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From Ho-Hum to Home Run!

From Ho-Hum to Home Run

Top Tips To Win Your Kids Over On A Family Getaway To Niagara

As children get older, convincing them to press pause on school friends and weekend fun for a few days can seem like a hard sell for adults wanting to enjoy some family time away. Fortunately, making your way to a destination that offers just the right blend of unique adventures, fun places to stay, and cool things to bring back home makes building the business case for a family getaway much easier. Here’s how to check all those boxes on a family trip to Niagara.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #1:

Add an overnight stay with some unexpected fun

Whether it’s a hotel room that’s just steps away from an amazing waterpark, like Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, or Waves Indoor Waterpark, a suite set amongst the excitement of Clifton Hill, a hotel with its very own bowling alley, or a tricked out themed suite that pays homage to your family’s love of football, golf, Christmas, or bicycling, surprising your gang with an overnight stay that goes above and beyond their expectations is a great way to get your getaway going on a high note!

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #2:

Find an activity to try that’s new for EVERYONE

For families with a full passport of already-enjoyed adventures, finding an activity that doesn’t feel a little “been there, done that” is a must. Luckily, a new attraction that is the first of its kind in Ontario has just opened in Niagara Falls, which will knock everyone’s socks off! Niagara Takes Flight is a cutting-edge, flying theatre experience that 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 glide over ancient rock formations, historic battle sites, and breathtaking scenery, the addition of wind, mist, and scent effects makes the flight feel even more lifelike!

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #3:

Make time for fun and games

Kids love seeing their grown-ups forget they have grown up! Whether it’s challenging each other to a cut-throat game of skee-ball at a Clifton Hill arcade, like Great Canadian Midway or Niagara Falls Fun Zone, getting spooked as a family on a candlelit Ghost Tour at Fort George, or racing each other around a Niagara Falls or St. Catharines go-kart track, be sure your schedule includes a few hours for everyone to play like kids together!

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #4:

Celebrate the season

There’s always something to celebrate in Niagara, and the fall brings cozy harvest activities, spirited Halloween fun, and sparkling celebrations that kickstart the festive season as early as mid-November. Check our events calendar to find activities that coincide with your trip, like Howell’s Adventure Farm’s Fall Fest, Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, Haunt Manor, fireworks over the Falls, and the Winter Festival of Lights, which kicks off on November 15.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #5:

Get everyone active on an outdoor adventure

Enjoying outdoor activities as a group, like hiking or cycling, is a fun way to spend time together as a family. The Niagara Bruce Trail Club offers various badges for children aged 15 and under to earn by achieving specific Bruce Trail hiking milestones, such as completing a three-kilometre hike or a 90-minute hike. Niagara’s also home to excellent off-road and paved cycling paths, including the Welland Canals Parkway Trail and the Niagara River Recreational Trail, that make for stress-free family bike rides.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #6:

Find meals everyone will adore

Niagara’s red-hot culinary scene makes it easy to find meals that are both foodie- and family-friendly! Fans of the award-winning series The Bear will adore devouring Italian favourites at Chef Matty Matheson’s Rizzo’s House of Parm in Ridgeway. Families with only certain members who are seafood lovers will appreciate the choice between freshly shucked oysters and a kids’ menu at Tide & Vine. Decadent Sunday brunches at restaurants like Niagara Benchlands’ The Lakehouse, Queen’s Landing’s Tiara Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls’ The Flour Mill Restaurant are an excellent option for families who need a lot of choices to suit specific preferences.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #7:

Keep the adults well caffeinated 

Keeping energy levels consistent across all those in your travel pack can be a key factor in ensuring everyone has a great time. For parents who find themselves in need of some extra oomph, Niagara is home to a collection of excellent independent coffee shops. When everyone is ready for a bit of downtime, consider hopping in the car and finding your way to some of these off-the-beaten path finds: Welland’s Black Sheep Coffee Roasters, Jordan’s Plant No. 01, Brindle Food Co. in St. Catharines, Hummingbird Coffee Co. in Niagara Falls, Stoke Deli Bar in Fonthill, Mellow Yellow Sips in Crystal Beach, or Little Red Coffee in Fort Erie.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #8:

Let tweens and teens score some big brand deals

Brand-conscious big kids will have a blast sourcing savings on favourite labels like Nike, Lululemon, Ugg, Aritzia, and dozens more at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Outlet Collection at Niagara. In Niagara Falls, outlets at Canada One that younger shoppers will appreciate include American Eagle, Coach, Urban Planet, and Aéropostale.

From Ho Hum To Home Run Trip Tip #9:

Pick up a taste of Niagara to enjoy on the ride home

Make the ride back home a little more appealing by stocking up on some grown- and made-in-Niagara treats to snack on during the drive. Can’t-miss fall flavours include freshly picked apples from a roadside stand or farmer’s market, buttertarts that have earned a reputation for being some of Canada’s best, or a box of buzz-worthy Beechwood Doughnuts.

Adventure in Niagara

Hit your next family getaway out of the park, enjoying Niagara’s attractions, historic sites, outdoor activities, 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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Only In Niagara, Canada … The Autumn Family Adventure Edition

Only in Niagara ... Autumn Adventure Edition

10 Made-In-Canada Autumn Experiences

If you need a reminder of just how unique Niagara, Canada is to visit at any time of year, our original Only In Niagara, Canada and Only In Niagara, Canada …Kids Edition articles are a great place to start. But for families specifically seeking the kind of one-of-a-kind adventures that can only be found in Niagara during the autumn, read on!

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #1:

Attend a 50-year-old Thanksgiving Festival

A turkey dinner with all the trimmings isn’t the only tradition to enjoy on Thanksgiving weekend. The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, which runs from October 10 – 13, is a time-honoured  Thanksgiving weekend tradition for families across Ontario. This picture-perfect fall festival offers something for everyone, including a beautiful waterfall, lovingly maintained historical buildings, a marketplace filled with talented craftspeople, birds of prey demonstrations, craft beverages, and delicious food.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #2:

Soar like a bird from the shores of Lake Ontario to the edge of Lake Erie

Experience Ontario’s first-ever flying theatre experience that just landed in Niagara Falls earlier this fall. Niagara Takes Flight is a cutting-edge new attraction that 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 across ancient rock formations, historic battle sites, and breathtaking scenery. The addition of wind, mist, and scent effects makes the flight feel even more lifelike for riders.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #3:

Take trick-or-treating to the next level

Leave knocking on doors in your neighbourhood for October 31st!  A pre-Halloween trip to Niagara allows your kids to get into the Halloween spirit a little early by trick-or-treating in some very cool locales! Safari Niagara’s Boo at the Zoo, on October 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, is a spooky, fun-filled event with over 100 local vendors handing out treats, as well as costume contests, Halloween-themed activities, pumpkin painting, seasonal photo ops and more! Fort Erie Race Track’s Track-o-Lantern is a free event on October 13 where kids in costumes can collect candy at festive stations around the track, enjoy horse-themed games, and snap photos with spooky decorations.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #4:

Watch The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe come to life

Catch The Shaw Festival’s incredible production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe with the kids before the season ends on October 4. For a behind-the-scenes look at how the talented cast brings this C.S. Lewis classic to the stage, reserve your family seats for the kid-friendly pre-show workshop offered before every performance.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #5:

Brave North America’s most interactive horror festival

Families with older children who can’t get enough horror movies won’t want to miss Frightmare In The Falls at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre on October 25 and 26. The event will feature more than 50,000 square feet of all things horror, including memorabilia, panels, celebrities, movies, autographs, displays, movie cars, cosplay, special effects props, and much more!

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #6:

Experience the magic of a maple sugar bush as the leaves change colour

For a sweet fall experience on Saturdays and Sundays through October, visit White Meadows Farm for their Discover Maple Sugar Bush Tour. This amazing autumn adventure includes a tractor-pulled wagon ride through the heart of the forest, a stroll through the sugar bush, a maple syrup tasting, and time to relax under the mighty maples and enjoy a tasty treat.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #7:

Explore the Niagara Escarpment on an autumn hike

Set out on a hike with a real sense of history as the Niagara Escarpment shows off the radiance of its fall wardrobe! Woodend Conservation Area offers sweeping vistas of Lake Ontario and steep Escarpment slopes that are believed to have served as army observation points during the War of 1812. The forest here is composed mainly of hardwood trees, offering amazing fall colours in scattered Carolinian species, like Black Cherry, Black Oak and Sugar Maple.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #8:

Hear real stories of the Underground Railroad’s brave passengers

As a terminus of the Underground Railroad, Niagara is home to rich Black history, including Fort Erie’s Freedom Park and St. Catharines’ Salem Chapel, which Harriet Tubman once attended. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Voice of Freedom Park is an experiential art installation designed to engage, educate, and challenge visitors about Black history in Canada. The audio walking tour that is available for download is an excellent tool for families eager to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake’s significant Black history sites in a more interactive way.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #9:

Step into the sparkle of Canada’s largest free outdoor lights festival

Each year, as the late autumn days begin to get darker, the Winter Festival of Lights lights up the night with three million lights displayed in breathtaking installations across Niagara Falls. From November 15 through January 4, take in the larger-than-life displays, twinkling lights, and nightly “Sparkling Winter Lights” Falls Illumination, showcasing the sub-zero splendour of winter in the north. And what better way to warm chilly fingers on a brisk fall night than strolling your way to a series of decadent hot chocolate stops? As part of the Winter Festival of Lights, a diverse collection of Niagara Falls restaurants join in on the fun by offering signature hot chocolate drinks on a Hot Chocolate Trail. While this year’s chocolatey concoctions are still being dreamed up, last year’s options included steamy sipper flavours like peanut butter, butter pecan, mango, and sprinkled waffle.

True North Niagara Autumn Adventure #10:

Take a candlelit tour of a historically haunted War of 1812 barracks

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Fort George has earned the reputation of being one of Ontario’s most haunted places. The bloody battles and deaths that took place here during the War of 1812 have led to hundreds of reports of paranormal activity, like sightings of soldiers, family members, and spirits. Hear the ghostly accounts of the many spine-tingling encounters that have occurred in this War of 1812 landmark on Ghost tours offered on Sunday evenings through September, and Halloween tours that are available on October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 1 and 2.

