A Traveler’s Reprieve in Niagara-on-the-Lake

…helping you explore & experience Niagara!

If your heart beats faster each time you pack your bag to discover new and exciting sights, then Explorer House is your ideal lodging choice! This modern home-turned boutique bed and breakfast was built with guests’ needs in mind, and reflects the owners’ love of global travel. Inside you’ll find luxuriously comfortable accommodations for your explorations of the Niagara Region.

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Each of our beautiful guest suites is uniquely decorated with a global décor. All are lavishly appointed and include luxurious amenities, use of common areas and a delicious breakfast each morning.

Experience Niagara from our peaceful and beautifully landscaped location on a quiet cul-de-sac near parklands, just a 15-minute walk from Queen Street. Explore the Old Town area with its 19th-century charm; take a carriage ride through the beautiful streets of town or marvel at our town’s beauty by foot, as you duck into the specialty shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants throughout town. Nearby visit the oldest golf course in North America, historic sites, biking/walking trails, wineries and the famous Shaw Theatre Festival; all can be reached via a short walk, bike or car ride. Then return to a quite oasis in our beautiful backyard, which includes a fire-pit-table sitting area, gazebo and hot-tub.

There is so much to explore and experience in the Niagara Region. Let Explorer House host your southern Ontario travels!

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” – Saint Augustine of Hippo.

If for some reason you’re delaying on acting on your wanderlust, remember that travel can be one of the most life-changing experiences…. not all of us can travel the whole globe, but just making travel a priority—even to a new place a day’s drive away—can be eye-opening. – Mark Twain

EXPLORER HOUSE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE 2019 TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE HALL OF FAME AWARD
 
2019 Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Badge 
 
Explorer House has been awarded the TripAdvisor 2019 Hall of Fame Award. This award recognizes the achievement of receiving a Certificate of Excellence 5 years in a row, and celebrates businesses that have consistently earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past 5 years. 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 Apr. 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 has also now announced in 2020 line up of plays…never to early to start thinking about your next visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The weekly Wednesday night Supper Market returns on May 22, 2019 and will run until Sept. 18, 2019. It is always guaranteed to be a fun evening with numerous food vendors, music, wine & beer. Also at the same location is the Market at the Village on Saturday mornings starting May 25, 2019.
 
Concerts at Jackson Triggs Winery return again this year with an exciting line-up! Even if the show is sold out there is a chance…have your name added to the wait list…yes tickets do open up! Better yet the venue is walking distance from Explorer House. One last show left for the summer season – The Philosopher Kings Sept. 6, 2019.
 
The Niagara Historical Society will offer guided historical tours of the Old Town every Saturday and Sunday from June to end of September, 2019. Tours start at 11:00 am at the Queen’s Royal Park Gazebo and the cost is only $10.
 
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds return to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Sept. 11, 2019. Get your tickets for a prime viewing spot of the awe-inspiring Snowbirds aerobatics!
 
The Annual Harvest BBQ takes place at Reif Estate Winery on Sept. 13, 2019.  Offering with grilled bratwurst, German potato salad, fresh baked bread and apple strudel paired with Riesling or Cabernet Merlot alongside the vineyard. A great way to kick off the annual Niagara Wine Festival Celebrations!
 
The Fall Handmade Market returns to NOTL 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.
 
Theatrical Cemetery Tours will take place Sept. 20, 21, 27 & 28. Meet the spirits of local residents buried at St. Andrew’s Church.  Tours starts at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm.  Tickets are $12 and must be purchased in advance. Call 905-468-3912 to reserve your tickets.
 
Help Between the Lines Winery celebrate their 10th Anniversary on Sept. 21, 2019 by joining their 10 Years of Wine Craft Dinner & Party, tickets are on sale now.
 

Also on Sept. 21 from 5:30-9:30 PM is 13th Street Winery’s Blues & BBQ. Once again musician / sommelier Peter Boyd will be there to perform live at this great outdoor event. Enjoy live music, delicious southern BBQ by 13th Street’s executive chef Josh Berry and of course 13th Street wine! Ticket price includes delicious BBQ dinner created by executive chef Josh Berry, admission to the concert and a reusable GoVino glass.

Pond View Harvest Party takes place on Sept. 21, 2019 from 12-6pm. Explore new wine and food pairings with our delicious food partners – The Arepa Republic (Winner of Best Food Truck in Toronto!), PigOut Roasters, and their new Patio Wine Bar! And get your cheese fix with Bothwell Cheese! There will also be live music.

Don’t forget to get your discovery pass for the Sept. 14-29, 2019 Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. There will be lots of events taking place during the last 2 weeks of September!
 
The Balls Falls Thanksgiving Festival returns again this year on Oct. 11-14, 2019 to celebrate their 45th year. They will be open daily 10am-5pm with music, wine, crafts and much more!
 
Halloween Ghost Tours at Fort George start Oct. 11, 2019 and run until Halloween. Join them for a candlelit tour, where you will hear a score of ghostly accounts while being introduced to the fascinating history of haunted Fort George and Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is not a haunted hayride experience, the stories are real and the ghosts are real. Halloween tours run 2 hours in length and include buildings and stories not included on our summer tours. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. Book soon to avoid disappointment as tours can sell out well in advance.
 
Want to join in a Barrel Cellar Dinner? On Oct. 19, 2019 Reif Estate Winery  will host a special evening in the cellar with winemaker Roberto DiDomenico as he pairs wine from some of the best Niagara vintages with regional cuisine prepared by a local chef.
 
This Holiday Season…don’t forget to book your holiday stay to enjoy the Shaw Festival’s A Christmas Carol and/or Holiday Inn. While here don’t miss all the other fun holiday events!
 
Dec. 6-7, 2019 kicks off with the Annual Rotary Holiday House Tour and it’s bigger and better than before! There’ will be another VIP tour with even more surprises in store, the 225th Anniversary of St. Andrew’s Church, complimentary wine samples, extended viewing hours for the day tour, and much, much more! Tickets go on sale in September with early-bird pricing, so watch the Rotary social media sites!
 
Dec. 6, 2019 – Candle Light Stroll, a guided stroll winding through the historical town, accompanied by local choirs and seasonal entertainment.  
 
Magic of Christmas Holiday Open House take place at Reif Estate Winery on Dec. 7, 2019. Join Reif Winery for their annual open house featuring wines from the wildly successful TAROT card collection, including the Gamay and Kerner Nouveaux, must-haves for Christmas dinner and more! Complimentary tastings of feature wines and festive culinary creations.
 
On Saturday Dec. 14, 2019 NOTL Christmas Parade takes place. Santa comes to town. The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Parade Committee presents one of Ontario’s best Santa Claus Parades. 
 
Visiting us Monday to Friday? New last year, Konzelmann Winery offers an Lakefront Lunch & Winery Experience starting at noon Monday to Friday and a Blind Tasting Experience at 2pm also Monday to Friday.
 
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