Best things to do on Lake Ontario

[Crusader1969]

My hometown of Burlington has quite a few events along the lakefront.

there is a live music festival in June that's free and brings out decent bands to headline.

this weekend is Ribfest, that features a carnival for the kids, food, beer and live music. They advertise it as  Canadas largest Ribfest 

even if you are just driving through Burlington along a trip from Niagara to Toronto, it's worth a stop to visit.  Spencer Smith Park is a beautiful well kept park, that features a board walk along the shores of Lake Ontario.    PLenty of good restaurants nearby too 

[K-9]

45 minutes ago, #freejame said:

Pretty sure they hang out in the boulevard mall parking lot these days 

The corner of NFB and Maple/Brighton on the weekends is a true MAGA gathering to behold. 

[LGR4GM]

4 hours ago, Xzy89c said:

TDS within a sabres board. Not appropriate...

 

2 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

My hometown of Burlington has quite a few events along the lakefront.

there is a live music festival in June that's free and brings out decent bands to headline.

this weekend is Ribfest, that features a carnival for the kids, food, beer and live music. They advertise it as  Canadas largest Ribfest 

even if you are just driving through Burlington along a trip from Niagara to Toronto, it's worth a stop to visit.  Spencer Smith Park is a beautiful well kept park, that features a board walk along the shores of Lake Ontario.    PLenty of good restaurants nearby too 

That sounds pretty tasty, ribfest sounds like a good time.

[shrader]

1 hour ago, PASabreFan said:

Not even the case then, but I needed AI to tell me. Our robot overlord says 40 to 45%. Still impressive.

I was wondering.  I wouldn't have guessed that figure at any time where California and Texas existed.

[K-9]

20 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

My hometown of Burlington has quite a few events along the lakefront.

there is a live music festival in June that's free and brings out decent bands to headline.

this weekend is Ribfest, that features a carnival for the kids, food, beer and live music. They advertise it as  Canadas largest Ribfest 

even if you are just driving through Burlington along a trip from Niagara to Toronto, it's worth a stop to visit.  Spencer Smith Park is a beautiful well kept park, that features a board walk along the shores of Lake Ontario.    PLenty of good restaurants nearby too 

Sold! See ya next summer. 

[JoeSchmoe]

On 9/1/2026 at 3:32 PM, K-9 said:

Sold! See ya next summer. 

Long offseason post warning!

Agree with Crusader... Burlington has a done a really nice job with its waterfront. Much better than the neighbour twin sister city Oakville. The richest of the rich in Canada live along Lakeshore Rd in Burlington and Oakville. It's an interesting drive looking at the mansions as you continue to Toronto. 

If anyone is serious about a Lake Ontario trip... I'll put my future tour guide hat on and give you the must-do route from Niagara to Burlington. There are countless things to check out along the way, but there's too many to list them all!

If you're continuing on along the lake from my tour, @Crusader1969 could probably get you to Toronto and I'd guess @Derrico could get you from Toronto to the 1000 Islands. I wouldn't expect them to put out the novel I've got here below, but I'm sure they could give you some good local insight.

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Cross at the Rainbow Bridge and do the usual Falls watching from the car (after 51 years it never gets old to me). Get on the Niagara Parkway and head north to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL). Apparently Winston Churchill called this the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world. Based on all the slow driving tourists, he might be right! NOTL is worth a weekend in itself, but can also be done in a couple of hours.

(Niagara Parkway view towards Lake Ontario)

NOTL to Port Dalhousie 

- When you're leaving town, GPS and the signs will tell you to take Niagara Stone Road. Don't- This is a Lake Ontario tour and my route is better anyhow. You're going to want to take Lakeshore Rd and see the less touristy wineries and the centuries old working family fruit farms. 

