There is so much to explore and experience in the Niagara Region. Let Explorer House host your southern Ontario travels!
EXPLORER HOUSE WINS 2018 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Explorer House has been awarded TripAdvisor 2018 Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Canada. This “Travelers’ Choice” award is the highest honor TripAdvisor can award. The hallmarks of the Travelers’ Choice Awards are remarkable service, value, and quality. Thank you to all of our guests who have taken the time to write wonderful reviews, we couldn’t have done it with out you!
Upcoming Explorations:
Keep checking in here to see the latest in happenings in Niagara-on-the-Lake…There is always lots to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
And if you feel like just relaxing you can enjoy our lovely guest sitting area with Adirondack/Muskoka chairs & firepit table, or the gazebo and/or the hot tub…all available for our guests. So don’t forget to bring along your swimsuit!. Come explore with Explorer House, book your travel now!
Next Up:
The 2019 season of the Shaw Festival runs from April 10 to Oct. 20, 2019. The shows this year include: The Horse and His Boy, Brigadoon, The Ladykillers, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Glass Menagerie, Man and Superman with Don Juan in Hell and many more – 11 plays in total for the regular season. Then the Christmas holiday season, Nov. 13 to Dec. 22, 2019, offers you two Christmas shows this year. The classic Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol returns again and new for 2019 is Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn.
Shaw is offering a Festival Film Series this winter through January & February, 2019. Films are Saturdays at 3pm. Doors open at 1:30pm.
For a truly unique Canadian experience this winter, come snowshoe through Thirty Bench vineyards! It starts with a sample of their Award Winning Riesling while putting on your snowshoes, learning tips and best trekking methods. They will then guide you through samples of our wines amongst the snow covered vines. Afterwards, enjoy a warm cup of soup while sitting outside by the fire. Snowshoe Sessions are held every Saturday and Sunday in January and February at 12 noon.
The
Niagara Icewine Festival takes place from
Jan. 11-27, 2019. Stay tuned for more details as they become available. On Saturday & Sundays (Jan. 19/20 and Jan. 26/27) Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic Queen Street transforms into a winter wonderland as the town comes together to play their part in wine country’s annual Icewine celebration with culinary creations, music, shopping and sparkling ice sculptures.
On Friday,
Jan. 25, 2019 the
White on Ice Dinner will take place in celebration of Icewine as we head into the second weekend of the Icewine Village on Queen St. The evening will kick off with a outdoor reception in the Icewine Village and then head up to the gorgeous ballroom in the Courthouse. There will be wines, mouthwatering cuisine and live musical entertainment and dancing. To finish the evening you will head back out to the Icewine Village for an Icewine toast under the stars.
Jan. 23-26, 2019 brings the annual
Ice Breakers Comedy Festival back to Niagara-on-the-Lake with 4 venues, 5 shows and 21 comedians. Tickets now on sale!
White on Ice takes place Friday,
Jan. 25, 2019 from 7-10pm. An outdoor dinner with delicious VQA wines and mouthwatering cuisine from the Signature Kitchen Chefs. Located in a heated tent on Queen St right in the heart of the Heritage District. This will be a night to remember with live musical entertainment and dancing under the Winter sky!
Days of Wine & Chocolate returns in
February, 2019. Explore the decadently sweet and savoury art of wine and chocolate pairing. Taste over 20 VQA wines matched with chocolate-infused dishes – from classically sweet flavour combinations to unexpected surprises. A romantic celebration for two or a great reason for a girls’ getaway weekend!
Looking for something romantic for Valentines? The
Oscar Peterson Jazz Festival (OPIJF) runs
Feb. 15-17, 2019. The OPIJF, one of Canada’s most anticipated winter music events, is named for the internationally renowned Canadian jazz giant. It was created to present the essence of jazz and the sound of swing.
Feb. 21-28, 2019 brings
Fabulicious back to NOTL. Enjoy a marvelous culinary experience – at some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s finest restaurants – 3 course meals at amazing prices!
Weekends in May brings
Sip & Sizzle as over 20 wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake each offer a unique grilled food and VQA wine pairing. It’s fun, relaxing, and a great way to discover the Wines of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Spring
Handmade Market returns to NOTL on
May 10 & 11, 2019 and returns again in the fall on
Sept. 13 & 14, 2019. Again this year it will be held at 13th Winery where you can shop 140 vendors, sip wine and savour food, music and art. Always a fun event.
The weekly Wednesday night
Supper Market returns in
May 2019 and run until
Sept. 2019. It is always guaranteed to be a fun evening with numerous food vendors, music, wine & beer.
Fort George kicks off the spring & summer season with the
War of 1812 Re-enactment on
May 18, 2019 and
Fort George Mystery Night on
May 24, 2019, it’s Murder most un-FORT-unate at Fort George! Major Blue is looking for some keen detectives to help uncover a murderer in a classic “who done it?” with an historical twist!
The White Effect Dinner will take place this year on
June 13, 2019. You can view a video of last years event
here. More details will be released soon.
The best way to kick off the summer is with a tailgate party in the vineyard and a warm Niagara welcome!
June 15-23, 2019 sees the
Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival return including the TD Tailgate Party. Join over 30 Niagara wineries for the TD Tailgate Party
June 22, 2019 – one amazing night featuring VQA wines, fresh produce and farm-to-table favourites. It is one of the most unique wine and food events with fabulous entertainment, a truly Canadian experience!
In order to help you plan your stay with us here are some other upcoming events for 2019. More details (as well as other events) will be posted as they come available.
– June 22, 2019 – Strawberry Festival
– June 22-23, 2019 – Fort George in the Great War
– June 29 – July 1, 2019 – Artistry By The Lake
– July 1, 2019 – Canada Day with numerous events & fireworks
– July 6, 2019 – Cherry Festival
– July 13-14, 2019 – Battle of Fort George War of 1812 Re-enactment
– Aug. 10-11, 2019 – Peach Festival
– Aug. 11, 2019 – Shades of Summer Dinner
– Sept. 14-29, 2019 – Niagara Wine Festival
– Dec. 6-7, 2019 – Annual Rotary House Tour
– Dec. 6, 2019 – Candle Light Stroll
– Dec. 14, 2019 – Christmas Parade
The Niagara Historical Society will offer
guided historical tours of the Old Town every Saturday and Sunday from
June to September, 2019. Tours start at 11:00 am at the Queen’s Royal Park Gazebo and the cost is only $10.
Perhaps a cooking class is more your style.
Wine Country (at Strewn Winery) offer Saturday cooking classes from 10am-3pm. They also offer a number of other food & wine classes.
Also find us and the latest happenings at Explorer House, along with tips on what to do while visiting us on our
Facebook page 
