For most vacationers to Niagara Falls, enjoying a handful of amazing attractions is enough to ensure a fabulous time is had. Getting up close and personal with all that water on the Maid of the Mist or Journey Behind the Falls, touring a world-class winery and sampling its offerings, enjoying an unforgettable meal at one of our excellent farm-to-table restaurants — how could any of that be improved upon?
It’s true that the region’s most famous points of interest and entertainment are not to be missed, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t scores of other opportunities that could be embarked upon, too. The Niagara Peninsula is a region that’s veritably bursting with picturesque vineyards, farms, villages, and towns — all of which could be vacation destinations in their own right.
Here is a closer look at one of those small towns, a quiet place called Grimsby that sits between the shores of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment.
What to Do
Grimsby has a lot to offer a visitor looking to get active. Situated right on the Bruce Trail, the hiking around the town is superb, granting breathtaking views throughout some of the nicest patches of Carolinian Forest in the area. The region has an incredibly diverse ecosystem, and while you’re out and about, you’ll see a wealth of plants, animals, and birds. The Niagara Escarpment is home to 36 different species of amphibians and reptiles, 53 different species of mammal, and over 350 species of birds. Keep an eye out for unusual plants like the Walking Fern, too.
Also, because Grimsby is right on Lake Ontario, water fun is easily had and very popular. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, lazing in the sun, or wading, you can do it all in Grimsby, and the view from the beach is almost always sublime.
Should you or anyone in your party enjoy hitting the links, there are also a handful of golf courses nearby, and if you’re just into casually strolling about, Grimsby’s downtown has plenty of shops and galleries. Be sure to pop in to the Grimsby Public Art Gallery that sits within their public library on Carnegie Lane. Free and open to the public, it often showcases work from local and regional artists.
Where to Eat
Grimsby also boasts plenty of excellent places to eat — no small feat for a town of just 26,000. You can enjoy a low-key meal and a great cup of coffee at Station One Coffeehouse, or you can sit in splendor at The Restaurant on Peninsula Ridge. This restaurant’s French-inspired cuisine is exceptional, and the fine dining experience it provides is top-notch as well. If you want something a little less fancy but just as tasty, reserve a table at Syndicate Restaurant, a farm-to-table restaurant that also brews its own beer. You can also find great Thai and Greek food not too far off the beaten path, and the pizza at Amici’s is second to none.
So, spend a day in Grimsby the next time you come to Niagara Falls. Quaint and beautiful, the town and immediate surrounding area can give you a glimpse of Niagara that will make you fall in love with the region all over again.