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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
#myniagara