Niagara-on-the-Lake Historic Sites

THE 10 BEST Niagara-on-the-Lake Historic Sites (2025)

Niagara-on-the-Lake Historic Sites

Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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11 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.



What travellers are saying

  • laurelrs
    Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of great information. Learned about muskets and even got to lift one - way heavier than I had imagined!

    Had an outstanding lecture/discussion in the officers' mess.

    If you're at all interested in the history of the War of 1812, visit! It's worth your time.
    Written November 20, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karen K
    Puerto Morelos, Mexico1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This park has become quite pricey. Parking is now $20 flat rate for 4 or more hours! Washrooms are far away and park is not handicap accessible.
    Rental of a shared area in the pavilion with a small charcoal bbq is pricey too.
    But- our family (52 of us came this year) had a great time and the kids love the splash pool.
    Written August 28, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DOO-TO
    Ottawa, Canada92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A short but very informative tour of the Laura Secord House. The tour guide we had really knew her history. Thank you for a nice time.
    Written September 24, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PhotoDudeIII
    Toronto, Canada129 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It might not look very spectacular now, but this house was quite the place when it was built. Interesting story of a local citizen who did well for himself, until the War of 1812. Tour guide that we had was very good, and brought history to life. If you're into historical places and houses, worth the half hour.
    Written August 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Steph
    Toronto, Canada249 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Home to a couple of geocaches and historical plaques to read. Had a great chat with the Chamber of Commerce people, they're very sweet and helpful.
    Written August 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robby G C
    Toronto, Canada81,632 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the Redan Battery.

    The Americans wanted to get a part of Canada.

    The Americans were trapped.

    The Canadians had the best part for People from the Queenston came to help. the soldiers of Canada.

    They had a canon 8 ponder, named the Redan.

    Brock led 2 hundred men a counter into the village.

    Brock left two hundred.

    A counter attack two hundred soldiers.

    Brock was killed.

    The Americans left out of running out of the Canadians. Many fell in the river to never see them ever.
    Written April 14, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • operalover939
    Toronto, Canada2,938 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The important contribution made by the indigenous peoples to the British and allied side in the Battle of Queenston Heights has long been known to historians of the period, but not to the general public. The Commemorative Memorial that was added in 2016 serves as a welcome addition to the park.
    Written September 2, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • twosunbunnies
    St. Catharines, Canada244 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Butlers Barracks is a piece of Canadian history. Training for war activities was held here.
    The buildings are, from the outside, plain but functional.
    The grounds are what interested us. Paved walkways take you around the majority of the property. There is a section around the main field which is gravel. This area leads to the wooded area near the Niagara Parkway. This is the “gathering area” for local dog walkers. The area is labeled as “leash free”. Trash cans delineate the leash free area. It is frequented by many locals exercising both their pets and themselves.
    Parking is free for guests of the National Monument. As it costs for parking all around NOTL, this is a bonus. Let’s mot abuse this! Parking off King Street is labelled clearly for use of the Barracks property. There are also 2 areas, more for our use on the western edge off John Street East. (Caution: don’t block the access gate)
    WORD OF WARNING: This is a grassy and wooded area so Ticks can be prevalent here. Check yourself and your pets during Tick season.
    Written November 9, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maurene_K
    Dover, NH12,571 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting Canadian friends with friends from home, we were taken here as part of a daytrip of sightseeing. Our Canadian friends had arranged a guided tour in advance.

    The mansion is one of many attractions on the Niagara Parkway. It is located in the Village of Queenston, a community within the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

    The setting was impressive. It was high on a hill that overlooked the Niagara River and the Canada-United States border.

    During our tour, the guide told us everything about the architect, builder, original owner, and the history of the mansion and how it came to be the site of the School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank.

    Willowbank had an interesting history. The mansion was designed by John Latshaw, an acclaimed architect. It was built for Alexander and Hannah (Jarvis) Hamilton. He was the Canadian Alexander Hamilton, not the American Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. This Alexander Hamilton was a businessman, militia officer who fought in the War of 1812, justice of the peace, office holder, and judge. At the time of construction, he was First Sheriff of the Niagara District. Hamilton wanted all the latest technologies; and, so his mansion had the first wood stoves in Upper Canada.

    We learned that Willowbank was built of local whirlpool sandstone. One of the unique features of the mansion is that it has eight hand-carved columns that stand two full stories tall of the home’s 3-1/2 story height. Another outstanding feature was the front doorway which is considered to be a masterpiece of classical Greek Revival design.

    The mansion was later sold a century later to the Bright family, who made many renovations. Later it became a Catholic school for boys. Then a developer named Doyle acquired the property and filed for a demolition permit. The Friends of Willowbank was formed and successfully rescued the mansion in 2003. That group subsequently created the School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank.

    During our tour, we admired the meticulous restoration work both competed and still in process.

    I particularly liked the English wallpaper with an outdoor scene and the views from the porch out back.

    The mansion is open for tours in the summer and in the fall and winter seasons by appointment.

    This attraction is a must-see for those interested in architecture, stately old mansions, and history.

    We rate Willowbank National Historic Site of Canada at 4.50. We recommend a tour.

    If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
    Written January 10, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Terry M
    Hamilton, Canada4,921 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Now noted for the eponymous chocolates [and they are good], Laura Secord is the stuff of fable and legends, a heroine of the War of 1812. In 1812, she rescued her husband from the battlefield at Queenston Heights. In 1813, she walked 30 kilometers from Queenston to Beaver Dams, near Thorold, to warn James Fitzgibbon Americans were planning to attack his outpost. She is suitably remembered with this monument at Queenston Heights.
    Written May 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robby G C
    Toronto, Canada81,632 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I found a plaque in front of a 2-story white stucco dwelling. This home used to belong to William Kiby's. He lived here from 1857 to 1906.

    This dwelling is quite old. He was a historian, a poet and the editor on the Niagara Mail.

    This home is still attractive and many tourists stop by this home to take a picture.

    Worthwhile to see and it is free!
    Written December 26, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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