Who says self-care has to be a solitary pursuit? This spring, add a little spark to popular self-care activities by inviting someone special along for some romantic relaxation in Niagara. Borrow one of the options below or use them as inspiration to create your signature self-care escape.
The Niagara section of the Bruce Trail offers a wonderful escape for couples looking to soak up the sensory pleasures of the Niagara Escarpment this spring. For spectacular views of rolling vineyards and Lake Ontario, park at Cave Springs Conservation Area and use the Margaret Reed Side Trail to access the Bruce Trail. At the end of your hike, enjoy a flight of wines just down the road at Cave Spring Vineyard’s stunning Vineyard Tasting Room.
Finding a scenic spot to disconnect for a few days can serve as a powerful way to reset this spring, and there’s no prettier place to do that than in a vacation rental with stunning views of a Niagara orchard in bloom or a vineyard during bud break. Excellent choices include:
• Inn The Orchard’s Modern Log Cabin, Modern Cottage with Loft and Japanese Soaking Tub, or Modern Container Home with Cedar Hot Tub
• Loft on 13th, which offers the added convenience of being able to enjoy a massage at the clinic housed in the same building
• Vineland Estate’s beautiful Bed and Breakfast Cottage
• Vieni Estates’ Guest House, which can be booked as a whole house or half house
• Lincoln’s Barn On The Bench, a private studio with a beautiful Beamsville Bench vineyard view
Setting out on a scenic morning pedal with the promise of a delicious brunch or lunch as your mid-way reward is a relaxing way to spend a spring morning together. Niagara’s excellent paved cycling paths, like the Niagara River Recreational Trail, Friendship Trail, and the Welland Canals Parkway Trail, offer stress-free cruising and gorgeous views. Excellent brunch or lunch stops along the Niagara River Recreational Trail include Oaklands Restaurant at Riverbend Inn and Queenston Heights Restaurant. Tasty brunch or lunch options along the Welland Canals Parkway Trail include George’s Greek Village in St. Catharines, Kaiserhaus in Port Dalhousie and Canalside Restaurant in Port Colborne. Ridgeway’s Trailside Bar and Grill is a great choice for cyclists who set out on the Friendship Trail.
As warmer weather returns to Niagara, many area wineries invite guests to experience the beauty of their vineyards through outdoor yoga sessions. Check the spring events calendars of Niagara wineries, including Palatine Hills Estate Winery, Westcott Vineyards, Back 10 Cellars, Colaneri Estate Winery, and Lakeview Wine Co., to time your trip with spring yoga classes. Afterward, treat your yoga-stretched muscles to a Nordic-inspired sauna, soak, or hydrotherapy circuit at Burning Springs Spa and Thermal Pools in Niagara Falls, The Yard Social Club in Welland, Spa at Q in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or Grimsby’s Mellow Float.
Niagara’s golf scene swings into action with spring’s arrival at 40 area courses. A shared golf lesson is a fun way to experience the sport, especially for couples who play at different skill levels. Niagara Parks’ golf clinic and camp options include nine-hole playing lessons, Short Game School, and an Improve Your Swing analysis.
Enjoying a spa treatment together feels even more luxurious when it takes place just steps down the hall from your beautiful hotel room retreat. Spas that offer couples’ treatments that are located within excellent Niagara hotels include:
The Spa at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake
100 Fountain Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Christienne Fallsview Spa in Niagara Falls
The Spa at Sterling Inn in Niagara Falls
Spa On The Twenty in Jordan Village
Discover the calming side effects of a rush-free afternoon spent exploring without any kind of schedule. Use one of Niagara’s many themed trails or spring passport programs as a starting point, and then just see where the day takes you. Excellent options to inspire a day of exploring include:
The Niagara Ale Trail
Niagara Benchlands Cultivate Taste Trail
Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake Winermakers’ Selection Tasting Pass
Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Summer Discovery Pass (late June)
Wrap up your day with a beautiful Lake Ontario or Lake Erie sunset before heading for a delicious dinner out. Pair Lake Ontario’s Sunset Beach with old-school Italian at The Valley Restaurant, Lake Erie’s Bay Beach with elevated pub fare at South Coast Cookhouse, or Lake Erie’s Bernard Beach with sensational sourdough pizza at 335 On The Ridge.
Are you feeling inspired to plan your own couples self-care escape? Check out our Shopping and Spas, Outdoor Sports, Cycling, Wineries, Naturally Niagara pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover places that will perfectly round out your trip!
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