As a local, it’s not often that we visit the major attractions in our area unless we’re welcoming out-of-town visitors. One of Canada’s biggest attractions, and a remnant of the last Ice Age, is the magnificent Niagara Falls. The city has plenty to offer night owls at the well-established night clubs and casinos. However there are a few new evening activities in Niagara Falls that are excellent ideas for families, the alcohol-free crowd, date nights, and more.
The first time I visited the legendary falls, I was in middle school. Over the years I’ve returned several times with family and friends on their trips over from Europe. The most recent visit was a really fun collaboration with Niagara Parks to learn more about the fabulous new evening activities in Niagara Falls. Other than for a fairly tame conference, I hadn’t previously spent time in Niagara Falls in the evening so I was excited to exploring the city after dark. I love experiencing familiar places from a different perspective and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.
This is a sponsored blog post in collaboration with the Niagara Parks tourism board. All opinions here remain my own.
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Why Visit Niagara Falls?
Why visit anywhere? To see and learn something new, and to have an experience that’s not available at home. Why visit Niagara Falls in particular? The grandeur and magnificence of the waterfall is reason enough to entice anyone to make the trip. Upon arrival, there are several additional reasons to keep you long after you’ve snapped an iconic selfie. From traditional attractions like the panoramic SkyWheel views, to the adrenalin rush of ziplining toward the Falls, to the delight of the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Falls has a little something for everyone to create lasting memories.
Niagara Falls Travel Guide FAQ
Where is Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Located?
This Canadian gal is, of course, sharing with you the location of the Canadian Niagara Falls in southern Ontario. It’s a twin border town with Niagara Falls, New York, USA and is located on the energetic Niagara River.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Niagara Falls?
The “best time of year” is subjective depending on your preferences, so I’ll break this down by seasons (high, shoulder, and off) according to price, tourist crowds, and weather.
High season is sunny and hot: summertime. The average temperatures from June through August range between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, though they can easily climb into the 30s. With the good weather, summer break, and family holidays also come huge crowds and higher prices. If it’s the only time you have off from work, go anyhow. To avoid as much of the crowds as possible, plan your visit during the week. If that’s not possible, pack a little extra patience and add people watching into your plans. For travellers like me, that’s usually one of your favourite activities on the road anyhow!
The shoulder seasons are spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), which both come with cooler and, in my opinion, more enjoyable temperatures. Discounts are sprinkled here and there to entice visitors and attraction hours are still pretty decent. During the autumn months, the brilliant foliage is a bonus sight.
Low season lands in the coldest months, November through March, though these days they can be mild thanks to rising temperatures worldwide. Don’t let the cold scare you off either! Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing. Bundle up, mes amis! The Winter Festival of Lights and the frozen waterfall are equally impressive and worthy of a trip. Except for Christmas, Valentine’s, and March Break, travellers can find slightly lower prices in the winter months.
What Should I Pack for a Trip to Niagara Falls?
As with any trip or excursion, layers are the way to go. For summer visits, I’d highly suggest wearing a hat of some kind since there isn’t much shade on the walkway beside the Falls to the various attractions. I was dripping on both of my visits there this summer. Not. Fun. Hats also help prevent heat exhaustion and sunburns. Bucket hats are trending so you’ll be well-covered if you hop on the band wagon. I haven’t personally resurrected this ’90s childhood staple, though I definitely see the benefits.
Sunscreen or light longer layers will be beneficial to protect yourself from the sun’s rays. For night activities in Niagara Falls, it might be handy to have a pair of light pants or a long-sleeve to keep you warm in the the spring, summer, and fall months. During the winter, you’re going to want to bundle up. It gets cold here in Canada! Hat, mittens, scarf, warm coat, waterproof boots…wear the lot and you’ll be good to go.
Without question, bring a water bottle. My favourite are the foldable Vapur water bottles. I’ve been using them since 2017 for travel and day-to-day sipping. They’re lightweight, flexible, and hold a solid amount of liquid. Since I love these water bottles so much, I reached out to Vapur to see if we could get you a little discount on your own water bottle! Use code travelwithtmc for 15% off your purchase.
