In Between Niagara and Toronto

In this Blog:

• Niagara

• Grimsby

• Jordan

• Balls Falls

• Brantford

• Hamilton

• Royal Botanical Gardens

Niagara

I won't divulge into exploring Niagara as there is so much information out there already! From viewing the falls to choosing from the many attractions to explore like going behind the falls, zip lining, helicopter rides, to exploring the city, amusements on Clifton street, butterfly conservatory, the clock park and so much more to see and do both during the day and night! I will mention though to check out the Rapids known as the White Water Walk (there is an admission fee) once it hopefully re-opens after Covid restrictions.

It is just before the Niagara whirlpool aero car, (another fun exploration in Niagara), if you are coming from the falls side. The elevator will take you 70 metres down to the base of the gorge to a board walk with viewing platforms to absorb the breathtaking view of the blue class 6 rapid and to be submerged by its sounds!

The Niagara region is also famous for its wineries who provide wine tasting tours which I have yet to take! However, in between the wineries and the picturesque touristy town of Niagara on the lake, I fell in love with Grimsby.

Grimsby

Include this town by lake Ontario when visiting the Niagara region to check out the unique colourful cottages at the Historic Grimsby Beach. Walk around the neighbourhood to enjoy the work of art these tiny houses are, read up on the history of the neighbourhood on the plaques in the area, chill at the Grimsby beach park to take in the lovely view of the lake or walk down the steps to dip your toes in the water, there is a rocky beach and a sandy one too.

There are a few nice places to grab a bite in the area as well. We ordered takeout from the Forty Public House, classic burger and the pulled stack and had a little picnic in the park. Their whisky BBQ pulled chicken is highly recommended!

If you are coming with hiking in mind then explore Beamer Memorial Conservation area, with its waterfalls which I didn't have time to explore. But we sure had enough time to get our dessert from the famous Avondale Dairy Bar which is about 25 minutes from Grimsby! This ice cream parlour has been there since 1955! Enjoy the ambience outside of the dairy farm, the pretty rural surroundings as the flavourful ice cream melts in your mouth!

Jordan

We only spent one afternoon in Jordan, but I am willing to go back for more to explore the shops on Main street, taking a tour of one of its beautiful wineries and to please my palate with the local cuisine! We were spending the day at Niagara on the lake and decided to check out Jordan and have lunch there, thoroughly enjoying the ambiance and food at the Jordan house Tavern.

Balls Falls

A nature preserve in Lincoln, Ontario, also falls on the way to the Niagara falls from Toronto. It's a beautiful Conservation area with an Upper and a Lower fall. A doable nice uphill hike for me to the upper fall was so worth it! This is the closest I have been to the top of a fall! I just sat there taking in the majestic view of a calm stream turning into a vivacious force as it fell! It's a perfect place for a hike and picnic too. Enjoyed the

time preserved, early 19th century setup of the Balls family home, the church and blacksmith store giving a glimpse of the days gone by.

Brantford

Don't miss spending some time in Brantford, the hometown of famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky. It's also where Alexander Graham Bell worked on his telephone invention and made the world's first one way long distance call from Brantford to Paris Ontario. We spent our half a day going to Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, Bell Homestead National historic site (It's the Graham Bell ancestral home, known as the Melville House on a large property turned into a museum), Mohawk Chapel (apparently the oldest surviving church of Ontario) and drove around downtown, each place giving us a different taste of the city. Places in Brantford I would have liked to explore but could not due to Covid constraints are its museums (Woodland Cultural Centre and Glenhyrst art Gallery with its Gardens, the military museum). Didn't eat at Brantford to suggest a place, sorry! Just a suggestion, Brantford is by the Grand river so it could be one of the stops of a trip planned around exploring the beautiful towns Elora, Paris, Fergus, Cambridge to name a few founded by this river!

Hamilton

About half an hour east of Brantford starts the expanding city of Hamilton. This is the place people go chasing waterfalls! The ones I have chased so far are Albion and Webster, and they were both gorgeous, having easily accessible parking and viewing platforms. I plan to visit at least two at a time in different seasons to enjoy their beauty in different times of the year! So I'll keep you posted on that and a visit to Dundas Peak in fall! In the meantime, had fun posing around Dundas castle and exploring their souvenir shop, enjoyed the treat from Beaner Monkey, and was disappointed that the HMCS Haida was closed for tours!

Royal Botanical Gardens

A bouquet of cultivated gardens, miles of trails, it takes several trips to explore this place. Went there to see their Cherry blossom but don't know how ended up spending the whole time amongst their Magnolia collection! Didn't regret a minute of it!