-Lakeshore Rd will take you across the Welland Canal into St Catharines. Follow Lakeshore through the north end of St Catharines where JoeSchmoe grew up. When you hit Lakeport Rd, head right into Port Dalhousie. Port Dalhousie is worth a couple hours at least... More if you're a beach person. The highlight is Lakeside Park made famous by the Rush song. While there check out the Neil Peart Pavilion before you go "drinking by the lighthouse and smoking on the pier". A ride on the 5¢ carousel is a must for all! There's quite a few good restaurants and bars here too. If anyone ever checked out the bar scene here back in the 90s (like in my heyday) they can tell you about the absolute chaos that went down here. Now it's more dining than drinking.

(Lakeside Park aerial view, downtown in back. Missing: pier)

Port Dalhousie to West Niagara

-Leaving Port, take Main St out of town. It eventually turns to Lakeshore Rd. At some point you'll have to jog left then right to get on the North Service Road. You'll get views of the lake around here... Before long you'll be at Jordan Rd. You'll want to hang a left and go south to the Niagara Bench Wine Route of West Niagara. The first town being Jordan.

(Charles Daley Park lake view)

Jordan-Vineland-Beamsville to Grimsby

Old Hwy 8, now known as Regional Rd 81 was the major road through West Niagara on to Toronto before the QEW was built. Before the settlers arrived, I'm told the First Nations travelled it. Now it forms the central business route through West Niagara. Between the individual towns you have countless wineries and farms. Visit a few along the bench for the elevated views of the lake toward Toronto. I love it! Though it gets less attention than NOTL, the Niagara Bench arguably produces the better wine. NOTL does make bigger reds, but those wines are generally still not world class simply because Niagara isn't hot enough. The Bench on the other hand has the climate and terroir to produce world class Pinots, Reislings, and Chardonnays. It's far less commercialized here too and you'll probably get a way more intimate experience. My wife and I one day want to hit as many as we can, but we're mostly just getting started. Follow RR 81 until you hit Bartlett Street in Grimsby (not Beamsville Bartlett!). Turn right heading back towards the lake.

(Niagara Bench views)

Grimsby to Stoney Creek

-After Bartlett crosses under the QEW, you'll hit Lake St. Take an immediate detour right into some of the neighborhood of Grimsby Beach. People here have taken old cottages from the early 1900s and turned them into "Gingerbread Homes". They look like something out of a children's book. The whole area is pretty neat, walking through here is another cheap date night for me and Mrs Schmoe. WAY back in the day apparently this was like a little Crystal Beach and you can see similarities in the neighborhood.

(Grimsby Beach gingerbread homes)

-Follow Lake St through Grimsby until it forces you on the North Service Road. Before long, you'll be in the Grimsby-on-the-Lake neighbourhood... A new development of mostly condos and townhomes from the last 10 years or so. If you head right at the lights when you get here, you'll drive through the small lakefront with awesome views. I live not far from here and often take the slightly longer way home to take in the lake... especially on days where it looks extra blue, or the view to Toronto is crystal clear, or the winds are putting out megawaves... It's all new but the town and the developers did a really nice job with it.

(Grimsby-on-the-Lake)

-Follow the road back along the lake into Stoney Creek

Stoney Creek to Hamilton 

- This is the least interesting 10 minutes of driving on the route, but it's short. Essentially you're following the North Service Rd beside the QEW.

Hamilton to Burlington 

The Service Rd eventually ends at Confederation Park, and turns into Van Wagner's Beach Road. You'll have great views of the lake all through here. If you get a rare east wind you'll be likely to see some kiteboarders out. I've seen ocean sized waves here at times, though it's usually during the colder seasons.

(Hamilton waterfront trail)

Eventually you'll pick up Beach Blvd through Hamilton Beach. This is a cool area. It's largely gentrified given the proximity to the beachfront, but the signs of the tougher days are still very much there. Apparently this was the dregs! Beach Blvd takes you across the lift bridge you might have noticed when going over the skyway.

(Beach Boulevard)

From here, you'll soon be in the Downtown Burlington area.

(Downtown Burlington Festival)

-------------------------

Hopefully at least one board member read all this... And if so, I hope you enjoyed it! I'm proud to have lived most of my life here and would one day like to run tours when I have more free time. If anyone is planning on visiting don't hesitate to shoot me a PM!

