Niagara's Best Family-Friendly Museums and Historic Sites
If convincing certain members of your travel crew that history can be fun can be a hard sell, a visit to Niagara is sure to change their minds! Niagara’s museums and heritage sites excel at inviting visitors into exciting Canadian stories with hands-on activities, live re-enactments, interesting walking tours, and a whole lot of fun. Here are just a few family favourites!
In Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls History Museum’s interactive exhibits will have your gang walking an imaginary tightrope across the Falls, trying on a replica of a War of 1812 uniform, and testing their brains with blocks to see if they have what it takes to build a bridge across the Niagara River!
Originally built in 1874 and housed within the old Stamford Town Hall, Niagara Falls History Museum will take you through the rich history of the city. The Museum is located just steps from the Drummond Hill…
In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort George National Historic Site invites visitors to experience what life in a military fort was like during the War of 1812, complete with soldiers in red coats sharing stories, firing muskets, and playing fifes and drums. Families with older kids will love the candlelight ghost tours of this extremely haunted site.
Built by the British near the turn of the 19th century, Fort George once served as a headquarters for the British Army until the War of 1812. Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this massive Fort was surrounded by a…
There is no such thing as ghosts, right? Maybe, and maybe not. Take a tour for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Fort George is regarded as one of the most haunted spots in Canada. Its history makes the…
Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, in the Niagara Benchlands, is home to a lovingly maintained mid-19th-century industrial hamlet that showcases the original Ball family home, an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, church, blacksmith shop, and more. Every October brings even more excitement, including historical demonstrations and heritage tours, during the site’s annual Thanksgiving Festival.
With its rich natural landscape, many trails and lovely waterfalls, the Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in Lincoln, Ontario is popular with locals and tourists alike. Home to the Ball’s waterfalls, the conservation…
Families who want to see how history continues to move our country today will want to plan a visit to the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. Permanent exhibits here feature stories of the Underground Railroad and the building of the Welland Canals. An outdoor viewing platform just outside the museum is the perfect place to enjoy an ice cream treat while watching the huge ships make their way through the Welland Canal’s lock system.
The St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre is located at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal and includes the Welland Canal Viewing Platform, the St. Catharines Museum Exhibition Galleries, Merritt's Mercantile…
On Niagara’s South Coast, Old Fort Erie shares the heart-pounding sights and sounds of a besieged military fort with costumed British, American, and First Nations soldiers who bring to life the story of Niagara’s important role in the War of 1812.
The historic Old Fort Erie sits on the banks of the Niagara River overlooking Buffalo, a one-minute drive from the Peace Bridge, this once-British garrison of the War of 1812 has been fully restored and is operated…
FAQs
Q: Does Niagara have family-friendly museums and historic sites?
A: Niagara has a diverse collection of family-friendly museums and historic sites, including the Niagara Falls History Museum, Fort George and Old Fort Erie, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, and St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.
Q: When is the best time of year to visit historic sites in Niagara?
A: As some historic sites close during the winter months, May through September is an ideal time to visit Niagara for access to its full range of history-focused activities.
Q: What parts of Canadian history is Niagara most known for?
A: In addition to being home to several major War of 1812 battles, Niagara also has a proud history related to its role in the Underground Railroad. The role Indigenous people have played in shaping the Canada we know today is also an important part of Niagara’s history.
