The Wanderer’s Way

Flip The Script To Uncover A Whole New Side of Niagara

Veering off the beaten path brings benefits far beyond avoiding the crowds when exploring one of Canada’s most iconic travel destinations. This summer, take the Wanderer’s Way to discover a fresh crop of delightful surprises, delicious farm-to-table flavours, and one-of-a-kind Niagara adventures.

The Wanderer’s Way To: Off-The-Radar Niagara Wineries That Wow

Wine lovers on the hunt for small-lot, terroir-driven sips, understated elegance, and bespoke service have plenty to raise a glass to at newer Niagara Benchlands offerings, including Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, King and Victoria Winery, Cloudsley Cellars, and Wending Home Estates Vineyards and Winery.

The Wanderer’s Way To: Waterside Gourmet Grazing

Niagara’s big waterfall may get all the attention, but the region’s sandy stretches of Lake Ontario shoreline and quiet off-the-radar cascades are equally captivating. Stocking a cooler with a spread of ready-to-enjoy charcuterie, sandwiches, and freshly baked treats is a great way to maximize lounge time at beautiful beaches and waterside green spaces. Just-picked produce perfect for sunny day snacking is also readily available at a bounty of roadside stands, farmers’ markets and you-pick farms. Swing by Plant No. 1, Grand Oak Culinary Market, or Upper Canada Cheese Company for a perfect picnic at Charles Daley Park. Should your travels take you to Port Dalhousie’s Lakeside Park or St. Catharines’ Sunset Beach, outstanding to-go offerings at King Street Pantry, Pique-Nique, Odd Bar, and Chz Plz will keep your crew happily munching until sunset. Time your trip for a Tuesday to enjoy a leisurely sunset dinner at the Port Dalhousie Supper Market, which boasts top Niagara food trucks, local wineries, craft breweries, and live music.

The Wander Niagara Watch List: For the ultimate grazing experience at Charles Daley Park this fall, visit on October 4 and 5 for the Sip Niagara Food & Drink Festival.

The Wanderer’s Way To: Live Music and Big Laughs

The live arts scene hits its summer stride with a lineup of intimate evening concerts at Redstone Winery that includes Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, and Pretzel Logic. July and August also bring a laugh-out-loud collection of comedy productions to St. Catharines with Foster Festival performances.

The Wander Niagara Watch List: The fall Grape & Wine Festival will kick off its September Montebello Park party with a double bill featuring Lowest of the Low and The Watchmen. October’s Cicada Festival will bring Broken Social Scene, Sam Roberts, and The Rural Alberta Advantage to Port Dalhousie’s Henley Island.

The Wanderer’s Way To: A Workout With A View

A summer afternoon of exercise is even better with the added benefits of fresh air and sensational Niagara views. Cyclists won’t want to miss the all-new Bike The Benchlands event on August 23, which offers riders a choice of four fun routes ranging from 23 to 100 km. Those who prefer an off-road ride can opt for a waterside wheel along the Welland Canals Parkway Trail. Enjoy a mid-cycle stop at George’s Greek Village before picking up the Waterfront Trail to Port Dalhousie. Riders looking for an extra boost to conquer some steep Niagara Escarpment climbs can rent a ride from ebike The Bench Wine Tours. Summer stretching is on the activity agenda at several Niagara wineries offering vineyard yoga classes, including Cave Spring Vineyard and Fielding Estate Winery. Hiking trails at Calamus Estate Winery and guided walks at Megalomanic provide excellent ways to enjoy a winery wander. Easy-to-find Bruce Trail access points at area conservation areas, including Short Hills Provincial Park, Ball's Falls, and Louth Conservation Area, make navigating Canada’s oldest and longest footpath a breeze.

The Wanderer’s Way To: A Perfectly Paced Patio Afternoon

The key to a lazy summer afternoon on a sun-soaked patio with a spectacular view is finding those rare places that don’t want to whisk guests away as soon as they’ve swallowed that last bite. Fortunately, plenty of those places still exist in Niagara if you know where to wander! The Port Dalhousie Yacht Club offers diners a front row seat to all the comings and goings of the harbour, often to a soundtrack of live music. Just up the street, The Twisted Pig boasts an elevated view of all the action in this timeless summer town. Patio options with lush and unrushed vineyard vibes include Henry of Pelham Family Estate, Creekside Estate Winery, and Westcott Vineyards.

Beyond The Big City

Meet The Niagara Taste Makers That Have Critics Buzzing

The deliciously diverse dining scene in and around the Niagara Benchlands and St. Catharines is capturing the attention of some of the culinary world’s most revered restaurant critics. In 2024, Restaurant Pearl Morissette was the only restaurant in the region to earn a coveted MICHELIN Star after MICHELIN Guide Inspectors' first-ever visit to Niagara. The restaurant’s impressive sustainability efforts also earned it a MICHELIN Green Star. New-kid-on-the-butcher’s block, Fat Rabbit, which is both a restaurant and whole-animal butchery, also wowed MICHELIN Inspectors, resulting in a MICHELIN Guide Recommendation.

More recently, Restaurant Pearl Morissette scored the number one position in the Canada’s 100 Best Restaurant listing, receiving praise for elevating Ontario wine-country cuisine to “a level on par with the greatest wine regions of the world.” Fat Rabbit was the only other Niagara restaurant to earn a spot on this year’s list!

Tasty Alternatives For The Culinary Curious

No reservations available at either of these highly acclaimed restaurants during your next Niagara visit? Swing by Restaurant Pearl Morissette’s partner property, RPM Bakehouse in Jordan Village, to purchase fresh-from-the-oven slow-fermented sourdough bread, snack on fresh plates showcasing garden produce, and sip from a selection of Pearl Morissette's wine portfolio. Start your day at Fat Rabbit for breakfast or brunch and choose from a daytime menu featuring loaded breakfast sandwiches, smash burgers, and weekend treats from RPM Bakehouse.

Top 100 Best Restaurant alum from 2024, Odd Bird, just down the street from Fat Rabbit, is also well worth a visit! As is Pharmacii, an unassuming St. Catharines spot serving up contemporary Asian-influenced tapas and killer craft cocktails. Elevated pub fare, a carefully curated craft beer selection, and sensational patio vibes are served all summer long at Niagara Ale Trail favourites, including Bench Brewing Company, The Merchant Ale House, and Lock Street Brewing Company.

Who’s Ready To Wander?

Visit www.wanderniagara.com for accommodation options, activity ideas, dining recommendations, and visitor discounts that will help you discover a whole new side of Niagara.