Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

Niagara-on-the-Lake

in-person event information

Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Explore one of Ontario's most historical communities and visit sites of historical, architectural and cultural significance. From museums and galleries to churches and heritage landmarks, discover the beauty and charm of Niagara-on-the-Lake, including some places rarely open to the public.

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Contact information

Phone: 905-468-3912
Email: aklassen@nhsm.ca

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10 In-person Doors Open sites

Exchange Brewery, TheDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Exchange Brewery, The

Constructed in 1880, this building was Niagara's first telephone exchange. In 2015, it was transformed into a brewery, but retains some of its original features. Original hemlock floor joists became the second-floor bar and tabletops. Some nods to the building's use as a telephone exchange include brewing numbers (instead of names) and a tasting board shaped like a rotary dial.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • French services available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos

Contact info

7 Queen Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: info@exchangebrewery.com
https://exchangebrewery.com

Architecture

Year built: 1880; adapted in 2015
Building type: Commercial Food and drink
Architect: Williamson Chong

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Niagara ApothecaryDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Apothecary

Step through these doors and see how pharmacists practised their profession over 100 years ago. The apothecary opened in the late 1860s at this location and closed in 1964. The Ontario Heritage Trust acquired the property, led its restoration and opened it as a museum in 1971. Operated by volunteers from the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Photography allowed
  • Virtual tours
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

5 Queen Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/properties/niagara-apothecary

Architecture

Year built: 1818
Building type: Historical landmark Museum
Architect: Peter Stokes (restoration architect)

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Niagara Lodge No. 2Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Lodge No. 2

The Niagara Lodge No. 2 is the oldest Masonic lodge in Ontario. It is also the site of the first legislature of Upper Canada and the site of the first hospital in Newark, founded by Col. John Butler. During Doors Open, come and explore the museum of Masonic artifacts not regularly available to the general public.

  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

153 King Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: pkent@kentandcompany.ca
https://niagara2.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1792
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Masonic lodge

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Niagara Pumphouse Arts CentreDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre

Located on the banks of the Niagara River in a heritage building that formerly supplied water to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre connects the community through visual arts programs, exhibitions and events. The Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre Association was formed in 1990, and the building was restored and converted to this visual arts centre in 1994.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

247 Ricardo Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: office@niagarapumphouse.ca
https://niagarapumphouse.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1891
Building type: Historical landmark Gallery
Architect: John Gait and J.H. Armstrong

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lawn Bowling ClubDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Lawn Bowling Club

Founded in 1877, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Lawn Bowling Club is one of the oldest in Canada. Before this club was built, they bowled on the grounds of the Queen’s Royal Hotel. Today, they are located at the adjacent community centre, where visitors can learn more by stopping by the Mori and Simpson rooms during Doors Open.

  • Food vendors
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

14 Anderson Lane
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
http://www.notlbowls.ca

Architecture

Year built: 2011
Building type: Government building

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Niagara-on-the-Lake MuseumDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The Niagara Historical Society opened this museum in 1907. It collects, preserves, researches, educates and promotes the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake and area — inspiring a local history appreciation through engaging programs and exhibitions. During Doors Open, there will be pop-up curator-led tours of the exhibits and heritage baking samples. Visitors can also explore the latest exhibition, "Curators: Our Eras Tour."

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos
  • Collections and resources
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

43 Castlereagh Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: contact@nhsm.ca
https://www.notlmuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: High school building (built 1806), Memorial Hall (built 1906) and Link Building (built 1971)
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Museum Schoolhouse
Architect: W.B. Allan

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

RiverBrink Art MuseumDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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RiverBrink Art Museum

The RiverBrink Art Museum is a fine-art museum, open since 1983, featuring changing exhibitions from the renowned art collection of lawyer Samuel E. Weir (the museum is his former home), as well as outstanding works on loan from contemporary artists and Canadian and international collections. Exhibitions change throughout the year. There is also a library and gift shop onsite.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

116 Queenston Street
Queenston, Ontario
Email: manager@riverbrink.org
https://www.riverbrink.org

Architecture

Year built: 1970
Building type: Museum Gallery
Architect: Arthur E. Nutter

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

Shaw Festival TheatreDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Shaw Festival Theatre

With 856 seats, this is the Shaw Festival's largest venue. Built in the modernist style, it was designed to provide a spacious yet intimate audience experience. While touring backstage, you will hear stories from docents about the history of the theatre, the ensemble and secrets of the 2025 season. Come and learn about the importance of real human connection.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • Collections and resources

Contact info

10 Queen's Parade
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: info@shawfest.com
https://www.shawfest.com

Architecture

Year built: 1973
Building type: Theatre
Architect: Ronald Thom

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

St. Andrew's Presbyterian ChurchDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

The original 1794 church was burned by the American army during the War of 1812. A new church was later erected, but was also destroyed by a cyclone. In 1855, the current building was constructed. While major restorations have occurred over the years, the interior and exterior of this architectural gem appear much the same as the 1831 building.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos

Contact info

323 Simcoe Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: standrewsnotl@gmail.com
https://standrewsniagara.com

Architecture

Year built: 1855
Building type: Cemetery Historical landmark Place of worship
Architect: Kivas Tully

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18

WillowbankDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Willowbank

Come and visit this beautiful national historic site, Willowbank, which was built in 1834-36 in the Greek classical revival style. Since 2006, Willowbank has been home to the School of Restoration Arts. The school’s Heritage Conservation diploma program has trained students in the theory and practice of this unique field, helping shape a new generation of heritage conservation leaders.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Adaptive reuse
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours

Contact info

14487 Niagara Parkway
Queenston, Ontario
Email: willowbank@willowbank.ca
https://willowbank.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1834-36
Building type: Educational facility Historical landmark Historical house
Architect: John Latshaw

Dates/hours open

Oct 18 - Oct 18