Getting Around in Niagara Falls
By Foot
Walking is a fantastic way to see Niagara Falls. Actually, I’d go as far as to say it’s the only way to move around the downtown area and along the water. Park your car and forget it for the duration of your trip. There are some free parking spots in the city, however plan to pay and be pleasantly surprised if you find alternative options. For overnight parking, check with your accommodation or use the Honk mobile app.
If you have low mobility, the sidewalks are even and wide enough to welcome wheelchairs. There are several unshaded areas along the river to stop and rest.
By Bus
WEGO is the year-round public transportation system in Niagara Falls. Its service stops at all major Niagara Parks attractions and various downtown hotels. Each WEGO bus has the ability to transport cyclists and people with disabilities. The kneeling buses have room for one manual wheelchair and one scooter to be securely tied down. All buses are equipped with audio and video announcements to notify passengers of each stop. There are front-mounted racks on each bus to accommodate 2 bikes. Small uncertified dogs and animals in carriers on an owner’s lap are also permissible in buses.
A 24-hour pass is $13 for an adult and $9 for children. There’s also a 48-hour pass which costs $17 for adults and $13 for children. Travel Pro Tip: If you purchase any of the Niagara Falls Passes (Adventure, Pass, and Adventure Pass Plus), you’ll receive a 2-day WEGO pass as well. In addition to the WEGO pass, the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass Plus includes a round-trip ticket for the seasonal Niagara-on-the-Lake shuttle. Talk about value – and you’re helping the environment! Woohoo!
To separately purchase the WEGO pass, head to any Niagara Parks attraction, Welcome Centre, or select local retailers listed on the Niagara Parks website.
Getting To Niagara Falls
By Car
What’s more Canadian than taking a road trip? From Toronto it’s a short 2-hour jaunt – long enough to listen to a really good podcast or two. Hop from Highway 401 to the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way), which hugs the Lake Ontario shoreline. Traffic can be notoriously annoying along both of these highways so make sure to download the app “Waze” before you head out. Visitors coming from Québec will need to budget around 7 hours for their drive, taking the 401 to Highway 3. Anyone coming from west of Toronto, say Windsor, London, and so on, will also take the 401 and jump onto the QEW at Hamilton.
By Bus
RIP Greyhound. Thankfully, Canadians now have intercity bus options like Flix and Onex. I have yet to take either of them so I cannot personally speak to their service, however they offer a variety of routes around Ontario. At the time of writing, Onex does not go directly to Niagara Falls, though it can be combined with a Flix route that lands in or leaves from Niagara Falls. Both bus services provide wifi and tickets can be purchased online.
Another great app/website to help you plan your transportation is Rome2Rio. It can be especially handy if you need a change of bus on your journey.
By Train
The Go Train travels every day of the week, year-round, to and from Niagara Falls. It also offers some sweet promotions like a GO/WEGO combo so that you can get to your destination and zip around Niagara’s various attractions via city bus. Another train option, particularly for those arriving from outside Ontario, is Via Rail. If you’re in or close to Toronto, there’s also a direct line connecting the two major cities. The train station in Niagara Falls is wheelchair accessible with 48 hours notice. There are phones, a washroom, and a waiting room, however no staff are on site. There’s also no luggage storage. Both train options offer onboard wifi. Tickets can be purchased through each respective website.
By Plane
The closest major Canadian airport is Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) which is 122km away and about an hour and a quarter drive. The closest airport in the US is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which is 42km over the border.
Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
There are plenty of accommodation options in Niagara Falls. From hotels, to Airbnbs and traditional B&Bs, to hostels, and so on, you’ll have plenty of beds to choose from.
Hotels
The closest hotels on the Canadian side are the Marriott Fallsview, the Embassy Suites Fallsview, and the Niagara Tower Hotel. Can you imagine waking up with such an iconic site for your morning view?! If you prefer stellar evening views, the Sheraton Fallsview is closest to the American Falls and therefore optimal for viewing the nightly fireworks show. If you like to have your cake and eat it too, that is having the best views of both the Canadian and the American waterfalls, then consider staying in the north tower at the Hilton Fallsview Resort. If you prefer a budget hotel that’s still close to the action, then book a room at the Travelodge at the Falls. Be prepared for potentially noisy evenings because it’s in the middle of the tourism district on Clifton Hill. If you love being in the thick of things, then you’ll be buzzing. Surprisingly, it can be a decent place for families to stay because of the location and walkability.
