Jordan Ontario: Picks for the 9 Best Things to Do
Looking for the perfect way to spend your day? You’ll have to head to the charming village of Jordan Ontario. This tiny village is often overlooked as travellers speed right past it on the QEW towards the popular Niagara-on-the-Lake. Trust me, it’s worth the detour.
Wondering what to do in Jordan? Surprisingly, there’s a lot! And, I’m happy to share all of my favourites with you.
Table of Contents
Where is Jordan Ontario?
First things first, where is the town of Jordan Ontario exactly?
Jordan Station Ontario is a tiny community located on the eastern edge of the town of Lincoln in the Niagara Region.
The village of Jordan, Ontario is bordered by Twenty Mile Creek and Vineland. It’s in the heart of the rural wine country!
Long country roads lined on both sides with farmland and the odd house or two. Not to mention the beautiful Niagara escarpment that makes for stunning hiking and nearby waterfall catching.
The location is ideal! It sits about 100 km from Toronto and 65 km from Buffalo. And, Jordan Ontario to Niagara-on-the-Lake is only 30 km. That means it’s a popular destination with Ontarians and Americans.
7 Things to Do in the Village of Jordan
1. Visit the best local bakery
Let’s start your fun-filled things to do in Jordan Station with a visit to RPM Bakehouse. Trust me when I say, it’s worth the drive! The RPM Bakehouse menu is known for its bread and pastries this bakery is sure to delight.
I highly recommend the quiche, one of the best I’ve ever tasted, it was so light and creamy almost as if it was a soufflé.
Browse the grocery items from locally sourced merchants, including coffee roasters, craft beer, seasonal juices, and cheese.
Order to-go or better yet enjoy your delicious treat on their relaxed outdoor patio.
Now that you’re ready to explore Jordan Village!
2. Browse the Shops on Jordan Village Main Street
The main street of downtown Jordan Village is tiny but oh-so-charming. The Jordan Village shops offer an array of unique shops and boutiques.
Strolling the tree-lined street you will find a couple of art galleries, gift shops, and fashion boutiques, along with a hat shop and jewelry boutique.
Cave Spring Cellars offers a boutique wine-tasting room and a shop right in the centre of the main street.
Visit on a Wednesday and you can add the Jordan Village Farmers Market to your list of top things to do in Jordan Ontario too. From 2:30-6:30 pm, local farmers gather to offer their seasonal fruit and baked goods (in the main parking lot of the village).
3. Relax at a Spa
Who doesn’t love a relaxing day at the spa? Whether it’s reconnecting as a couple, catching up with girlfriends, or pampering yourself, the place to go is Spa on the Twenty.
Choose from the full-service spa options of body or face treatments or a relaxing massage located in a century-old building.
Or, better yet make it the ultimate relaxing weekend getaway and add overnight accommodation and dining at the elegant vintage hotel, Inn on the Twenty. One of the best restaurants in Jordan is part of this boutique hotel.
📍3845 Main Street, Jordan
4. Visit the Jordan Historical Museum
Learn about the early settlement by the United Empire Loyalists in the late 1700s.
The Jordan Historical Museum uses storytelling and photographs to give you a sense of what life would have been like for the early settlers, many of whom were of German descent and Mennonites.
It’s comprised of two historical buildings – the 1859 School House and the 1815 Fry House – with scenic views over the incredible Twenty Valley.
📍3800 Main Street, Jordan Station
5. Find Antiques Jordan Ontario
Go treasure hunting at Refabulous, an antique shop that features restoring, refurbishing, and renewing older pieces.
Most of the fine furniture items come from either Quebec or the US. Located in an impressive stone house from 1831, take your time perusing the many wonderful pieces that have been so lovingly restored by the owner Stacey.
Open Saturdays and by chance other days of the week, or inquire to book an appointment.
📍3738 Main Street, Jordan
6. Grab an Ice Cream
Before you leave the main street of Jordan Village make sure you stop at this cute ice cream and old-fashion bakeshop.
