Page 98 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019

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NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE • SHUTTERSTOCK/ELIJAH LOVKOFF
Ontario’s native species, as well as being
home to over 2000 butterfl ies from all
around the world. zip-lines at speeds over 70 km/h (40 mph),
Not to be missed are the 25,000 tulips
planted by Niagara Parks within Queen
Victoria Park that explode with colour in
the spring.
THRILLS BY THE BRINK
Adrenaline junkies will rejoice at WildPlay’s
MistRider Zipline to the Falls which whistles
you along the edge of the Falls for a breath-
stopping ride. Experience the Falls in a
NIAGARA SKYWHEEL • TOURISM PARTNERSHIP OF NIAGARA
whole new way: hanging from a 67-m-high
(220-ft.) vantage point on one of four parallel
along the edge of the Niagara River gorge
and down to the Falls observation area.
In addition, WildPlay’s Whirlpool
Adventure Course presents the thrill of
suspended obstacles and zip-lines above
the Niagara Gorge. It also includes climbing,
jumping and swinging aerial games—a
diff erent way to explore the Niagara River—
with options for both adventurous adults
and kids aged 5 to 12 (www.wildplay.com ).
Barrel along the Niagara Speedway, a
multi-storey raised spiral go-cart track that
is guaranteed to be a thrill ride. It was the
fi rst of its kind in Canada and one of the
largest in North America (www.cliftonhill.
com/attractions/niagara-speedway ).
NIAGARA GOES GOURMET
Niagara is synonymous with good food, so
it is logical that some of Canada’s celebrity
chefs have moved to Niagara and are
producing superb locally-sourced food.
All of the Niagara Parks’ restaurants are
now Feast On certifi ed, a criteria-based
program that recognizes businesses that
use products sourced as locally as possible,
celebrates local producers, and commits to
showcasing Ontario’s unique taste of place.
Expect fresh and interesting local dishes at
all their dining places, like Queenston Heights
Restaurant, or Legends on the Niagara where
you can enjoy a locally sourced meal in the
clubhouse and also get in a few rounds of
golf on its renowned courses. Niagara Parks
will be hosting Pop-Up dinners at iconic
locations throughout the season, a chance
to meet local chefs, taste the terroir and
enjoy an evening by the Falls.
There are excellent aff ordable dining
options in the area. The Backhouse, a
Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurant devoted to
cool climate sustainable cuisine, off ers an
intimate dining experience with a seat at
the chef’s bar where you can sit by the fi re
and watch the cooks in action (www.back
house.xyz ).
Many wineries have developed excellent
in-house restaurants serving locally-inspired
th
food. The 13 Street Winery is a family-run
winery with a tasting bar and wine boutique,
a sculpture garden, original Canadian art on
the walls, and culinary art (think butter tarts)
in the on-site bakery (www.13thstreetwinery.
com ). They have also launched a B&B style
cottage on the property for those who want a
quiet base for exploring wine country. Creek-
side Estate Vineyards, which is producing
some great Riesling and a delicious unfussy
bubbly, is serving all things smoked—ribs,
pulled pork, salmon—on the wooden
verandah overlooking the vineyard (www.
creeksidewine.com ). The Restaurant at Pearl
Morissette was recently named the best
new restaurant in Canada by Air Canada’s
enRoute magazine (www.pearlmorissette.com ).
DRAMA ON THE LAKE
Niagara-on-the-Lake is well-known for the
Shaw Festival, and this season is featuring a
production of the hit musical Brigadoon, in
addition to other classics like Cyrano de
Bergerac and The Glass Menagerie (www.
shawfest.com). But this historic town also
off ers good shopping and carefully restored
inns and manor house hotels, such as the
elegant neo-Georgian Queen’s Landing (www.
vintage-hotels.com) or the intimate Harbour
House Hotel (www.niagarasfi nest.com/
harbour). The Prince of Wales Hotel is a
Victorian-style hotel located close to the Shaw
Festival theatres and shopping area. The town
is also well-supplied with bed and breakfast
establishments, like the Historic Davy House
Bed & Breakfast Inn (www.davyhouse.com).
NIAGARA BECKONS
Niagara has upped the excitement factor,
adding breathtaking adventures, refi ned
culinary experiences and outstanding
cultural riches—and then there are the Falls
themselves! They never get old. Plan to
spend some serious time here to fully
connect to the energy of this exceptional
place, and to experience all that the region
has to off er (www.visitniagaracanada.com;
www.niagarafallstourism.com).