Adventure In Niagara

Surprise your family with some only-in-Niagara autumn fun, enjoying the region’s 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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Niagara After Dark

Niagara After Dark

9 Experiences That Are Even Better After Sunset

While the sunset may serve as a signal to start to wind down the day in some places, that’s certainly not the case in Niagara! The sun’s daily dip below the horizon offers an invitation to discover a whole new array of ways to play. Here are some favourite ways to spend an evening enjoying Niagara after dark.

#1: Float Away on a Niagara Falls Fireworks Cruise

Enjoy the best seat in the house for Niagara Falls’ nightly fireworks extravaganza on a Fireworks Cruise! This 40-minute experience, offered through Canadian Thanksgiving, delivers starry skies, panoramic skyline views, stunning illuminations, and fireworks that light up the sky, all on the brink of Niagara Falls!

#2: Have An Electrifying Power Station At Night Encounter

Niagara Falls’ historic power station feels even more magical in the dark! Niagara Parks’ Power Station At Night experience invites guests to wander this cathedral of power’s beautifully lit main generator hall, where state-of-the-art LED lighting creates a brilliant cast of colours and shadows. Afterward, be sure to follow the 2,200-foot-long underground path to a one-of-a-kind Niagara Falls view on an observation platform perched on the edge of the Niagara River.

#3: Take Flight At Night

Although Niagara Parks’ all-new and incredibly popular Niagara Takes Flight experience is offered during daytime hours too, securing tickets for this fully-immersive flying theatre adventure during the evening is a wise way to avoid the new attraction rush. Enjoy a little extra elbow room in the pre-show media rooms, where an audiovisual experience sets the stage with powerful storytelling that blends geology, culture, and time.

#4: Enjoy A Skywheel Spin

Soaring 175-feet high in the sky in one of the Niagara Skywheel’s climate-controlled gondolas is one of the most magical ways to experience the beauty of Niagara Falls at night. For even more drama, time your tickets to coincide with the nightly fireworks show at 10 pm through October 13.

#5: Get Spooked In A Historic Haunt

Take a candlelit tour through Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Fort George and hear ghostly accounts of the many spirited encounters that have occurred in this War of 1812 landmark. Ghost tours are offered on Sunday evenings through September, and Halloween tours are available on October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 1 and 2. Should that scare leave you looking for even more spine-tingling fun, Niagara Falls’ Haunt Manor, Canada’s largest haunted attraction, boasts a horror-filled hayride, Bayou trail, and a collection of terrifying haunted houses to explore.

#6: Gather Around The Trius Harvest Table

Spend a fall evening connecting with fellow wine and food enthusiasts around an outdoor harvest table under the covered walkway at Trius Winery, indulging in a dinner showcasing Niagara’s passionate local farmers and growers. The Trius Harvest Dinner Series is an excellent way to taste for yourself why the MICHELIN Guide has recommended Chef Frank Dodd’s farm-to-table cuisine.

#7: Order Dinner With A Side of Fireworks over The Falls

Through October 13, time your dinner reservation to coincide with Niagara Falls’ nightly 10 pm fireworks display at a restaurant that boasts a great Falls view. Excellent choices include  Watermark Fallsview Dining, Table Rock House Restaurant, Prime Steakhouse, and Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant. After a short hiatus, nightly fireworks displays return during the Winter Festival of Lights, from November 15 through January 4.

#8: Chill Out On A Vibey Rooftop Patio

Grab that cute, cozy sweater! Fall is an ideal time to find your way to one of Niagara’s picture-perfect rooftop patios to sip something delicious and snap a few sensational autumn selfies! In Niagara Falls, head to La Favella, where a heated rooftop with a fully retractable roof ensures a comfortable evening hang in any kind of weather! The Sheraton Fallsview’s Premium Cabanas on the rooftop heated pool and bar area offer a luxe way for up to six people to soak up an evening view of the Falls. In St. Catharines, Lounge Six Sky Bar offers an incredible nighttime view of the Garden City as well as delicious food and drinks. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Oast House has a two-story patio that provides a perfect perch for craft beer fans to take in the panoramic vineyard view in a seated bar area while sipping great drinks and enjoying delicious barbecue dishes and pizza.

#9: Get Spellbound By The Sparkle of Canada’s Largest Free Outdoor Light Festival

Each year, as the late autumn days begin to get darker, the Winter Festival of Lights brightens up the night with breathtaking displays across Niagara Falls. From November 15 through January 4, take in the larger-than-life displays, twinkling lights, and nightly “Sparkling Winter Lights” Falls Illumination, showcasing the subtle and sometimes harsh movements inspired by winter in the north. Don’t forget to grab your passport for the festival’s Hot Chocolate Trail to sip your way through a selection of naughty and nice steaming drinks at participating Niagara Falls bars and restaurants.

Adventure In Niagara

Design your ideal after-dark adventure in Niagara, enjoying the region’s many attractions, historic sites, events, and restaurants. 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 local accommodations options to find a delightful place to spend the night in Niagara.

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Leaves, Lager, Lattés, and Lore

Leaves, Lager, Lattés, and Lore

Can’t-Miss Fall Hikes With A Hint of History & Delicious Sips Nearby

For those who prefer their fall hikes served with something delicious to sip and a thought-provoking story or two on the side, Niagara delivers colourful autumn options in spades. Here are six very different fall day itineraries that each reveal very different sides of Niagara.

Destination: Niagara Falls

HIKING TRAIL: THE NIAGARA GLEN
Deep within the Niagara Gorge, the Niagara Glen offers hikers four kilometers of rugged hiking trails winding through lush Carolinian forest past fascinating rock formations to incredible Niagara River views.

THE LORE: Rekindling All Our Relations is a free, self-guided Indigenous audio tour of the Niagara Glen that allows hikers to listen as they walk to discover the Indigenous connections to the nature surrounding them. Download the podcast to your mobile device, or visit the Niagara Glen Nature Centre to receive a handheld audio device with the tour pre-loaded on it.

Hikers who prefer to follow a guide will want to get on the guest list for Niagara Parks’ Twilight Tales: Autumn Nature Hike in the Niagara Glen, which will take place just before dusk on October 25 & 26. Hikers will learn about the dark history of the Niagara Gorge and the fascinating seasonal changes that occur here.

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: Those seeking a pre-hike caffeine kick will be happy to discover Hummingbird Coffee Co. From smooth espressos to refreshing iced lattes, each cup is crafted to perfection to capture the heart of Peru’s rainforests in a cup. If a post-hike lager is in order, make your way to Niagara Brewing Company. Choose from the original brewery, which is just 200 metres from the Falls, or the brewery’s taproom located within The Fallsview Casino’s Galleria.

Destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake

HIKING TRAIL: THE BRUCE TRAIL; Southern Terminus at Queenston Heights Park
Feel the history underfoot as you explore the southernmost end of Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. The Bruce Trail winds its way hundreds of kilometers along the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, all the way to Tobermory.

THE LORE: While at Queenston Heights Park, take some time to explore the various components that make up the Landscape of Nations Memorial, which include The Memory Circle, The Longhouse, and a walkway commemorating the Two-Row Wampum Belt. The Memorial is dedicated to the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) Confederacy and Indigenous allies that played a vital role in the War of 1812.

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: Take in a stunning view of Fort Niagara while sipping an Iced Canadiano at Balzacs’ Niagara-on-the-Lake location. The Exchange Brewery pours a wide range of American styles along with sour and funky Belgian-style beers and ales.

Destination: St. Catharines

HIKING TRAIL: MERRITT TRAIL
Named after William Hamilton Merritt, the person who originally conceived the idea for the Welland Canal, the Merritt Trail is an 11-km stone dust pathway that takes hikers past remnants of former canal locks from the region’s first, second, and third sets of historic lift locks.

THE LORE: Pair your stroll with some storied cinema at The Film House, located within the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, which is just a short walk from the Merritt Trail. This fall, catch Retro Reel matinee screenings of Halloween favourites like Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: Grab a buzzed-about Matcha from Bright Pours Café to sip while you stroll this scenic path that runs along the Twelve Mile Creek. This cute little coffee shop is just steps from the Martindale Road entry point to the trail. When you reach downtown St. Catharines, stop for a thirst-quenching pint at Merchant Ale House.

Destination: Niagara Benchlands

HIKING TRAIL: TWENTY VALLEY TRAIL, Jordan
Tucked away behind the Lincoln County Museum and Cultural Centre, hikers will find a steep staircase that they can follow down into the woods to access the scenic Ellis Property section of the Twenty Valley Trail.

THE LORE: Lincoln County Museum and Cultural Centre’s permanent Fraktur exhibition offers a glimpse into the culture and everyday lives of the area’s early German-speaking settlers through this exquisite folk-art tradition.

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: When visiting Jordan Village, a stop at RPM Bakehouse is a must! All coffee beans are sourced from Canadian roasters who work with small producers, and flours for the bakery’s delicious pastries are sourced responsibly through strong relationships with local farmers and millers. The friendly Jordan House Tavern is another can’t-miss sip stop, where local craft brews are always available.

Destination: Niagara’s South Coast

HIKING TRAIL: SONS AND DAUGHTERS WINERY, Fonthill
A visit to Sons and Daughters Winery, the first winery located on the Fonthill Kame Delta, offers so much more than wine. The Fonthill Kame Delta is a unique geological feature formed by retreating glaciers after the last ice age. The winery, perched atop the highest point of land in the Niagara area, invites guests to explore its rolling hiking trails as part of their visit.

THE LORE: Catch Canada’s oldest Sugar Maple during its gorgeous fall glow-up! The Comfort Maple is a symbol of Canadian strength and tradition, towering about 24.4 metres at its crown with a trunk circumference of 6 metres!

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: In addition to serving up tasty wines, Sons and Daughters boasts an incredible on-site coffee bar, where Fieldnote Coffee is used to create delicious espresso, lattés, and other coffee-based drinks. After your hike, keep the geology lesson going at Fonthill’s Kame & Kettle Beer Works, where an ever-rotating tap list of flavours has something for everyone.

