Guide To Visiting The Watering Can: A Niagara Hidden Gem
If you’re looking for one of the prettiest hidden gems in Ontario, make sure you add a visit to the Watering Can in Vineland if you’re visiting the Niagara Region. What started as a quick stop during my visit to Niagara’s wine country quickly turned into one of the highlights of my day.
I had seen pictures of this Ontario hidden gem on Facebook and wanted to go. Well, I finally went! Before arriving I had no idea what to expect. I thought I would be visiting a small flower shop with a quaint cafe that served afternoon tea. Boy was I wong!
Plan Your Visit To The Watering Can In Vineland
The Watering Can is more than just a garden centre. It combines lush greenhouses, beautiful home décor, a charming café, fresh flowers, seasonal workshops, and endless photo opportunities.
If you love plants, food, love discovering unique destinations, or simply want to fill your Instagram page with unique, vibrant photos, then visiting the Watering Can is one stop that’s well worth the drive.
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Where Is The Watering Can?
Location: 3725 King Street in Vineland, Ontario
The Watering Can Pastry Market is located right in the heart of Niagara’s wine region, known as The Bench. The destination is easily accessible from several major Ontario cities.
Approximate driving times include:
- Toronto – 1 hour 20 minutes
- Hamilton – 40 minutes
- Niagara Falls – 30 minutes
- St. Catharines – 20 minutes
- Burlington – 45 minutes
If you’re travelling on the QEW, take the Victoria Avenue or Ontario Street exit toward Vineland and follow the signs into town. There’s plenty of free parking available on-site, making it an easy stop on any Niagara road trip.
First Impressions
I knew that this Ontario hidden gem exceeded all of my hesitations from the moment I pulled into the driveway. It was immediately apparent that this wasn’t just a small floral shop with a cute little cafe.
Walking into The Watering Can felt like stepping into a European greenhouse filled with colour and inspiration. Every corner is beautifully styled with hanging baskets, tropical plants, succulents, seasonal flowers, garden décor, candles, gifts, home accessories, all of which were displayed in the most creative ways possible.
The greenhouse itself is part of the experience. Even if you aren’t planning to buy plants, it’s a wonderful place to wander at your own pace while soaking in the atmosphere.
It’s easy to lose track of time browsing through the displays because there’s always something new around every corner.
Enjoy Lunch At The Bistro Experience
My favourite surprise was discovering the on-site cafe, known as The Bistro Experience. It definitely wasn’t a small cafe. It was a large dining area, but the tables were separately scattered amoungst a garden setting. Each table was separated by some sort of planter which gave patrons complete privacy.
Instead of grabbing lunch elsewhere, I highly recommend staying and enjoying a meal surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. The café serves:
- Fresh sandwiches
- Homemade soups
- Salads
- Specialty coffees
- Fresh pastries
- Cakes and desserts
The greenhouse setting creates a peaceful atmosphere that’s unlike any other cafe that you’ll visit. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to experience the Garden Tea, reservations in advance are required.
My recommendation is to run, not walk, to enjoy this unique dining experience in one of Ontario’s hidden gems.
Get Creative With DIY Workshops When Visiting The Watering Can
One of the biggest draws at The Watering Can is its incredibly popular DIY workshops. Throughout the year they offer seasonal classes including:
- Floral arranging
- Spring planters
- Succulent gardens
- Moss art
- Summer container gardens
- Autumn wreaths
- Thanksgiving centrepieces
- Christmas urns
- Holiday wreath making
The workshops are suitable for beginners and experienced crafters alike, with knowledgeable instructors guiding you through each project.
Private workshops are also available for birthdays, corporate events, and girls’ days out. Seasonal take-home DIY kits are offered as well. While I haven’t experienced a DIY workshop yet, I’ll definitely be attending one of the Fall workshops.
Shop For Flowers, Plants And Unique Gifts
If you love bringing home a little souvenir from your travels, you’ll have no trouble finding something here.
The market offers fresh cut flowers, houseplants, an endless supply of succulents and cacti, outdoor plants, garden accessories, pottery, candles, gormet treats, and seasonal decorations. There’s definitely something for everybody, but if you’re like me, you’ll quickly find yourself feeling overwelmed with the selection.
The beautifully curated displays change throughout the year, which makes every visit feel a little different depending on the season you visit.
Driver’s Tip: While I spent 3 hours enjoying lunch and exploring the displays, you can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon here.
Tips for Visiting The Watering Can
There are a few easy tips that can help to make your visit easier and get the most of your visit:
- Visit on a weekday for a quieter experience.
- Arrive early if you’d like lunch at the cafe.
- Bring your camera—there are countless photo opportunities.
- Check the workshop calendar before your visit if you’re interested in taking a class.
- Leave extra room in your vehicle if you plan on purchasing plants.
- Visit during spring, fall, or Christmas when the seasonal displays are especially impressive.
- Note that the Vineland location is closed on Sundays, so check current hours before you go.
Other Things To Do Near The Watering Can
While my visit to the Niagara Region was for the purpose of strictly visiting The Watering Can, I also had to stop at one of the local wineries. Afterall, it’s impossible to visit Niagara’s Bench Region without checking out at least one (if not more) of the area wineries.
Some of the recommended best wineries to visit in The Bench include:
- Tawse Winery for award-winning wines and vineyard views.
- Megalomaniac Wines for panoramic views of Lake Ontario and wine tastings.
- Kacaba Vineyards and Winery for small-batch wines and a relaxed tasting experience.
- Stoney Ridge Estate Winery for wine flights and vineyard scenery.
If you haven’t eaten at the Watering Can, the Lake House Restaurant which overlooks Lake Ontario is recommended for a memorable dining experience. It’s also fun to explore the scenic backroads of Niagara Benchlands, stopping at roadside fruit and vegetable stands, orchards, and local markets.
It’s easy to spend an entire day discovering everything this beautiful part of Ontario has to offer. In fact, I’m planning on spending the night next time I visit this area of Ontario.
Is Visiting The Watering Can Worth It?
Yes, yes, yes! I can’t recommend it enough. Even though I had seen photos, I was completely blown away by this Ontario hidden gem when I actually saw it in person.
The Watering Can is much more than a garden centre. It’s a destination where you can enjoy great food, browse unique gifts, learn a new skill in a DIY workshop, and soak in one of the most beautiful greenhouse settings in Ontario.
If you’re planning a Niagara wine country road trip, looking for a fun girls’ getaway, or simply searching for a unique day trip from Toronto or Hamilton, The Watering Can is a stop you absolutely have to add to your itinerary.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll leave with a full camera roll, a delicious treat from the café, and probably a few new plants coming home with you.
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💰 Insurance: When travelling abroad, I purchase my medical insurance through Advisor Max, as well as my cancellation and trip-interruption insurance. Advisor Max is also the ideal company for visitors to Ontario, or any part of Canada, to purchase their travel insurance.
