6-Day Niagara Falls & Vineyards Scenic Bike and Wine Tour - update

We'll meet and shuttle to your cycling start along a stretch of scenic bike path on the U.S. side of the Niagara River. View the tumbling waters of Horseshoe Falls, which hugs the Canadian side of the falls area, before cycling briefly through the lively downtown of Niagara Falls. Lunch is on your own in Niagara Falls. More bike path awaits you with views of the river, and you finish your ride … before transiting across the border to our night’s lodging in Jordan Station. Enjoy dinner with the group at a local restaurant. 
Accommodation: The Inn on the Twenty, Jordan Station
Meals: Dinner

Biking: 23.5 miles (37.8 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 542 feet (165 meters) ascent, 703 feet (214 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

After breakfast, you say goodbye to Jordan and transit 40 minutes to your cycling start at the southern end of the dedicated bike path along the famed Welland Canal. A marvel of waterway engineering, this shipping canal was first completed in the mid 1800s, creating a man-made waterway on the St. Lawrence Seaway linking Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. Finish either at the north end of the Canal with a 20-minute shuttle to the hotel, or continue riding along roads directly to the hotel in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Settled by Europeans in the 1780s, this town figures prominently in the history of this region of Canada and has developed into a wonderful summer getaway, with a bustling boutique shopping district and a popular, months-long theater festival. Your lodging for the next 3 nights is at the exceptional Queen’s Landing, a lovely boutique hotel in the heart of town. Dinner is with the group.
Accommodation: Queen’s Landing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 35.8 miles (57.6 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 83 feet (25 meters) ascent, 408 feet (124 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

Cycling today includes long rural views over mostly flat terrain as you meander through the heart of Niagara wine country. Discovery hosts a tasting at the modern Queenston Mile Vineyard — and to help you choose other places to visit from the eight additional wineries and breweries you cycle by, consult your Ride With GPS “Guide” for information about each establishment. For example, with truly Canadian ambiance, one of the wineries is Wayne Gretzky Estates, which besides offering a decent Baco Noir, also produces beer and whiskey … and has an ice rink and restaurant. Your route winds back to the bustling town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the inn. Cap your evening in town with a night at the theater! Discovery provides you with a ticket for one of the Shaw Festival offerings. Dinner is on your own, and we encourage you to eat early if you are going to the theater.
Accommodation: Queen’s Landing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 31 miles (49.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 257 feet (78 meters) ascent, 257 feet (78 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

After an elegant breakfast at Queen’s Landing, you enter Fort George National Historic Site and cycle on virtually all bike path up the Niagara River — passing over the Niagara River Dam, to enjoy water and cliff views as you make your way to the Canadian city of Niagara Falls. You see why this one of the world’s most famous waterfalls as you enjoy spectacular views from different vantage points along the Canadian promenade. Lunch options abound in this kitschy but fun tourist town. Your return cycle route to Niagara-on-the-Lake passes a few more very good wineries … if you would like to cap your week in the area with another tasting. Our team recommends Inniskillin for their Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and ice wines. Your final celebratory dinner is with the group at a great local restaurant.
Accommodation: Queen’s Landing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 31.3 miles (50.4 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,039 feet (621 meters) ascent, 2,039 feet 621 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

After a relaxed breakfast, you have a short shuttle to the Floral Showhouse Botanical Garden, for your final glimpse of the whitewater above the falls … before cycling along the southern section of the Niagara River toward the Peace Bridge. The group meets at Fort Erie for a picnic lunch before shuttling back into the United States and returning to the start at the Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Airport.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 19.1 miles (30.7 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 147 feet (45 meters) ascent, 133 feet (41 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate