Fall has arrived, finally. While we miss the long days we are happy to see scorching 100- degree days in the rearview mirror. It’s time to set aside the fan, get out of the lounge chair, and venture out. The air is crisp, there are fewer crowds, and the countryside beckons. It calls for a road trip.

With crisp air, fewer crowds, and the alluring countryside, the season beckons us to embark on a road trip.

This year we’re visiting three amazing places that women over 60 should put on their bucket lists, and fall is the perfect time to visit them.

• The Brandywine Valley, which traverses Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware
• Niagara-on-the-Lake just over the border in Ontario, Canada
• Fallingwater and the Laurel Highlands in Western Pennsylvania

Niagara on the Lake

A taste of England just over the border

Often described as the prettiest town in Ontario, Niagara on the Lake (NOTL) is full of well-preserved 19th-century architecture, a scenic waterfront, immaculately landscaped houses, charming little shops, and galleries filled with the works of artists and photographers from all over the globe.

Add to that its renowned summer theater—which extends into fall–wine-tastings, miles of paths for cycling, and lovely inns and exquisite dining make this the perfect place for a three- or four-day getaway.  Here are some reasons you should visit NOTL.

See a play or two at the Shaw Festival

The Shaw Festival is a major attraction in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is a theater festival that runs from April to October and features plays by George Bernard Shaw and other playwrights.

The plays are performed in several theaters throughout the town, including the Festival Theatre, the Royal George Theatre, and the Court House Theatre. It is one of the largest repertory theatre companies in North America and a major cultural attraction in the Niagara region.

The 2024 season, for example, features Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, which runs until December 22nd, and Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie, which runs until October 13th.

The theater festival attracts throngs throughout the summer, which is why fall is an optimal time to visit.

Sample Niagara’s amazing ice wines

There are over 120 wineries in the Niagara region that produce over 2 million cases of white, red, rose, sparkling and ice wines annually. Wine tours and dining at the wineries’ excellent restaurants are pleasant ways to spend an afternoon or two.  The wine industry has an economic impact of nearly $4 billion and attracts over 2 million wine tourists per year.

While other areas of North America—California, in particular—produce arguably much better wines, Niagara-on-the-Lake lays claim to a unique wine. The region is the world’s largest producer of ice wine, making more than all other countries combined.  Unlike regular wines where grapes are harvested in the fall, ice wine grapes are left on the vine well into the winter.

The grapes must naturally freeze solid at temperatures around -8°C (17°F) or lower while still on the vine. This concentrates the sugars and flavors as the water content freezes into ice crystals. The result is a sweet, viscous wine, delicious with desserts as well as some savory dishes. The region is the undisputed leader and largest producer of high-quality ice wines globally.

Niagara attracts more than 2 million wine tourists each year. You can visit dozens of these wineries, many of which have tasting programs and tours. Here are just a few that are worth visiting.

• Inniskillin is renowned for its exceptional, award-winning icewines. It is one of the most famous wineries in the region, known for popularizing Canadian icewine production. A visit can include a winery tour, an icewine tasting, or other wine and culinary experiences.
• Peller Estates is one of the oldest and largest wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a personal favorite. It is highly regarded for its wide selection of wines, including reds, whites, and ice wines made from locally sourced grapes.

On your visit you can stroll among the vines, sip ice wine in the ice lounge, and sample wines one of their tasting events. Peller’s award-winning winery restaurant where each item on the menu is paired with a selected wine from the Peller Estates cellar.

• Jackson-Triggs is widely considered one of the best and most popular wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is known for producing high-quality wines and offering exceptional visitor experiences, including tours, tastings and experiences for every level of wine lover.
• Château Des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth-generation French winegrower. A visit can include a guided tour of the vineyard, a walk through its underground geothermal cellars, and end with a wine tasting.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea

One of the most enduring English traditions is afternoon tea. In grand manor houses throughout the English countryside, the upper classes would often pause at four o’clock in the afternoon for a cup of tea. Light fare would be served to tide them over until the late dinner hour.

Since Niagara-on-the-Lake’s history is British it’s no wonder that there are many places to have afternoon tea, including the top three:

• A favorite spot for tea is the Drawing Room of The Prince of Wales Hotel.  What sounds more British than that?  Tea in a “drawing room” no less. It is one of the most popular and highly recommended venues for an authentic afternoon tea experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This unique spot offers a traditional English-style afternoon tea service in an elegant Victorian setting.