Destination: Grimsby

HIKING TRAIL: BEAMER MEMORIAL CONSERVATION AREA
Follow the hiking trails to the viewing platform for one of Niagara’s most breathtaking and panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

THE LORE: Visit the Grimsby Museum to explore the story of Lake Lawn, a distinctive heritage home in Grimsby, through original photographs, clothing, toys, and personal belongings from the house and its descendants.

NEARBY LATTÉS & LAGERS: 416 Coffee Co.’s Grimsby location is the perfect place for a pre- or post-hike pick-me-up. In addition to lovely Belgian- and German-influenced brews, Newark Brewing’s warm pretzels and hand-breaded Schnitzel sandwiches deliver delicious notes of Oktoberfest!

Wander In Niagara

Curate an amazing outdoor adventure in Niagara this fall by blending the region’s many nature-based attractions, cycling routes, outdoor sports options and campgrounds. 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 local accommodations and restaurant suggestions to find delightful options to add to your itinerary.

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The Sky’s the Limit!

The Sky's the Limit!

9 Niagara Views That Are Simply Too Spectacular To Miss

There’s something extra magical about looking down at the world from above when you’re a child. Whether it’s riding on an adult’s shoulders or sailing as high into the sky as the swing will go, getting a bird’s-eye view, even just for a brief moment, always seems to inspire big grins.

From all-new attractions to time-tested classics, parents looking to treat their kids to the wow-inducing pleasure of a sky-high view have plenty of amazing options to choose from in Niagara. Here are just a few favourites!

Niagara Takes Flight

Ontario’s first-ever flying theatre experience swooped into Niagara Falls at the end of the summer. Niagara Takes Flight is a cutting-edge new attraction that combines Indigenous 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. Gliding over ancient rock formations, historic battle sites, and breathtaking scenery becomes even more lifelike with the addition of wind, mist, and scent effects.

Niagara Helicopters

Niagara Helicopters’ Classic Tour offers riders so much more than a fabulous view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The 12-minute ride provides aerial views of other beloved Niagara landmarks, like the 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, the Skylon Tower, and, if it’s a clear day, the outline of Toronto to the north and the shores of Lake Erie to the south.

Whirlpool Aero Car

Soaring 3,500 feet above the Niagara River’s raging Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids in the historic Whirlpool Aero Car provides a rush that has been leaving riders speechless since 1916! The car is meticulously maintained to protect the integrity of the original design and ensure the safety of the over 100,000 guests who enjoy the ride each year!

Niagara SkyWheel

Whether you’re five or 95, no trip to Niagara Falls’ Clifton Hill is complete without a spin on the iconic Niagara SkyWheel. One of Canada’s largest observation wheels, the SkyWheel treats riders to unsurpassed views of the Horseshoe and American Falls, the Niagara River, Niagara Parks and other landmarks. Even on the chilliest days, climate-controlled gondolas keep things nice and cozy on the eight- to 12-minute ride.

Wildplay Niagara

Wildplay Niagara’s two Niagara Falls attractions offer adrenaline-pumping aerial views that kids and kids-at-heart will adore. Zipline To The Falls is a 2,200-foot zipline that takes riders soaring past the American Falls before landing atop the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Just a bit further down the Niagara River, the Whirlpool Adventure Course, suitable for kids ages five and up, offers games, obstacles, ziplines, and challenges elevated between 20 and 40 feet in the air.

Skylon Tower

When it comes to treating kids to a meal with a view, the Skylon Tower offers one winner of a dinner that’s 775 feet above the Falls! Meals in the revolving dining room include complimentary access to both indoor and outdoor observation decks, and the Ride-to-the-Top in the famous Yellow Bug Elevators.

Public Star Nights at Heartland Forest

While this Niagara Falls option encourages guests to look up instead of down, it offers an equally impressive view. Once a month, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Niagara Chapter descends on Heartland Forest just after sunset, allowing guests to use their professional telescopes to look at the moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and more!

Niagara Falls isn’t the only place to score sky-high views in the Niagara region. Here are a few other options for families keen to discover an elevated perspective in different parts of Niagara!

Skydive Burnaby

Tandem skydiving with Skydive Burnaby is an excellent option for those at least 18 years of age (or 16 years with parental consent) who are interested in trying skydiving for the first time. Guests can choose from a jump from up to 10,500 feet on weekdays or 14,000 feet on weekends. The experience includes a 20-25 minute plane ride with beautiful views of the Lake Erie coastline and the mist of Niagara Falls.

Beamer Memorial Conservation Area Viewing Platform

The breathtaking and panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario at this off-the-radar conservation area may be one of Niagara’s best-kept secrets! Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is beloved by birdwatchers who flock here each spring to observe the annual hawk migration from elevated viewing platforms.

Adventure In Niagara

Design your family’s ideal sky-high adventure in Niagara, enjoying the region’s fantastic 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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Glasses Up!

Glasses Up!

9 Delicious Ways To Show Canadian Makers in Niagara Some Extra Love

From meticulously manicured gardens to the friendly warmth locals extend to visitors, examples of the intense Canadian pride felt by those living in Niagara abound. During harvest season, there’s even more evidence of the strong connection that those in Niagara feel toward their country as proud growers, chefs, winemakers, and craft beverage makers take what’s grown here and work tirelessly to transform it into something even tastier. Here are just a handful of ways to experience that Canadian harvest season pride and support local makers on your next visit to Niagara.

Find A New Favourite at an Award-Winning Winery

Each summer, Wine Align’s National Wine Awards of Canada judges taste their way through close to 2000 different wines from 250 Canadian wineries. In addition to identifying the winners for individual wine varietals, the awards recognize Canada’s leading wineries with award categories that include Winery of the Year, Best Performing Small Winery, Top 25 Wineries in Canada, Top 10 Ontario Wineries, Top 10 BC Wineries, and Top 10 Small Wineries. This year’s Top 10 Ontario wineries are ALL proud to call Niagara home, making it really easy to create a tasting trip with a stop at each winner. The top-ten winners located with the Niagara Benchlands were:

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s top-ten winery winners were:

Get To Know a New-To-You Wine Region On A Touring Weekend

Seasonal touring events are a wonderful way to discover Canadian wine regions, wineries, winemakers, and wine country chefs that may not yet be on your radar. On weekends in November, for example, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake host Taste the Season, a touring program that invites passport holders to visit participating wineries to enjoy eight carefully curated holiday-inspired food and wine pairings. Those tight on touring time have the option of purchasing individual pairings at the number of wineries that best suits their schedule. Niagara Benchlands Wineries also host a November touring event. Get Wrapped Up, running on November 8, 9, 15, and 16, offers visitors the chance to select their preferred weekend for festive food and wine pairings at eight wineries, all for just $49.95.

Join The Club To Score Insider Winery Perks

While joining a subscription-based wine club provides the convenient perk of regular shipments of wines delivered right to your door, wine club members are on the receiving end of some other fabulous advantages when they can make a visit to the winery as well. Many wineries, including Vineland Estates, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Creekside Estate Winery, and Jackson-Triggs, treat wine club members to complimentary wine pairings at on-site restaurants, complimentary tastings at the tasting bar, and exclusive access to amazing club member events.

Follow The Food Critics

While Niagara’s wineries have long been on the radar of the world’s wine critics, more recently, the region’s restaurants have also really started feeling the love! Read our Fanning The Flames and A Star In Born articles for all the details about Niagara culinary standouts, like Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Fat Rabbit, and Trius Winery Restaurant, that all received noteworthy nods of approval from MICHELIN Guide Inspectors in 2024 and again in 2025, when Restaurant Pearl Morissette was also recognized with a second MICHELIN Star! 

Dine Where Local Flavours Steal The Show

In addition to enjoying a delicious meal, reserving a table at a restaurant that has earned Feast ON certification offers the tasty assurance of flavours sourced from local growers and makers. In fact, the average menu at a Feast ON-certified restaurant consists of 54% Ontario-grown food. Excellent options for enjoying a meal at a Niagara restaurant with Feast ON certification include:

In the Niagara Benchlands:

In St. Catharines:

In Niagara-on-the-Lake:

In Niagara Falls:

Niagara’s South Coast:

Shift Your Dining Window

Arriving in Niagara a little earlier in the day offers diners an entirely different range of culinary experiences to try at restaurants with stand-out breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus. Can’t-miss mid-day options to add to your next Niagara trip include Vineland’s Revalee Brunch Café, St. Catharines’ King Street Pantry, and Sunday brunch in Niagara-on-the-Lake at Tiara Restaurant or in Ridgeway at 335 On The Ridge.

Sink Your Teeth Into A Different Niagara Dining Destination

Each of Niagara’s many different communities offers diners something deliciously different. Switch up your restaurant routine by trying a new-to-you dining destination and let the passionate chefs there wow you. Excellent options include:

Stack Your Wine & Food Experiences

Since not all Niagara wineries are large enough to offer on-site restaurants, pairing up a tasting at a smaller winery with a lunch or dinner at a winery with its own restaurant is a fantastic way to experience the best of both worlds. Here are a few creative combinations:

In the Niagara Benchlands, pair a tasting at Watchful Eye Winery, Kacaba Vineyards and Winery, or Wending Home Estate Vineyards and Winery with a meal at Redstone Winery, Megalomaniac, The Good Earth Food & Wine Company, or Honsberger Estate Winery.

In Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country, blend a tasting at a smaller property, like Ferox, Lailey Winery, or Marynissen Estates, with a meal at The Farmhouse Café at Caroline Cellars, Barrelhead at Pillitteri Estates Winery, or Queenston Mile Vineyard.

Broaden Your Craft Beverage Horizons

Niagara’s not only home to over 100 world-class wineries. There’s a buzz-worthy craft beer, cider and distilled spirit scene that’s well worth getting to know a little better, too. Spending some time exploring the Niagara Ale Trail is an excellent way to discover the distinctive craft breweries and cideries that call Niagara home. Adding a stop at Niagara Benchlands distillers like Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, and Tawse Winery & Distillery,  Niagara-on-the-Lake spirit makers, like Limited Distilling and Spirit In Niagara, or Niagara Falls’ Niagara Distillery, is another fun way to taste the creative ways local makers are putting a unique Niagara spin on locally made liquors. Bar Barista in the Fallsview Casino offers up contemporary cocktails and expertly curated beverages. 