Airbnb, VRBO, Bed and Breakfasts
There are over 500 Airbnb accommodation options in Niagara Falls. There are options from shared rooms to historic homes to luxury poolside stays available. If you’re not on the Airbnb train or want to try something “same same but different”, head over to VRBO. The platform stands for Vacation Rental by Owner and is basically the same service, albeit with generally fewer options.
If you desire somewhere unique with a warm hospitable touch, book a room at a locally-owned and operated B&B (Bed and Breakfast). There’s an official Visit Niagara website dedicated to the area’s quaint accommodation. This Bed and Breakfast Guide can also introduce you to reputable options.
NOTE: There are no hostels in Niagara Falls, Canada.
Where to Dine at Night in Niagara Falls
It’s no secret that one of my dream jobs would be as a professional eater. Not in the eating competition or food critic way. Just someone who is paid to eat, enjoy, and share all of the delicious finds with others.
It turns out travel blogging allows me to partially live out that dream! Anytime I go somewhere, food experiences are high on my list of trip to dos. The Niagara Region is known for tantalizing gastronomic treats such as their peaches, ice wine, and baked treats made with local fruit and nuts. On this visit, I had the pleasure of dining at both the Table Rock House Restaurant and Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar. Either one would make an excellent date night, girls/guys night out, or sublime solo dining spot.
Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar
One of the new evening activities in Niagara Falls is The Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar. Its major draw is its sizeable covered patio overlooking the cascading falls. This new upscale casual dining restaurant is the closest open-air rooftop patio to the Falls. The outdoor dining views don’t get any better! Head to the upper level of the Table Rock Centre. Since reservations aren’t available, I’d say run, don’t walk, however it is a little slippery on the ground outside. Perhaps this is your sign to give speed walking a try.
While the views will pull you into the bistro, what will keep you coming back for more is the seasonal locally-sourced menu and generous range of Niagara VQA wines, cider, spirits, and beer. The mocktails are just as flavourful and aesthetically on point. I ordered the Sparkling Peach Lemonade which was perfection on a hot day.
To begin, I nibbled on Ontario cheeses and meats, as well as a delectable assortment of fruit, pickles, jams, honey, nuts, and artisanal crackers from a picturesque charcuterie board. We also ordered the Tuna Tataki, a wonderful light appetizer.
For the main course, I couldn’t resist the lobster roll. It was unreal. I’ve eaten lobster rolls in Boston, Martha’s Vineyard, and on Canada’s east coast, however the one I had at Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar is my new favourite. Is it weird if I say the brioche bun was the best part? Hear me out. No one likes butter dripping down their arm, annoyingly distracting from the taste – which I’ve previously encountered. This bun had all of the buttery flavour, along with the perfect texture, and none of the mess! The amount of lobster was perfect, as was the fresh lemony flavour and the bite-size meaty pieces. 9/10 I would order this dish again.
Table Rock House Restaurant
Across the hall from the Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar is the Table Rock House Restaurant. It is, in fact, the closest establishment where you can dine to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and see the magical nightly illumination. Everyone likes a superlative, right? It is also Feast On Certified with the Culinary Tourism Alliance, wheelchair accessible, and available for reservations and walk-ins year-round. With a wall of windows granting access to spectacular day- and nighttime views, it’s a “must do” on your evening activities in Niagara Falls list.
There must be something in the water, because the food in Niagara Falls continued to impress. Perhaps surprisingly, it was the salad at dinner time that stole the show! I ordered The Falls Salad, not expecting much other than a healthy helping of greens, but I honestly could have eaten about 10 more of this dish. I’m not sure if it was the cotija cheese or the green goddess dressing, but I talked about that salad for days afterwards. I also ordered another fantastic mocktail, the Summer Berry Spritzer.
For the main dish I maintained the seafood theme and ordered lobster tagliatelle. The portion size was decent and I had enough to take some home. To round off the day’s food adventures I demurely ordered the Triple Chocolate Mousse with seasonal fruit coulis. Very cutesy. Very respectful of my tastebuds. A lady requires something sweet to finish the meal, after all.
