When we set off from Toronto to Niagara Falls, we have to travel through the quite long (by European standards) Queen Elizabeth Way, which passes partially over Lake Ontario. From the distance, you can admire the flat and factory landscape of the Hamilton area, and on the other side a view of the lake.
Going further, we slightly turn inland to get to Niagara-on-the-Lake, which in my opinion is worth visiting before visiting the commercial Niagara.
Located in the province of Ontario, in the Niagara region, the city is close to the water border with the USA. The famous waterfall is only 25 km away.
Niagara-on-the-Lake was the first capital of Upper Canada (today’s Ontario). It made history also during the British-American War (1812). During the First World War, there was a training center for Polish volunteers for the Blue Army (L’Armée bleue) in the city. Currently, there is a Polish military cemetery there to commemorate the victims of the 1918 flu pandemic, which affected some volunteers.
In the early spring period, the city is quite empty and some of the seasonal shops are closed. You can feel there like in an American film. The place is a bit like a small abandoned American town, on the other hand, there are quite large pastel houses, which, however, at the time look a bit like from a horror movie. Maybe a bit like from a Hitchcock movie, despite their pastel colors. A breeze of cool air from the lake and empty trees after winter create a terrifying atmosphere.
The view of the lake itself is breathtaking. While standing there, we have the impression that it is not a lake, but at least a sea. Who would have thought that this is exactly the same lake as Toronto and New York State (USA) are located by.
It is the perfect stop on the way to Niagara Falls. In the off-season it is a good place for walking and relaxing. At the same time, Niagara-on-the-Lake is so close to Toronto that there is no need to book accommodation.
Written by Sylwia S.