Niagara-on-the-Lake is close enough to Toronto for an easy weekend but feels surprisingly different once you’re walking Queen Street, cycling past vineyards, or sitting down for dinner after the day-trippers have started heading home.
It is one of my favourite Ontario towns to visit when I want to get away from the city, as there is so much to do.
Use this guide to help plan your Niagara-on-the-Lake Weekend Getaway!
Why Spend 2 Days in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
While I often visit Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1 day, sometimes I want a more relaxed trip to explore the wineries further, go cycling, see a show at the Shaw Festival, and enjoy dinners without having to drive back to Toronto.
My first overnight was at the Pillar & Post many years ago, and since then I have used other accommodations.
2-Day Niagara-on-the-Lake Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old Town | Fort George/scenic drive | Dinner + Old Town |
| Day 2 | Winery/cycling | Wineries & countryside | Dinner/drive home |
Day 1 – Old Town, History & Niagara Parkway
Morning — Arrive in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Explore Historic Old Town
I always leave Toronto early as there is less traffic, making a quick stop at the Pie Plate in Virgil on Highway 55. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the coffee and pastries are wonderful, and you can expect to see a lot of people coming and going with their purchases.
I never seem to get tired of walking along Queen Street as I always seem to discover new things. People are visiting the Christmas Shop, Irish Design Shop, and many clothing stores. Some stores, such as Greaves Jams and the Niagara Apothecary, an 1869 pharmacy frozen in time you won’t find elsewhere.
There is a lot of historic architecture, and I have plenty of photos of the Memorial Clock Tower right in the middle of the street and the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel. For more interesting architecture, just take a short walk on any of the side streets to view elegant homes.
Walk to Queen’s Royal Park and the Waterfront
From the Prince of Wales Hotel (corner of King and Queen Streets), take a left turn and take a short walk to the waterfront and Queen’s Royal Park and stroll along Lake Ontario. Across the Niagara River, you may also view Fort Niagara in the U.S., dating from the War of 1812 era.
Lunch in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Enjoy lunch at Treadwell for a higher-end farm-to-table experience with Ontario/Niagara wines, Irish Harp, a good fit if you want pub food and a lively atmosphere rather than another upscale wine-country meal, or the Waterfront Restaurant at the golf club is only a couple of blocks from Queen Street and overlooks the Niagara River/Lake Ontario for scenery.
Afternoon — Fort George or Niagara Parkway
Tour Fort George and short walk along the waterfront dating also dating from the War of 1812 time. They have costumed soldiers, demonstrations, exhibits, and sometimes special events such as reenactments.
Canada Strong Pass runs from June 19 to September 7, 2026 and provides free entrance to all National Parks and Historic Sites plus discounts at many museums.
When staying in town, I find a lot of people are visiting several ice cream shops, including COWS and the Prince Edward Island Company.
Or drive along the Niagara Parkway, which runs along the Niagara River for great views from time to time across to the U.S. side. You will pass MacFarland House, the tiny Living Water Wayside Chapel, vineyards, until reaching the town of Queenston.
Historic Queenston has the Laura Secord Museum (again from the War of 1812), a Printing Museum, Willowbank National Historic Site, and several mansions. Back on the Niagara Parkway, head up the Niagara Escarpment and into Queenston Heights Park
View the majestic Brock Monument (from the War of 1812), there are washrooms, and the Queenston Heights Restaurant has a brunch on Sundays where you can enjoy views of the river and town.
Check Into Your Niagara-on-the-Lake Hotel
There are many hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and you can view my post on the options. Booking.com can also help with your choices for romantic/luxury, historic, winery, or good value accommodation.
Dinner and Evening in Old Town
I’d suggest HOB NOB for romantic/upscale, Noble for the classic historic-hotel experience, or Olde Angel Inn for something casual and atmospheric when the day-trip crowds thin out.
You may wish to catch a show at the Shaw Festival, which runs from April to December.
Day 2 – Wine Country & Outdoor Niagara-on-the-Lake
Breakfast and a Relaxed Start
Best choice at a winery is Oaklands at Riverbend Inn & Vineyard near Niagara-on-the-Lake, which serves breakfast, with dishes such as croissants, French toast, and eggs Benedict with icewine hollandaise, a Wine Country Breakfast. It also offers lunch and a seasonal weekend brunch.
Explore Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Country with tastings and lunch
Option 1 — Self-drive winery itinerary
Best for flexibility, but obviously someone needs to be the designated driver. Heading along Lake Ontario, I love stopping at the Konzelmann Estate Winery with tours and tastings available. From a platform next to the parking lot, you can view the lake and vineyards, while they also have a tower with even better views. Nearby Hinterbrook Winery also has a tasting menu.
In the other direction, along the Niagara Parkway, there are even more choices, including Peller Estates Winery, where, besides the tastings, its Winery Restaurant offers lunch with vineyard views and dishes designed around Peller wine pairings.
