If you have ever wanted to try something different and visit a city that looks like it came out of a movie, put Niagara-on-the-Lake at the top of your travel list! It’s also worth knowing that Niagara on the lake made Expedia’s top destinations to travel list this year as well.

This cute town in Ontario looks like it was plucked straight out of a storybook with its historic 19th-century buildings, cobblestone-style streets, cute boutique shops, and cozy wine spots. While most people think of this area for summer trips, winter is when the real magic happens—especially in January when the famous Icewine Festival takes over!

Niagara Falls vs. Niagara-on-the-Lake: What’s the Difference?

Something that confuses almost everyone heading there for the first time —Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake are two completely different places! It sounds similar, so it makes sense to mistaken the two.

We actually have a dedicated YouTube video showing our trip to Niagara Falls, and if you watch it, you’ll see the vibe is night and day compared to Niagara-on-the-Lake!

• Niagara Falls: This is the big, famous city packed with massive roaring waterfalls, bright neon lights, giant casinos, and high-energy attractions. It’s fast-paced, loud, and full of big tourist energy.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake: Located about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, this is a quiet, super charming historic town surrounded by vineyards and wineries everywhere. There are no big high-rise hotels or neon signs here—just pretty horse-drawn carriages, cozy bed and breakfasts, and relaxed boutique shopping to experience.

Think of Niagara Falls as the exciting theme-park experience and Niagara-on-the-Lake as the cozy, peaceful wine country escape!

The January Icewine Festival: Winter’s Wildest Party

Every January, the town transforms into an outdoor winter wonderland for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

If you’ve never tried icewine before, it’s a super sweet dessert wine made from grapes that are left on the vine until they naturally freeze in sub-zero winter temperatures. Ontario is one of the only places in the world that can produce it every single year, making it a huge deal locally!

During the festival, Queen Street turns into an open-air Icewine Village. Local wineries bring out custom ice bars, fire pits, and snow globes, and chefs cook up delicious gourmet food pairings right on the street. You bundle up in your warm winter coats, grab an icewine cocktail, sip by the open fires, and dance along to outdoor live DJs. It is so much fun and such a unique way to celebrate the cold weather!

Exploring the Storybook Streets of Old Town

Even outside of the festival events, simply walking around Niagara-on-the-Lake feels amazing cause it’s actually beautiful. The main strip is lined with family-owned bakeries, local jam shops, tea rooms, and independent boutiques.

Everything is decorated for the season, making it the best place to grab a hot chocolate, pop into local stores, or cozy up inside a cafe or tavern for a warm meal.

Check Out Our YouTube Video!

Want to see what the big waterfalls and the surrounding area look like up close? Make sure to check out our Niagara Falls YouTube video to get a full tour of the iconic sights!

Drop a comment on the video or down below to let us know — Have you ever tried icewine, or would you visit a winter wine festival? Don’t forget to follow us here for more luxury travel inspo.