Let's go Buffalo!

Edited Friday at 01:16 AM by JoeSchmoe
Changed K9 to Crusader

[Taro T]

10 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Long offseason post warning!

Agree with K-9... Burlington has a done a really nice job with its waterfront. Much better than the neighbour twin sister city Oakville. The richest of the rich in Canada live along Lakeshore Rd in Burlington and Oakville. It's an interesting drive looking at the mansions as you continue to Toronto. 

If anyone is serious about a Lake Ontario trip... I'll put my future tour guide hat on and give you the must-do route from Niagara to Burlington. There are countless things to check out along the way, but there's too many to list them all!

If you're continuing on along the lake from my tour, @K-9 could probably get you to Toronto and I'd guess @Derrico could get you from Toronto to the 1000 Islands. I wouldn't expect them to put out the novel I've got here below, but I'm sure they could give you some good local insight.

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Cross at the Rainbow Bridge and do the usual Falls watching from the car (after 51 years it never gets old to me). Get on the Niagara Parkway and head north to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL). Apparently Winston Churchill called this the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world. Based on all the slow driving tourists, he might be right! NOTL is worth a weekend in itself, but can also be done in a couple of hours.

NOTL to Port Dalhousie 

- When you're leaving town, GPS and the signs will tell you to take Niagara Stone Road. Don't- This is a Lake Ontario tour and my route is better anyhow. You're going to want to take Lakeshore Rd and see the less touristy wineries and the centuries old working family fruit farms. 

-Lakeshore Rd will take you across the Welland Canal into St Catharines. Follow Lakeshore through the north end of St Catharines where JoeSchmoe grew up. When you hit Lakeport Rd, head right into Port Dalhousie. Port Dalhousie is worth a couple hours at least... More if you're a beach person. The highlight is Lakeside Park made famous by the Rush song. While there check out the Neil Peart Pavilion before you go "drinking by the lighthouse and smoking on the pier". A ride on the 5¢ carousel is a must for all! There's quite a few good restaurants and bars here too. If anyone ever checked out the bar scene here back in the 90s (like in my heyday) they can tell you about the absolute chaos that went down here. Now it's more dining than drinking.

Port Dalhousie to West Niagara

-Leaving Port, take Main St out of town. It eventually turns to Lakeshore Rd. At some point you'll have to jog left then right to get on the North Service Road. You'll get views of the lake around here... Before long you'll be at Jordan Rd. You'll want to hang a left and go south to the Niagara Bench Wine Route of West Niagara. The first town being Jordan.

Jordan-Vineland-Beamsville to Grimsby

Old Hwy 8, now known as Regional Rd 81 was the major road through West Niagara on to Toronto before the QEW was built. Before the settlers arrived, I'm told the First Nations travelled it. Now it forms the central business route through West Niagara. Between the individual towns you have countless wineries and farms. Visit a few along the bench for the elevated views of the lake toward Toronto. I love it! Though it gets less attention than NOTL, the Niagara Bench arguably produces the better wine. NOTL does make bigger reds, but those wines are generally still not world class simply because Niagara isn't hot enough. The Bench on the other hand has the climate and terroir to produce world class Pinots, Reislings, and Chardonnays. It's far less commercialized here too and you'll probably get a way more intimate experience. My wife and I one day want to hit as many as we can, but we're mostly just getting started. Follow RR 81 until you hit Bartlett Street in Grimsby (not Beamsville Bartlett!). Turn right heading back towards the lake.

Grimsby to Stoney Creek

-After Bartlett crosses under the QEW, you'll hit Lake St. Take an immediate detour right into some of the neighborhood of Grimsby Beach. People here have taken old cottages from the early 1900s and turned them into "Gingerbread Homes". They look like something out of a children's book. The whole area is pretty neat, walking through here is another cheap date night for me and Mrs Schmoe. WAY back in the day apparently this was like a little Crystal Beach and you can see similarities in the neighborhood.

