Families looking to check an all-new outdoor adventure off their summer bucket list have plenty of options for creative nature-based play in Niagara. Beyond the bustle of the famous Falls, Niagara is filled with off-the-radar finds that offer the added excitement of discovering exciting new landscapes and fresh ways to play. Here are some can’t-miss outdoor playdates in Niagara to surprise your family with this summer.
While there’s no arguing the wow-factor of Niagara’s Horseshoe and American Falls, exploring a little further afield can also reveal some wonderful waterfall surprises. Kids will feel like they’ve stumbled upon their own private oasis as they scale giant boulders to arrive at Rockway Conservation Area’s 19.5-meter and 12.2-meter cascades. There are at least a dozen waterfalls to spot at Shorthills Provincial Park, but the biggest of the bunch is Swayze Falls. For families with little ones who are not up for hiking the entire Swayze Falls Loop, the Paleozoic Path is an easy-to-stroll gravel trail that offers a platform with a great view of Swayze Falls.
Hitting an off-road trail for a long and leisurely family bike ride is a fun way to explore Niagara’s nature. Bring your bikes along, or rent your ride from an area outfitter like Zoom Leisure, Tour de Vine, or County Cycle and pedal a path like the Waterfront Trail, Welland Canals Parkway Trail, Friendship Trail or Niagara River Recreational Trail. Be sure to make frequent stops along the way at fruit stands, ice cream shops, and bakeries to keep little legs powered up!
It’s hard to beat a family beach outing, but you’ll score an even bigger win with the kids when you surprise them with a trip to a floating inflatable park! Spashtown Nickel Beach offers guests access to inflatable attractions that float right on top of Lake Erie. Kids and adults alike will love navigating inflatable obstacles and racing down the water slides. For a beach day that’s a little more “chill,” stretch out in the sand at Lakeside Park Beach or Sunset Beach on Lake Ontario, or Lake Erie’s Bay Beach or Centennial-Cedar Bay Beach. Time your trip with Port Dalhousie’s Tuesday night Supper Market or Crystal Beach’s Thursday night Supper Market and wrap up your day of beach play with a casual supper on the sand.
The sheer power of the Niagara River’s Devil’s Hole and Whirlpool Rapids is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Choose from an adventure ripping through them on a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, or strolling right beside them on the White Water Walk.
Families who prefer an experience on the water that’s on the gentler side have plenty of options for a fabulous float. Toddlers can come aboard pedal boats that are available for rent for families eager to explore Welland’s Recreational Canal. Paddle Niagara’s Stand-up Paddleboard lessons in Niagara-on-the-Lake are a great way for families with older children to discover a new sport that everyone can enjoy together. Sugarloaf Marina offers free kayak and paddleboard rentals for children under the age of 13 with the purchase of an adult rental. Renting a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore Jordan Harbour comes with the added benefit of spotting wildlife, including eagles, beavers and jumping fish.
Geocaching is a creative way to encourage screen-obsessed kids to consider an outdoor adventure. Both Niagara Parks and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority properties are supportive of safe and responsible geocaching activities.
For families with eager little explorers, Niagara’s Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site offers a winning way to while away a few hours. In addition to walking trails and a pond filled with fish that kids can easily spot from a viewing boardwalk, the site features a thoughtfully designed outdoor classroom equipped with a weather station, sundial, replica solar system, climbing rocks, and kid-friendly earth mound tunnels designed to encourage movement between various activities. Be sure to climb up to the scenic overlook, which offers a stunning view all the way across Lake Ontario to Toronto!
Summer in Niagara offers visitors direct access to some of Canada’s very best peaches, plums, cherries and berries. Teach the kids where their groceries come from with an adventure at a pick-your-own farm. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Parkway Orchards is a great option for picking cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines. Pelham’s Mathias Farms has excellent cherries, raspberries, and blackberries. Smith Two Century Farm in Grimsby is known for its cherries and peaches.
Browse our Naturally Niagara, Outdoor Sports, Cycling, and Family Fun pages and follow @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover family-friendly options that are the perfect fit for your trip!
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