Feast in Niagara

Create your ideal culinary getaway in Niagara, enjoying the region’s vineyards, wine tours, craft breweries, distilleries, cideries, wine- and food-focused festivals, and its diverse collection of restaurants and cafés.  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 local accommodations options to find a delightful place to spend the night in Niagara.

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See Shop Spa

See. Shop. Spa.

5 Terrific Trios of Shows, Shopping & Spa Treatments To Enjoy In Niagara

When it comes to incredible and affordable live music and theatre, Niagara earns a standing ovation. But making your way to Niagara and only seeing a show seems just wrong in a region that’s also home to fabulous shopping and so many world-class spas. This fall, create your perfect mix of live shows, shopping, and spa time in Niagara. Here are some winning combinations for inspiration.

Destination: Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage is proving to be very popular with a wide range of big-name talent. Artists appearing on the OLG Stage this fall include Steve Winwood, Gipsy Kings, Il Divo, Three Dog Night, John Legend, and Patti Labelle. Time your trip for Matthew Good’s November 21 show to take advantage of one of Ontario’s most anticipated holiday shopping markets. The fifteenth annual HandMade Market opens its doors at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre from November 21 through 23, offering those eager to get a head start on made-in-Canada holiday shopping 1000s of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items all at one location. Bring some friends, and in between your show and shopping, head to Burning Springs Spa & Thermal Pools, which was recently recognized as one of the top 25 spas in Canada. The spa’s Celebration Package treats six or more guests to a reserved area with refreshments.

Destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Shaw Festival’s 2025 season keeps going strong right through October 5, with a full slate of shows including Wait Until Dark, Tons of Money, Major Barbara, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Then, after a short break, the Shaw’s fabulous cast returns for the holiday season from November 1 through December 21, to bring two fabulously festive favourites to the stage: White Christmas and A Christmas Carol.

Shaw showgoers can find outstanding deals on favourite brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Ugg, Lululemon, North Face, and more just down the road at Outlet Collection of Niagara. On Saturdays through October 4, shop the Little Hearts Market Series to find fabulous items from small businesses. Celebrate Niagara’s grape harvest season with the signature Grapeseed Body Wrap treatment at OSpa, which is located within Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic Oban Inn.

Destination: St. Catharines

Music lovers looking to squeeze in one last outdoor festival for the season are in luck! St. Catharines’ annual Cicada Music and Arts Festival, on October 3 and 4, brings fantastic Canadian bands, including Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, 54-40, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hollerado, and many more to Port Dalhousie’s Henley Island. St. Catharines is a real live music hub this fall, with a long list of other renowned acts arriving to perform downtown, including Bryan Adams, Ron Sexsmith, Tom Morello, The Tenors, and Soweto Gospel Choir.

While in downtown St. Catharines for a show, be sure to check out the downtown core’s excellent selection of vintage and consignment stores and record shops. Best bets include Out Of The Past, Pink Bubblegum Vintage Boutique, Roly Poly Records & Vintage, Studio Shop, and Mindbomb Records. In addition to a fantastic range of spa treatments, St. Catharines’ beautiful Oggi Spa offers the thoughtful option of a salon hair blowout following your service, so you can head to your evening show looking freshly styled after your afternoon at the spa!

Destination: Niagara Benchlands

Niagara Benchlands’ fall festivals are a show in themselves! Head to Charles Daley Park on October 4 and 5 for live bands, DJs, and tonnes of foodie fun at the annual Sip Niagara. On Thanksgiving weekend, the beloved Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival hosts live music, heritage demonstrations, a vendor village, and so much more.

Browsing the unique shops of Jordan Village is the perfect before- or after-festival activity. Whether you’re finding a fresh fall outfit at Tintern Road & Jack Style Collective, Pamela’s, or Oak and Honey, a festival-worthy hat at Frankie Sez Hatters, or an interesting piece of art at Northern Expressions Inuit Art Gallery or Jordan Art Gallery, this is shopping that’s miles apart from any shopping mall! The talented specialists at Spa on the Twenty are ready and waiting to help visitors achieve their festival season glow! Visit on a weekday to take advantage of special pricing on two-treatment packages.

Destination: Niagara’s South Coast

Niagara’s South Coast is the place to be for intimate shows that are sure to inspire considerable Canadian pride. The Lighthouse Festival’s production of Norm Foster’s Here on the Flight Path will have audiences at Port Colborne’s historic Roselawn Theatre in stitches through September 28. Later this fall, Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary Centre for the Arts will welcome Aysanabee and his band for an intimate stop on his The Way We’re Born tour.

Both Ridgeway and Port Colborne’s downtown districts are home to a unique collection of shops and galleries that are well worth an afternoon browse, like Lasting Impressions Gifts and Clothing, Lovely Day Gift & Home, Rookley’s Canadian Art, Harmony on West, and The Picket Fence. Complement your show and shopping with a Nordic-inspired soak! Fire & Ice Therapy at The Yard Social Club uses the contrasting elements of sauna and cold plunge to promote a deep sense of well-being that will linger long after the session ends.

Play, Discover & Relax In Niagara

Create an autumn getaway that combines live entertainment, shopping, and some well-deserved spa time. 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 local accommodations and restaurant suggestions to find delightful options to add to your itinerary.

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Nature It Up Niagara Style! 8 Summer Adventures Your Kids Will Love

Nature It Up Niagara Style

8 Summer Adventures Your Kids Will Love

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.

Discover A Hidden Waterfall Together

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.

Check The Box On A Really Big Family Bike

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!

Have A Family Bounce-Off At The Beach

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! Splashtown 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.

Feel The Rush of Some of North America’s Wildest Rapids

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.

Set Out On A Family Float

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.

Cache In On Hidden Treasures

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.

Find a Nature-Based Playground

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!

Pick Niagara’s Freshest Fruit

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.

Inject some fresh air fun into your family’s summer routine!

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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Summertime = Showtime in Niagara

Summertime = Showtime

8 Ways To Experience One Of Canada’s Hottest Live Arts Destinations

Live arts lovers looking for a summer road trip destination with a fantastic range of music, theatre, and comedy will discover plenty to love in Niagara. With incredible concerts, live music festival fun, stand-up shows, and world-renowned theatre performances, showtime in Niagara lasts all summer long. Here are some of our favourite ways to get in on the act!

Experience the Awe of the Shaw

The Shaw Festival’s 2025 season is a delightful collection of familiar classics given fresh energy, mixed with less-familiar plays that are sure to leave a lasting impression! From the beloved musical Anything Goes, to an exciting new spin on the family classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the nail-biting thriller, Wait Until Dark, the hilarious Tons of Money, the Shaw masterpiece Major Barbara, and the whodunit Murder-on-the-Lake, there really is something for everyone. There are also eclectic Studio shows, fun options for interactive Beyond The Shaw experiences, and more.

Get Even Closer To The Music At One Of Canada’s Top Small Venues

Don’t let the small number of seats at Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage fool you. This intimate 5,000-seat venue attracts some big-name acts, and guests have the added bonus of never being more than 150 feet away from the action!. This summer’s concert lineup includes Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, 98 Degrees, Charlotte Cardin, The Black Crowes, The Killers, Train, Babyface, Cole Swindell, Kool & The Gang, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Steve Winwood.

Have Some Music With Your Wine

See for yourself why catching a concert at the Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre has become a cherished summer tradition for so many. This year’s Jackson-Triggs Summer Concert Series lineup includes Canadian favourites like Stars, Chantal Kreviazuk, Matt Anderson, The Trews, Donovan Woods, Jim Cuddy and Dwayne Gretzky. On the other side of Niagara wine country, Redstone Estate Winery is also hosting some standout performances in a concert series that includes Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, Pretzel Logic, and John Neudorf.

Inject Some Big Laughs Into Your Summer

Top comedians continue to show their love for Niagara Falls right through summer 2025. Between OLG Stage and the Avalon Theatre, this season’s standup roster includes Jerry Seinfeld, America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator, Jeff Dunham, and Jo Koy. Interested in catching comedy’s next breakout star before they’ve made it big? Head to amateur night at Yuk Yuk’s in Niagara Falls. St. Catharines’ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre also has some fun comedy shows on tap, including Howie Mandel and an all-new Golden Girls show.

Join The Fun of Niagara’s Growing Music Festival Scene

Last summer’s Born and Raised Festival landed Niagara on the radar of music festival fans, and this year is delivering even more fantastic concert collabs. The all-new Misty City Music Festival will bring together a collection of amazing country and rock artists, including Kaleo, Stephen Sanchez, Riley Green, and The Reklaws. There will also be lots of local food and craft beverage vendors serving up a fun festival vibe on the Fallsview Event Grounds in Niagara Falls. September’s Grape & Wine Festival will kick off its Montebello Park festivities with a double-bill concert featuring Lowest of the Low and The Watchmen. Cicada Music and Arts Festival returns to Port Dalhousie’s Henley Island for two days of shows from bands including Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, 54-40, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hollerado, and more.

Find Your Way To Free Live Music

Niagara’s event organizers know that music makes everything better and inject community events and festivals with lots of free, live performances. Weekly summer Supper Markets in Port Dalhousie, Thorold, Pelham, Welland, and Crystal Beach invite guests to snack on food truck fare and sip beverages from local craft producers to a soundtrack of live local music. Port Colborne’s Community Concert Series fills the city’s waterfront with live music from talented tribute bands on several nights throughout the summer. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival treats guests to free concerts at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park in Port Colborne throughout the August long weekend. Local craft breweries, including Niagara Brewing Company, Merchant Ale House, Decew Falls Brewing Company, Taps Brewhouse, Oast House Brewers, and Newark Brewing, regularly offer live music.

Support Sensational Smaller-Scale Theatre

Niagara’s live theatre options don’t stop at The Shaw Festival. Each summer, The Foster Festival, inspired by the work of Canadian playwright Steven Foster, showcases the heart and humour of his writing in a series of productions across Niagara. Port Colborne’s historic Roselawn Theatre, a partner site of the Lighthouse Festival, is also hosting four comedic productions over the course of the summer.

Discover Some Perfect Live Arts Pairings

An afternoon or evening concert or theatre performance offers arts enthusiasts an ideal opportunity to spend a few hours before or after the show taking in Niagara’s many other cultural attractions, including heritage sites and museums, galleries, studios, and arts centres. Strolling Niagara’s signature shopping districts, like Jordan Village, Ridgeway, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, to browse at local shops is a fun way to discover the work of local artisans and craftspeople.

