Niagara Falls 
Welcome to Fort Erie, an exciting summer destination for the town alone or a perfect starting point for a trip to Niagara Falls and your Lake Erie Road trip.
Credit: Town of Fort Erie
Explore arts, history, culture, festivals, dining, and the main highlight: the beach! Fort Erie is just as well-known for its rich history as it is for its Crystal Beach. But there is a ton to see and do beyond the beach and in town. The town is at the junction of the Niagara River and Lake Erie, making it an exceptional destination for any water adventures.
Historical & Cultural Attractions
- Old Fort Erie National Historic Site is a site of a large battle from the War of 1812, along with being a historically significant Ontario Fort location. Today, you can visit the replica fort and open-air museum and see remnants of the original Fort built in 1764. The highlight of the museum tours is the Siege of Fort Erie Reenactment.
- The Point Abino Lighthouse stands on Lake Erie to the west of Crystal Beach. It is a beautiful structure, especially set against the Lake Erie scenery. Guided tours of the lighthouse are available all summer.
- Mather Arch Park, built by Niagara Parks in 1939, honours the architect of the International Peace Bridge. The monument is surrounded by manicured gardens and offers a great nighttime view of the illuminated Peace Bridge. The park symbolizes Canada-US peace and friendship.
- There are even more museums to check out around Fort Erie, including the Fort Erie Historical Museum, The Railway Museum, Ridgeway Battlefield Heritage Park, and the Mewinzha Archaeology and Indigenous History Gallery.
- Embark on a self-guided tour of Fort Erie’s historical several historical landmarks.
- Safari Niagara offers a unique experience with over 1000 animals, featuring attractions, tours, shows, camps, and educational programs.
- Spend an afternoon enjoying horse racing at one of North America’s most picturesque race tracks.
Beach & Water Fun
The major highlight of visiting Fort Erie, besides the rich history, is Crystal Beach. The waters are warm in the summer, the sand is soft, and the entire area is well-maintained by the city with features like picnic areas, playgrounds,
- Bay or Crystal Beach is the main Fort Erie Beach. Along with the spacious beach, swimming areas, and basic park amenities, the beach also offers a public boat launch. Keep in mind that paid parking is in effect, and you’ll need to purchase a pass to the beach.
- Getting out on the water without owning a boat is made much easier with the help of Adventure Crystal Beach who rent out sea-doos, multi-person SUPs, or single SUPs. On The Water Niagara are located a short drive north of Fort Erie and provide rentals for kayaks or paddleboards.
- The city maintains and operates four more local boat launches located on the Niagara River.
The Best Trails around Fort Erie
Fort Erie is one small section of the Greater Niagara Circle Route, with many other great trails to explore in the area.
- The Fort Erie section of the Greater Niagara Circle Route loops around the region with the around the Niagara River as it makes its way through town.
- The main trail in town is the Friendship Recreation Trail which cuts through the entire town and follows the Erie shoreline east to west. The trail extends for 16km and permits cycling. This is the southern link for the Greater Niagara Circle Route.
- The Shagbark Nature Park brings your walk a bit further away from the people and crowds and towards the animals and nature. The park has 4km of trails to explore with interpretive signage along the way to teach hikers about the bugs, animals, and plant life in the park.
Where to Dine in Fort Erie
There are two main locations with large groupings of restaurants in Fort Erie: Garrison Road, and Niagara Boulevard. Below is a quick guide to help you navigate the many wonderful places to eat in Fort Erie.
- The Southside Patio Bar & Grill, Vaticano Italian Restaurant, Happy Jack’s Restaurant & Patio, and Ming Teh Restaurant all offer views of the river from their patios.
- Dine at the spots closest to Crystal Beach like Crafted 1885, or Beach Bites.
- Find the family dining spots with Green Acres Family Restaurant, The Barrel Restaurant, or Central Pizza.
Summer Events & Festivals in Fort Erie
One could easily plan a summer getaway in Fort Erie around the city’s several events, festivals, and town parties. Plus, there are two nearby local markets to take advantage during your stay for fresh produce, sweets, meats, and handmade goods.
- Ray’s Detailing Kustom Car & Bike Show (June), Stevensville Springfest (June), and Fort Erie Pride all take place in June to help kick off the summer.
- Next up in July is the Ridgeway Summer Festival (July), followed by the Stevensville RAM Rodeo in August.
- There will be events in Fort Erie which take place all summer including the Summer Breezes Concert Series in Ridgeway and Waterfront Park Concert Series in Fort Erie.
- More summer-long events in Fort Erie include the two main markets: Ridgeway BIA Farmer’s Market open Saturdays from May to October, and the Crystal Beach Supper Market open Thursdays from July to August.
Where to Stay in Fort Erie
Fort Erie has a large number of chain hotels from which to choose. But beyond those are just as many unique inns, B&Bs, private rentals, or beachside cottages.
- Camp in a bit more luxury than normal with these resorts around Fort Erie: Harmony Resorts offer cabins and tent camping; Rustic Retreat offers dome glamping; Windmill Point Park Campground offer RVs for rent and operates an inflatable waterpark!
- Some of the closest options to Crystal Beach include the Lakeside Suites, Yellowdoor Bed & Breakfast, Malak B&B Resort, or Hotel Philco.
- Stay closer to the restaurants and river with Knights Inn or The Pelican Guesthouse.
