Ride This Way Tip #1:

Time Your Trip Right

While GO Trains and Buses run between Toronto and Niagara seven days a week, weekday and weekend schedules do vary and can shift seasonally. Check schedules in advance to determine the best departure and return times for your trip.

Shift Into … Beach Gear

Niagara’s unique location between two Great Lakes means excellent options for water-filled adventures are always nearby. Lake Erie, the warmest of the Great Lakes, boasts sandy beaches and friendly little lakeside towns like Crystal Beach and Port Colborne that have attracted American sun-seekers for decades. Best bets for beach days include:

   ●   Bay Beach, which, in addition to a beautiful stretch of sand and warm water, is just a short stroll away from the great restaurants, ice cream shops, and boutique retailers of Crystal Beach
   ●   Nickel Beach, which is home to SplashTown Niagara, one of the province’s most buzzed-about floating inflatable waterparks
   ●   Cedar Bay Beach, a sandy beach in a park where families can also play tennis, beach volleyball, and horseshoes
   ●   Sugarloaf Marina, where visitors can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and set out on a paddling adventure along the scenic Lake Erie shoreline

When the family is ready for a break from the beach, there are lots of other fun activities close to the beach towns of Niagara’s South Coast, including exploring Safari Niagara, a 150-acre nature park that is home to exotic mammals, reptiles, and birds. A family outing to Niagara Falls for a few hours of arcade fun, mini golf, and go-karting on Clifton Hill is just a short drive away as well.

Lake Ontario, which borders the northern side of Niagara, also boasts excellent family-friendly beaches, including Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie. In addition to a great playground and nearby ice cream shops and restaurants, a historic carousel spins all summer long for just five cents a ride! Don’t miss the weekly Supper Market on Tuesday evenings!  Sunset Beach is another excellent choice for Lake Ontario sand seekers that offers easy access to family-friendly cycling on the nearby Welland Canals Parkway Trail and an adorable cast of creatures to meet at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm.

For families who prefer to keep cool in a pool, Niagara’s three amazing waterparks are sure to please! Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is North America’s largest indoor waterpark and resort, boasting three acres of waterslides and a massive wave pool. Great Wolf Lodge has an enormous indoor water park, amazing attractions, and a host of complimentary daily events and activities. With its gradual beach-entry wave pool and kiddy pool with toddler slides, Waves Indoor Waterpark is an excellent choice for families with younger children.

True North Niagara Family Experience #1:

Snap Selfies Beside North America’s Largest Series of Standing Waves

The sheer power of the Niagara River’s Class 6 white water rapids is difficult to comprehend until you’re standing right beside them on Niagara Park’s self-guided White Water Walk experience. After taking an elevator 70 metres down to the base of the Niagara Gorge, follow the wooden boardwalk that runs alongside the river and feel the rush of the crashing waves as the sound echoes up the 410-million-year-old rock layers of the Niagara Gorge.

SUNNY DAY Spring Fun

There’s nothing like experiencing Niagara Falls on a beautiful spring day. This spring, Niagara City Cruises will begin offering their signature Hornblower boat rides on May 1. The breathtaking voyage offers spectacular views of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, as well as an up-close encounter with the iconic Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Parks’ White Water Walk, which opens April 19, offers another incredible way to experience the sheer power of Niagara Falls! As your crew explores the wooden boardwalk that runs alongside the Niagara River, they’ll be blown away by the Class 6 rapids crashing beside them. Niagara Parks’ Whirlpool Aero Car, opening April 12, provides riders with a birds-eye view of the swirling Niagara River rapids from an antique cable car that soars 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge.

Families who want an even closer Niagara River run-in can opt for a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, beginning May 17. Guests on this 45-minute adventure into the Niagara Gorge and through the Devil’s Hole Rapids can choose between the Wet Jet, a completely open-topped boat where every rider gets soaked, and the Wet Freedom, which offers some covered seats that allow riders to stay dry.