-Follow Lake St through Grimsby until it forces you on the North Service Road. Before long, you'll be in the Grimsby-on-the-Lake neighbourhood... A new development of mostly condos and townhomes from the last 10 years or so. If you head right at the lights when you get here, you'll drive through the small lakefront with awesome views. I live not far from here and often take the slightly longer way home to take in the lake... especially on days where it looks extra blue, or the view to Toronto is crystal clear, or the winds are putting out megawaves... It's all new but the town and the developers did a really nice job with it.

-Follow the road back along the lake into Stoney Creek

Stoney Creek to Hamilton 

- This is the least interesting 10 minutes of driving on the route, but it's short. Essentially you're following the North Service Rd beside the QEW.

Hamilton to Burlington 

The Service Rd eventually ends at Confederation Park, and turns into Van Wagner's Beach Road. You'll have great views of the lake all through here. If you get a rare east wind you'll be likely to see some kiteboarders out. I've seen ocean sized waves here at times, though it's usually during the colder seasons. Eventually you'll pick up Beach Blvd through Hamilton Beach. This is a cool area. It's largely gentrified given the proximity to the beachfront, but the signs of the tougher days are still very much there. Apparently this was the dregs! Beach Blvd takes you across the lift bridge you might have noticed when going over the skyway. From here, you'll soon be in the Downtown Burlington area.

-------------------------

Hopefully at least one board member read all this... And if so, I hope you enjoyed it! I'm proud to have lived most of my life here and would one day like to run tours when I have more free time. If anyone is planning on visiting don't hesitate to shoot me a PM!

Let's go Buffalo!

Grew up in Ste. Cates you say?  Spent many an evening in Gord's back in the day.  Personally preferred Shooters and the upstairs bar (forget what that one was called), but you weren't likely to meet a nice friendly lass with spiked hair in either of those, so Gord's it was!

[JoeSchmoe]

27 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Grew up in Ste. Cates you say?  Spent many an evening in Gord's back in the day.  Personally preferred Shooters and the upstairs bar (forget what that one was called), but you weren't likely to meet a nice friendly lass with spiked hair in either of those, so Gord's it was!

Spent many a night in Gords as well... My brother was a bouncer there! I don't remember the name of the upstairs either but I recall it wasn't open all the time.

Fully agree on preferring the Shooter's side, but the punk girls were definitely friendlier!!!! 😆

Edited Thursday at 03:55 PM by JoeSchmoe

[Wyldnwoody44]

Idk is it George's on the canal, get good and tipsy on wine and then get some souvlaki there. I still have friends in Thorold and stop by from time to time.... I gotta say though, the teas estate prices up in Canada are absolutely out of hand! 

[JoeSchmoe]

17 minutes ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Idk is it George's on the canal, get good and tipsy on wine and then get some souvlaki there. I still have friends in Thorold and stop by from time to time.... I gotta say though, the teas estate prices up in Canada are absolutely out of hand! 

They're still out of hand, but it's come down quite a bit. I used to say to my wife that we're going to have to make some real sacrifices in our retirement to help the kids out. Now it's at the point where if we can get them out of school debt free, they'll be fine as long they work hard and are smart with their money.

From what I've seen taxes are quite a bit lower than WNY though, so the overall cost of ownership is more comparable than you would think. 

Also, you're right... It is George's. 

Edited Friday at 12:41 AM by JoeSchmoe

[JoeSchmoe]

I'm way into this thread... The season needs to start!

Anyhow, I threw in some pics into my route plan... most of which feature the lake.

Edited Friday at 01:10 AM by JoeSchmoe

[Crusader1969]

10 hours ago, Taro T said:

Grew up in Ste. Cates you say?  Spent many an evening in Gord's back in the day.  Personally preferred Shooters and the upstairs bar (forget what that one was called), but you weren't likely to meet a nice friendly lass with spiked hair in either of those, so Gord's it was!

