Toronto & Niagara Falls: Where Food, Wine, and Travel Collide
A must-read if your first loves are food, wine, and travel, in this post we head to Ontario with Canada expert Joanne Moores to explore Toronto and the wonder that is the Niagara Falls.
I’ve heard the whispers for years: Niagara Falls is too commercialised, a tourist trap to skip. After my December trip to Toronto and Niagara, I’m reminded that we all have a different outlook and I’m here to set the record straight, as this is a journey that’s well worth the journey.
Follow along with me and walk through Toronto’s streets, taste its flavours, and stand in awe of Niagara’s raw power. An additional bonus for the foodies amongst you, I will also be taking you to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
A city that feels alive, Toronto in December is crisp and cold, but it’s also clean, walkable, and buzzing with energy. One of my favourite discoveries was the PATH, a sprawling underground network of walkways, stations, and over 1,200 shops and restaurants. It’s a lifeline in winter, shielding you from the chill, and just as refreshing in summer with its air-conditioned corridors.
The Distillery Historic District was a major highlight. The pedestrian-only cobblestone streets were lined with modern galleries, artist studios, and cosy cafés. I strolled past red-brick buildings glowing with holiday lights, popping into a boutique with local ceramics and a bar serving craft cocktails.
Then there was the culinary walking tour through Chinatown and Kensington Market—a perfect way to taste Toronto’s diversity. Our guide led us at a leisurely pace, weaving through streets where neon signs glowed against the grey December sky. In Chinatown, we savoured steaming dim sum, the dumplings bursting with shrimp and pork.
Kensington Market felt like a different world, with eclectic murals on every corner and the scent of fresh tortillas from a taqueria mixing with spices from an Indian grocery. We sampled sharp and creamy Canadian artisan cheeses and sustainable seafood. There was even a stop for flavoured popcorn (maple bacon—who knew?). The guide’s stories about the city’s roots tied it all together, making each bite a little more meaningful.
I also squeezed in a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s largest museum, with extensive collections of world cultures and natural history. Its massive stone facade looms in downtown Toronto, just steps from bustling Yonge Street. With just an hour, I barely scratched the surface—think ancient Egyptian artefacts, towering dinosaur skeletons, and Indigenous art displays. You could easily lose half a day here, and its central location makes it a no-brainer to visit.
Niagara Falls is only a 90-minute drive away. The journey through Niagara National Park was a surprise—rolling green spaces, trees bare in December, and wide-open views. The road hugged the Niagara River, offering glimpses of the falls in the distance, mist rising like a beacon. When I arrived, I stepped onto my hotel balcony—floor-to-ceiling windows framing the cascading water. Simply breathtaking, a falls-view room is worth every penny.
Of course, the falls are the star of this destination, so I started with a promenade along the river, where I took in the power of the water from multiple viewpoints. The views from this perspective are raw and humbling, and it’s amazing how close you can get to the falls themselves.
For an alternative perspective, take to the skies on a helicopter ride; the experience gives you a bird’s-eye view of the falls’ immense scale and the river carving through the landscape below. A final travel tip: when it comes to other attractions, the Niagara Pass is a smart way to go, as it covers your entrance to all of the Falls attractions in one ticket.
For a change of pace, I visited Niagara-on-the-Lake. A picture-postcard village just 15 minutes from the falls, its wooden-clad shop fronts and horse-drawn carriages are a nostalgic nod towards a more genteel and civilised time. The main thoroughfare, Queen Street, is lined with historic buildings, cute boutiques, and restaurants. Perfect for foodies and oenophiles, this is wine country, with vineyard tours and fabulous locally grown produce making every meal more of a celebration rather than a routine.
If you’re planning a winter trip here, don’t miss the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village. Each January, Queen Street is transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland over two weekends, where visitors can sip world-class ice wine, enjoy gourmet pairings, and soak up the festive atmosphere in this most charming of towns.
I left Ontario with a new found appreciation for the province. Toronto’s urban energy paired with Niagara’s natural wonder and all the charm of Niagara-on-the-Lake made this trip unforgettable. Two days and an overnight at the falls felt just right, letting me soak in the experience without rushing.
Ready to explore Ontario? Let us create an experience that feels personal to you. Connect with our dedicated team of Canada specialists on 020 8776 8709 or email Frontier Canada at canada@frontier-travel.co.uk and start planning your holiday to The Heartland Province. ATOL PROTECTED No. 5405 ABTA W3207.