Niagara Falls is just one of many natural wonders born from the Niagara Escarpment. Five hundred million years of natural processes have created a fascinating collection of smaller waterfalls, one-of-a-kind rockfaces, forests, wetlands, bogs and more that provide incredible landscapes for outdoor adventures. A choice of 20 unique Niagara Geosites makes it easy to always find a new place to explore.

Canadian history comes to life in Niagara, and touring the grounds of a storied fort is a really fun way to spend a spring afternoon. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Fort George National Historic Site, which opens for weekends on April 5 and weekdays and weekends on May 17, offers a glimpse into what life was like in a fort poised for war in the 1800s with live musket demonstrations, informative talks, costumed interpreters, and chance to tour the grounds, barracks, and officer’s quarters. Old Fort Erie, opening for the season May 10, is another excellent destination for families eager to learn about what life was like for War of 1812 soldiers. Interact with uniformed soldiers in entertaining tours as they share riveting war stories and perform heart-pounding artillery demonstrations.

A scenic trail ride is another fun way to explore Niagara with the help of a horse. Local companies like Horseplay Niagara and Niagara Riding Stables offer a range of guided tours that allow riders of all ages to enjoy incredible Niagara scenery straight from the saddle.

A family round of golf is always a good idea on a balmy spring day. Seasoned players who fancy nine or 18 holes can choose from dozens of Niagara golf courses. Mini golf at an outdoor course like Dinosaur Adventure Golf or Brock Mini Golf & Foot Golf is another fun option for families who are new to the game or tight on time.

Breathe In Spring Orchard and Vineyard Blooms

Finding a scenic spot to disconnect for a few days can serve as a powerful way to reset this spring, and there’s no prettier place to do that than in a vacation rental with stunning views of a Niagara orchard in bloom or a vineyard during bud break. Excellent choices include:

• Inn The Orchard’s Modern Log Cabin, Modern Cottage with Loft and Japanese Soaking Tub, or Modern Container Home with Cedar Hot Tub
• Loft on 13th, which offers the added convenience of being able to enjoy a massage at the clinic housed in the same building
• Vineland Estate’s beautiful Bed and Breakfast Cottage
• Vieni Estates’ Guest House, which can be booked as a whole house or half house
• Lincoln’s Barn On The Bench, a private studio with a beautiful Beamsville Bench vineyard view 

Spring Feels Like Summer:

WINE, SPIRIT & CULINARY FUN

After a long, cold winter, bud break in Niagara’s vineyards inspires a celebratory atmosphere amongst Niagara’s wineries and distilleries, where locals and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and join the party. Can’t-miss spring events include:

Spring Wine Trail – April 12 & 13
Hop to Cave Spring Vineyard, Featherstone Estate Winery, Fielding Estate Winery, Malivoire Wines, and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery during their Spring Wine Trail weekend to enjoy five exclusive wine tastings paired with five mouthwatering cheeses and a bottle of wine from each winery to take home and enjoy.

Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Craft Your Own Gin Experience – April 12 & 26, May 3 & 17
Learn how the expert team at Dillon’s craft their collection of award-winning gins during this two-hour experience that includes a welcome cocktail, an in-depth lesson on flavour profiles, combinations and how to make the gin that’s perfect for you, and a take-home bottle of your personally crafted gin.

Graze The Bench – June 7 & 8
Join the fun of Graze The Bench when seven Beamsville Bench wineries celebrate the magic of their piece of the Niagara Escarpment by pouring new and special vintages, inviting Niagara chefs to create inspired dishes, and grooving with live bands at each venue.

Muddy Paws Wine Trail – June 14 & 15
Bring your pooch for a fun day out in Niagara at the Muddy Paws Wine Trail and enjoy a winery-to-winery walk with all sorts of pup-friendly activities, wine tastings, pet photography sessions, live music, and so much more.

Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Summer Discovery Pass – June 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
Create a custom blend of wine and culinary pairings from your choice of over two dozen of Niagara’s top wineries with a Summer Discovery Pass.

Wine Country Tailgate Party – June 28
Nothing says summer like a tailgate party! The Wine Country Tailgate Party is a Niagara wine country tradition that brings wine lovers into a vineyard to enjoy premium VQA wines, delicious food truck fare, live music, and a festive scene that screams, “Summer is finally here!”