Tay’s Treats is a definite treat! Pies, cream puffs, cinnamon buns, cupcakes, and more! But it was the ice cream that got my attention, especially on a warm summer’s day.
📍3771 Nineteenth Street, Jordan
7. Visit Best Wineries in Jordan Ontario
You can’t visit Jordan Station without visiting some of its best wineries.
Jordan is situated on the Niagara Peninsula known for its prime area for growing grapes. This area is Ontario’s largest producer of wine as it stretches from Niagara Falls to Hamilton.
The major industry in Jordan is wine-tasting tourism, but it pales in comparison to the much bigger draw of the wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area.
This is my favourite area for wine tours as it’s far more scenic and a lot less busy, and many of them are dog-friendly.
These are my recommended favourite wineries in Jordan Ontario to visit.
- Honsberger Estate Winery: a family farm that once grew cherries and apples is now a vineyard with Cabernet Franc and Riesling vines. Visit this winery for great wine and a charming experience. The old barns have been transformed into a cozy tasting and dining area. When the weather is nice, relax on the outdoor terrace with a wood-burning pizza oven and a gelato bar.
- Pearl Morissette Estate Winery: offers elegant full-bodied Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, reminiscent of classic French wines. Don’t miss the RPM Bakery, an extension of the winery, where their love for good food and wine comes together. Seek them out for a delightful experience.
- Creekside Estate Winery: is famous for its signature Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah wines. Visit for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where dogs are welcome too. The laid-back vibes give a backyard BBQ feel. Try their wines with charcuterie boards or explore the tempting Creekside Kitchen menu.
- Calamus Estate Wines: located in a quaint heritage barn from the early 1800s, this winery is a hidden gem near Balls Falls. Enjoy its scenic surroundings and private hiking trails while sipping on its top wines, including Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Cabernet. Don’t miss special events like stargazing with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada: Niagara Centre.
Jordan Station 2 Things to Do Nearby
8. Visit the must-see Ball’s Falls
Want to know what to do in Jordan Station Ontario? A visit to Ball’s Falls will keep you busy for hours! Set in the picturesque Twenty Valley, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area is the top thing to do in Jordan for nature lovers.
Start your visit at the protected 19th-century hamlet of the original Ball family homestead with an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, a blacksmith shop, and a carriage shed. Learn how Jacob, Peter, and Thomas Ball, all lieutenants in Butlers Rangers, were granted a large parcel of land by the Crown. The Ball brothers first built a grist mill by a 27-metre-tall waterfall in the early 1800s.
Popular activities at Ball’s Falls are hiking, birdwatching, fishing, geocaching, and of course checking out the Ball’s Falls. Lots of green space makes this the perfect place for a picnic, and it’s entirely dog-friendly.
This is also a popular spot for photography. However, a photography permit is required for all engagement, wedding, and family photoshoots. A parking day pass of $8 is required to access the park.
9. Stop at Fruit Orchard
Take the scenic route! Well, that’s so easy, as no matter what route you take to get to Jordan you’re bound to be surrounded by orchards, wineries, and garden centres. It’s one of the best things to do in Vineland Ontario.
As a side trip, keep your eyes open for fruit and flower stands at the side of the road. I love going in springtime to see the cherry bloom trees.
Stop in and get your fill of seasonal fruit freshly picked that day. Pineview Orchards is the largest fruit-growing farm in Jordan. Everything from apples, cherries, peaches, and pear trees can be seen from the road, along with every vegetable and herb you can think of.
📍4198 Jordan Road, Jordan
As a Holidaymaker
So that’s how you spend one lovely day in Jordan Station. As you can see there is no shortage of things to do in Jordan Ontario.
Like any small town, their local activities and festivals are worth seeking out, especially the annual Twenty Valley Winter Winefest and the magical Jordan Village Christmas.
If you enjoy day-tripping as much as I do, be sure to check out my Canada home page. There are endless options for day trips near Toronto to small towns just as charming as Jordan, Ontario and other experiences you might enjoy too!
