Wander The Picture-Perfect Pocket of Niagara Where Pride of Place Reigns Supreme
There’s an unquestionable sense of energy that blows in with the autumn breeze around the communities of St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands. As grape growers and farmers finish up the final tasks on their harvest to-do lists, a celebratory feeling of pride ripples through the area, inspiring next-level fall flavours and fun around every turn. Here are seven wander-ful ways to feel the love felt by those who call Niagara home.
Wander Your Way To: A Buzzed-About Meal
Catch the excitement as Niagara chefs celebrate the latest round of MICHELIN Guide recommendations just released in September! After being Niagara’s first restaurant to earn a MICHELIN Star in 2024, Restaurant Pearl Morissette earned another star for 2025, making it one of only two restaurants in the country to have scored two-star status. Those who don’t have time for a complete tasting menu experience can still enjoy the incredible flavours fuelled by the Pearl Morissette team at RPM Bakehouse, a friendly little bakery and coffee shop in Jordan Village. Downtown St. Catharines’ Fat Rabbit just made MICHELIN’s list of recommended restaurants for the second year running. In-the-know foodies are counting the days until Fat Rabbit Chef Zac Smith’s latest endeavour, Bar Les Incompetents, opens its doors just down the street.
Wander Your Way To: Farm-To-Table Flavours with a Distinctive Niagara Twist
Niagara food and beverage purveyors are masters at turning up the volume on fall flavours with engaging experiences and fresh new ways to incorporate local ingredients. Restaurant Capelin, a recent addition to the St. Catharines dining scene, creates seasonally driven tasting menus for just 11 diners at a time, showcasing Canadian fish and seafood alongside the best of what’s grown right here in Niagara. Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers’ Craft Your Own Gin Experiences invites guests behind the scenes to learn how the spirit maker crafts its collection of award-winning gins and then lets them take the reins to create a gin reflecting their unique flavour preferences. The passionate craft breweries of the Niagara Ale Trail, including The Merchant Ale House, Cold Break Brewing, Decew Falls Brewing Company, Bench Brewing Company, and Newark Brewing, love incorporating a little extra harvest flair into their fall brews with local ingredients like house-roasted pumpkin, crisp apples, and the last of the season’s stone fruit.
Wander Your Way To: Dog-Friendly Fall Fun
Humans aren’t the only ones deserving of awesome autumn adventures. Bring your pooch along on your next trip to Niagara to experience the Very Important Pup treatment, like enjoying a Barkuterie Board at Port Dalhousie’s Lock Street Brewing Co., dog-friendly fun at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery’s Fall Fest on October 25 and 26, or Vineland Estates Winery’s K-Wine Dog Tour.
Wander Your Way To: Spectacular Autumn Views
Tucked between the steep slopes of the Niagara Escarpment and the shores of Lake Ontario, the autumn views that await in and around St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands really are some of Ontario’s best! For two-wheeled views with a little electric assist, join one of ebike The Bench’s winery bike tours. Rockway Vineyards Golf Club is another excellent option for those seeking stellar views with a side of award-winning wines, delicious food, and the option of one last round of golf for the season!
Wander Your Way To: A Day of Delicious Niagara Benchlands Wine Touring
As soon as the grape harvest is complete, Niagara Benchlands Wineries jump into holiday hosting mode to help visitors discover fabulous new sips for seasonal gifting and entertaining. Get Wrapped Up, a touring program hosted at over 25 different area wineries on November 8, 9, 15, and 16, invites passport holders to enjoy festive food and wine pairings at their choice of eight wineries for just $49.95.
Wander Your Way To: A Plant Lover’s Paradise
Niagara’s resident green thumbs are always happy to spill the tea on their best tips and tricks for growing and arranging plants and blooms. Head to The Watering Can in Vineland for autumn take-home kits and hands-on workshops that will elevate your fall and holiday urns and porch decor to a whole new level. In St. Catharines, Adam’s Flora hosts a rotating series of cozy events, including repotting parties, wreath-making workshops, and scented simmer pot classes. Both The Watering Can and Adam’s Flora also offer delightful afternoon tea services with all the trimmings.
Wander Your Way To: Loud and Proud Canadian Live Arts
An evening of entertainment courtesy of top Canadian talent is an amazing add-on to an autumn afternoon spent exploring Niagara’s food, wine, and craft beverage scene. Time your trip with one of the outstanding shows happening at St. Catharines’ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre this fall, like The Secret Path Live In Concert, Ron Sexsmith, Tom Green, Elisapie, and Jann Arden.
Ready To Plan Your Autumn Wander?
Visit Wander Niagara for accommodation options, activity ideas, dining recommendations, and visitor discounts that will help you discover a whole new side of Niagara this fall.
Funding assistance provided by the Government of Ontario and the Tourism Partnership of Niagara.