True North Niagara Experience #1:

Take In Some New Views of The Falls

If you think witnessing the grandeur of Niagara Falls is a one-time experience, it’s time to expand your viewpoint. There are so many unique ways to take in the splendour of the Niagara River’s two crashing cascades that Lonely Planet crowned Niagara Falls as Canada’s best destination for an iconic travel experience. Revisit this world wonder from a fresh angle this spring, like from a zipline, through the Niagara Skywheel’s climate-controlled gondolas, or on the incredible viewing platform at the Niagara Parks Power Station.

Sirotez quelque chose de sensationnel & de durable

Les 36 producteurs du Niagara aiment faire goûter aux visiteurs les vins qu’ils produisent selon des pratiques respectueuses de l’environnement, mais ils ne s’arrêtent pas là vins certifiés durables Reconnaissant l’intérêt croissant pour le développement durable, de nombreux établissements vinicoles proposent désormais des expériences allant au-delà du verre de vin, montrant leur engagement envers la planète. Tawse Winery propose une visite du vignoble et une dégustation, toutes deux très prisées mettant en avant les pratiques d’agriculture biologique et l’approche non interventionniste de l’établissement. La carte verte de l’établissement vinicole Southbrook aide les visiteurs à repérer les 23 différentes initiatives mises en place par l’établissement en faveur de la protection de la planète.

Sip Something Sensational & Sustainable

Niagara’s 36 producers of certified sustainable wines love to pour visitors a taste of the wines they craft using environmentally responsible practices, but they don’t stop there. Recognizing the growing interest in sustainability, many wineries now offer beyond-the-glass experiences showcasing their commitment to the planet. Tawse Winery offers a popular Vineyard Tour and Tasting experience showcasing the winery’s organic farming practices and non-interventionist approach. Southbrook Winery’s Green Map helps guests spot the property’s 23 different earth-conscious initiatives.

Go Waterfall Hunting

While Niagara Falls may be hard to miss, spending a day seeking out some of Niagara’s more off-the-radar icy cascades will make your crew feel like true North explorers, especially if you pair your frosty finds with some well-timed stops for hot chocolate and sweet treats along the way. Excellent waterfall stops to add to your list include Ball’s Falls, Rockway Conservation Area, and Short Hills Provincial Park. After adding a few new waterfalls to your family’s explorations, end your day by experiencing Niagara Falls from a new-to-you vantage point. Whether you catch the Falls from the lower observation deck with water crashing down from 13 storeys above during the Journey Behind The Falls experience, take flight over the Falls in a helicopter, or get caught up in the excitement of the one-of-a-kind view offered by the Niagara Falls Power Station at Night experience, it will be a family outing to remember!

Surprise Them With A Suite

Booking a suite is an easy way to add some extra smiles to your next hotel stay. If the waterpark calls, consider Great Wolf Lodge’s KidKamp and Wolf Den suites, which include tent- and cave-themed sleeping areas for the kiddos. If you’re travelling with teens or grown children, knock their socks off with a luxurious suite at White Oaks Resort, where they can also stroll to the on-site Starbucks, schedule in some spa time, workout at the world-class fitness club, and shop for designer deals right across the street at the Outlet Collection at Niagara. Another great option is the Hotel Philco in Crystal Beach, which has 14 unique themed suites. Sports lovers will adore hunkering down for a few days in the Buffalo Bills suite or the Golf Room, complete with a putting green flooring, two holes and a PlayStation!

Taste & Tour

Niagara Wine Festival’s Icewine Discovery Pass, offered on January 10 -12, 17-19, and 24 – 26, invites pass holders to indulge in this celebrated dessert wine with their choice of six seasonal wine and food pairings served at 28 different wineries throughout Niagara. Niagara’s wineries pull out all the stops when it comes to cooking up creative wine and culinary combinations. This year’s 28 delightful pairing duos include Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine and Lemon Cream Shortcake at Creekside Winery, Gewürztraminer Icewine with a savoury Caramelized Onion Tart topped with Double Smoked Bacon, Crème Fraiche, and Aged Cheddar at Malivoire Wine Company and Chef Frank Dodd’s Icewine Chocolate Beignets alongside Cabernet Franc Icewine at Trius. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, and mocktail offerings are available, as is a “mini-pass” for those who only have time to visit three wineries, and a convenient shuttle service.

