Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (WBEN) - Taking walk down Queen Street - in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake - one has to wonder if they are in an old world European city or in Southern Ontario's Niagara Region.
The holiday period that includes Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's is major one for Niagara-on-the-Lake and, beginning this year, taking on even more importance as a new marketing campaign is helping to attract more visitors and tourists.
"People do come just for the atmosphere," said Kathy Weiss, who wears the duo CEO hats for Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce.
But, this year, they are coming in larger numbers.
Hotels, stores, shops, attractions and restaurants are all reporting upward spike in visitors.
Many come from Toronto and Western New York, but Niagara-on-the-Lake, this year, is seeing an increase in visitors from Quebec, which is a byproduct on marketing efforts, Weiss said.
And, don't under estimate the impact Niagara-on-the-Lake has on the Southern Ontario/Niagara Region tourism and hospitality landscape.
Niagara-on-the-Lake attracts, on average, 3.5 million visitors annually and that accounts for nearly 27% of the 13 million tourists who make their way to the Niagara Region each year.
To enhance the holiday feel, Tourism Niagara and the chamber had more holiday-themed lights installed along Queen Street and installed was the first phase of a three-year plan to turn Simcoe Park into a winter land, festive scene with lights and attractions.
"People are coming for that," Weiss said. "They just enjoy the Christmas feeling you get walking around town."
But, it is more than just lights.
Special draws are the more than 40 wineries in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake
And, the attractions don't end on Jan. 1.
Coming for two weekends in late January is the annual ice wine festival. Other special events are also in the works.