Fort Erie
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Fort Erie

Fort Erie

Lake Erie border town across from Buffalo, with beaches and Niagara Peninsula history.

Fort Erie sits at the southern tip of the Niagara Peninsula, directly across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, New York. It is a small town in the shadow of its bigger neighbours — Niagara Falls to the north, Buffalo across the river — but has its own quiet identity as a lakeside community with good beaches and a border-town character that sets it apart from the rest of Ontario.

Crystal Beach on the Lake Erie shore was once the site of a major amusement park that drew crowds from both sides of the border. The park is long gone, but the beach area remains pleasant in summer and offers views across to the Buffalo skyline at night. The Friendship Festival, held over the Canada Day and Fourth of July weekend in early July, is the social highlight of the year — a bi-national celebration centred on the Mather Arch near the Peace Bridge. The Old Fort Erie is a restored War of 1812 fortification on the river bank, with living history demonstrations in summer. The Fort Erie Race Track has been drawing thoroughbred racing fans since 1897.

Guide

Eating Out

Happy Jacks is likely the first restaurant you'll hear of when asking for a restaurant in Fort Erie.

Specializing in Cantonese/Chinese cuisine, the restaurant is a far distant relative of the typical take-away that you come across in many other cities in Canada and the United States.

The restaurant offers a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere with splashes of red and tans throughout the restaurant. The wait staff is helpful and courteous.

Guide

Getting Around

By car: Fort Erie is most easily explored by car. Garrison Road (Provincial Route 3) runs east-west through town. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) connects to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, and Toronto. The Niagara Parkway follows the river northward and is a scenic leisure drive.

From the USA: The Peace Bridge connects Fort Erie directly to Buffalo, New York. US speeds are in mph; Canada uses km/h throughout.

Local transit: Fort Erie Transit runs limited service on weekdays, connecting the town centre to Crystal Beach. Service is infrequent — about every 90 minutes — so a car is practical for getting around.

To Toronto: The QEW provides direct highway access. Toronto is approximately 130 kilometres north, about 90 minutes without traffic.

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Things to Do

Fort Erie's main outdoor draw is Crystal Beach, which retains a good sandy shore on Lake Erie even though the famous amusement park that once operated here is long gone. Old Fort Erie is a restored 1812-era fortification with daily living history demonstrations in summer. The Fort Erie Race Track has been in operation since 1897 and offers evening and weekend thoroughbred racing in season. The Niagara Parkway, following the river northward, makes an excellent leisure drive toward Chippawa and Niagara Falls.

Guide

When to Go

Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit if Crystal Beach is your goal — the lake water is warm by July and the beach is at its best. Old Fort Erie runs its full program of living history demonstrations during summer. The Friendship Festival takes place over Canada Day (July 1) and Fourth of July weekend, when both sides of the border celebrate together.

The shoulder seasons (May, September) are pleasant and less crowded. Fort Erie races typically run from May to October. Winter is quiet and offers little beyond the slots facility.