What years are you talking?? I went to Brock U and Gords / Shootrrs were a ritual ever sat night. 

[JoeSchmoe]

11 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

What years are you talking?? I went to Brock U and Gords / Shootrrs were a ritual ever sat night. 

My Gord's years were in the mid to late 90s. Maybe '94 to '98 would have been primetime. 

[Taro T]

13 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

What years are you talking?? I went to Brock U and Gords / Shootrrs were a ritual ever sat night. 

Back when Chris Sheppard of CFNY would spin discs at the Aquaduct in Welland (our other go to spot).

[Pimlach]

On 9/1/2026 at 2:13 PM, K-9 said:

The corner of NFB and Maple/Brighton on the weekends is a true MAGA gathering to behold. 

What?   I grew up in that area.  Went to Ken East HS.  Hope you are joking about this?   

[#freejame]

10 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

What?   I grew up in that area.  Went to Ken East HS.  Hope you are joking about this?   

Absolutely not joking. Been like that for a couple years

[Crusader1969]

2 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

My Gord's years were in the mid to late 90s. Maybe '94 to '98 would have been primetime. 

You are a bit younger than me, I was there most saturdays from 89 to 93.   We lived on Haynes ave and would walk to gords & shooters.  I drove through that area of st Catharine's a year or so ago and I don't think I would make that walk at night these days!   Zombie apocalypse around what used to be delta Bingo.  Sad to see the deterioration 

35 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Back when Chris Sheppard of CFNY would spin discs at the Aquaduct in Welland (our other go to spot).

Cmon.  I celebrated my 20th bday at the Aquaduct!   

[Pimlach]

33 minutes ago, #freejame said:

Absolutely not joking. Been like that for a couple years

I am surprised, but probably should not be.  

Edited Friday at 04:48 PM by Pimlach

[JoeSchmoe]

24 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

 I drove through that area of st Catharine's a year or so ago and I don't think I would make that walk at night these days!   Zombie apocalypse around what used to be delta Bingo.  Sad to see the deterioration

That area by Delta Bingo was always the worst part of St Catharines. But I'm not surprised it declined further with the advent of Fentanyl (just like everywhere else).

Over 25 years ago, I was coaching rowing for my old highschool and one of the kids who was 15 lived in that neighborhood. He said he'd get prostitutes bothering him for their services. 

Edited Friday at 04:39 PM by JoeSchmoe

[Taro T]

50 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

That area by Delta Bingo was always the worst part of St Catharines. But I'm not surprised it declined further with the advent of Fentanyl (just like everywhere else).

Over 25 years ago, I was coaching rowing for my old highschool and one of the kids who was 15 lived in that neighborhood. He said he'd get prostitutes bothering him for their services. 

Did they offer him a beginner's rate?

[K-9]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

What?   I grew up in that area.  Went to Ken East HS.  Hope you are joking about this?   

I wish I was. 

[Crusader1969]

3 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

That area by Delta Bingo was always the worst part of St Catharines. But I'm not surprised it declined further with the advent of Fentanyl (just like everywhere else).

Over 25 years ago, I was coaching rowing for my old highschool and one of the kids who was 15 lived in that neighborhood. He said he'd get prostitutes bothering him for their services. 

Is always joked I lived on the wrong side of the tracks on Haynes.  Definitely saw a lot of things there that I had never seen before, growing up in my sheltered youth in Burlington lol

that being said, it wasnt a great area but we felt safe enough and never had any issues.   

[Pimlach]

On 9/2/2026 at 11:22 PM, JoeSchmoe said:

Long offseason post warning!

Agree with Crusader... Burlington has a done a really nice job with its waterfront. Much better than the neighbour twin sister city Oakville. The richest of the rich in Canada live along Lakeshore Rd in Burlington and Oakville. It's an interesting drive looking at the mansions as you continue to Toronto. 

If anyone is serious about a Lake Ontario trip... I'll put my future tour guide hat on and give you the must-do route from Niagara to Burlington. There are countless things to check out along the way, but there's too many to list them all!

