The Perfect Road Trip Thru The Niagara Region
Niagara, Ontario is in my Canadian back yard and has always been on my list of must-see places and for my 40th birthday I was lucky enough to see it. Chevrolet Canada invited me to test out the all newly re-designed Equinox and together, we had the perfect road trip thru the Niagara region.
The Niagara region is a short 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Toronto’s Pearson airport. I hopped in a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and hit the road south. First stop on my road trip was for a real brewed iced tea at Balzac’s Coffee Roasters. Made popular from the CBC show, Dragon’s Den, it lived up to it’s original pitch. The warm and inviting interior, fun details and cozy location in Niagara on the lake is the perfect place for a coffee pit stop and a nut free oatmeal cookie (yay for me).
Just up the street from the cute coffee shop on the way to the falls, is the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. This indoor terrarium is like walking into a jungle. Over 2000 butterflies and 45 different species flutter around your head as you walk thru the atrium. It’s hot, like really hot so be sure to take advantage of the coat racks before you go inside.
Phew, after a full day of road tripping around Niagara, I was so thankful for a comfortable bed in a quiet room. The Inn On The Twenty is a hidden gem in the Niagara region. Set in the centre of Jordan village, this beautiful inn is the focal point on the main street. Every angle of this street is picturesque. There are quaint shops that line both sides of the street perfect for some wandering after breakfast at the inn’s restaurant across the street. 
Tick Niagara Falls off my bucket list! On the day before my 40th birthday I got to stand next to the rushing waters of the falls. To the locals, it’s just another congested tourist area but for me, it was a stunning display of the awesome power of water and force. To say I was giddy would be an understatement. It’s loud and fast and misty and breathtaking. Do not miss this stop if you’re in the area. I’m keeping this one on my bucket list so I can go back and see it at night and ‘maybe’ get on the boat that takes you right into the heart of the basin. 
Once we saw butterflies and giggled with excitement at the falls, it was time to eat. We had a wonderful dinner at the Redstone Winery. As much a restaurant as it is a winery, the 38 acre property is named for the red clay soil and large stones and offers stunning views of the vineyards from both the inside tables and the outdoor patio. The menu is inspired by the region and is beautifully mastered by Chef David Sider.
I think I was still full from the dinner the night before but we stopped for a quick lunch on the way to the airport at the Good Earth Food and Wine Co. Offering more than just a delicious lunch, Good Earth has cooking classes, private event space, a winery and a shop on what can only be described as a vineyard farm style property. It feels earthy and rustic and the food is worth the wait. 
My road trip thru the Niagara Region was amazing. With only 48 hours, a map and a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, I clocked hundreds of km’s, saw some of the best sights in the area and as I sat on the plane headed back to Calgary, I realized, it left me wanting more. I can’t wait to go back and take the family.
What’s on your travel bucket list?
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