7 Amazing Things to do in Pelham on a Niagara Day Trip
On a recent day trip to the Niagara region, I explored a Pelham and fell in love with its rural small town charm. Along winding country roads I visited unique businesses, hiked among wildflowers and learned the family stories behind some incredible places in Niagara.
So, if you love exploring rural Ontario, browsing unique shops, enjoying cozy cafes, and adding a hike or winery to your route, then I’ve got the perfect day trip for you! In this guide I’m sharing the best things to do in Pelham on a day trip.
Learn about a unique boutique that has a secret garden out back that you’re going to want to visit! Also, for outdoor enthusiasts, I’ve got a couple of places for you, like hiking in Short Hills Provincial Park. And of course, it wouldn’t be a complete Niagara day trip without a visit to a winery.
Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip from Toronto (only 1.5 hours away) or you’re coming from London or the Barrie area like me, Pelham makes for a gem of a destination.
Where is Pelham?
For those who aren’t aware, Pelham is a town in the Niagara region. It’s home to a number of communities like Ridgeville, Fenwick and Fonthill. It borders St. Catharines to the southwest and is roughly 30 minutes west of Niagara Falls.
Shop Hamiltons of Pelham
One of my favourite places to visit in Pelham is Hamiltons of Pelham. This unique gift shop sells an array of items, from home decor to jewellery and fun gifts.
Walking in it feels more like an art gallery! I loved that the shelves were lined with a mix of local art as well as interesting international pieces. Windchimes where hanging among cute bird houses and colourful metal butterflies.
Located in the heart of Ridgeville, the shop is also home to an enchanted garden. Behind the shop the owners have created a space to show off their extensive garden pieces. You’ll find everything from grand Greek pots to statement pieces of art.
I loved that it felt like a secret garden that I could wander and soak in the Zen vibes, as birds chirped in the trees and the wind chimes rang.
Honestly, the owners were so lovely and encouraged the shoppers to enjoy it.
Speaking with Heather, one of the owners, she said, ‘this is more than a place to shop, it’s a destination.’ And I can’t agree with her more!
When I wasn’t soaking in the relaxing vibes, I was getting inspiration for how I could make my garden come alive. I loved the colourful chimeneas from Mexico and the different sized pots (that you could use for plants or tip them over for a water feature – like in their garden!)
One piece that stood out were a set of Portuguese pots that had a pre-planed herb garden growing in them. These are a collaboration between Hamiltons of Pelham and another local business, the Farmers Daughters Flower Shack.
Grab a Coffee & Treat
After some retail therapy, wander a couple of doors down to Nature’s Corner Bakery & Cafe. This adorable cafe is a great spot to refresh with a drink and a treat.
With the heat of the summer approaching, I ordered one of their fun cold drinks – the cold foam vanilla Chai. It was exactly the cool boost I needed. With a large display of treats to choose from, I was struggling to decide. They had so many amazing looking desserts, from strawberry eclairs to an artsy key lime tart.
I asked the manager what they are best known for and he said their carrot cake. It’s a recipe passed down from the owner’s aunt. As soon as I bit into it, I could see why this was a favourite! Moist, full of flavour and an icing that was not too sweet – it was perfect!
One thing I love about this bakery is that it uses local ingredients, organic wheat flour, drug free meats, and everything is made from scratch in their kitchen. You’ll find a variety of items on their menu, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
I also appreciate that they sell a number of other local products, from artisanal cheeses, jams, and coffee beans. And of course, I couldn’t resist buying a bag of coffee, especially since it is bird friendly.
If you’re visiting this spring through fall, you can dine indoors or opt to enjoy their patio.
Enjoy some Wine
It would be a day trip to the Niagara region without a stop at a winery! And Henry of Pelham Winery is a great spot to stop for lunch and a wine tasting.
A visit to Henry of Pelham in the summer is so fun! Grab a flight of wine, order up some tasty food from Short Hills Kitchen, choose a seat on the patio and enjoy.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery is a family run business, with deep roots in the land that it sits on, dating back to the late 18th century. Home to a 300-acre vineyard, you can enjoy a wine tasting, a meal on their patio, or book one of their daily public wine tours.
One thing I loved about this winery is their sustainable practices. While there are over 50 now, Henry of Pelham was among the first 6 certified sustainable wineries in Ontario in 2017. Sustainability is a big focus here, from farming practices to the tanks they use to creating wildlife corridors.
For my tasting I told the lovely lady behind the bar what I like and asked her to put together a line up. It was spot on, I started with the Three of Hearts (their Rosé, which I LOVED), The Glass Eye, which is a Pinot Grigio from their Speck Brothers Family Tree line of wines, and The Shadow Rock, a Sauvignon Blanc.