If you're continuing on along the lake from my tour, @Crusader1969 could probably get you to Toronto and I'd guess @Derrico could get you from Toronto to the 1000 Islands. I wouldn't expect them to put out the novel I've got here below, but I'm sure they could give you some good local insight.

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Cross at the Rainbow Bridge and do the usual Falls watching from the car (after 51 years it never gets old to me). Get on the Niagara Parkway and head north to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL). Apparently Winston Churchill called this the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world. Based on all the slow driving tourists, he might be right! NOTL is worth a weekend in itself, but can also be done in a couple of hours.

(Niagara Parkway view towards Lake Ontario)

NOTL to Port Dalhousie 

- When you're leaving town, GPS and the signs will tell you to take Niagara Stone Road. Don't- This is a Lake Ontario tour and my route is better anyhow. You're going to want to take Lakeshore Rd and see the less touristy wineries and the centuries old working family fruit farms. 

-Lakeshore Rd will take you across the Welland Canal into St Catharines. Follow Lakeshore through the north end of St Catharines where JoeSchmoe grew up. When you hit Lakeport Rd, head right into Port Dalhousie. Port Dalhousie is worth a couple hours at least... More if you're a beach person. The highlight is Lakeside Park made famous by the Rush song. While there check out the Neil Peart Pavilion before you go "drinking by the lighthouse and smoking on the pier". A ride on the 5¢ carousel is a must for all! There's quite a few good restaurants and bars here too. If anyone ever checked out the bar scene here back in the 90s (like in my heyday) they can tell you about the absolute chaos that went down here. Now it's more dining than drinking.

(Lakeside Park aerial view, downtown in back. Missing: pier)

Port Dalhousie to West Niagara

-Leaving Port, take Main St out of town. It eventually turns to Lakeshore Rd. At some point you'll have to jog left then right to get on the North Service Road. You'll get views of the lake around here... Before long you'll be at Jordan Rd. You'll want to hang a left and go south to the Niagara Bench Wine Route of West Niagara. The first town being Jordan.

(Charles Daley Park lake view)

Jordan-Vineland-Beamsville to Grimsby

Old Hwy 8, now known as Regional Rd 81 was the major road through West Niagara on to Toronto before the QEW was built. Before the settlers arrived, I'm told the First Nations travelled it. Now it forms the central business route through West Niagara. Between the individual towns you have countless wineries and farms. Visit a few along the bench for the elevated views of the lake toward Toronto. I love it! Though it gets less attention than NOTL, the Niagara Bench arguably produces the better wine. NOTL does make bigger reds, but those wines are generally still not world class simply because Niagara isn't hot enough. The Bench on the other hand has the climate and terroir to produce world class Pinots, Reislings, and Chardonnays. It's far less commercialized here too and you'll probably get a way more intimate experience. My wife and I one day want to hit as many as we can, but we're mostly just getting started. Follow RR 81 until you hit Bartlett Street in Grimsby (not Beamsville Bartlett!). Turn right heading back towards the lake.

(Niagara Bench views)

Grimsby to Stoney Creek

-After Bartlett crosses under the QEW, you'll hit Lake St. Take an immediate detour right into some of the neighborhood of Grimsby Beach. People here have taken old cottages from the early 1900s and turned them into "Gingerbread Homes". They look like something out of a children's book. The whole area is pretty neat, walking through here is another cheap date night for me and Mrs Schmoe. WAY back in the day apparently this was like a little Crystal Beach and you can see similarities in the neighborhood.

(Grimsby Beach gingerbread homes)

-Follow Lake St through Grimsby until it forces you on the North Service Road. Before long, you'll be in the Grimsby-on-the-Lake neighbourhood... A new development of mostly condos and townhomes from the last 10 years or so. If you head right at the lights when you get here, you'll drive through the small lakefront with awesome views. I live not far from here and often take the slightly longer way home to take in the lake... especially on days where it looks extra blue, or the view to Toronto is crystal clear, or the winds are putting out megawaves... It's all new but the town and the developers did a really nice job with it.

