NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE AND WINE COUNTRY - Niagara Falls - page 201

Motorsports
Got the need for speed? Merrittville Speedway (2371 Merrittville Hwy., Thorold, 905/
892-8266,Apr.-Sept.,$12adults,$5children8-12)hasfast-pacedaction.Saturdayevening
stock-car races are the most popular events at the one-third mile banked clay speedway.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Thorold's Keefer Mansion Inn (14 St. Davids St. W., Thorold, 905/680-9581,
www.keefermansion.com , $170) is the epitome of Victorian ambience. Once the
9,000-square-foot mansion of the prominent Keefer family, it now accommodates six B&B
suites, each named after a Keefer family member. Rooms all have bathrooms en suite,
queen-size beds, and antique touches right out of a Dickens novel. Rooms with east-facing
windows allow a great view of ships passing through the Welland Canal's locks.
Cyclistswillfeelrightathomeatthe Talwood Manor (303FieldenAve.,PortColborne,
905/348-5411, www.talwoodmanorbb.com , $120). The manor is a B&B with four rooms
and all the comforts of home. Cyclists will like the manor's proximity to trails and indoor
overnightbikestorage.TheB&B'shostessmakesyoufeelrightathomebyprovidingwine
before dinner, tea, cookies, and genuinely caring service.
Affordable, clean, and conveniently located, the Capri Inn (391 Ontario St., St. Cath-
arines, 905/684-8515, www.capriinn.com , $105) in St. Catharines has everything a value-
conscious traveler needs. The guestrooms and front desk at this two-story motel have bene-
fitted from a 2010 renovation. There is no elevator, so choose a room on the first floor to
avoid carrying gear up the stairs. Try to reserve a room on the back side of the property for
good views of the canal and less traffic noise.
The Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast (667 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Erie, 289/320-9907,
www.lakeshorebedandbreakfast.ca , $140) opened in 2012 and is right on the waterfront. It
offers the amenities and services of top boutique hotels, whichthe owners experienced dur-
ing their own world travels. Each of the three rooms has warm robes, super-comfy beds,
and an in-room coffeemaker. The location is wonderful, right on the shore of Lake Erie and
a few minutes away from historic Old Fort Erie.
FOOD
Every region has its legendary breakfast joint, and in St. Catharines it's the Sun Rise Cafe
(136 Bunting Rd., St. Catharines, 905/685-1100, 6am-2pm Mon.-Wed., 6am-3pm Thurs.-
Sun.,$10).Therestaurant iscleanandsimple,witheverythingyou'dwantinagreatbreak-