This Small Ontario Town Is the Perfect Place to Celebrate Love

Just a 30-minute drive from the flashing lights of Niagara Falls, the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers visitors a chance to slow down and indulge. With some of Ontario’s best vineyards, Victorian B&Bs aplenty and award-winning restaurants here, you can’t go wrong with a visit to this quaint and picturesque town for a Valentine’s Day excursion.

If you’re just taking a day trip

Bundle up and take a stroll in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District. Pop into the shops for unique finds, like turn-of-the-century classic cloches at BeauChapeau Hat Shop, and pick up sweet or savoury spreads at Greaves Jams & Marmalades.

Sample icewine at one of more than a dozen restaurants on Queen Street or pay a visit to nearby Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant for an unforgettable lunch or dinner. You can even take a hike through the vineyards, complete with snacks to keep you fuelled while you learn why this region is ideal for winemaking.

If you’re planning to spend the night

Hop on a wine-tour bus. Cellar Door Wine Experience offers a great combination of big-name and up-and-coming wineries, with stops at Pilliteri (one of the region’s oldest wineries), PondView Estate and Riverview Cellars, among others. Bonus: lunch or dinner is included in the tour. Book your spot now; February is the month of love and icewine season.

Make your way to the Prince of Wales Drawing Room, where an afternoon tea experience awaits you and your sweetheart. Experience a taste of opulence as you sip on luxurious teas along with finger sandwiches, scones and desserts.

Choose one of the town’s many charming B&Bs to spend the night. There are accommodations to suit every budget, often with features like fireplaces and sitting areas where you can enjoy a nightcap. The Stocking House is a quintessential pick: it’s a 200-year-old home, and the hosts make an excellent three-course breakfast. Another popular inn, complete with old English charm, is The Butler House.

If you’re staying for the weekend

Kick off your second day with a couple’s massage at the Secret Garden Spa at the Prince of Wales Hotel or soak in the outdoor hot springs at 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar and Post Inn.

Next, surprise your sweetheart with the Winemakers’ Selections Tasting Pass, which gives you access to one tasting of a Winemaker’s Selections wine at each of 26 select Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries. You can start using it on your weekend getaway, then come back any day of the year to finish your tastings.

Looking for more Valentine’s getaway ideas?

Find out how to spend a romantic weekend in Montreal or choose from three day-to-night itineraries in Simcoe County, Ontario.

Image credit: Courtesy of Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant, courtesy of Niagara Tourism and courtesy of Prince of Wales/Vintage Hotels