Tea is served in ornate tea sets, and includes delicate desserts, scones, and finger sandwiches.  Of course, it’s ridiculously over-priced for what you get but if you are thinking about the cost, Tim Horton’s out on the highway serves sweet tea.

• McFarland House is a historic home from the 1800s that serves afternoon tea in its glass-enclosed Conservatory Tea Room. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, fresh pastries, fruits, desserts and savoury tea. It may not have the snooty setting of the Prince of Wales, but it is also more affordable.
• The HobNob Restaurant & Wine Bar at the Charles Hotel is located in the old parlour of a beautifully restored 1832 manor house. Afternoon tea is served in a room adorned by a sparkling crystal chandelier, carved wooden doors, a stately fireplace and original oil paintings.

Order the Traditional Afternoon which includes a pot of tea, choice of finger sandwiches, scones and accompaniments, and assorted pastries. Or opt for the simpler Cream Tea with a pot of tea and scones.

Stroll through the charming “English” town

Strolling in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a treat, anywhere really, but particularly on Queen Street, the town’s main thoroughfare.  You will be so tempted to take pictures you won’t be able to keep your phone in your pocket.

Queen Street is bursting with over-flowing window boxes, hanging floral arrangements and tony shops.  Even the side street homes have kept up their end with incredible gardens that demonstrate their owners’ deep pride in the overall look of the town.

Many of the shops’ names are reminiscent of another time, like The Olde Apothecary Shop or the Irish Wool Shop (because who doesn’t need one of those scratchy wool sweaters to stroll across the Outer Hebrides in the rain.)

And if towns like these make you feel like buying their chocolate (it just feels like the right thing to do), there is a unique chocolate shop on Queen Street called Chocolate FX.

Tourists in the know load up on the Chocolate FX truffles for gifts and their own eating pleasure–try the Ice wine Truffles or the Chocolate Truffles with Maple Liqueur. You can tour its factory, try a shot of warm melted real chocolate, or immerse yourself in the exquisite tasting of wine paired with their chocolates.

And of course, there’s Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, a natural wonder that spans the border between the U.S. and Canada, is most famously known for the breathtaking Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Over 160,000 cubic meters of water plunge over the edge every minute, creating a dramatic mist and thunderous roar.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 13 to 15 miles (22 kilometers) from Niagara Falls, depending on the route you take.

The most scenic route is along the Niagara Parkway, about 34 miles long, which runs along the Niagara River, offering beautiful views of the river and the falls as you approach. Sir Winston Churchill once described Niagara Parkway as “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.”

Travel and accommodations

To drive: Niagara-on-the-Lake is approximately 460 miles from New York City, about 7 to 8 hours without stops. Allowing extra time for rest stops, meals, and any sightseeing along the way, the total trip could easily take 9-10 hours. Consider splitting it into a 2-day journey to fully enjoy the scenic drive through upstate New York—the Finger Lakes, Watkins Falls, Cooperstown, and more.

To fly: Jet Blue, United, and Delta Airlines have direct flights from JFK and Newark to Buffalo International Airport. Prices can start as low as $36 for one-way tickets, depending on the time of booking and season. Shuttle buses are available to take you to NOTL. Private transportation from tour companies, including Wheelz Niagara, can be reserved in advance.

Accommodations: Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from luxury hotels to charming bed and breakfasts.

The Pillar and Post, a five-star country inn in a 19^th century building, has 122 guestrooms, many with fireplaces and jetted tubs. Guests also can enjoy the on-site spa, which features indoor/outdoor pools and hot springs.

For a more casual and less expensive stay there are B&Bs scattered throughout town and the neighboring communities. The Queen Regent is a recently renovated 1840 heritage home with vintage and bespoke furnishings and a large back yard.

For your own space both VRBO and Airbnb offer a range of apartments and houses that can be rented for your stay.  NOTL is a dog-friendly town, so if you want to travel with your furry best friend, Bring Fido is a website that lists hotels and B&Bs that welcome pets.

Coming soon: Road trips to The Brandywine Valley and Fallingwater

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