Niagara-on-the-Lake is a charming Victorian town on the shores of Lake Ontario, bordered by the Niagara River. This mythical river links two of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the ideal destination for relaxing, strolling the streets and admiring the architecture of houses from another era, enhanced by majestic trees. In fact, the city regularly wins TripAdvisor's Traveller's choice award...
P.S.: Don't be surprised if you pass a horse-drawn carriage driven by people dressed all in black: they are members of the Mennonite Church, a European religious order founded in the XVIᵉ century during the Protestant Reformation and the separation by some Christians from the Roman Catholic Church. Mennonites settled in the region around the XVIIIᵉ century.
Photo : Cmglee - Own work / Wikimedia Commons.
From Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site, take a lakeside walk along the trail that leads to Fort George Battlefield National Historic Site, then on to Mississauga Beach.
This lakefront is wonderful for a romantic and/or relaxing stroll. The path is flat and well laid out.
Although Mississauga Beach has the word 'beach' in it, it doesn't actually have a developed beach. So skip the bathing suit and towel...
Fort Mississauga was built between 1814 and 1816 to replace Fort George, located at the mouth of the Niagara River for obvious strategic reasons.
The Fort, which also housed Upper Canada's first lighthouse, was intended to protect the country from American forces overlooking Canada, while countering Fort Niagara on the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
Fort Mississauga then served in various conflicts with our American neighbours until 1866. In 1960, it was designated a historic site of national significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Fort Mississauga National Historic Site can be visited year-round. It is equipped with French-language interpretive panels. On site, you'll enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Ontario.
Information in English and French is available on site.
The War of 1812, which lasted until 1814, was in fact a conflict between Great Britain and the United States. Canada was a British colony at the time.
With the American conquest of Canada in sight, many battles were being fought on several fronts, in Upper Canada, Lower Canada, the Great Lakes region and along the Atlantic coast. But it was Upper Canada that was most vulnerable, and therefore where the attack had to be launched.
This war, which was brought to a halt by the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, nevertheless generated a great deal of patriotic feeling among Canadians, as it was mainly civilian soldiers and First Nations representatives who repelled the invaders.
Fort George is a landmark in Canadian history. This British military post defended Upper Canada (a former British colony in what is now southern Ontario) from attack by the United States during the War of 1812.
During your visit to the Fort, interpreters in period red uniforms will immerse you in the 200-year history of a decisive battle in Canadian history. They'll also tell you what life was like for the soldiers and their families on the banks of the Niagara River.
Take part in the various events and other activities organized by the Fort's managers, such as the parade of the Fire and Drum Corps, the historic Fort George regiment, during the officers' parade, or during the War of 1812 re-enactment day (2 days only in mid-July - find out more!).