3 More Fantastic Evening Activities in Niagara Falls
Immerse Yourself in the Interactive Niagara Power Station Currents Show
Of all of the new evening activities in Niagara Falls to discover, the interactive “Currents” show at the Niagara Power Station was the star. The storytelling of the building’s history was stunning, from the music to the visuals, to the movement-reacting lights. There was something special about seeing people, specifically adults, sit on the floor in a space that normally we walk through or would deem it odd if someone sat there in the daylight. The atmosphere in the huge building was cozy and camp-like, and the show was mesmerizing. Regardless of age, this will be a captivating and enchanting experience.
The show runs in the main generator hall, a straight walk down from the building’s entrance. There’s no additional cost for Niagara Parks pass holders or the Power Station at Night ticket.
Meander through the Illuminated Niagara Power Station Tunnel
When the sun goes down, hop in the elevator and descend 180 feet underground for a unique interactive experience at the Niagara Power Station Tunnel. The 2,200-foot long tunnel becomes beautifully illuminated with a rainbow of LED lights that makes for a calming cool walk to the platform.
Upon exiting the moving glass-walled box, you’ll feel an immediate drop in temperature. Thank goodness you’ll have packed layers for the day! The subterranean path will ease you into a meditative state with its moody colours, cool temperature, and cavernous space. It’s the perfect location for a post-dinner “passegiata“. Along the way, take the time to read the various educational signs that share the tunnel’s secrets and history. My favourite exhibit was the projected slideshow onto the bare brick wall.
Cap Off A Perfect Evening with Fireworks at the Niagara Power Station Tunnel Platform
At the end of the Niagara Power Station Tunnel is a platform and viewing deck that, in the past, visitors could only access during daylight. Now it’s open until late in the evening from May 17, 2024 until October 14, 2024. Watch the Falls change colour and spectate the new daily fireworks show that begins at 10pm. Get up close and personal with Canada’s mot iconic waterfall from this angle. Travel Pro Tip: Line up for the tunnel elevator by 9:15pm to help ensure you can pick your desired platform viewing spot.
If the weather isn’t looking promising, call 1-877-642-7275 and an automated message will notify you if they’re cancelled or not. Alternatively, check the Niagara Parks Facebook and Twitter/X pages.
BONUS: Check Out the Dancing Electricity of the Tesla Coil
Since you’ll already be at the Niagara Power Station for the outstanding Currents show and the fireworks on the platform, why not add the Tesla coil demonstration to your itinerary? What is a Tesla coil and what’s so special about the demonstration? The Tesla coil was invented by Nikola Tesla in 1891. It’s a high-frequency transformer that produces high voltage at a low current and was crucial in helping develop the technology for radio.
The electrifying demonstration takes place at the conclusion of every guided tour at the back of the power station. There’s a hands-on booth nearby that will provide ample people watching opportunities to pass the time until it begins. Then, look up and watch the electric rays dance to accompanying music.
If you’re on a tighter budget or enjoy the simpler things in life like beautiful sunsets, pack a picnic blanket and catch the fireworks from Queen Victoria Park. There’s plenty of parking nearby and the park faces the Falls. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy a home-packed lunch under the trees on a hot day as well.
Sneak Peek of How to Experience Niagara Falls After Dark
Want to see all the fun you’re in for while enjoying these brand new evening activities in Niagara Falls? Click on the image below to check out the reel I made when visiting them!
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Helpful Tips for Booking Your Trips
Flights
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Car Rentals
To help you explore new destinations, turn to Discover Cars for a huge range of vehicle options and excellent prices.
Accommodation
There are so many options for affordable, comfortable, and unique accommodation. Some of my favourite accommodation options are housesitting and hostels. I’ve been using Trusted Housesitters and Hostelworld for years. If you prefer hotels, then check out Booking.com.
Activities
Get Your Guide is a fantastic resource for different activities to try when travelling. They have everything from walking tours, food tours, tickets to attractions, and multi-day trips, and more. Check out this super cool view I had of Tallinn when I was in Estonia for the Christmas markets in 2023, all because of a Get Your Guide experience. My favourite tour so far that I’ve been on with Get Your Guide is a fantastic walking food tour I did in Dublin. That experience had a wild twist, but you’ll have to read this blog post to find out why!