Also along John Street are the Riverbend Inn & Vineyard and the impressive Two Sisters Vineyards with Kitchen76 if you want the vineyard lunch experience. The Italian-inspired restaurant serves lunch overlooking the vineyards.
The Farmhouse Cafe at Caroline Cellars offers a casual winery lunch stop rather than fine dining, typically opening at 11:30 a.m.
Inniskillin and Reif are also two nearby wineries.
Option 2 — Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour
Because transportation is taken care of on this guided Winery tour visiting 3 wineries, it is a popular choice.
Option 3 — Cycle Between the Wineries
I would rent bicycles and ride along the Niagara River Recreation Trail, which runs next to the Parkway, and stop at the Reif Winery (it has bike racks). While the area is flat with easy riding if you head along John Street, you have Riverbend, Two Sisters, and Peller Estates easily.
Tour de Vine offers self-guided and guided bike and e-bike tours. Zoom is a bicycle share operation that also has tours.
Visit Another Winery or Choose an Outdoor Adventure
In the afternoon, depending on your morning activities, you could visit additional wineries. Rent bicycles and cycle the Niagara River Recreation Trail.
On one visit, I went to McFarland House along the bike trail for a tour and traditional tea. I also went hiking at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre (free but you pay for parking) with trails heading down to the Niagara River.
Finish Your Weekend With Dinner or an Early Evening Meal
Besides the restaurants listed above, consider Terroir Restaurant & Wine Bar at Strewn Winery is another good sit-down option. Terroir serves seasonal, wine-friendly food for lunch and dinner, currently Thursday through Monday in the main May–December season.
Summary of Some Winery Restaurants
| Meal/Experience | My Pick |
|---|
| Winery breakfast (+ lunch & dinner) | Oaklands at Riverbend Inn |
| Special-occasion lunch (and dinner) | Peller Estates |
| Foodie/fine-dining lunch (and dinner) | Trius Winery Restaurant |
| Romantic vineyard lunch & dinner | Kitchen76 at Two Sisters |
| Farm-to-table lunch & dinner | Ravine Vineyard |
| Casual winery lunch | Farmhouse Café at Caroline Cellars |
| Pizza + wine | Pillitteri BarrelHead |
Best Time for a Niagara-on-the-Lake Weekend Getaway
- Spring: my favourite time to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake with trees in blossom and on some weekends unique flower displays. It can be busy on weekends.
- Summer: very busy and you can expect crowds on weekends
- Fall: Not as hot and fruit stands along the route with autumn colours. Perfect for a weekend getaway.
- Winter: Many attractions and patio-only restaurants are closed. While the historic town and most wineries stay open, many local businesses shift to reduced mid-week or weekend-only hours. The Shaw Festival runs from April to December.
How to Get to Niagara-on-the-Lake
- From Toronto: Take the QEW, and just over the Garden City Skyway exit onto Highway 55
- From Niagara Falls: Follow the scenic Niagara Parkway for about 25 km (15.5 miles)
- Public transit: Go Transit from Toronto, then WEGO Bus. Check schedule as not always available
- Without a car: Guided tour from Toronto
What to Book Before Your Niagara-on-the-Lake Weekend Getaway
- Hotel accommodation as can get busy on weekends
- Wine tours and they can sell out
- Winery tastings, although I have never found this to be an issue
- Restaurants, especially for lunch or brunch
- Bike rental/tour
- Shaw Festival tickets, shows from April to December
FAQs: 2 Day Niagara-on-the-Lake Getaway
Is 2 days enough for Niagara-on-the-Lake?
There is so much to see in the area that 2 to 3 days are enough to see the main sights, depending on your interests.
How many wineries can you visit in a day?
Most of the wineries are located fairly close together, but don’t visit more than 3 to 4 to get the most out of your visit.
Can you visit Niagara-on-the-Lake without a car?
Yes, you can go on a guided tour from Toronto. Also, Go Transit to Niagara Falls connecting with WEGO bus service operates at certain times of the year.
Is Niagara-on-the-Lake walkable
Totally, as you are mostly walking along Queen Street for a few blocks or down to the nearby waterfront or Fort George. To see the wineries, you would need to rent a bicycle or purchase a tour.
What is the best month to visit?
May, to see the blossoms and flower displays. Autumn is the second best time.
Is Niagara-on-the-Lake worth staying overnight?
Yes, because there is so much to see and do and you don’t have to rush back to the city. There are some great accommodation options.
Final Thoughts on Spending 2 Days in Niagara-on-the-Lake
I hate having to rush back to Toronto, so having the luxury of a relaxed dinner after the day-trippers have left and going to the Shaw Festival makes it all worthwhile.
This 2-Day Niagara-on-the-Lake Weekend Getaway lets you experience the best it has to offer.
