Fort George and the Shaw Festival offer two different ways to experience Niagara-On-The-Lake: the history of the War of 1812 and theatrical performances at three venues. Wine country experiences, seasonal events and specific route connections add to these themes. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether you want your stay to focus more on culture, wine or trails.
History, Theatre and Dates to Suit Your Plans
Fort George was a military post during the War of 1812, defending Upper Canada against attacks from the United States. At the Fort George National Historic Site, you can see musket demonstrations, attend themed talks and watch performances by a fife and drum corps. These formats differ in whether you want to focus on a demonstration, a talk or music. Individual program items may change; checking the current schedule can help you coordinate event dates with your travel plans.
The Shaw Festival stages plays at three distinctive venues: the Festival Theatre, the Court House Theatre and the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre. So when choosing an evening, the performance venue is also part of your planning. Check the schedule along with the venue for each performance.
Wine Country and the Event Calendar
Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country currently includes 40 independent wineries; the number may change as businesses open or close. Explore the area on wine tours, with cellar experiences, food pairings or a tasting on a vineyard terrace. Guided wine tours can combine local stories, curated visits to renowned wineries, insights into local cellars and food pairings. Individual experiences and operators may change, so check specific offerings in advance.
The seasonal event calendar includes Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom, Artistry by the Lake and the annual Icewine Festival. There is also dancing and music in the vineyards, as well as block parties on historic streets. Event dates vary from year to year, so check them against your preferred travel dates. When planning your hotel stay, you can arrange it around a particular play, festival or wine experience.
Trails and Historic Sites
At the Fort Mississauga National Historic Site, interpretive panels and star-shaped earthworks are accessible via footpaths. A notice updated by Parks Canada on August 6, 2025, states that the tower is closed year-round. As this operational status may change, check the latest information before your visit.
From the Fort George Battlefield Memorial, a lakeside trail runs along Lake Ontario to Fort Mississauga. From there, it connects to a footpath to Front Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A 56-kilometre trail runs parallel to the Niagara River, forms part of the Trans Canada Trail Link and starts at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake; it ends at Anger Street in Fort Erie.
At Queenston Heights, costumed guides explain the October 1812 battle and the War of 1812 on battlefield tours. At Brock’s Monument, visitors can climb 235 steps to the top and look out over the battlefields; access options may vary, so check before your visit. Queenston Heights Park is the southern terminus of the Bruce Trail. The tour focuses on the historical context, the ascent of the monument connects the steps with views over the battlefields, and the park marks the trail’s endpoint.
Explore more destinations: Niagara Falls, Lincoln, Wainfleet, Jordan Station, Grimsby, St Anns, Fort Erie, Thorold
For the broader travel overview: Niagara Regional Municipality.