Plan Your Art-filled Summer Escape in Niagara

Find your way to your ideal live arts escape in Niagara by browsing our Restaurants, Arts and Entertainment, History and Heritage, Wineries, Craft Beer pages and @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 even more delightful places to add to your trip.

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8 Smart Ways To Save On Family Fun In Niagara This Summer

Play More. Pay Less.

8 Smart Ways To Save On Family Fun In Niagara This Summer

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.

Summer Savings Tip #1: Bundle Your Fun

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.

Summer Savings Tip #2: Find Free-For-Kids Attractions

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!

Summer Savings Tip #3: Clip Those Coupons

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.

Summer Savings Tip #4: Pass On Parking

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.

Summer Savings Tip #5: Go On And Take A Free Ride

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. 

Summer Savings Tip #6: Grow Your Travel Gang

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.

Summer Savings Tip #7: Feed The Kids For Free

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

Summer Savings Tip #8: Camp or Glamp

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.

Plan your best summer family getaway yet!

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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8 Romantic Summer Dates in and Around Niagara Falls

Feel the Love

8 Extremely Romantic Summer Dates In and Around Niagara Falls

There’s something incredibly romantic about exploring Niagara in the summertime with your favourite plus one. Restaurants with waterfall and vineyard views, spectacular scenery to take in on leisurely strolls, and unique activities that have a special way of nudging couples out of their typical date routine make Niagara the perfect place for couples to enjoy time together. Whether you’re looking for a first date that wows, an encounter that will help seal the deal on your relationship status, or a romantic reminder that you’re thrilled to be in the forever zone with them, here are eight Cupid-approved date ideas to consider this summer.

Have Some Retro Honeymoon Hip Fun

As far back as the mid-1800s, Niagara Falls’ spectacular scenery has been attracting the newly I-Do’ed! Even if nuptials are nowhere in sight for the two of you, following the lead of the original honeymoon hipsters is a fun way to experience the Falls and secure a frame-worthy couples photo while you’re at it! Skip the lines with Niagara City Cruise’s exclusive First on the Boat Niagara Falls Tour and Journey Behind the Falls experience. The three-hour adventure is limited to just 20 people, and offers VIP perks, like the best possible boat views of the Falls, an expert Niagara Falls storyteller who shares insider details like the very restaurant view enjoyed by Princess Diana, and a pre-booked time slot to climb right down the stairs into the rocky caves behind Niagara Falls. For a retro date with a sky-high view, head to the historic Whirlpool Aero Car, which has been wowing riders with spectacular views of the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the Class 6 whitewater rapids of the Niagara River for over 100 years!

Enjoy A Meal With Some Real Fireworks

Savouring a late-night dinner with a view of the Niagara Falls skyline is an excellent way to enjoy the added romance of a stunning summer fireworks show. Every night at 10 pm between May 16 and October 13, the Niagara Falls skyline explodes with sound and colour as Canada’s longest-running fireworks series lights up the sky. Extra-romantic restaurant options with an excellent view of the skyline include Watermark Fallsview Dining, Table Rock House Restaurant, Prime Steakhouse, and Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant. Can’t wait that late for dinner? Treat your date to a Falls Fireworks Cruise and set sail for panoramic skyline views, stunning illuminations, and a fabulous floating fireworks experience.

Surprise Them With Flowers

What’s even better than giving your sweetheart a bouquet of flowers? Inviting them to step into an immersive experience filled with thousands of blooms. Grab some iced coffee to-go and make your way toward Niagara-on-the-Lake along the scenic Niagara Parkway to visit Niagara Parks’ famous Floral Clock. The 40-foot clockface, filled with 100s of colourful plants, is the perfect place to tell your date you’ve got nothing but time for them! Niagara Parks’ Floral Showhouse is another excellent bloom-filled date destination. Just a short walk from the Falls, the facility’s South House overflows with stunning tropical plants, including an incredible collection of orchids. The North and Centre houses host a rotation of themed floral exhibits throughout the year.

Follow A Secret Tunnel To A Stunning View

Why take your date to a movie when you can stroll through a historic tunnel to take in one of the most romantic views of Niagara Falls? Niagara Parks Power Station at Night and Tunnel After Dark experience offers unprecedented access to this iconic Niagara Falls landmark. After making your way along the Power Station’s 2,200-foot-long underground tunnel, take in an illuminated nighttime view of the Horseshoe Falls from an observation platform at the edge of the Niagara River. If you’ve got a big question to ask your sweetheart, this is a sensational spot to do it!

Have Your First Kiss on a Carousel

Inject some young-love energy into your Niagara Falls visit with a romantic ride on the Niagara SkyWheel. As you rotate on one of Canada’s largest observation wheels, you’ll soak in unparalleled views of the Horseshoe and American Falls, the Niagara River, Niagara Parks and other landmarks. If you can take your eyes off the scenery for a moment during the eight-to-12-minute ride, it’s the perfect place to plant that first kiss!

Share Some Spa Time

Booking a couples treatment at one of Niagara’s world-class spas is a creative way to add some self-care for two to your date. Excellent destination spa options in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake with couples treatment options include Christienne Fallsview Spa, The Spa at White Oaks Resort, Sterling Inn and Spa, 100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post, Burning Springs Spa and Thermal Pools, and Five Lake Spa Aveda.

Catch A Niagara Falls Sunrise Together

Early risers should absolutely make a date of watching the sun rise over Niagara Falls together. Table Rock Centre and Niagara Parks Incline Railway are both excellent options for catching this one-of-a-kind view. Not an early bird? Swap the sunrise for afternoon rainbow hunting. Late afternoon, when the sun’s angle is lower in the sky, is an ideal time to watch for rainbows that stretch across Niagara Falls.

Savour a Meal In A Vineyard

Dining with a view of the vines is the ultimate way to wrap up a day with someone special in Niagara. Dining destinations known for their vineyard views include the MICHELIN Guide-recommended Trius Winery Restaurant, as well as Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant, The Good Earth Food & Wine Co., Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Westcott Vineyards, Megalomaniac, and Two Sisters Vineyards’ Kitchen 76. For the ultimate escape, book an overnight stay at a winery that offers accommodation options, like Lundy Manor’s luxurious suites or Honsberger Estate Winery’s cozy cottages.

Plan A Romantic Summer Escape in Niagara

Browse our Attractions,  Arts and Entertainment, History and Heritage, Wineries, pages and @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 even more delightful places to add to your trip.

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Level Up 10 Delicious Ways

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10 Delicious Ways To Elevate Food & Wine Fun In Niagara This Summer

When it comes to travel destinations serving up incredible food, wine, and craft beverage fun, Niagara offers visitors a vast collection of cream-of-the-crop experiences. With a range of options that includes everything from casual summer supper markets to high-end destination dining, Niagara’s summer culinary scene is filled with surprise and delight. Here are 10 fun ideas to add a little something extra to your Niagara summer food and wine escape.

Experience The MICHELIN Treatment

When MICHELIN Guide Inspectors made their maiden voyage to Niagara in 2024, the anonymous food critics were wowed by the food scene they discovered, resulting in a highly coveted MICHELIN Star for Restaurant Pearl Morissette and MICHELIN Recommendations for St. Catharines’ Fat Rabbit and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Trius Winery Restaurant. After Inspectors returned to Niagara in 2025, Fat Rabbit and Trius Winery Restaurant made the Guide’s list of recommended restaurants for a second year, and Restaurant Pearl Morissette earned its second MICHELIN Star! Pearl Morissette was recognized in 2025 as the number one restaurant in the country on the Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants listing. Fat Rabbit also earned a place on this list. Experience these farm-to-table phenoms for yourself by reserving a table in advance of your trip.

Taste The Influence of a Celebrity Chef

Niagara’s red-hot culinary scene has captured the attention of top Canadian chefs for quite some time now, and a number of them are doing some really delicious things in the region. To get a taste of what’s cooking in their kitchens, head to Chef Matty Matheson’s Rizzos House of Parm in Ridgeway, Peller Estates Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake where Chef Jason Parsons of CityLine fame leads the culinary charge, or Chef Massimo Capra’s Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant for an unforgettable meal overlooking Niagara Falls.

Follow The Food Trucks

Each summer, Niagara celebrates the food grown here, the wine and craft beverages created here, the talented local musicians who live here, and the incredible natural landscapes that make the region one of the prettiest places on the planet by hosting weekly Supper Markets in beautiful green spaces. Join the flock of food trucks and beverage vendors who descend each week to Port Dalhousie on Tuesday evenings, Welland and Thorold on Wednesday evenings, and Crystal Beach and Pelham on Thursday evenings all summer long.

Join The Summer’s Hottest Competitions & Collabs

The culinary community within Niagara is close-knit and has a lot of fun joining forces for collaborative events. July’s Brunch By The Lake will bring together eight top Niagara chefs and pair them up with local wineries to compete in a Top Chef-style brunch battle at Charles Daley Park. The International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration’s Chardonnay In The Vineyard World Tour and Tasting Dinner on July 19th will treat guests to a multi-course menu served family style amongst the vines at Riverbend Inn curated and created by a team that includes chefs from Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery, Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, Trius Winery Restaurant, The Charles Hotel, and Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery.

Beat The Buzz

The incredible buzz about Niagara’s culinary scene has created even more interest in the region amongst chefs and restaurateurs, resulting in some exciting new additions that have recently opened or are expected to open soon. STK Steakhouse, which just opened in Niagara Falls at the end of 2024, offers “vibe dining” at its finest with incredible views, elevated culinary curations, world-famous cocktails and live music spun by renowned DJs. Fat Rabbit Chef Zach Smith will embark on an exciting new endeavour just down the street when his French-inspired Les Incompetents opens in the weeks ahead.

Make Time For Tacos

If a sunny summer day shouldn’t go by in your books without a well-timed break for some tasty tacos, Niagara’s home to some standout options. Those who enjoy a Mexican food truck experience can head to popular stops like TacOasis in St. Catharines, Nacho Business in St. Davids, El Pinch Taco in Niagara Falls, and Mexican Taco Zone in Welland. Taco lovers who prefer a full indoor dining room option can find magnificent Mexican at Twisted Bar, just outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Virgil, and Taco N Tequila in Niagara Falls.