I paired that with one of the daily specials from their onsite restaurant, Short Hills Kitchen. I ordered the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. It was on a perfect crusty yet doughy bun and came with a great salad.
Visit a Flower Stand
Another gem in Ridgeville is the roadside flower stand – the Farmers Daughters Flower Shack.
You can’t miss it! Driving along, I immediately spotted it. Spilling out of the little red flower shack and lining the roadside was an abundance of flowers. There’s everything from hanging pots of flowers to various annuals to plant in your garden.
I loved hearing the story of from the owner, Rachel, how the flower stand started. It turns out that her daughter had an idea to sell flowers roadside when she was only 13. Now, around 7 years later, this adorable flower shack has grown out of that.
One item I loved was an herb garden planted in a terracotta pot. I loved it because the pot was gorgeous and who doesn’t love fresh herbs to cook with? But the best part is that this is a collaboration piece between the Flower Shack, using their plants, and Hamilton’s of Pelham, using one of their many beautiful pots.
Hike Short Hills Provincial Park
Another great spot to stop on a day trip to Pelham is Short Hills Provincial Park.
This 650-hectare park is located between St. Cathrines and Pelham. The park has 8 different hiking trails ranging from under 1 km to just over 6 km. So, there’s a trail to fit if you want a short walk or longer hike.
It’s also home to the Bruce Trail and Swayze Falls. And the best thing is that you can visit the falls via the short Paleozoic Path (950 metres) or opt for the longer Swayze Falls Trail (6.2 km).
Even though the lookout platform for the waterfall was closed during my visit, I still enjoyed the short trail. The path was shaded with towering trees and lined with pretty wildflowers.
PLEASE NOTE: As of the June 2026, the lookout platform for Swayze Falls is closed due to repair.
Visit the Comfort Maple
Another great outdoor stop is the Comfort Maple Conservation Area.
Off a winding country road, down a short dirt path, I found myself at the smallest conservation area I’d ever visited. But it was so worth it when I stepped out of my car and looked up to see a massive tree welcoming me.
Sitting on the edge of farmers fields, this slice of conservation area is home to the Comfort Maple. The tree is considered to be the oldest sugar maple tree in Canada. And it’s even a designated heritage tree.
The Comfort Maple has a trunk circumference of roughly 6 metres (20 feet) and a crown that stretches over 24 metres (80 feet)!! And it’s thought to be around 500 years old!
Whether you love the great outdoors or are interested in history, the Comfort Maple should be on your list of things to do in Pelham!
Take a Tour of a Maple Syrup Farm
Spring isn’t the only great time to visit maple syrup farms in Ontario.
If you’re planning a day trip to Pelham in the spring or summer, I highly recommend added White Meadows Farms to your itinerary.
This multi-generational farm is home to an over 150-acre sugar bush. May through October the farm runs maple tours that you can book. These 2-hour tours start with a visit to their sugar shack, where you’ll learn about how syrup is processed. Then you’ll hop aboard for a wagon ride into their forest for a 40-minute stroll through the maple bush. Here you’ll even get to taste their maple syrup!
As a bonus, you can also add on one of their tasting boards to enjoy after the tour. These charcuterie boards come in small sweet ones or larger boards with a mix of treats. You’ll find local maple flavoured meats and cheeses, and you can wash it all down with a glass of their maple iced tea.
They even have a gluten free option available!
Even if you’re short on time, pop into their Sweet Shop! This cute little log cabin is full of maple items for a sweet souvenir. Grab a bottle of their maple syrup and one of their fun maple themed stickers!
Sample Pelham Day Trip Itinerary
If you’re coming from Toronto, Barrie or London, here’s a sample day trip itinerary.
- Leave home between 8–9am
- Stop at Short Hills Provincial Park for a hike (20 min – 1 hour)
- Lunch and a wine tasting at Henry of Pelham’s Winery (1 hour)
- Tour and tasting board at White Meadows Farms (2.5 hours)
- Stop at Farmers Daughters Flower Shack (10 – 15 min)
- Shop at Hamilton’s of Pelham (30 – 45 min)
- Coffee & treat at Nature’s Corner Bakery & Café (25 min)
- Stop at Comfort Maple on the way home (5 – 10 min)
The Pelham area is a great escape from the busy areas of Niagara. It’s full of great stops that make for a fun day trip, or weekend getaway.
Disclaimer: This post was written in partnership with Hamilton’s of Pelham, I was also hosted by Henry of Pelham Winery and Nature’s Corner Bakery & Café, but as always, all opinions expressed are my own.
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