(Grimsby-on-the-Lake)

-Follow the road back along the lake into Stoney Creek

Stoney Creek to Hamilton 

- This is the least interesting 10 minutes of driving on the route, but it's short. Essentially you're following the North Service Rd beside the QEW.

Hamilton to Burlington 

The Service Rd eventually ends at Confederation Park, and turns into Van Wagner's Beach Road. You'll have great views of the lake all through here. If you get a rare east wind you'll be likely to see some kiteboarders out. I've seen ocean sized waves here at times, though it's usually during the colder seasons.

(Hamilton waterfront trail)

Eventually you'll pick up Beach Blvd through Hamilton Beach. This is a cool area. It's largely gentrified given the proximity to the beachfront, but the signs of the tougher days are still very much there. Apparently this was the dregs! Beach Blvd takes you across the lift bridge you might have noticed when going over the skyway.

(Beach Boulevard)

From here, you'll soon be in the Downtown Burlington area.

(Downtown Burlington Festival)

-------------------------

Hopefully at least one board member read all this... And if so, I hope you enjoyed it! I'm proud to have lived most of my life here and would one day like to run tours when I have more free time. If anyone is planning on visiting don't hesitate to shoot me a PM!

Let's go Buffalo!

My wife and I do the drive from NF to NOTL pretty much every year.  

Now I can expand upon it.  Thanks!  

[FrenchConnection44]

On 8/27/2026 at 3:02 PM, LGR4GM said:

I don't recognize his authority to do so. In fact I flat out reject it.

I've gotta do Olcott

Indeed. It’s totally absurd. I'm curious when someone is going to insist on changing the name "Michigan" to something else? Both "Michigan" and "Ontario" are names derived from Native Americans. "Ontario" is from the indigenous Iriquoian langage meaning "great lake" or "beautiful water." "Michigan" comes from the Native American Ojibwe (Chippewa) language meaning, "large water," "large lake."

On 9/2/2026 at 11:22 PM, JoeSchmoe said:

Long offseason post warning!

Agree with Crusader... Burlington has a done a really nice job with its waterfront. Much better than the neighbour twin sister city Oakville. The richest of the rich in Canada live along Lakeshore Rd in Burlington and Oakville. It's an interesting drive looking at the mansions as you continue to Toronto. 

If anyone is serious about a Lake Ontario trip... I'll put my future tour guide hat on and give you the must-do route from Niagara to Burlington. There are countless things to check out along the way, but there's too many to list them all!

If you're continuing on along the lake from my tour, @Crusader1969 could probably get you to Toronto and I'd guess @Derrico could get you from Toronto to the 1000 Islands. I wouldn't expect them to put out the novel I've got here below, but I'm sure they could give you some good local insight.

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Cross at the Rainbow Bridge and do the usual Falls watching from the car (after 51 years it never gets old to me). Get on the Niagara Parkway and head north to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL). Apparently Winston Churchill called this the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world. Based on all the slow driving tourists, he might be right! NOTL is worth a weekend in itself, but can also be done in a couple of hours.

(Niagara Parkway view towards Lake Ontario)

NOTL to Port Dalhousie 

- When you're leaving town, GPS and the signs will tell you to take Niagara Stone Road. Don't- This is a Lake Ontario tour and my route is better anyhow. You're going to want to take Lakeshore Rd and see the less touristy wineries and the centuries old working family fruit farms. 

-Lakeshore Rd will take you across the Welland Canal into St Catharines. Follow Lakeshore through the north end of St Catharines where JoeSchmoe grew up. When you hit Lakeport Rd, head right into Port Dalhousie. Port Dalhousie is worth a couple hours at least... More if you're a beach person. The highlight is Lakeside Park made famous by the Rush song. While there check out the Neil Peart Pavilion before you go "drinking by the lighthouse and smoking on the pier". A ride on the 5¢ carousel is a must for all! There's quite a few good restaurants and bars here too. If anyone ever checked out the bar scene here back in the 90s (like in my heyday) they can tell you about the absolute chaos that went down here. Now it's more dining than drinking.

