Does Niagara get cold weather during the winter months? Sometimes. Is that a good reason for families who prefer warmer temperatures to postpone their trip until spring or summer? Absolutely not! Niagara’s top-notch indoor attractions make it a snap to enjoy warm and wonderful experiences, with no mittens required! Here are just a few of the fabulous ways that families can enjoy a winter day in Niagara while basking in the comfort of a cozier indoor climate.
For families looking to spark a passion for gardening in their kids, The Watering Can’s winter workshops are a wonderful afternoon activity. Parents can browse the indoor greenhouse, enjoy a tropical-feeling afternoon tea service, or take part in a workshop of their own while the kids make their own artistic arrangement.
An engaging afternoon or evening performance is another heartwarming way to escape winter’s chill for a few hours. Choose from family-friendly Vegas-style magic shows at the Greg Frewin Theatrical Centre and a wide variety of family-focused programming, including Flora & Fauna, an early years contemporary circus show, Splash & Boots, and more at St. Catharines’ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
Be one of the first to hit the lanes at the all-new Kingpin Bowling Centre located within St. Catharines’ Pen Centre shopping mall. When it opens this winter, the 24-lane, 10-pin facility will boast VIP lanes, restaurant-style seating with a full bar, and a high-energy GameworX Arcade. Visiting Niagara before this grand opening? Parkway Social, also in St. Catharines, is another fantastic choice, with 22 bowling lanes, as well as laser tag and an arcade. Those who wish to remain in Niagara Falls can find big bowling fun on Clifton Hill at Strike Game Zone.
Ontario’s first-ever flying theatre experience, which just opened in Niagara Falls this past fall, offers an incredible way to take in the beauty of Niagara without having to brave winter weather. Niagara Takes Flight combines storytelling, motion, stunning aerial vistas, music and special effects into an immersive 30-minute experience that takes guests on a flight over the Niagara River corridor. As riders soar across ancient rock formations, historic battle sites, and breathtaking scenery, wind, mist, and scent effects create a lifelike outdoor experience without actually going outside!
Give winter winds the slip by stepping inside the Niagara SkyWheel’s cozy, climate-controlled gondolas. The eight- to 12-minute ride aboard one of Canada’s largest observation wheels offers riders unparalleled views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls, the Niagara River, Niagara Parks and other landmarks.
Head to St. Catharines and arrive ready to drive K1 Speed’s 100% electric karts. These quiet but blazing-fast electric carts reach speeds up to 45 kph, with zero emissions. Junior racers should be eight years of age or older.
With over 2,000 free-flying butterflies, trickling waterfalls, and lush vegetation, a visit to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory offers an instant escape to the tropics! One of the largest facilities of its kind on the continent, this can’t-miss stop boasts an 11,000-square-foot conservatory, video theatres, interactive displays and an emergence window where butterflies emerge from their cocoons and hang to dry their wings before their first flight.
Soaring through the Niagara sky on a winter day is an extremely fun way to see the sights while escaping the sub-zero chill. Niagara Helicopters’ 12-minute “Classic” tour offers aerial views of iconic Niagara landmarks, including the famous Falls, Sir Adam Beck Power Generating Plant, the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, the rushing Whirlpool Rapids of the Niagara River, Queen Victoria Park, the American Falls, and the Skylon Tower. If it’s a crisp, clear winter day, look for the Toronto skyline to the north and the shores of Lake Erie to the south.
Niagara boasts not one, not two, but three incredible indoor waterparks, each offering a unique cold-weather escape plan! Families who want to be just steps away from all of the excitement of Clifton Hill can opt for Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Crews who prefer a stay that offers all kinds of kid-friendly experiences and programming under one roof will adore the vacay vibes at Great Wolf Lodge. Families with younger children will appreciate the toddler-friendly paddling play options at Waves Indoor Waterpark.
Your family will immediately forget about any winter weather that’s blowing around outside while enjoying Clifton Hill’s exciting rides, wax museums, miniature golf, arcade games, and more on this famous street of fun!
Not all of Niagara’s holiday fun requires bundling up and braving the elements! Watch fabulous figure skating at Christmas on Ice at the Avalon Theatre, get a festive blast of pop culture magic at Niagara Falls Comic Con Holiday Edition, or blast the heat in your vehicle and take in the twinkle of the Winter Festival of Lights or Safari Lights from the comfort of your car!
Show your family a new way to winter in Niagara enjoying the region’s indoor attractions, historic sites, and events. Be sure to check out @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for additional trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, scroll through suggestions for local accommodations and restaurants to round out your trip to Niagara.
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