The Niagara region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ontario and a great place to discover the history of Canada. Located approximately 1.5 hours from Toronto, Niagara is a great place to visit for the day or weekend. Whether you are looking for museums, nature, historic homes, parks, wineries or great food, the Niagara region has lots of great attractions to offer. One of my favourite things about the Niagara region is that many of its historic buildings are well preserved and they give an insight into 19th century life in Canada that can be hard to find elsewhere. There’s plenty to do in Niagara but I’ve listed 10 Historical Things to do in the Niagara Region, to help you start planning your trip.
1. Visit breath-taking Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions in North America and is definitely a must-see if in the Niagara region. The history of the falls dates back approximately 12,000 years to when they were first formed by melting glaciers. There were two waterfalls formed, the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. At approximately 670 metres, the Horseshoe Falls are the larger of the two and are accessible from the Canadian side of the border. Along with its natural beauty, the Niagara Falls also has a bit of a strange history of individuals who have tried to achieve various feats and stunts over the year. Perhaps most notable is Annie Taylor, also known as the “Queen of the Mist“. who was the first person to travel over the falls in a barrel in 1901.
Today, visitors are free to wander along the periphery of the Niagara Falls and marvel at its natural beauty. You can also visit the Niagara Falls History Museum, which gives an insight into the history of the falls, as well as the history of the region. For the more adventurous, you can also go on the Journey Behind the Falls, which takes you right up close to the Horseshoe Falls. Also, if you’re on the American side, you can take a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist, which takes you right up close to the action.
2. Visit the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Located less than 30 minutes from Niagara Falls is the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The town has a long and interesting history and its beautiful buildings, restaurants and shopping making it an ideal place to stay if visiting the Niagara region (I actually prefer to stay here rather than Niagara Falls). The town is originally the site of the old Neutral Indian village of Onghiara and was later settled by Loyalists who had fled America after the American Revolution. Unfortunately, much of the original settlement was burned to the ground during the War of 1812, but was rebuilt shortly after. Today, the town retains much of its early 19th century charm, which is a large attraction for visitors to the region.
There are a number of historic and cultural sites to visit, some of which are also listed in this article. I also highly recommend taking a walk down Queen Street, the main street and hub of the town. Even if you don’t stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake I would recommend a stop on your way to Niagara Falls. There’s a historic charm to the town, which is quite unique in Ontario.
3. Experience the history of winemaking in Canada at one of the regions many vineyards.
The Niagara region is well known for its wine production and I highly recommend checking out a few wineries while you’re there. According to Niagara Vintage Wine Tours, grapes have been grown in Ontario for over 200 years, with the first winery being founded in 1866 on Pelee Island near Windsor. They state that Niagara’s first commercial winery, The Ontario Grape Growing and Wine Manufacturing Company, was established in the Niagara region in 1873. Over the next almost 150 years, the wine industry expanded in the area and today there are over 50 wineries in the Niagara region.
There are lots of great wineries to visit in Niagara, and it’s hard to go wrong no matter where you choose. If you’re looking to visit multiple wineries, you can book a wine tour that takes you to some of the key locations. Some of the well-known ones include Inniskillen, Trius Winery and Peller Estates Winery. You can also visit Wayne Gretzky Estates, founded by the legendary Canadian hockey player.
4. Visit Canadian heroine Laura Secord’s House.
Laura Secord is one of the most famous Canadians, due to her alleged role during the War of 1812. I say alleged, because over the years there has been skepticism about the facts pertaining to her story, but even so, there is no doubt that she has cemented her place in the Canadian history books. During the War of 1812, Laura Secord lived in the area now known as Queenston, in the Niagara region. Legend has it that is was from this very house that Laura Secord set out on her 20 kilometre walk to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of an impending American attack on his troops at Beaver Dams. Laura allegedly overheard plans of the attack from soldiers having a meal at her home and, due to her warning, Fitzgibbon, his troops and ally Mohawk warriors were able to beat the Americans. Her walk has long been a symbol of bravery and courage among Canadians.
Today, visitors to the Niagara region can visit the Laura Secord homestead to not only see the house from which she set out on her famous journey, but also see what like would have been like in early 19th century Niagara. The house is only about 15 minutes from Niagara-on-the-lake and is a great stop on the way to Niagara Falls.
