm, sample Icewines from 25 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake while listening to jazz and tasting Icewine-infused delicacies from Niagara-on-the-Lake dining partners.

Admission is free. 

On the evening of January 22, Wine Country’s hottest Icewine “Mixologists” will compete in the Icewine Cocktail Competition, where guests can sample the innovative Icewine cocktails created.

Icewine Legends, a tasting series by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding and upcoming Icewinemakers, allow guest to taste the legacy of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s “Liquid Gold”.  It takes place the weekends of January 15/16, 22/23, 29/30.

Why not come for the weekend and stay at one of the downtown B&Bs like Apple Tree Historic Bed and Breakfast. Park your car in the driveway and walk a block to the festivities.

It’s the 10th annual Live Jazz & Fresh Oysters Series at Strewn Winery!
They have been packing the house on Sunday afternoons for the past nine years, and this year will be no exception! Catch some of Niagara’s finest jazz, while enjoying fresh oysters from Rodney’s Oyster House.

No cover charge. Regular menu also available.
Reservations recommended.
February 7, 14, 21, 28
From 12 – 3 PM