Play With Your Food

Stretch out a sunny afternoon or evening meal by enjoying the experience with a side of summer fun and games. Palatine Hills Estate Winery invites guests to try their luck at Cornhole in their open-air lounge while they sip wine and snack on build-your-own charcuterie boards. Craft breweries, including Bench Brewing Company, The Exchange Brewery, Newark Brewing, and Brimstone Brewing Company, regularly host trivia nights. Between The Lines Family Estate Winery encourages guests to engage in a little friendly competition with their Black Glass Tasting, by sipping through four wines with a guide and then guessing which grape is which. St. Catharines’ new Sala 61 is a vibrant social hub where entertainment, sports, and casual Italian dining come together with summer fun including Cornhole, Bocce, arcade games, and more. Niagara Falls is home to many restaurants that boast a view of the skyline over the Falls that treat late-seating diners to a stunning display of fireworks each evening at 10 pm through October.

Merge Two Meals

Earlier this year, OpenTable crowned Ontario as Canada’s brunch capital, and Niagara’s restaurants and wineries are absolutely on board with the concept of blending breakfast and lunch into one fabulous feast! Beloved brunch spots to try in Niagara include Treadwell Cuisine, The Good Earth Vineyard and Winery, Table Rock House Restaurant, Lake House Restaurant and Cannery Restaurant.

Go Sub Appellation Surfing

Wine drinkers with a go-to varietal can take their love to a whole new level by diving deep into the differences that Niagara’s unique growing regions impart on wine. Love a Riesling? Spend a day making your way to a trio of tastings at Vineland Estates Winery for a sip of something from the Twenty Mile Bench Sub Appellation, The Foreign Affair Winery to taste the Vinemount Ridge Sub Appellation, and Bella Terra Vineyards to savour the Four Mile Creek Sub Appellation. Crazy for Cabernet? Pop into Niagara Custom Crush Studio to try the new tariff-buster wine, Flint to Fire, which is made from 100% Twenty Mile Bench Cabernet Franc grapes. Then, visit Two Sisters Vineyards to taste the nuances of a Cabernet Franc born from the Niagara River Sub Appellation. Wrap up your tasting adventure at Southbrook Vineyards to try the Triomphe Cabernet Franc, made with grapes grown in the Four Mile Creek Sub Appellation.

Add Some Dinner Music

Warm summer evening meals are even more enjoyable when set to a soundtrack of live music. Summer winery concert series, like those at Jackson-Triggs Winery and Redstone Winery, are always a fun way to blend music, wine, and food. Popular Niagara pubs like The Olde Angel Inn, The Irish Harp, Jordan House Tavern, and Doc MacGilligan’s regularly host live music nights.

Plan A Summer Escape Exploring Niagara’s Food and Craft Beverage Scene

Check out our Restaurants, Arts and Entertainment, Wineries, Craft Beer, Spirits, and Cider pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. With so many tasty options to explore, consider booking some accommodations so you can explore a little more!

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As Easy As ABC

As Easy As ABC

Summer’s Simplest Formula For A Fun-Filled Niagara Getaway

Families overwhelmed by the prospect of booking a Canadian summer vacation can find instant relief by relying on a simple three-step approach to getaway planning. School may be out for summer, but taking it back to the ABCs can help you build a Niagara getaway that guarantees big fun and lasting memories for everyone in the family!

A = One Amazing Attraction

Building your vacation foundation starts with choosing just one amazing attraction that everyone in your family will want to experience. If you’re making the trip to Niagara, an attraction that showcases the magic of Niagara Falls in a one-of-a-kind way is an excellent place to begin. Choose from fun like:

→  A Voyage To The Falls Boat Tour, which allows families to choose how wet they want to get based on the time of day they choose to cruise! Opt for a before-sunset boat tour to sail into the heart of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls for a full-mist experience. After sunset, boat tours only sail to the outer edge of the Falls for regulatory reasons, so it’s a lighter mist experience.

→  Journey Behind The Falls, which takes guests 125 feet down to explore 130-year-old tunnels dug through the ancient bedrock. Watch from viewing portals cut through the rock and the observation deck at the foot of the Falls as one-fifth of the world’s fresh water comes crashing down in front of you.

→  Wildplay’s Zipline To The Falls experience, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will have you soaring past the American Falls and landing atop the base of the Horseshoe Falls courtesy of a 2,200-ft zipline.

→  Whirlpool Jetboat Tour’s thrilling adventure into the Niagara Gorge and through the Devil’s Hole Rapids!

While the attraction you choose in advance likely won’t fill your whole day, you’ll pass lots of other interesting activities and experiences on your way to and from it. Leaving some unplanned time in your day will allow you to pick and choose some additional fun based on how everyone is feeling.

B = Book A Perk-Filled Place To Stay

When adults recall fond family vacation memories from childhood, the places where their family called it a night often make the highlights reel. Make your evenings equally as memorable for your kids by booking a place to stay that offers fun perks for everyone.

→ Niagara Falls’ three waterparks are a perfect way for families to add some water-fueled fun to their Niagara hotel stay. Choose from Great Wolf Lodge, Americana Resort, and the three-acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, which can be easily accessed by guests staying at these four area hotels.

→ Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls’ Fallsview Family Fun Package includes dining vouchers and passes for four to your choice of fun family activities like Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf, Galaxy Quest Lazer Tag, Haunted Hallways and Mystic Maze of Mirrors.

→ Howard Johnson Plaza By Wyndham By The Falls’ Family Fun Package includes dining vouchers and two adult six-attraction passes to Clifton Hill favourites like the Niagara SkyWheel, Ghost Blaster Dark Ride, Movieland Wax Museum, and Wizards’ Golf OR Dinosaur Adventure.

→ Best Western Plus Cairn Croft’s Family Fun Package includes meal vouchers and a gift card to the hotel’s all-new rCade!

→ Holiday Inn & Suites St. Catharines Conference Centre has a huge on-site bowling alley, arcade, and the added bonus of having a trampoline park just a short stroll away!

→ Hotel Philco in Crystal Beach offers individual room themes that kids will adore. Imagine the look of surprise on their faces when you walk into a fully decked out Christmas Room, or the Golf Room complete with a 75″ big screen TV and PlayStation!

C = Catch Some Rays On The Coast

After a day experiencing the excitement of Niagara Falls and Clifton Hill, and a fun-filled night at a hotel, opt for something completely different on your second day. Warm summer days call for a family splash, and Niagara’s unique location between two Great Lakes means it is home to some really incredible beaches! Favourite stretches of sand on Lake Ontario include Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie and Sunset Beach in St. Catharines. On Lake Erie, popular sunny day splash spots include Bay Beach in Crystal Beach and Nickel Beach in Port Colborne, which is also home to Splashtown Niagara, an incredible inflatable park.

For families who prefer to skip the sand, opting for a hotel with a great outdoor pool is another fun option for scheduling a summer splash. In Niagara Falls, the Sheraton Fallsview boasts the only rooftop pool overlooking Niagara Falls. The Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham by the Falls is another lovely Niagara Falls hotel with an outdoor pool. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Pillar and Post Inn is also home to a beautiful outdoor pool and patio area.

Put our ABC formula to the test!

Plan a perfect Niagara summer getaway for your family by browsing our Family Fun, Attractions, History & Heritage, Naturally Niagara pages and following @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, scroll through accommodations and dining options to discover family-friendly options for your trip!

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A Breath of Fresh Air

A Breath of Fresh Air

7 Ideas For Unexpected Outdoor Adventures in Niagara This Summer

Canadians know the value of memories made on warm, sunny summer days. We tuck them away in our brains to coax out on cold winter days when we need a reminder that this, too, shall pass. Niagara’s sparkling shorelines, rocky Escarpment paths, and meandering cycling trails are the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures that you’ll recall fondly all winter long. Here are just a few of our favourite ways that grown-ups can get outside and play on a summer getaway to Niagara.

Take A Winery Walkabout

Enjoying a stroll through the vineyards is an excellent way to get some steps in before you saunter up to the tasting bar to sip your way through a flight. Niagara wineries with beautiful hiking trails that guests can enjoy at their leisure include Pelham’s Sons and Daughters Winery and Calamus Estate Winery in Jordan. 13th Street Winery’s expansive outdoor sculpture garden is a delightful destination for an art-filled walk.  Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery offers a 45-minute guided Wine and Vines tour that highlights the family farm and gorgeous St. David’s vineyard views. Megaloniac’s Insta-worthy Vineyard Walks guide guests to the most wow-inspiring spots on this 65-acre vineyard set atop the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland.

Try A New Mode of Float

A boat ride beside the Falls is just one of several ways to float an afternoon away in Niagara! Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Paddle Niagara offers paddleboard and kayak rentals that allow visitors to explore the Niagara River’s more gentle sections, and their special summer Full Moon Paddles are worth timing your trip around! Kayaking or paddleboarding along the shores of Lake Erie is easy with the convenient rental service offered by Port Colborne’s Sugarloaf Marina. Exploring Jordan Harbour by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard offers paddlers the opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife that call that area home. Paddling the Welland Canal with a boat rental from Welland Rec Rentals is a fun way to get a better sense of the size of this storied freight route.

Descend Deep Into The Niagara Gorge

The Niagara Gorge is a fascinating piece of Escarpment geography to explore on foot. Head to the Niagara Glen, located deep within the Niagara Gorge, and take the stairways that lead to four kilometres of rugged hiking paths winding through the Carolinian Forest, past prehistoric geological formations, and beautiful greenery. Stroll the White Water Walk’s riverside boardwalk located at the base of the Gorge for one of the best views of the 410-million-year-old rock layers and the crashing waves of some of North America’s wildest rapids.

Breathe In The Blooms

Niagara’s flower power is on proud display all summer long! Visit the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens to stroll peaceful walking trails that showcase the property’s Rose Garden, Woodland Garden, and Arboretum. Visit The Outpost, set within the Monet-inspired garden at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Pillar and Post, to enjoy sandwiches, snacks, creative cocktails, wine, and beer with shaded seating, a grassy area for lawn games, and sweeping views of the entire garden. If you’d like to purchase some blooms to plant at home as a memento of your trip, plan an outing to Vineland’s The Watering Can Flower Market, a massive European-inspired flower shop bursting with plants and flowers that also boasts a beautiful café.

