Finding vacation savings on your family’s summer getaway offers benefits beyond more money in the bank! Having more fun for less can create extra funds for extending your adventure, lead you to activities you may not have otherwise uncovered, and help send an important message to kids that being on a budget doesn’t have to be boring! Here are some of our favourite tips and tricks for scoring significant savings on your family’s summer vacation in Niagara.
With so much to see and do in Niagara Falls, area travel partners understand the advantages of creating value-added attraction bundles for visitors. Niagara Parks offers three unique bundles with potential savings of up to 59% on popular attractions, including Journey Behind The Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, and the White Water Walk. The Clifton Hill Fun Pass is an excellent savings tool for families looking to enjoy popular activities, such as Niagara SkyWheel, Dinosaur Adventure Golf, and Movieland Wax Museum.
This summer, Canada is doing its part to fuel patriotic pride by offering free admission to Parks Canada sites for those under the age of 17. In Niagara, this includes Fort George, Butler’s Barracks, Fort Mississauga, Queenston Heights, and Mississauga Point Lighthouse. Other area museums that offer free admission for those under the age of 18 include the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum and Fort Erie’s five museum sites. While Port Dalhousie’s historic carousel in Lakeside Park may not be free, at just five cents a ride, it still offers one of the best deals on old-fashioned fun in the region!
Taking the time to source some local coupons can deliver surprising savings for those who make the effort. Niagara Falls Tourism curates local deals and coupons into one central coupons page on its website, making it easy to scan for savings as you plan your excursions.
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.
Bringing your family’s bikes along is another affordable way to explore Niagara. Miles of free bike trails, including the Niagara River Recreational Trail, Welland Canals Parkway Trail, Friendship Trail and Waterfront Trail, make it easy to wheel your way through Niagara, enjoying spectacular scenery for free.
Sharing the cost of a larger hotel room with another family is a creative way to slice your accommodation bill in half. Super-sized suites at the Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview can sleep up to 12 guests. Great Wolf Lodge’s premium suites can accommodate between six and 10 guests, and its cottages up to 10.
Knowing the right restaurants to frequent can serve up some tasty savings on vacation meals when you take advantage of kid-friendly dining deals. Do a little research before your trip to find attractive promotions like:
→ Kids under 12 receive a child buffet dinner free with the purchase of an adult buffet dinner at Fallsview Restaurant from 5:00-6:00 pm (Niagara Falls)
→ Children 5 and under eat for free with the purchase of an adult entree at Frontier BBQ and Smokehouse (Niagara Falls)
→ Kids Eat Free on Mondays at Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill (Niagara Falls and St. Catharines), Cracker Jacks (Thorold) and Next Kitchen & Bar (Fonthill)
→ Kids under 10 eat free with the purchase of a regular-priced entree at The Commercial Roadhouse in Fort Erie
→ Kids eat free with the purchase of a regular-priced entree at The Forty Public House in Grimsby
Setting up camp at a Niagara campground or glamping park is a fun way to have a multi-day family adventure without the expense of a hotel stay. Families with their own camping gear can pitch their tents at excellent area campgrounds like Chippawa Creek or Long Beach Conservation Areas, and Windmill Point Park and Campground. In addition to having tent and RV sites, parks like Bissell’s Hideaway, Jellystone Park Niagara Falls, Campark Niagara Falls, and Niagara Falls KOA Holiday offer comfortable cabins for those who would rather not have to bring all their camping gear along.
We’re here to help you make even more memories! Browse our Family Fun, Attractions, History & Heritage 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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