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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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