View from Bruce Trail in Lincoln, Ontario
experience

Things to do in Lincoln, Niagara

Sarah Camp

Contributing writer

If you’re travelling to Niagara Falls from Toronto you’ll be driving right through beautiful Lincoln, Ontario. If you’re looking for great wineries to enjoy and orchards to pick your own fruit in a quieter atmosphere than Niagara-on-the-Lake, you must visit this lush region which sits between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls!

Lincoln is comprised of a few smaller townships, each with their own unique flair and charm. The most commonly-visited communities include Beamsville, Jordan, and Vineland, packed with cozy cafes, shops, and farms dotted throughout the region. Here's just a few of the ways you can spend your time in the area.

Balls Falls in Ontario, Canada

Visit a local winery

With over 50 wineries in the immediate area, there’s no shortage of options to pick from to taste local wine. Whether you’re sipping wine overlooking Lake Ontario during a summer evening listening to live music, watching the fall grape harvest, cozying up with friends in your own wine dome while snow falls around you during the winter or snowshoeing in the vineyard, there’s always something happening at these local wineries. If you don't want to drive yourself, consider doing a wine tour instead.

Alvento Winery in Lincoln, Ontario
The Bench Brewing Company in Lincoln, Ontario

Not into wine? How about craft beer? Bench Brewing Company is located right in the heart of Lincoln and offers numerous craft beers using hops grown on the property. Or visit Dillon’s Distillery for gin and other spirits, including Absinthe!

Try Lincoln's locally-sourced food

There’s an abundance of locally-sourced cuisine available! Many wineries offer award-winning restaurants using ingredients sourced from local farms. Popular ones are Good Earth, Peninsula Ridge, and Pearl Morrisette.

Lincoln is known as one of the largest fruit-producing areas, and you’ll come across any number of farm market stands along the side of the road during the warmer months to pick up some fresh fruit. Better yet, there are also a number of farms to pick-your-own for a true country experience!

Go hiking in the Niagara Escarpment

Hikers flock to Lincoln for its amazing hiking trails and conservation areas. The Niagara Escarpment offers dramatic views, waterfalls, and endless trails to discover, including the famous Bruce Trail which winds its way through the Niagara Region.

Balls Falls, Lincoln, Ontario
View from Bruce Trail in Lincoln, Ontario

Tour through heritage buildings at Ball’s Falls (and see two gorgeous waterfalls!), or make your way up the Niagara Escarpment and through forests and wineries. No matter where you choose to hike, you’re bound to come across something different each time. Keep your eyes peeled at Cave Springs Conservation Area for a mysterious carving of a head in the rock that no one seems to know where it came from!

Spend a weekend in Lincoln

Lincoln is an all-season place to visit! If you’re looking to make a weekend visit, there are great options for accommodation, including a number of charming Bed & Breakfasts set in scenic settings likeBonnybank, Centennial House or The House on the Side of the Road. The beautiful Inn on the Twenty in Jordan offers cozy fireplaces with whirlpool tubs and is surrounded by great restaurants in the heart of Jordan Village. No matter where you stay, you’re a short drive away from wineries, local shopping, hiking, and great restaurants.

The Fall harvest in Lincoln, Ontario

This beautiful hamlet in the Niagara region should be on everyone’s list. This cozy area is known for its hospitality and supporting small business, and you’ll be hard pressed to pass someone without a smile on their face. It’s the perfect escape from the city and will leave you with lasting memories.

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Sarah Camp

Author - Sarah Camp

Sarah is a Niagara-based travel blogger who shares insider travel tips and destination experiences from the Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada. Her blog, In Search of Sarah, covers local tips, budget-friendly ideas, the best hiking spots, city guides, the best places to eat and more!

Last Updated 28 May 2022

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