Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
and smaller ones that are aggressively pushing the boundaries of winemaking (www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/cta/ greatest-winery-tour). How about a visit to Ontario's only fly-in vineyard? Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery is a small boutique operation, with the tasting room in the family dining room. Owner and vintner Sue-Ann is also a pilot, and her winery is the only fly-in winery in Ontario with two grass runways and coordinates available for touch down ( www.sue-annstaff.com ). Westcott Vineyards is another small family-run winery, located in a re-situated 200-year-old Mennonite barn. The winery makes a bubbly that will blow your socks off and serves fresh and tasty lunches on the verandah ( www.jordanstationwinery.ca ). CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF CANADIAN PRIDE History abounds in Niagara, and it is no surprise that the area will be busy with special events and celebrations for Canada's sesquicentennial. Fort George National Historic Site is an accurately restored fort where costumed interpreters re-enact history ( www.parks canada.gc.ca/fortgeorge ). The Fort will salute Canada during a rousing Canada Day event, featuring period music, a barbeque, musket demonstrations and cannon firings, concluding with a concert and fire- works display. This season Fort George will also be paying homage to author Jane Austin with lectures, and a "Persuasion" tea party. Niagara Parks is planning a year-long series of programs and initiatives to celebrate the sesquicentennial around the theme of "Rooted." There will be new pollinator gardens throughout the parks and the ongoing Life on Display installation of miniature replica houses at the Floral Showhouse. A new exhibit at the Butterfly Conservatory will celebrate Ontario's native species, in late summer. The signature event, Rooted, will include the Majestic Monarch Release at the Butterfly Conservatory, and Nuit Vert: Dinner Under the Canopy, prepared by local chefs. Not to be missed are the 25,000 red and white tulips planted by Niagara Parks within Queen Victoria Park. GRAB THE GUSTO Adrenaline junkies will rejoice at WildPlay's MistRider Zipline to the Falls which whistles you along the edge of the Falls for a breath-stopping ride. Experience the Falls in a whole new way: hanging from a 67-m-high (220-ft.) vantage point on one of four parallel zip-lines at speeds over 70 km/h (40 mph), along the edge of the Niagara River gorge and down to the Falls observation area. In addition, WildPlay's new Whirlpool Adventure Course presents the thrill of suspended obstacles and zip-lines above the Niagara gorge. It also includes climbing, jumping, and swinging aerial games—a different way to explore the Niagara River —with options for both adventurous adults and kids aged 5-12 ( www.wildplay.com ). GOURMET NIAGARA Niagara is synonymous with good food, so it is logical that some of Canada's celebrity chefs have moved to Niagara and are producing superb locally-sourced food. All of the Niagara Parks restaurants are SEE THE WAR OF 1812 COME TO LIFE VIVEZ L'EXPÉRIENCE DE LA GUERRE DE 1812 Celebrate the 150 th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 by taking advantage of free admission to all Parks Canada places for the entire year. parkscanada.gc.ca/fortgeorge Célébrez le 150 e anniversaire de la Confédération en 2017 en profitant de l'entrée gratuite à tous les endroits de Parcs Canada pour toute l'année. parcscanada.gc.ca/fortgeorge ON 93