Dreaming of a winter escape filled with delicious food and drink, but having no luck finding someone to watch the kids? Niagara’s got you covered. Family-friendly winter events, activities, wineries, breweries, and restaurants make it easy for families to plan a Niagara weekend that delivers fun for everyone. Borrow these sightseeing suggestions to discover a whole new way to enjoy winter with your family in Niagara this year.
Your little ones will think they’ve landed in a sparkling winter wonderland when they walk through Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Icewine Village on January 17, 18, 24 and 25. Adults can savour Niagara’s world-renowned Icewine on offer from 20 different Niagara wineries while the whole family enjoys delicious culinary creations from local vendors, crackling fire pits, live ice carving demonstrations, and stunning light displays projected on the Old Courthouse. There will also be family-friendly activities for the kids hosted by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. Guests who want to increase the cozy factor can purchase blocks of time in VIP Snow Globes.
Families in search of an Icewine adventure that takes them on more of a scenic tour can opt for a Niagara Icewine Festival Discovery Pass on January 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and February 1. The three- or six-pairing Driver’s Discovery Pass is an excellent option that also allows budding foodies under the age of majority to try delicious food and mocktail pairings at a choice of 29 different Niagara wineries. Browse the pairings in advance to find kid-friendly food choices your crew will adore, like Funnel Cake Poutine, Maple Butter Tarts, Aged Cheddar and Salami Chimney Cakes, and Pork Belly Tacos, for a roaming lunch that’s a whole lot of fun.
Niagara’s wineries understand that winter is here for a good time, not a long time, and many offer special outdoor activities that invite their visitors to get in on the frosty fun. The kids will love lacing up their skates for an afternoon glide on The Great One’s rink, toasting s’mores over an open fire at Peller Estates Winter Luxe Lounge, basking in the glow of Konzelmann Estate’s cozy fire tables, or hiking through a snowy vineyard at Thirty Bench Wine Makers.
Checking out some of Niagara’s craft breweries and cideries is another fun way to explore Niagara on a winter weekend. The Niagara Ale Trail, which winds its way across the region, offers plenty of stops where adults can sip their way through a flight of craft beer or cider with the family in tow. Kid-friendly stops to consider include Counterpart Brewing and Blackburn Beer Company in Niagara Falls, Merchant Ale House in St. Catharines and Bridgewater Brewery in Welland, which all have delicious kids’ menus. Breweries serving perfectly made pizzas, such as Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Oast House Brewers and The Grist, are another tasty option for families eager to keep hungry kids happy.
Winter roaming calls for some strategic stops for a treat or two along the way, and Niagara’s hot chocolate scene is well worth savouring! Wherever your Niagara travels may take you, you’ll find steamy servings of hot chocolate around every corner. Il Gelato di Carlotta has locations in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Port Dalhousie and is rumoured to have a special hot chocolate recipe created by its gelato maker. Chocolates Etc., in St. Catharines, makes delicious hot chocolate bombs that make a fun souvenir of your winter trip. The Chocolate Factory Experience at Maple Leaf Place is another fun stop for a chocolate fix. Enjoy free admission and catch sweet scenery like chocolatiers at work, high-production techniques in action, and the wonder of chocolate being transformed into delicious creations. Hershey’s World Niagara Falls is another must-sip hot chocolate stop. Getting some hot chocolate to-go and sipping it on a snowy Great Lake beach is another fun twist. Pair hot chocolate from Thistle Book Shop and Café or Balzac’s with a Lake Ontario stroll in Port Dalhousie, or stop by Crystal Beach’s Maplewood Gelato & Sweets for something to warm you on the shores of Lake Erie.
Should your family find itself in need of a break from the winter bluster, Niagara’s many family-friendly indoor activities offer the perfect option for warming cold toes! Treat your gang to a viewing of a “Retro Reel” like The Princess Bride or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at The Film House in St. Catharines. Head to the Niagara Falls Convention Centre for an entire weekend dedicated to playing board games. Or borrow an idea from this blog post, which offers fun options for cozy indoor activities to do with kids in Niagara, such as bowling, go-karting, attractions, and more.
Brunch is fun. Brunch in a barn is an adventure, and Niagara’s deep agricultural roots mean families have plenty of options for enjoying their first meal of the day somewhere completely unexpected! From brunch classics like French Toast and Eggs Benedict to cozy comfort foods like truffle risotto and lasagna, Honsberger Estate Winery serves a delicious brunch every winter Sunday in its beautifully restored historic barn. Enjoying brunch on the go is another fun way for parents to sneak in a few visits to area wineries that call barns home. In the Niagara Benchlands, stock up on pastries from a beloved local bakeshop, like Jordan’s RPM Bakehouse or Plant No. 1, for the kids to snack on as parents sip through a flight at Calamus Estate Winery, Westcott Vineyards, or Urban Tractor Farm Winery. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, stop by The Fruit Shack or The Pie Plate for brunchy baked goods the kids can bring along while parents sip a tasting flight in barn-style wineries at Palatine Hills Estate Winery, Between The Lines Family Estate Winery, or Caroline Cellars Family Estate Winery.
Create your own signature blend of Niagara attractions, historic sites, outdoor activities, and events for your family to enjoy this winter, with a few kid-friendly wineries, craft breweries, and cideries as well. 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.
#myniagara