(Lakeside Park aerial view, downtown in back. Missing: pier)

Port Dalhousie to West Niagara

-Leaving Port, take Main St out of town. It eventually turns to Lakeshore Rd. At some point you'll have to jog left then right to get on the North Service Road. You'll get views of the lake around here... Before long you'll be at Jordan Rd. You'll want to hang a left and go south to the Niagara Bench Wine Route of West Niagara. The first town being Jordan.

(Charles Daley Park lake view)

Jordan-Vineland-Beamsville to Grimsby

Old Hwy 8, now known as Regional Rd 81 was the major road through West Niagara on to Toronto before the QEW was built. Before the settlers arrived, I'm told the First Nations travelled it. Now it forms the central business route through West Niagara. Between the individual towns you have countless wineries and farms. Visit a few along the bench for the elevated views of the lake toward Toronto. I love it! Though it gets less attention than NOTL, the Niagara Bench arguably produces the better wine. NOTL does make bigger reds, but those wines are generally still not world class simply because Niagara isn't hot enough. The Bench on the other hand has the climate and terroir to produce world class Pinots, Reislings, and Chardonnays. It's far less commercialized here too and you'll probably get a way more intimate experience. My wife and I one day want to hit as many as we can, but we're mostly just getting started. Follow RR 81 until you hit Bartlett Street in Grimsby (not Beamsville Bartlett!). Turn right heading back towards the lake.

(Niagara Bench views)

Grimsby to Stoney Creek

-After Bartlett crosses under the QEW, you'll hit Lake St. Take an immediate detour right into some of the neighborhood of Grimsby Beach. People here have taken old cottages from the early 1900s and turned them into "Gingerbread Homes". They look like something out of a children's book. The whole area is pretty neat, walking through here is another cheap date night for me and Mrs Schmoe. WAY back in the day apparently this was like a little Crystal Beach and you can see similarities in the neighborhood.

(Grimsby Beach gingerbread homes)

-Follow Lake St through Grimsby until it forces you on the North Service Road. Before long, you'll be in the Grimsby-on-the-Lake neighbourhood... A new development of mostly condos and townhomes from the last 10 years or so. If you head right at the lights when you get here, you'll drive through the small lakefront with awesome views. I live not far from here and often take the slightly longer way home to take in the lake... especially on days where it looks extra blue, or the view to Toronto is crystal clear, or the winds are putting out megawaves... It's all new but the town and the developers did a really nice job with it.

(Grimsby-on-the-Lake)

-Follow the road back along the lake into Stoney Creek

Stoney Creek to Hamilton 

- This is the least interesting 10 minutes of driving on the route, but it's short. Essentially you're following the North Service Rd beside the QEW.

Hamilton to Burlington 

The Service Rd eventually ends at Confederation Park, and turns into Van Wagner's Beach Road. You'll have great views of the lake all through here. If you get a rare east wind you'll be likely to see some kiteboarders out. I've seen ocean sized waves here at times, though it's usually during the colder seasons.

(Hamilton waterfront trail)

Eventually you'll pick up Beach Blvd through Hamilton Beach. This is a cool area. It's largely gentrified given the proximity to the beachfront, but the signs of the tougher days are still very much there. Apparently this was the dregs! Beach Blvd takes you across the lift bridge you might have noticed when going over the skyway.

(Beach Boulevard)

From here, you'll soon be in the Downtown Burlington area.

(Downtown Burlington Festival)

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Hopefully at least one board member read all this... And if so, I hope you enjoyed it! I'm proud to have lived most of my life here and would one day like to run tours when I have more free time. If anyone is planning on visiting don't hesitate to shoot me a PM!

Let's go Buffalo!

Is that Lakeside Park above the background to Rush’s song of the same name? 

[JustOneParade]

Headed to NOTL in a couple weeks. Golf, food, wineries, family. Can’t wait!