Actually two distinct communities, embracing a largely rural area covering 131 square kilometres and the historic old town, Niagara-on-the-Lake has two unique personalities. 

As the original capital of Upper Canada, the old town's early 19th century homes and picturesque main street have been meticulously restored and maintained. A number of residents have designated their homes under the Ontario Heritage Act and the town council has designated the downtown area as a heritage district. The beautiful old homes, lining the tree-shaded streets attest to the prosperity of citizens.

The town is home to many historic sites and monuments: Fort George, Navy Hall, Queenston Heights, Brock's Monument, The Mackenzie Printery (Canada's largest operating heritage printing museum), the Niagara Society Museum (one of the oldest and most complete of its kind in Ontario) and the Niagara Apothecary. Other attractions include the marina, antique and gift shops, the golf course and several parks. Niagara-on-the-Lake, which has 13,700 residents, is also home to world-renowned theatre with the Shaw Festival and its three theatres in old town.

From the old town, a short drive along the scenic Niagara Parkway leads to Laura Secord Homestead and Queenston Heights. To accommodate the area tourists, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers elegant, luxury hotels such as Prince of Wales, Queen's Landing and Pillar and Post, as well as numerous motels and bed & breakfasts.

Rural NOTL has rich farmland that is increasingly shifting from its historic tender fruit crops to vineyards. Some of Niagara's biggest and best wineries and winery restaurants are located in rural NOTL.

Attractions include Fort George, a fully restored British garrison used during the War of 1812 to repel invading American forces, built in 1797; Shaw Festival Theatre, a live professional theatre for the presentation of plays written by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries, running April to October; Winter Wine Experience, in February, and the Virgil Stampede, the former village of Virgil, on the May holiday weekend.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Web Resources:

http://www.notl.org