Merry & Bright

Nothing beats a holiday show for getting into the spirit of the season, and Niagara’s December calendar is full of excellent options. Here are just a few:

• The Shaw Festival’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol brings the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a heartwarming performance that’s become a holiday tradition for many.
• Fallsview Casino brings out the holiday magic with a sensational selection of seasonal shows, including the skating spectacular Holiday On Ice, Christmas With The Tenors, and Christmas With Johnny Reid.
• With performances by the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, as well as a diverse range of other holiday concerts, including an Elvis Christmas Special, The Jersey Nights Before Christmas, Natalie MacMaster, Handel’s festive Messiah, Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas, and Choir, Choir, Choir’s interactive Unsilent Night experience, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines will be hopping right through the holidays.

Surprise Them With A Splash

Santa’s not the only one who can serve up a spectacular holiday surprise. Book a hotel with an incredible waterpark as a home base for your Niagara weekend and you’ll be a holiday hero! Splash the day away at Great Wolf Lodge, Americana Resort, or the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls – Fallsview and Skyline Hotel and Waterpark all offer direct indoor access to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark.

The Wonder of History

A visit to a museum is a great way to make Niagara’s rich past jump out of the history books and into your family’s heart. Head to Niagara Falls History Museum, where kids will love trying on a replica uniform from the War of 1812, feeling the heft of a musket, building a bridge to span the Niagara Gorge and walking a tightrope like daredevils from the past! St. Catharines Museum is also a compelling stop that is home to over 800,000 fascinating artifacts that tell the story of St. Catharines and the Welland Canal. The museum is also home to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In Jordan Village, the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre embraces its goal of acknowledging our past for our future with a diverse range of exhibits and programming. Be sure to snap a family photo at the Distelfink located at the museum’s front entrance. This delightful art piece and climber is made in the likeness of the lucky golden finch based on the motifs of the early 1800s Fraktur displayed inside the museum.

SHAKE IT UP SUGGESTION #2:

Take It Two Bites At A Time

Niagara’s many winery touring passport events offer another great way to try award-winning wines paired with a wide range of small-plate culinary offerings from top winery restaurants and local chefs, all in a single afternoon. During the winter months, great options include Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Taste The Season and Chocolate and Cheese signature events, and Niagara Benchlands Wineries’ Get Wrapped Up and Love The Bench weekends. In early spring, awaken your senses with the Spring Sparkles Discovery Pass, where fizzy favourites from top VQA sparkling wine producers are paired with bold, chef-crafted bites.

Get Lost In The Lights

Couples who love taking a romantic evening stroll together will want to time their trip during Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights. The Festival, which runs from November 16 through January 5th, captures the magic of the season with millions of twinkling lights, engaging displays, and interactive experiences along the Niagara Parkway and through the Dufferin Islands.

While smaller in scale, Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light, offers another excellent option for an illuminated evening stroll in St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie.

Those who prefer to enjoy an illuminated view with a delicious meal can opt for a dinner at a restaurant with a front-row seat to Niagara Falls when it’s all aglow. Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-coloured water and light masterpiece each night at dusk. Check the Illumination Schedule, as the Falls are often lit in special colours for charities to mark a significant date in support of their cause.

WINTER WELLNESS ESCAPE TIP #2:

Embrace the Chill

Don’t let winter weather keep you from enjoying some time outside. A blast of fresh air on a crisp winter day is an excellent way to coax your body out of hibernation mode. Fun activities to get your gang outside and moving include:

• A hike exploring one of Niagara’s 20 remarkable Geoparks
• A snowshoe through the vineyard at Thirty Bench Wine Makers
• An outdoor skate at Wayne Gretzky Estates or Pillar and Post
• A blustery Great Lakes stroll on the Port Dalhousie Pier or Bay Beach in Crystal Beach