NIAGARA DAY TRIPS

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

Total Distance: 22 km
Total Estimated Time: 20 minutes
Niagara-on-the-Lake, often called the loveliest town in Ontario, has a long and distinguished history. Site of the old Neutral Indian village of Onghiara, it was settled at the close of the American Revolution by Loyalists coming to Upper Canada. In 1792, Newark - as it was named by Governor Simcoe, became the first capital of the newly-created colony of Upper Canada. The physical appearance of the town, with the exception of the powder magazine at Fort George was virtually erased by the burning of the town by the Americans during the war of 1812.
Rebuilt, Niagara became an active commercial centre, with a busy shipping and ship- building industry, as well as many shops and warehouses. The beautiful old homes lining the tree-shaded streets attest to the prosperity of its citizens.
Today, over two hundred years after its founding, Niagara-on-the-Lake hums with a different kind of traffic. Its many attractions include historic sites - Fort George and the Historical Society Museum, the Shaw Festival with its three theatres, the marina, heritage business district for shopping, golf courses, parks and beautiful farmland, agricultural markets and world famous Niagara wineries, fabulous scenic carriage rides through the Old Town, or jet boating up the Niagara River.
For more info on Niagara on the Lake,
visit www.niagaraonthelake.com

ST. CATHARINES

Total Distance: 20.59 km
Total Estimated Time: 17 minutes

St. Catharines is the 'Heart of Niagara' and Ontario's Garden City. Celebrate in the city's rich heritage, vibrant culture and extraordinary natural beauty. Travel Niagara's wine route that winds past lush vineyards and orchards. Enjoy the colourful array of distinctive award-winning commercial and residential gardens and the abundance of green spaces, trails and parks.
Frolic in the historic Downtown Mercantile District exploring unique boutiques and eclectic shops or leisure at the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3 and witness one of the world's greatest engineering feats, as massive freighters from around the globe bypass Niagara Falls by climbing the Niagara Escarpment on a stairway of water.
St. Catharines is the entertainment capital of Niagara! From professional and amateur theatre, fine art and contemporary art galleries, Canadian performing artists, Jazz, Motown, contemporary rock bands to major festivals and events year round. Take pleasure in such popular events like the Niagara Grape and Wine festival which produces such events such as New Vintage Niagara, the Niagara Wine Festival and the Ice Wine Festival, Canada Day celebrations, Niagara Folk Arts Festival, Music on the Henley, hundred years of rowing tradition on Martindale pond with the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and free summer evening concerts in Montebello Park and Lakeside Park.
For more info on St. Catharines,
visit www.st.catharines.com

PORT DALHOUSIE

Total Distance: 23.63 km
Total Estimated Time: 19 minutes

Travel to one of Niagara's most popular destinations for outdoor recreation. Historic 'Old Port' offers boat-launching facilities, marinas, fishing charters, tour boats, beaches, picnic pavilions and more.
The Port Dalhousie Harbour Walkway traces the shoreline winding past historical sites, quaint shops, gardens, and fully restored 19th century lighthouses. A village rich in history, outdoor patios and a variety of restaurants, shops, theatre, B&Bs, inns and an antique carousel - rides still just .05 cents each!
Surrounded by the harbour, beach and the world-renowned Henley Rowing Course, 'Old Port' is the original site of the first three Welland Canals and home of the century-old Royal Henley Regatta. Historic walking tours are available.
For more info on Port Dalhousie,
visit www.portdalhousie.com

WELLAND

Total Distance: 22 km
Total Estimated Time: 23 minutes
Welland also known as the "Rose City", is the picturesque "city on the canal" located in the heart of Ontario, Canada's Niagara Region.
The community's growth and development are historically linked to the famous waterway, the Welland Canal that allows ships from around the world a direct route from the St. Lawrence River to the upper Great Lakes.
The Welland Canal is one of the world's greatest man made wonders. Although not as well known as the ancient Egyptian pyramids or as famous as its neighbouring natural wonder Niagara Falls, the Welland Canal can be best described as simply amazing.
With deep ethnic roots, Welland thrives on its immigrant origins. Capturing the history of the canal community is the Welland Festival of Arts. Artists from across Canada were brought in to create "larger than life" murals on numerous buildings in strategic locations throughout the City. These colour murals warmly portray various aspects of Welland's history, heritage and culture.
For more info on Welland,
visit www.city.welland.on.ca

FORT ERIE

Total Distance: 29 km
Total Estimated Time: 24 minutes
More than just a place to work and do business, Fort Erie is also a place to live, visit and play. Fort Erie boasts a rich heritage, tradition, history and unique blend of rural and urban living. Fort Erie plays host to a number of renowned festivals and is home to miles of beautiful beaches. Along the Fort Erie shores of the mighty Niagara River winds the Niagara Parkway, famous for being the best Sunday afternoon drive in the world, according to Sir Winston Churchill.
Whether you're slipping away to the Racetrack and Slots to watch fine thoroughbred horses, or visiting Old Fort Erie and the Ridgeway Battlefield Museum for life-like war of 1812 re-enactments, Fort Erie is one of the most significant landmarks in the area.
Join the town of wondrous history and learn how the Niagara Frontier was a main route used by fugitive slaves fleeing to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The Mildred M. Mahoney Doll's House Gallery, as the story has been told, has an underground tunnel used by slaves crossing the Niagara River.
For more info on Fort Erie,
visit www.forteriecanada.com

HAMILTON

Total Distance: 72 km
Total Estimated Time: 1 hour
Hamilton offers many natural and man-made diversions for any traveler. The beauty of the escarpment alone compels attention as it changes its expression to greet each successive season.
The City of Hamilton is a rare marriage of topography and human settlement, one of a handful of urban centres in North America that are tiered and encircle a bay of significant size to serve as an international port.
A city for all seasons visitors can enjoy boating, jet skiing, windsurfing, 1,500 kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and roller blading. The more sedate can tread manicured fairways of more than two dozen golf courses lavish in antiques, heritage sites and Westfield Heritage Village.
Visit the world's largest lilac collection and experience the colours of the Tulip and Iris Show and displays at the famous Royal Botanical Gardens.
For more info on Hamilton,
visit www.hamiltonundiscovered.com

TORONTO

Total Distance: 129 km
Total Estimated Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Set on the north shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto was created on March 6, 1834, when the settlement of York was renamed Toronto, the Mohawk word for "meeting place." Toronto is the capital of the province Ontario, and is the largest city in Canada, with a population of 2.4 million, 4.7 million in the Greater Toronto Area.
One of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto is home to more than 80 ethnic groups and more than 100 languages, and is marked by the diversity of distinct neighbourhoods, cultures and communities.
Distinct neighbourhoods include Little Italy, Little India, three Chinatowns, the Entertainment district and the fashion district. Places of attraction include the CN Tower, Skydome, ROM, Ontario Gallery of Art, Toronto Zoo, Ontario Place and CNE, Eaton Centre and the CHUM City Building, home of Much Music, Speakers Corner, Bravo and City TV.
For more info on Toronto,
visit www.city.toronto.on.ca