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

…helping you explore & experience Niagara!

BOOK DIRECT (ON OUR WEBSITE OR CALL US) AND SAVE SUBSTANTIALLY!

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!

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake License #006-2020

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

                                          EXPLORER HOUSE HAS BEEN AWARDED
                                                    2023 TRAVELERS’ CHOICE
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2023 Award
 
Explorer House has been awarded the 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award. Every year, Tripadvisor recognizes businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to hospitality excellence with a Travelers’ Choice Award. The award celebrates businesses that have received great traveler reviews from travelers around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. Explorer House has consistently achieved the Traveler’s Choice Award since opening in 2014.
 
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!

NOTL Update:

Here is a quick link to many upcoming events. Niagara on the Lake Information. Come Celebrate the Season in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

Winery Tours & Tastings! Please note many wineries are requiring reservations so we recommend booking in advance. Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake provides a listing of many wineries but you will also find a list of many others on the “Explore Niagara” tab of this website. Also, here is a handy list of many wineries and their current offerings. Interested in learning more about wine in Niagara? Check out Rick VanSickle’s “Wines in Niagara” website. 

Shaw Festival’s 2023 Holiday season is here and it runs now until Dec. 23, 2023 with Brigadoon & A Christmas Carol for this holiday season. Select performances are now on sale 2 for 1 – please contact us for code.

Shaw Festival has announced it’s 2024 season! Tickets go on sale to Friends of Shaw starting in November and to the general public Dec. 2, 2023. Again in 2024 they will also have a number of outdoor performances including performances at The Shaw’s own Spiegeltent. This is a large historic tent, that they have brought over from Europe that was constructed at the turn of the century from exotic wood and canvas and decorated with mirrors and stained glass – a cabaret-style venue and an attraction in its own right. Here is a list of plays for 2024:

FESTIVAL THEATRE
My Fair Lady | May 4 – Dec. 22
One Man, Two Guvnors | June 6 – Oct.13
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart | July 24 – Oct.13
ROYAL GEORGE THEATRE
Witness for the Prosecution | April 6 – Oct. 13
The Secret Garden | May 31 – Oct. 13
The Orphan of Chao (Lunchtime) | June 13 – Oct. 5
Candida | July 13 – Oct. 12
A Christmas Carol | Nov. 8 – Dec. 22
JACKIE MAXWELL STUDIO THEATRE
The House That Will Not Stand | June 12 – Oct. 12
Snow in Midsummer | Aug. 8 – Oct. 5
SPIEGELTENT
The Shaw Variety Show | May 17 – Oct. 6
The Roll of Shaw | May 30 – Sept. 28
Kabarett | June 14 – Oct. 11
Cotton Club | July 17 – Oct. 11
Footlights | July 6, Aug. 3, Aug. 24, Sept. 21, Sept. 27, Oct. 5

At the Niagara Parks Power Station guests will experience a multi-sensory daytime experience and the once dormant station come to life through an immersive sight & sound show in the evenings! This immersive experience features incredible 3D projection, interactive moments of wonder, and a breathtaking musical score in the heart of the power station. Also don’t miss the Tunnel, descend 180 feet beneath the historic Niagara Parks Power Station to discover the 2,200-foot-long tunnel that lies under Niagara’s cathedral of power.

The First Ontario Performing Arts Center in St. Catharines has a number of concerts, shows and other events. Check out their listing for events!
 
Taste the Season returns each weekend in November. You can visit and taste at 15+ winery properties over four weekends in November. Each winery will have a special wine pair with food for you to try. Passes on sale now.
 
On Nov. 3-4, 2023 Sip and Savour at The Gardens at Pillar and Post will take place. Where they will celebrate and toast to Niagara’s best locally produced food, wine, and more. Passports for this event included six food and six drink vouchers per guest, so you can enjoy the farm-to-table food and local wine you love while also discovering some new favourites!
 
From Nov.18, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024 the most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Winter Festival of Lights returns. It is Canada’s largest free outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays across the Niagara Falls tourism districts.

Experience the enchantment of the holiday season at Niagara Parks’ annual Poinsettia Show at the Floral Showhouse. On display now until Jan. 7, 2024, this beloved holiday tradition showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of our talented horticulturists that have transformed the greenhouse into a breathtaking winter wonderland.

Don’t miss the wonderful experience and heart warming tradition that begins the holiday season in Niagara-on-the-Lake! The Candlelight Stroll returns Dec. 1, 2023. Enjoy musical Christmas performances from local artists while strolling with candles. 
 
On Dec.1 & 2, 2023 for the 24th annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour returns. If you like interior design, architecture, and seasonal decorations, the annual Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour is for you. Tour 6 gorgeous, beautifully decorated homes; visit local historic and cultural sites; sample complimentary tastings from 3 featured wineries and a winery/distillery; and enjoy specially priced luncheons for attendees as well!
 
NOTL’s annual Christmas Parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. It will beginning at 11am, starting at the intersection of King and Center Street in Old Town. Don’t miss this annual tradition! 
 
The 3rd annual Christmas Tractor Parade will take place Dec. 14, 2023. An unique part of NOTL! Beginning at 6pm, it’ll follow the same route as last year, starting and ending at the arena in Virgil. This parade is made up of decorated tractors, harvesters and vintage cars!
 
Niagara Icewine Festival and Niagara Parks team up to present the Cool As Ice Gala at the Niagara Parks Power Station on Jan.13, 2024. A highlight of Niagara’s renowned Icewine Festival, this all-inclusive evening will dazzle guests with premium Icewine pours from Niagara’s top wineries, onsite mixologists preparing craft Icewine cocktails and mocktails, local culinary delights from some of the region’s best restaurants, a live orchestra and DJ, dancing and immersive performances.
 
Niagara Icewine Festival is back in 2024 on the weekends of Jan.12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 2024. Uncover the wonders of Niagara’s winter wine country through our Icewine Discovery Pass program!
 
Also find us and the latest happenings at Explorer House, along with tips on what to do while visiting us on our Facebook page.