Come Along For The Ride

Passionate cyclists looking for a picture-perfect pedal can time their trip to Niagara to coincide with one of the large-scale cycling events taking place this summer. Bike the Benchlands, on August 23, offers riders the choice of four routes, each with an optional visit to a Niagara Benchlands craft brewery or winery. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s RiseUp cycling fundraiser on September 6 has 24-, 60- and 100-km route options. The Big Move Cancer Ride, on September 14, invites riders to explore the roads of Pelham on 25-km, 50-km, or 75-km routes, or a 14-km Fun Ride.

Sink Your Toes In The Sand

Niagara’s beautiful beaches are a secret that those in the know would prefer to keep to themselves! Long stretches of sand on both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie invite summer sunseekers to stretch out and soak up a small-town beach vibe that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Favourite sandy spots on Lake Ontario include Port Dalhousie’s Lakeside Park and St. Catharines’ Sunset Beach. On Niagara’s South Coast, Crystal Beach’s Bay Beach, Waverly Beach, Nickel Beach, Centennial-Cedar Bay Beach, Long Beach, and Reebs Bay Beach are all lovely Lake Erie options.

Pick Your Own Taste of Farm Life

Niagara’s incredible growing conditions work their wonders on so much more than grapes! Spending an hour or two picking your own fruits or vegetables at a Niagara you-pick farm is a great way to capture tasty memories that you can take home and freeze for enjoyment all winter long! Favourite local fruit farms include Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Parkway Orchards for cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines, Pelham’s Mathias Farms for cherries, raspberries, and blackberries and Smith Two Century Farm in Grimsby for cherries and peaches. Bry-Anne Farms in Fenwick has excellent pick-your-own tomatoes that are typically ready the third week of August.

Plan A Summer Outdoor Adventure In Niagara

Browse our Naturally Niagara,  Outdoor Sports, Attractions, and Wineries pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, scroll through accommodations and dining options to discover even more delightful places to add to your trip.

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Fanning the Flames

Fanning the Flames

Two One-of-a-Kind Restaurants Fuel Even More Excitement About Niagara’s Food Scene

While Niagara has long been a go-to destination for top-notch Canadian farm-to-table and wine country cuisine, recent accolades from food critics for two very different restaurants is creating an all-new level of excitement about dining in the region.

A Niagara Benchlands Pearl Harvests Big Attention

In-the-know foodies have been vying for a table at Jordan Station’s Restaurant Pearl Morissette for years. In place of a traditional sign, a large red Cardinal on the side of the road just outside Jordan Village serves as the first hint for diners that they’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience. In the past several months, that long country lane that leads from the bright red bird to a dramatic black barn has welcomed an impressive crew of food critics. Based on their reviews, it’s safe to assume they drove out after their meals with the satisfied smiles of the very well fed.

Restaurant Pearl Morissette offers a fine dining experience showcasing an ever-changing menu of regional ingredients to reflect the European ideal of destination dining in the heart of agriculture. The indoor dining room, perched on the top floor of the Pearl Morissette winery, has floor-to-ceiling windows boasting views of the 42-acre property’s regenerative farm. Guests have the option of adding wine pairings or non-alcoholic garden pairings to the ever-changing prix fixe menu.

When MICHELIN Guide Inspectors descended on Niagara for an inaugural visit to the region in 2024, the meticulously curated food and wine experience at Restaurant Pearl Morissette earned the region its first-ever MICHELIN star, as well as a MICHELIN Green Star for the property’s noteworthy sustainability efforts.

This September, Pearl Morissette received its second MICHELIN star, joining only one other restaurant in Canada to hold this distinction as well as retaining their Green Star. The recognition further cements its reputation as a leader in Canada’s culinary landscape.

Since first appearing on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2020, Pearl Morissette has steadily climbed the ranks and was most recently celebrated as Canada’s number one restaurant on the 2025 list.

Ways To Experience Restaurant Pearl Morissette and Its Partner Properties:

While you’re in the neighbourhood, other nearby Niagara Benchlands foodie favourites to consider adding to your to-try list include Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant, The Bistro at The Good Earth Food Co. and Wine, The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge, Megalomaniac Food+Drink, Revalee Brunch Cafe, and Inn On The Twenty Restaurant.

A St. Catharines Whole-Animal Butchery Makes The Cut

Whether diners choose to think of it as a restaurant inside a butcher shop, or a butcher shop inside a restaurant, Downtown St. Catharines’ Fat Rabbit has food lovers hopping to secure a table. MICHELIN Guide Inspectors were equally as enamoured with the concept following their first visit in 2024, recognizing the restaurant for delivering “flavors in spades,” with a much-revered MICHELIN Guide recommendation.

Proving that this magical St. Catharines restaurant has no intentions of making a disappearing act, Fat Rabbit was selected as a MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurant for a second year in September 2025. This year, Fat Rabbit also had the honour of joining Restaurant Pearl Morissette as the only other Niagara name on the Canada’s 100 Best Restaurant listing.

Fat Rabbit Chef Zac Smith brings over two decades of experience in kitchens from Vancouver to Niagara, including time at Matty Matheson’s Meat and Three in Fort Erie. Later this year, he’ll unveil a new French-inspired bar just down the street from Fat Rabbit called, Les Incompetents. Anticipation is building about what Chef Smith will pull out of his hat when the space located within a beautifully restored theatre on St. Paul Street finally opens it doors!

Ways To Experience Fat Rabbit:

  • Pop by before 4 pm to enjoy a daytime menu that includes hearty sandwiches, creative takes on smashburgers, a breakfast plate, house-made charcuterie, and baked treats brought in on weekends from RPM Bakehouse.
  • Peruse the thoughtfully curated butcher case, filled with meats sourced from an incredible selection of local farms and butchered in-house. Browse the Bottle Shop, featuring a selection of low-intervention wines from small producers, and shop for take-home treats from an eclectic collection of pantry items.
  • Reserve a table for dinner and graze on a selection of shared plates that make lesser-known cuts of meats sing, creative vegetable dishes, cooked-to-order steaks and chops, and more.

Fat Rabbit isn’t the only restaurant generating buzz about St. Catharines as a dining destination. Other outstanding St. Catharines favourites include Odd Bird, Bolete, Wellington Court, King Street Pantry, Pique-Nique cafe and wine bar, Beechwood Doughnuts, and Brindle.

Ready for A Niagara Taste Adventure?

Plan a flavourful Niagara getaway by browsing our Restaurants, Wineries, Craft Beer, Cider, and Spirits pages for itinerary inspiration. Add a great place to stay, and some food-forward special events to enjoy while you’re here, and you’ve got a recipe for a winning gourmet getaway!

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Let’s GO!

Let's GO!

Let’s GO With GO Transit: An Insider’s Guide To Making New Niagara Memories

No car? No problem! Making amazing new memories together in Niagara doesn’t require a vehicle. It’s never been easier to get to and around Niagara with GO Transit. Today, GO Transit trains and buses run between Toronto and Niagara seven days a week, with direct routes taking as little as two hours and 16 minutes!

In addition to allowing travellers to sit back, relax and enjoy rolling wine country and Lake Ontario views, GO Transit has some other great perks, like spending less time fighting traffic and less money on gas and parking. If you’ve been putting off taking your maiden GO Train voyage, follow these tips and tricks for a carefree trip down the tracks to Niagara!

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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.

Ride This Way Tip #2:

First GO, Then WEGO

To make it even easier to explore Niagara when you arrive, consider purchasing a GO/WEGO Combo Ticket. Niagara’s WEGO bus system runs year-round and has been specially designed for tourists, allowing riders to hop on and hop off at Niagara Falls’ most popular attractions and hotels, including Clifton Hill, Zipline to the Falls, Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Parks Power Station, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car, OLG Stage, and Fallsview Casino.

When your train arrives at the GO Station in Niagara Falls, simply hop aboard the Green WEGO line to Table Rock Centre, where both the WEGO Green and Blue lines connect.

To do some exploring in Niagara-on-the-Lake, take advantage of the Niagara-on-the-Lake shuttle that connects to the WEGO bus service between April and the end of October. Round-trip shuttle tickets to Niagara-on-the-Lake can be purchased at the Floral Clock in Queenston.

Purchase GO/WEGO Combo Passes here.

Ride This Way Tip #3:

Kids Can Ride For Free

Getting to Niagara using GO Transit doesn’t get more affordable for children, as kids under 12 ride for free. Should you wish to purchase a WEGO bus pass for them when you arrive in Niagara, it is just $9 for a 24-hour pass or $13 for a 48-hour pass. Children aged two and under two can ride WEGO buses at no charge.

Ride This Way Tip #4:

Bring Your Bike Along

GO’s seasonal bike coaches make it easy to bring bikes for the trip to do some two-wheeled touring once you arrive in Niagara. On weekends, each bike coach can fit up to 22 bikes. The bike coaches are located throughout the train, so simply make your way down the platform to find a bike coach before you board. Bikes are easily accessible from the aisles, making removing your bike when you arrive in Niagara easy. On weekday trips, Niagara-bound GO Trains can accommodate two bikes on each coach. Bikes and e-bikes are not allowed onboard weekday trains arriving at Union Station between 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and departing Union Station between 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Niagara Falls WEGO buses can accommodate two bikes on front-mounted racks.

If you’d rather rent a bike once you arrive in Niagara, that’s also a great option. Snap E Bike Rental has a central Niagara Falls location that is easily accessible for GO Transit passengers.

Ride This Way Tip #5:

GO Train Your Way To Wine Country Touring

If you’d like to visit some Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Benchlands wineries once you arrive in Niagara, the region’s many wine touring companies make it a breeze. Companies like Crush on Niagara Wine Tours, Winery Guys Tours, and Cellar Door Wine Experience will pick you up and whisk you away from the GO Station for a few hours of tasting and touring.

