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Niagara Weekend
Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is 1 hour and 45 minutes from Toronto and 45 minutes from Buffalo, NY. Niagara-on-the-Lake attracts residents of both areas due to its ambiance and beauty and is well known for its Shaw Festival, Wineries, Bed & Breakfast residences, and proximity to Niagara Falls. Book ahead at the Shaw Festival to ensure that you are not disappointed as some shows sell out.
Friday
5:00pm Most shops are open until 7:00pm and this is a perfect way to wind down before experiencing the town. Start near the Prince of Wales Hotel, go past the Clock Tower and visit the shops as you stroll down to Simcoe Street where you will find Canada’s oldest golf course.
6:00pm Have supper at the Ristorante Giardino at 142 Queen St. in the Gatehouse Hotel (905-468-3263). Authentic Italian cuisine is prepared by Italian chefs brought in by the owners, as well as the restaurant’s own exclusive Barone de Cles Italian wine. Try the homemade pastas and the osso buco.
8:00pm Begin your theatrical weekend at the Festival Theater with one of the Shaw productions. To date, the Shaw Festival has produced 52 of the 54 plays written by Shaw. This season’s offering is “The Devil’s Disciple”, a comedy, an adventure and a love story, that at its first production in 1897 was so successful that Bernard Shaw was able to quit his day job as a critic. After the performance, discuss the evening’s production over a glass of Niagara wine or Canadian beer at the Irish Harp Pub. Entertainment starts at 9:00pm. For a quieter experience try the lounge at the Prince of Wales Hotel on the corner of King and Queen St.
Saturday
9:00am Drive or walk to the Willow Cakes and Pastries at the corner of Mary and Mississauga St. The pastry chef, Cathy O’Donnell, creates marvelous pastries and cakes along with Seattle’s Best Coffee for the perfect start to the morning. A copy of the Globe & Mail is available except on Sunday when the Sunday New York Times is at hand for your reading pleasure. The locals seem to enjoy sharing the various sections, so feel free to request a section when someone is through with it. Cathy has won the James Beard award for pastry cooking excellence, as well as other prestigious awards.
10:00am Across Mississauga St. and up a bit is Zoom Leisure Bike, where you can rent a bike or join a tour; either way you will be invigorated and feeling very smug about burning off those calories from the Willow. Bikes can be rented one way to Niagara with return transportation supplied for the trip back to NOTL. Winery tours are also offered lasting 3.5 hours with stops at the local wineries for tasting. Very enjoyable,
5:00pm After a short walk around the Old Town viewing the Victorian Homes, you can drive 15 minutes out of town(or phone for their shuttle) to the Old Winery Restaurant. Locals and visitors to the region enjoy Mediterranean food and the thin crust pizzas from their wood burning ovens are amazing. Vegetarian and Vegan options are available.
8:00pm For the final evening head to the Court House Theatre, the original home of the Shaw Festival which features a thrust in its auditorium. This season’s lineup includes Ways of the Heart, A Moon for Misbegotten and Albertine in Five Times. Albertine in Five Times is a one woman play, written by Michel Tremblay, one of Quebec”s most celebrated playwrights. This play explores what we might say to our younger self if we had the chance.
9:45pm After the play, head across the street to the Old Angel Inn for a quiet time in the back room or a rambunctious time in the front room, where a band will be playing. The Old Angel Inn is an English style pub that dates back to 1789 and legend has it that Queen Victoria’s father, Prince Edward, frequented this tavern. After the show, it is packed with actors and theatre technicians who come to unwind over a pint of ale and listen to local musicians. Heated discussions are often overheard, as patrons discuss topics from theater to politics.
Sunday
Walk down to the waterfront in the morning for a Jet Boat Ride (905.468.4800) up the Niagara River to the Falls. The rides start around 10:00am and be sure to make a reservation. The Niagara River jet boat presents Niagara’s whitewater adventure, scenery and historical significance with professionalism and a sense of fun. The wetboat ride is exactly that so be prepared.
11:30am. Head over to the Value Mart for the ingredients of a picnic lunch to suit your tastes wether it be vegetarian, vegan, meat or fish. A quick trip up the street to the Colio Wine store at 106 Queen St will round out the package. The Girls’ Night Out Series (I know it is morning not night) with its sharp and light tastes is worth exploring.
2:00pm For your final performance, head to a matinee at The Royal George Theatre, the home of the Shaw Festival’s more light hearted fare, such as a whodunnit or a musical. There’s a live orchestra and no miking of the performers, a rarity in today’s world. This year’s offerings include Play, Orchestra, Play, Sunday in the Park with George and In Good King Charle’s Golden Days.
The Essentials
Map & Directions By car, Niagara-on-the-Lake is 2 hours from Toronto, 45 minutes from Buffalo and 25 minutes from Niagara Falls. The nearest airport is Buffalo and an excellent bus service is available to the Hamilton and Toronto airports.
To cross the border, a passport is needed.
For accommodations, contact the Chamber of Commerce Web site which offers a booking service that covers all of the hotels, inns and more than 200 Bed and Breakfasts in the area. The Prince of Wales Hotel offers a touch of luxury, including a spa. Room rates start at approximately $340 during the weekends. Also, recommended is the Aberdeen Bed & Breakfast, a friendly and gracious B & B in the heart of the Old Town. Call Valerie or Keith for reservation details at 905 468 4033.
Contact the box office of the Shaw Festival for reservations at 1.800.511.7429.
