Left: Overview of Fort George. Top right: Portrayal of the Battle of Queenston Heights (John David Kelly). Bottom right: Chippawa Battlefield Park. Photos: [hauntednorthamerica.net; canadianartcards.com; visit1812.com].

---

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Many battles in the War of 1812 took place in the area we now know as the Niagara Greenbelt. The many well preserved military heritage sites add rich historical significance to the area. The tour you are about to embark on will illustrate the importance of the War of 1812 to Canadian heritage and more specifically to the Niagara Greenbelt area. The tour is comprised of eight different points of interest, however not all points of interests are included along the interpretive tour. 

The main purpose of this tour is to provide an introduction to some of the events, sites, and personalities associated with the war of 1812, with a specific focus on the battlegrounds on which the War of 1812 took place. Fort George, Battlefield of Chippawa Park, Battle of Beaverdams Park and Queenston Heights Park are a few locations which will be explored on the tour. Many of these destinations are equipped with facilities such as washrooms and food services. Prior to taking the tour, you can refer to the web pages for individual tour destinations  through the website for further information (links below).

 

 

The tour begins near the north end of the Niagara Parkway at the stunning Fort George park complex. You will then make your way down the Niagara Parkway into Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by Niagara Falls and Thorold.

 

 

Your trip itinerary is: 

 

 

Point A: Fort George

 

Click to play or download Fort George TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

From Fort George head left out of the parking lot down Queens Parade. Continue onto the Niagara Parkway then drive for 1.1 km. The parking lot will be on your left, just after you pass East and West Line.

 

15927 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake
 

 

Point B: McFarland House

 

 

Click to play or download McFarland Park TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

Turn left out of the parking lot, continuing down the Niagara Parkway for another 9.3 km. Make a slight right at the roundabout into the park. Turn left at the first intersection for the main parking lot.

 

14184 Niagara Parkway Queenston
 

 

Point C: Queenston Heights Park

 

Click to play or download QUEENSTON HEIGHTS PARK TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

Exit the park, taking the second exit on the roundabout onto the Niagara Parkway. Drive 8.1 km then continue onto River Rd. Continue onto Niagara Parkway then Macklem St. Turn left onto Portage Rd, driving 220 m then turn left onto Main St then right back onto the Niagara Parkway. Drive 4.5 km then turn right onto Weaver Rd. The Museum is on the left, just after you pass through the intersection.

 

9935 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls Niagara Falls
 

 

Point D: Willoughby Historical Museum

 

Click to play or download Willoughby Historical Museum TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

From the Willoughby Historical Museum head right towards the Niagara Parkway. Turn left on the Parkway and drive 2.2 km. The park will be on your left.

 

Niagara Parkway, Chippawa Village Niagara Falls
 

 

Point E: Chippawa Battlefield Park

 

Click to play or download Chippawa Battlefield Park TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

Head north on the Niagara Parkway toward Service Rd 30. Continue onto Bridgewater St then turn right onto Portage Rd. Drive 2.3 km the turn right to stay on Portage Rd. Continue onto Main Street. Turn right onto Stanley Avenue, then take the first left onto Main St. Drive 1.2 km then turn right onto Ferry St. The museum will be on your right just before Sylvia Place.

 

5810 Ferry Street Niagara Falls
 

 

Point F: Lundy's Lane Historical Museum (now Niagara Falls History Museum)

 

Click to play or download Niagara Falls History Museum TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

Turn left back onto Ferry Street. At the Ferry St. - Main St. intersection Ferry St. becomes Lundy’s Lane. The Drummond Hill Cemetery is located on your left, a short ways from the intersection. You can see the church spire from the road.

Lundy's Lane Niagara Falls 

 

Point G: Drummond Hill Cemetery

 

Click to play or download The Drummond Hill Cemetery TripClip (mp3 format).

 

Directions to next point:

 

Turn left out of the parking lot back onto Lundy’s Lane. Drive 2.3 km then turn right onto Beaverdams Rd. After 1.3 km turn right onto Kalar Rd. Turn left onto Thorold Stone Rd, driving 3.9 km before continuing onto ON-58 N (signs for Thorold/Ontario 406). Take the Pine St exit, turning right onto Pine St S/Regional Rd 67. At the fork turn left onto Richmond St. Continue onto Ormond St. The parking lot will be on your left. The main gates are located off Sullivan Avenue.

 

Ormond Street South at Portland Street Thorold, Ontario (905) 227-1148
 

 

Point H: Battle of Beaverdams Park

 

Click to play or download Battle of Beaverdams Park TripClip (mp3 format).

 

 

To return to your starting point in Niagara on the Lake:

 

Turn left out of the parking lot, heading north on Ormond St S.Continue onto Merritt St. Drive 1.4 km then turn right onto Glendale Ave/Regional Rd 89. Drive 1.9 km then turn left onto Welland Canals Parkway. After 2.3 km turn right onto Queenston St. Take the 1st left onto Niagara Stone Rd (signs for County Highway 55/Niagara Stone Road). Drive 10.1 km then turn right onto East and West Line (signs for East & West Line/Regional Road 85). Turn left onto Niagara Pkwy. Continue onto Queen's Parade. The parking lot will be on the right.

 

To return to the QEW:

 

Turn left out of the parking lot, heading north on Ormond St S. After 1.3 km continue onto Merritt St. Drive 2.4 km then continue onto Hartzel Rd. After 1.4 km turn left onto Queenston St. Turn right onto Grantham Ave S. Drive 1.1 km then turn right onto Dunkirk Rd. Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way via the ramp on the left to Niagara

 

DIRECTIONS to Tour starting point

From Toronto:

 

1. Take the Queen Elizabeth Way, following signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie
2. Take the Regional Road 89/Glendale Avenue S exit
3. Merge onto Glendale Ave/Regional Rd 89
4. Turn right onto Taylor Rd/Regional Rd 70
5. After 2.4 km continue onto Niagara Stone Rd (signs for Niagra On The Lake)
6. Drive 10.1 km then turn right onto East and West Line (signs for East & West Line/Regional Road 85)
7. Drive 3.7 km then turn left onto Niagara Pkwy
8. Continue onto Queen's Parade

 

The parking lot will be on the right.

 

 

From Niagara:

1. Take the Queen Elizabeth Way toward Toronto
2. Take the Regional Road 89/Glendale Avenue exit toward Niagara-on-the-Lake
3. Turn right onto Glendale Ave/Regional Rd 89
4. Turn left onto York Rd (signs for Virgil/Niagara-on-the-Lake)
5. Take the 1st right onto Airport Rd
6. Drove 2.8 km then turn right onto Niagara Stone Rd
7. After 7.4 km turn right onto East and West Line (signs for East & West Line/Regional Road 
8. Drive 3.7 km then turn right onto Niagara Pkwy 

8. Continue onto Queen's Parade

 

The parking lot will be on the right.