Life in Niagara Region is something special. Between the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment and the endless vineyards, there’s not really any other place like it in Ontario. From the excitement and energy of Niagara Falls to the independent atmosphere of St. Catharines and the charming historic town of Niagara on the Lake, there’s something for everyone – and every day – in the region.
At the moment, lots of people are moving to Niagara region from the GTA. They’re looking for a change of pace, leaving busy cities and congested suburbs behind for life in the “Fruit Belt.” As one of Ontario’s agricultural heartlands, particularly notable for its orchards and vineyards, fresh, quality food is a really important part of life in the area.
Great food and great vintages are just part of life when you live here. It’s one of the many benefits of moving into one of our new homes in Niagara on the Lake. To make sure you get the most of it, we’ve put together this quick guide to help you enjoy the best of the area. There’s plenty to explore in the region, but this is a great place to start.
Wine and Dine
One of the highlights of living here has got to be the wine. The region’s unique temperate climate and rich soil have made it one of the best places in Canada for vineyards, and there are hundreds in the area. You can’t miss the region’s most famous vintages like Inniskillin, best known for its ice wines, and Peller Estates. These vineyards also offer great restaurants where you can enjoy the best of local food with their award-winning vintages.
But there’s more to the area than names you’ll likely recognize from the LCBO. There are tons of small, family-owned vineyards that make small-batch and artisanal wines that are harder to get your hands on. Since they all tend to offer on-site wine shops and tasting bars, the best place to get them is right at the vineyard.
Eat Local Like a Local
The region is full of incredible farms where you can find fresh local produce, locally-made meats and cheeses, and just about everything you could ask for on your dinner table. When you open a restaurant in a place like that, it would be silly not to take advantage of the amazing food grown right on your front door.
Fortunately, Niagara is known for farm-to-table restaurants that specialize in local produce. One of the best known places is Treadwell, a restaurant that shines the spotlight on locally grown food like wild mushrooms and pork belly from the top artisans in the region. Just down the street, HobNob starts with the best of local ingredients and elevates them with traditional French cooking.
Afternoon Tea
Sometimes you just want to treat yourself, and English-style afternoon tea has plenty of treats. English tea means plate after plate of elegant pastries and miniature sandwiches. There are two great places in the region that are perfect to stop by. In Niagara on the Lake, Escabèche at the Prince of Wales Hotel is the place to go for afternoon tea, though it’s also one of the best restaurants in NOTL for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too. In Niagara Falls, the Queen Charlotte Tea Room is one of those local treasures waiting off the touristy-path.
The Roadside Fruit Stand
You can’t always be dining out, but thanks to the region’s abundance of farms, orchards, wineries, and small breweries, you can bring the taste of Niagara home. The roadside fruit stand is an iconic sight on the region’s back roads, and it’s the perfect place to load up on local produce. If you can’t make it to one of the region’s many farmer’s markets, the roadside stand is a convenient alternative for fresh, affordable produce.
At this time of year, the season is coming to a close, but you should be able to find an abundance of apples, plums, beets, carrots, potatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, and all the usual fall produce. If you want to support local farmers and bring home local food, take a detour off the QEW and explore the backcountry roads for a change. You’ll find your favourites in no time.
Find Your New Home in Niagara
Niagara offers a world where there’s always something new to explore and fast-favourites to be found. Blythwood Homes in Niagara Falls is dedicated to building dream homes in quiet, beautiful communities throughout the region. We’re building two communities right now: The Vintages at Four Mile Creek in Niagara on the Lake and The Oaks in Ridgeway. The Vintages offers custom homes in the midst of the area’s famous vineyards, just a short drive away from charming downtown NOTL, while The Oaks is only steps from the beach and Ridgeway’s historic town centre.
If you’re looking for adult lifestyle communities in Niagara Falls and the rest of the region, look no further than Blythwood Homes. In addition to move-in ready homes, you can also find your custom dream home.
While the region offers plenty of incredible places to dine out, sometimes there’s nothing like enjoying a homecooked meal in your space. When you customize your home, you have the opportunity to design a kitchen that will suit your tastes down to the smallest details. You can work directly with suppliers to find the perfect cabinets, appliances, countertops, and more to suit your desires. For experts in the kitchen, there’s nothing that compares to having a space that you’ve designed to fit your needs.
Discover why so many people are leaving the city behind and moving here. One of the things city-dwellers worry about when they make their big move is leaving behind a thriving dining scene. Niagara is a great place for those who love food, whether you’re an expert home cook or you’d rather let someone else do the work.