Ride This Way Tip #6:

Do More, Save More

Bundling travel and attractions can create some serious savings for your next trip to Niagara Falls. Purchase the two-day Travel & Wonder Pass Package, and for one low price, you’ll enjoy round-trip GO Train travel between Toronto and Niagara, 48 hours of unlimited WEGO travel, 48 hours of unlimited use of the Falls Incline Railway, as well as admission to Journey Behind The Falls, Niagara Parks Power Station and The Tunnel, Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, and the Floral Showhouse.

Ride This Way Tip #7:

Shop Til You Drop

Visitors arriving by GO Train looking to score designer deals at Niagara’s two outlet malls can find their way to their destination with ease. Both Canada One Outlets on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls and Outlet Collection at Niagara-on-the-Lake are easily accessible using Niagara Regional Transit. Canada One Outlets can be reached by taking Niagara Regional Transit’s Route 116 bus on weekdays and Route 216 bus on evenings and weekends. Outlet Collection at Niagara is accessible on Niagara Regional Transit’s Route 40 and 45 buses. All Niagara Region Transit buses operate year-round, Monday to Saturday.

Ride This Way Tip #8:

Rent Some Wheels When You Arrive

If you’d like to do some off-the-beaten-path exploring once you arrive in Niagara, consider car-sharing marketplace Turo your official touring partner! When you book a vehicle through Turo, you can request to have it delivered to the GO station of your choice, including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, and Grimsby. Having a vehicle once you arrive will allow you to explore some new-to-you corners of Niagara, like the region’s beautiful South Coast, Niagara Benchlands, or Port Dalhousie.

Ride This Way Tip #9:

Stretch The Fun Out A Little Longer

For folks interested in extending their visit with an overnight stay in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake, taking advantage of the two-day GO and WEGO options is an excellent idea. The 2 Day Travel package includes round-trip tickets for the direct to Niagara Falls GO Train as well as 48 hours of unlimited Niagara Falls WEGO and Falls Incline Railway rides. The 2 Day Travel + Niagara-on-the-Lake Shuttle package includes all the perks of the 2 Day Travel package, plus shuttle rides between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Both of these pass options are available on weekdays and weekends.

Plan Your Getaway

Are you ready to start planning your GO Train trip to Niagara? Use our Experiences and Explore pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to plan out what you’d like to do once you arrive and learn about fun events to time your trip around. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover places that will perfectly round out your trip!

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Best. Road Trip. EVER!

Best. Road Trip. EVER!

Discover Wow-Worthy Family Adventures And An Incredibly Warm Welcome In Niagara, Canada This Summer

All roads lead to Canada’s Niagara region for families looking for a summer vacation scenery switch-up that delivers some big surprises. Niagara, Canada, which is less than 250 miles from Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh and just over 400 miles from New York City, is a sensational summer playground filled with natural wonders, great beaches, fabulous attractions, and family-friendly hotels and restaurants. Here are just a few of the compelling reasons to plug Niagara, Canada into your GPS this summer.

Shift Into … Unique Niagara Falls Experiences

There’s more than one way to experience this world wonder! Whether you choose to float past it on a Niagara City Cruise, explore the centuries-old tunnels carved through its bedrock on the Journey Behind The Falls or at the Niagara Parks Power Station, or get a bird’s-eye view of it from a zip line, helicopter, or climate-controlled gondola the sheer power of Niagara Falls is sure to wow every member of your family. Venture a little further down the Niagara River to walk beside or ride above the raging rapids fueled by the Falls on the White Water Walk or Whirlpool Aero Car.

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.

Shift Into … Even More Wow-Worthy Experiences For The Entire Family

In addition to unique Niagara Falls adventures and balmy days at the beach, a summer trip to Niagara provides countless new ways for families to connect through immersive experiences. Whether your family enjoys theatre, history, nature, or sports, summertime in Niagara is filled with fresh ways to enjoy time together. Here are just a few of the ways to create even more summer memories together on your Niagara, Canada getaway.

   ●   Introduce the kids to the excitement of live theatre at The Shaw Festival’s adaptation of the family classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
   ●   Bring history class to life with engaging experiences like feeling what it’s like to cross the Falls on a tightrope, taking a Candlelight Ghost Tour at a haunted War of 1812 fort, discovering Niagara’s Underground Railroad landmarks, or exploring what life was like for pioneers in a beautifully restored mid-19th century hamlet.
   ●   Unplug while exploring outstanding conservation areas and The Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, which winds its way across the Niagara Escarpment past hidden waterfalls and off-the-radar nature-based playgrounds.
   ●   Play a round of golf at North America’s oldest surviving golf club.
   ●   Spend a summer day cheering on the horses or taking in the spectacle of Wiener Dogs, Basset Hounds and Corgis running a race track that’s almost as old as Churchill Downs.
   ●   Catch a Welland Jackfish baseball game and feel the pride of a small-town team that has earned its way into the Intercounty Baseball League, one of the world’s oldest baseball leagues.

Shift Into … Serious Savings

Current exchange rate savings mean that U.S. visitors can get a lot more bang for their vacation buck on the Canadian side of the border. Stack those exchange rate savings with Niagara’s generous summer deals to boost your vacation budget even further. Attraction bundles like Niagara Parks’ Wonder Pass, Clifton Hill Fun Pass, Niagara Falls Fun Zone Pass, and Ripley’s 3-Way Bundle offer hours of family-friendly fun for one low price. Fashion-forward teens will be wowed by the designer deals on their favorite brands at The Outlet Collection at Niagara and Canada One Outlets.

Ready to Hit The Road?

Build your best summer road trip yet with trip-planning tools, restaurant and accommodation recommendations, and itinerary ideas at VisitNiagaraCanada.com. Follow @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more summer road trip inspiration.

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Only In Niagara, Canada … The Kids Edition

Only in Niagara, Canada ... Kids Edition

10 Made-In-Canada Spring Experiences To Enjoy Right Here, Right Now

Spring is the perfect time for a family getaway to Niagara that reminds everyone of just how truly amazing Canada is! Whether you’re in the mood for a serving of awe-inspiring nature, a hit of history, a pop of pop culture, or an animal adventure, Niagara has something that will leave everyone in the family feeling the love for the incredible things that have happened and are continuing to unfold in Canada.

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.

True North Niagara Family Experience #2:

Climb One Of Canada’s Largest Monuments

Exploring a historic battlefield becomes much more exciting when you can complete the feat of ascending 235 steps to take in one of Niagara’s most storied views! Brock’s Monument, located in Queenston Heights Park, is 56 metres (185 feet) high and honours the final resting place of Major General Sir Isaac Brock, who was killed in the War of 1812’s Battle of Queenston Heights and is considered to be the founding hero of Upper Canada, and his Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell. Brock’s Monument opens for the season on May 18.

True North Niagara Family Experience #3:

Get Spooked on a Spine-Tingling Ghost Tour in a Historic Upper Canada Fort

While a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Fort George, one of the War of 1812 military posts that defended Upper Canada against American attacks, is always fascinating, there’s something extra special that happens if you time your trip right. Fort George is reputed to be the most haunted site in the most haunted town in Canada, and Candlelight Fort George Ghost Tours are offered throughout the spring and summer, beginning in May.

True North Niagara Family Experience #4:

Make A Trip To See The Ships

While it might be the promise of an ice cream cone that initially excites the kids about a visit to the Welland Canals Centre, the spectacle of a giant tanker working its way through the marvel of engineering that is the Welland Canal has a way of leaving everyone wowed! After some time watching the excitement from the elevated viewing platform, there’s a great playground and fascinating exhibits to explore at the St. Catharines Museum.

True North Niagara Family Experience #5:

Take a Spin on a 100-year-old Hand-carved Carousel

See for yourself why riding one of the Lakeside Park Carousel’s 68 intricately carved animals is a spring rite of passage for so many. This historic carousel, a Charles I.D. Looff original, hand-carved beginning in 1898, is beloved by all who visit and still costs just five cents a ride! Afterward, walk to the end of the Port Dalhousie Pier, where, on a clear day, you can see right across Lake Ontario to Toronto! The Carousel is open weekends and holidays from May 18 to July 1 and daily through September 2.

True North Niagara Family Experience #6:

Play Like A Pioneer

The carefully restored historic village at Ball’s Fall’s Conservation Area offers a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in the early days of Canada. Visitors can explore a historic family home, an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, a blacksmith shop, a carriage shed, and more.

True North Niagara Family Experience #7:

Go Bog Wild

In addition to big waterfalls, Niagara happens to be home to southern Ontario’s largest remaining bog. The trails and boardwalks that wind through the Wainfleet Bog make it a wonderful place to spend a spring day exploring and enjoying the bog plants, butterflies, migrating songbirds, and animals that make their homes in the restored habitat sections.

True North Niagara Family Experience #8:

Explore The Niagara Countryside With An Alpaca In Tow

Explore forests and meadows with a furry new farm friend this spring during On The Brink’s Alpaca Walks. After meeting the herd, guests are paired with an Alpaca to walk on a lead around this picturesque family farm located in the heart of Niagara.

True North Niagara Family Experience #9:

Hang Out At Canada’s Premiere Pop Culture Celebration

Thousands of gamers, TV and movie buffs, and celebrity chasers descend on Niagara Falls for the annual Niagara Falls Comic Con each spring. With over 200,000 square feet of exhibitors, vendors, artists, celebrities, memorabilia, workshops, video gaming and more, the event really does offer something for everyone. This year’s celebrity roster includes a diverse collection of guests ranging from Nightmare on Elm Street’s Robert Englund to The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Young and The Restless’ Eric Braeden.

True North Niagara Family Experience #10:

Be A Junior Zookeeper For The Day

Get to know Safari Niagara, a 150-acre nature park that is home to more than 1000 animals of native and exotic mammals, reptiles, and birds, on a whole new level. The Park’s Junior Zookeeper For The Day experience invites children between the ages of 10 and 17 to help with feeding and exhibit maintenance, learn how to evaluate the health and well-being of animals, and discover how the zoo works to protect wild species and preserve natural habitats. This experience is offered daily between June 9 and September 1.

Plan Your Only In Niagara, Canada Getaway

Remind your family just how amazing Canada is on a spring adventure in Niagara. Check out our Family Fun, Attractions, History & Heritage pages and @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 places that will perfectly round out your trip!

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