Visit here to learn more about visiting the Laura Secord Homestead.
5. Stay in historic accommodation.
I love staying in historic accommodation when I travel and the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has a number of great places to choose from. If you’re looking for something really historic, I would recommend the Historic Wilson Guy House, which dates back to the year 1816. The house was one of the first in the community to be rebuilt after the town was destroyed by American troops in 1813, as part of the War of 1812. Today, the building is a wonderful BnB, filled with historic charm. It’s also in a great location as it’s only steps from Queen Street, the main street in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
6. Have a traditional English afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Another historic accommodation in Niagara-on-the-Lake is the Prince of Wales Hotel. Built in 1874, the hotel also has a royal connection, as it was named in honour of the Duke and Duchess of York’s (later to become the Prince and Princess of Wales) visit in 1901. Queen Elizabeth II has also stayed at the hotel during a trip to Canada in 1973. Today, the hotel is also a popular place to go for a meal and is particularly known for their traditional English afternoon tea. Here you can enjoy tea, scones, pastries and sandwiches in a beautiful Victorian setting. The hotel is also located right on the main street in Niagara-on-the-Lake, making is easy to explore the rest of the area.
Visit here to learn more about a traditional English afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel
7. Visit the historic Fort George.
One of the most historic sites in the Niagara region is Fort George. The fort was initially constructed by the British during the late 1790s, as a means of protection from American troops on the other side of the Niagara River. However it’s probably most famously known for the role it played during the War of 1812. During the war, it was the headquarters of the British army as well as Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, often referred to as one of Canada’s first war heroes. The site is also where the devastating Battle of Fort George took place in May 1813, where much of the fort was destroyed.
Fort George was rebuilt during the 1930s and restored to look much like it would have during the War of 1812. Visitors can wander through the different buildings to see how the army would have lived, as well as watch live demonstrations and informative talks about the war. It’s an interesting piece of Canadian history and a good place to spend a few hours outdoors.
8. Visit the Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum.
If you’ve studied Canadian history at any point in your life, the name William Lyon Mackenzie most likely rings a bell. Mackenzie was a well-known journalist and politician during the early 19th century. He was originally born in Scotland, but moved to Upper Canada during the 1820s, where he became a radical Reformer, advocating against the colonial-style government at the time. He was also a leader of the Rebellions of 1837, where he led the rebellion (albeit a failed one) in Upper Canada.
Today, the public can visit the restored home of William Lyon Mackenzie at the Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum. The museum takes you through 500 years of printing history and you can see a variety of objects related to the industry. There’s even a Louis Roy Press, one of the oldest remaining wooden presses in the world!
9. Go for a walk in Queenston Heights Park.
Queenston Heights Park is located on the top of the Niagara Escarpment in Queenston and is a great place to go for a walk. The park contains 56 kilometres of parkland and you can either walk along the hiking trails or bike along the Niagara Recreational Trail. Not only does Queenston Heights Park provide beautiful views over the region, but there are also a number of historical sites to discover. The most notable is probably Brock’s Monument, which stands at a towering 56 metres. The monument was erected in 1853 in memorial to Major General Sir Isaac Brock who was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. You can also discover the Landscape of Nations Memorial, which is in tribute to the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) Confederacy and Indigenous Allies for their services during the War of 1812. Overall, Queenston Heights Park is a great mix of history and nature and makes for a great afternoon out.
10. Explore the old site of Fort Mississauga.
One of the most beautiful places to take a walk in Niagara-on-the-Lake is around the old site of Fort Mississauga. The old fort is located on the site called Mississauga Point, which was also the location of the first lighthouse built by the British in the region of the Great Lakes. Fort Mississauga was constructed between the years 1814 and 1816, as a replacement to Fort George and defensive reinforcement against the American Fort Niagara on the other side of the river. The Fort was in use up until 1870, by which point there was no longer a military need for it to be manned.
Today, ruins of Fort Mississauga remain and they can be explore by visitors. It’s also the only remaining fort of its type that can be seen in Canada. If you visit on a clear day, you can also get a great view across Lake Ontario. If the weather is good enough, you might even be able to see over to the Toronto skyline.