Badge of Awesome Communities invites you to share your favourite things to see and do in cool destinations around the world. We caught up with the folks from Niagara Culinary Tours — one of our featured attractions from Ontario’s Niagara region — to learn about what they have to offer.
What makes Niagara Culinary Tours awesome?
Niagara Culinary Tours: Niagara Culinary Tours provides a fun and delicious alternative to your vacation itinerary. A walking food tour is a great way to introduce yourself to a new destination and get your steps in for the day. These are not bus tours, they are on foot, so you get a real sense of taste and place.
Niagara is home to Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake and St Catharines and there is a tour designed to explore the uniqueness of each one. Niagara Culinary Tours was the 2015 winner of the Ontario Culinary Experience of the Year award, they were recognized by the Food Network as one of the 10 Fantastic Fall Food Tours in Canada and one of Flight Network’s “Top 42 North American Tours You Don’t Want To Miss This Year.”
Niagara on the Lake Foodie Tour
This tour embraces the old town feel with the addition of new world cuisine and culture. Visit a beautiful inn near the lake right next to North America’s oldest golf course, where chef talks about his locally inspired cuisine.
Another stop might be for a bit of Thai coconut soup as the tour explores the new cultural influences of this town in the middle of wine country. Of course there has to be something sweet to round out the palate as they showcase one of NOTL’s best dessert spots where their love for community and fine baked good come together. Some stops just slightly off the beaten path and others hidden right in plain sight.
Mornings Just Got Better, Niagara on the Lake
This tour takes advantage of a time where the sun is up and the town is looking Instagram ready. Mornings are just a little quieter as you pick up a coffee and find out more about this beautiful town nestled near the lake. It is a new tour for NCT and not for the carb adverse.
There is a bit of sweet and savory. Perhaps a little Ontario cheese, a flaky pastry filled with spinach and feta and even the chance sighting of a pain au chocolate. There is no shortage of stellar baked goods, in old town NOTL and the goal is to introduce you to where to find them. The walk is shorter on this 2 hour tour but filled with historical facts and culture.
Niagara Falls Food Tour: Beyond the Falls
There is more to Niagara Falls than just the falls. There is food and beautiful park land. It’s all about navigating the hustle and bustle of the kitschy Clifton Hill area to find some of the best kept foodie secrets. Influenced by cultural immigration patterns Niagara Falls has Canadian flavours fused with Italian, Portuguese and Indian foods.
St Catharines Food and History Tour
If you are looking for an off the beaten path experience then this is the tour. This is where you will find the people who make the foodie magic happen. A downtown core that is seeing a resurgence with the addition of fine and performing arts venues and a university campus. There is passion for Niagara food and how it got to our table. Unique and filled with personality, this is the hidden gem of food tours.
The Ugly Holiday Sweater Tour
Not to be left out of the list. Offered for one month only, it is definitely the most fun. Niagara on the Lake takes the holiday season very seriously. NOTL is all decked out and proclaiming to be the “Ultimate Christmas Village” . Everyone is encouraged to don their best ugly holiday sweater and join in the fun, food and frivolity. Sometimes the group is found carolling on Queen Street or stopping for a photo op with Santa. This limited edition tour celebrates the beauty and deliciousness of the season.
Visit the Niagara Culinary Tours website to learn more!
