I recently had the pleasure of visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake, hoping to pamper my tired feet at Secret Garden Spa at the Prince of Wales Hotel – and was happily surprised with how much more the area had to offer.
Living in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake has always been the place to visit to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The horse drawn carriages, Victorian style homes, and friendly smiles on everyone’s face make you feel like you’ve gone back in time.
If you’ve never been to Niagara-on-the-Lake and you’re hesitant to go because you’re not sure if it’s the place for you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised: Niagara-on-the-Lake has something for everyone!
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The Wine Lover
The Niagara Region is known for its remarkable wineries. Labels like Peller Estates, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin and Hillebrand are famous worldwide, especially for their Icewines. There are many different ways to appreciate these wineries. Taking a trolley from the Prince of Wales Hotel is a fun way to meet new people and take the stress out of planning your winery route.
If you’re familiar with the ‘Niagara Martini,’ you’ll be interested to find that in Niagara-on-the-Lake, they’re called the ‘Icewine Martini.’ It’s a combination of Icewine and vodka with frozen red grapes. It’s easy to create and something that you could even try at home. For one of the best Icewine Martinis that Niagara-on-the-Lake has to offer, go to Tiara Restaurant at Queen’s Landing.
The Theatre Goer
Spending the day in Niagara-on-the-Lake isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many Shaw Festival plays. Although the Shaw Festival offers showings at three different theatres with over ten plays running throughout the year, tickets sell out quickly. After watching the play ‘Sunday in the Park with George,’ I was waiting for the other members in my group when I noticed the cast leaving through the back entrance, joking with one another as they left. The performances are big, but there’s still a small-town feel.
Spa Lovers
When tripatlas.com/new had to choose 10 Incredible Spa Getaways and Destinations in Canada, 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar and Post was rated number one. This spa is one of the largest in Niagara-on-the-Lake and people come from all over Ontario, Canada and the world to be pampered by the best.
Several of the new treatment rooms were sponsored by some of the local wineries, so that each room has photos of that winery on the walls. The original treatment rooms have an international theme, each decorated based on a different country like Japan, India, Greece and France, just to name a few. Besides being one of the top spas in Canada, 100 Fountain Spa is also known for its hot springs. In the winter time you can grab a glass of wine, hop into the hot springs and watch the snow fall. Absolutely delightful!
If you’re staying at Queen’s Landing or the Prince of Wales and wish to visit the Pillar and Post, all three hotels provide complementary shuttle service between each one. For the best of each property, my suggestion would be to stay at the Prince of Wales, dine at Queen’s Landing and get pampered at the Pillar and Post. On the other hand, if you decide to visit the spa at the Prince of Wales, get a pedicure from Renee – her fingers will work magic on your poor tired feet.
Tea Lovers
Tea lover? Be sure to visit Prince of Wales hotel for high tea in their beautifully decorated drawing room. You’ll get the opportunity to try teas from around the world and have a truly Niagara-on-the-Lake experience.
Sandy Page began working at the Prince of Wales’ Victorian-style Drawing Room 10 years ago and has become an expert in offering high tea at the establishment. Every time you order high tea, she will personally explain what each sandwich, pastry and dessert is. I would suggest the Vanilla Blueberry if you’re looking for something light and summery, however if you’re a tea drinker and want something a little stronger with some spice, the ‘Wild Mountain Honeybush Masala Chai’ was another favourite.
After you’ve sipped your tea, be sure to visit the Prince of Wales’ Secret Garden Spa for a tea-inspired treatment. The ‘Silk Road Tea Facial’ seems to be a favorite with other spa goers. If you’re tired of tea after your treatment, then check out their Vitality product line with speciality Vino lotions and oils infused with grapes.
Shopaholics
Tired of shopping at the same stores? Make your way over to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a unique shopping experience. Some of the stores you might recognize, but most of them will provide you with fun one-of-a-kind items to make all your friends jealous.
While in town, make sure to drop by Greaves Jams, all of their products are naturally grown nearby. If you’re visiting the Drawing Room at the Prince of Wales for high tea, and fall in love with the preserves they serve you, you can find it at Greaves.
For the Culinary Experts
One of the many talented chefs at Tiara Restaurant in Queen’s Landing Hotel, Trevor Ritchie, just won gold at a provincial cooking competition. So if you’re looking to impress your taste buds, this is the place to be.
Tiara is beautiful – and I’m not just talking about the food. Tiara’s outdoor patio looks out onto the Niagara-on-the-Lake Marina where you’ll see boats come and go and light up as the sun sets. Visit soon to get a taste of acclaimed Chef James Olberg’s new menu that will feature fun and playful menu items that are perfect for a meal on the patio.
Art Critic
If you’ve been to Niagara-on-the-Lake before, you know that the area is filled with galleries of all kinds: painting, sculpture, crafts and more. Something that you may not know is that the Shaw Festival’s play ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ is a Stephen Sondheim musical which was based on the famous painting ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte’ by Georges Seurat.
The first half of the play gives you a deeper look at the characters in Seurat’s painting, creating an idea of what their lives may have been like. You’ll see how Seurat suffered for his art, striving to be original and to be taken seriously as an artist. The second half looks at the present time to Seurat’s great grandson, who is dealing with some of the same conflicts and issues Georges Seurat faced himself.