Today, Niagara-on-the-Lake draws tourists with its colonial-style buildings, the Shaw Festival, Fort George, wineries, an outlet mall on the highway, and its proximity to Niagara Falls.

[6] It was a British military base and haven for pro-British loyalists fleeing the United States during the volatile aftermath of the American Revolution.

[7] Renamed Newark by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe in 1792, it was the first capital of Upper Canada (now the province of Ontario).

[7] The Smith's Canadian Gazetteer of 1846 describes "Niagara (formerly called Newark)" as follows: It has been a place of considerable trade.

About half a mile up the river are the ruins of Fort George, where the remains of General Brock were originally interred; they were removed.

Professions and Trades.—Three physicians and surgeons, nine lawyers, twelve stores, taverns, two chemists and druggists, three booksellers and stationers, two saddlers, four wagon makers, two watchmakers, two tallow-chandlers, marble works, two printers, two cabinet makers, one hatter, four bakers, two livery stables, two tinsmiths, three blacksmiths, six tailors, seven shoemakers, one tobacconist, one bank agency, ... large quantities of apples, peaches, and cider are shipped annually.

Fort George's restoration was done as a "Make Work Project," guided by plans from the Royal Engineers during the Great Depression of the 1930s, an early example of historic preservation.

[13] Critical battles in defence of Upper Canada took place here, and at nearby at Queenston and St. David's, both now part of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In one of these, Laura Secord gained her fame (She is known for having walked 32 km out of American-occupied territory in 1813 to warn British forces of an impending American attack).

[clarification needed] The town was both as a stop on the Underground Railroad for those travelling further into Upper Canada and as a refuge in its own right.

Although it did not make the final list, the historic district was considered for nomination as a World Heritage Site.

[31] The Gate House, built after 1849, was the site of the former Wilson's Hotel and the inaugural meeting of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1797.

It is the only municipality in Canada whose elected leader is designated as lord mayor, a title most common in the United Kingdom.

[35] Previous lord mayors have included Betty Disero, Patrick Darte, Dave Eke, Gary Burroughs, Art Viola, Mike Dietsch, Stan Ignatczyk, Jim Marino, Wilbert Dick, Jake Froese and Fred Goring.

[3] Niagara-on-the-Lake experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb bordering on Dfa) using the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm but also borders an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm, having four seasons, with warm summers, cold winters, and cool to mild autumns and springs.

A long shoreline along Lake Ontario results in more moderate temperatures than neighbouring cities, as well as seasonal lag.

[38] In June 2024, the museum for the town received funding from Library and Archives Canada to document oral histories about the Mennonite community in Virgil.

The Festival produces over 750 performances annually, featuring its lauded repertory ensemble and employs over 520 artists, artisans and artsworkers locally.

It is home to a collection of over 1,400 artworks and artifacts by Canadian and international artists assembled by Samuel E. Weir.

Completed in 1970, the building features Georgian-style architecture, including a mansard roof and gabled windows.

The current team was first registered as Toronto Predators from 2013 to 2020 and relocated after the cancelled 2020–2021 season to NOTL to playoff in the Meridian Credit Union arena located in Virgil.

[51] The town is now a popular tourist destination, located at the northern terminus of the Niagara Parkway, a scenic drive and biking/walking path.