 
Voted the most charming places in Ontario,
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 26 km downstream from the
Falls, boasts lines of elegant clapboard houses
surrounded by
well-kept gardens, all spread along tree-lined
streets. The town,
much of which dates from the early nineteenth
century, was
originally known as Newark and became the first
capital of
Upper Canada in 1792. But four years later it lost
this distinction
in favour of York (Toronto) because of its
proximity to the
frontier - a wise decision, for the Americans
crossed the river
and destroyed the place in 1813. It was rebuilt
(and renamed)
immediately afterwards, and has managed to avoid
all but the
most sympathetic of modifications ever since.
Today, over two hundred years after its founding, Niagara-on-the-Lake hums with a different kind of traffic. Its
many attractions include historic sites - The Worlds Smallest Church (see picture above), Fort George and the Historical Society Museum, the Shaw Festival with its
three theatres, the marina, our heritage business district for shopping, golf course, parks and beautiful farmland,
agricultural markets and our world famous Niagara wineries. Come to the many special events held throughout the
year!
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