Shop ‘Til You Drop in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls at night
Fallsview District of Niagara Falls Canada

Niagara Falls, Canada is full of attractions. There is so much to see and do that you won’t have a moment to be bored on your vacation. However, it is nice, sometimes to take a break from the sights and amusements to try some shopping. Fortunately, the city is packed with great malls and stores, so shopping is one of the best things to do in Niagara Falls. Follow our guide for some of the best shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.

Duty-Free Shopping

One of the Niagara Falls attractions is its position on the border. An international crossing point also gives opportunities for duty-free shopping. There are lots of duty-free stores in Niagara Falls, so you can get huge discounts on tobacco, liquor, perfume, and jewelry just by crossing the bridge on a day trip. If you go over the water to the USA, make sure you cross back at one of these key locations: Rainbow Bridge, Lewiston Bridge, and Peace Bridge. These are all border crossings that host a Duty-Free Americas store. At Rainbow Bridge you get a double bonus of a Duty-Free Americas store on the U.S. side and a Duty-Free Shop outlet on the Canadian side.

The Canadian Duty-Free Shop has a great ambiance and stocks all of the hot perfume and liquor brands. Get yourself a classy perfume or cologne for your evenings at the falls and pick up a top-of-the-line brandy or whisky for the folks back home. Prices are around half of what you would pay on Main Street.

Canada One Outlet Mall

Outlet malls are great destinations for a day of fun, and Niagara Falls has two great malls for you to try. The first of these is the Canada One Brands Mall to the west of the city on Queen Elizabeth Way. The mall features fashion and footwear stores and is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day of the week except Sunday, when it closes at 6 p.m.

As this is a factory outlet mall, you are going to pick up some great discounts on your purchases, but look out for special sales season, too, and grab some amazing bargains.

Outlet Collection at Niagara

Shopping in Niagara
Couple shops in Niagara

Your second factory outlet opportunity in Niagara Falls is also accessed along Queen Elizabeth Way, but it is to the north of the city at Glendale. Like Canada One, this mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday when it closes at 6 p.m.

Fashion retailers at the mall include Saks Fifth Avenue, DKNY, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Gap Factory Store, and Tommy Hilfiger. Fishing widows beware: there is an enormous Bass Pro Shops Outlet at the mall — you may lose your man for the whole day. You can pick up a bite to eat at a fast food alley and there is a great outdoor space to sit and relax, where you can sample the food from stalls that line the location.

Souvenir City

You can’t return home without gifts for friends and family and you are in luck at Niagara Falls, because the huge Souvenir City will enable you to source all your gifts and mementos in one trip. Trinkets, mugs, caps, sweatshirts, specialty chocolates, and anything that can be made from Canada’s most famous resource, maple syrup, are all sold here.

A huge food court on the premises gives you the opportunity to recharge on a break from your shopping campaign.

Niagara Falls Local Artisan Market

This monthly celebration of local crafts is a rare find and will give you the opportunity to pick up something truly unique to remind you of your visit to Niagara Falls. The market is only held on the first Wednesday of each month, though, so you will be lucky to catch it.

The market can be found in the Little Shop of Beauty on Queens Street in Downtown Niagara Falls, not far from City Hall and Downtown Park. Take the opportunity to check the other great little stores in the neighbourhood of the market and pay a visit to the Old Fort Erie Museum, which is just across the street from the market’s location. Shopping is just one of the many attractions you can find to keep yourself entertained while visiting Niagara Falls.


Spring Activities to Look Forward to in Niagara Falls

The first day of spring is only a week away, and as the weather gets warmer and the flowers start to bloom a visit to Niagara Falls is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Here are some of the best activities to check out this spring in Niagara Falls:

Embark on a Hornblower Niagara Cruise

Spring in Niagara Falls featuring Hornblower boat ride
Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat in front of the Horseshoe Falls.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises is kicking off its 2018 season on April 7th (weather permitting), offering daily boat voyages to the American, Bridal Veil, and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Hornblower is one of Niagara’s most iconic and popular attractions and is an exciting way for people of all ages to experience the beauty and power of Niagara Falls.

The Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour is the most popular Hornblower cruise, however you can also embark on a Voyage to the Falls Evening Boat Tour, a night-time Falls Illumination Cruise, and a spectacular Falls Fireworks Cruise.

Explore Niagara’s Natural Areas

Niagara is home to beautiful parklands, sprawling gardens, and a number of spectacular natural areas, and spring is one of the most beautiful times to take it all in. Queen Victoria Park, located right across the street from the Horseshoe Falls, comes to life in spring and is home to over 500,000 blooming daffodils and beautiful flower displays.

And just down the Niagara Parkway is the Butterfly Conservatory, located on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Here you can walk through a beautiful indoor paradise that houses lush greenery and over 2,000 colourful and free flying butterflies.

Walk or Hike on the Region’s Trails

Spring in Niagara Falls featuring flower displays in Queen Victoria Park
Daffodils in bloom in Queen Victoria Park.

Niagara’s unique landscape makes for great walking and hiking, and when spring brings warmer weather and sunshine there are a number of amazing trails around the region that are worth checking out. Canada’s famous Bruce Trail – the country’s oldest and longest marked hiking trail – begins in Queenston and travels along the Niagara Escarpment with many side trail that make for great day hikes and walks.

The Niagara Glen, located deep in the Niagara Gorge, is also a beautiful walking and hiking area. The Glen features 4km of paths through Carolinian Forest and lookout points with amazing views of the mighty Niagara Whirlpool and Niagara River.

Experience Niagara’s World-Famous Wine

The Niagara Region is Canada’s largest wine growing region and a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake this spring will connect you with beautiful sights and memorable winery experiences. You can embark on a guided wine tour with Magnificent Tours, which will take you to top Niagara wineries like Inniskillin, Reif Estate, and Konzelmann Estate, or explore the wineries on your own, taking in the sight of stunning vineyards while sipping the best VQA wine that the region has to offer.


Spend a Romantic Valentine’s Day in Niagara Falls

Spend Valentine's Day in Niagara Falls with the Sheraton's Ultimate Couples Experience package.
Luxury Fallsview accommodations at the Sheraton Fallsview hotel.

Niagara Falls is a top romantic getaway destination and this year you can spend an incredible Valentine’s Day in Niagara with amazing food, luxury accommodations, and non-stop entertainment that you and your significant other are sure to love.

Getaway Packages

The Sheraton Fallsview offers a number of great getaway packages to choose from for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in Niagara Falls, including the Ultimate Couples Experience, Ultimate Niagara Winery Experience, and Ultimate Spa Experience.

The Ultimate Couples Experience package will connect you and your loved one to the very best accommodations, dining, and entertainment experiences in Niagara Falls with one night hotel accommodations, three Fallsview dining gift cards, two winery tasting passes at Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs, credit at the award-winning Christienne Fallsview Spa, and two cocktails.

Fallsview Dining

Fallsview dining at Windows by Jamie Kennedy for a romantic Valentine's Day in Niagara Falls.
Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar’s Fallsview dining room.

For a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with a breathtaking backdrop, visit Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar, The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra, or Fallsview Buffet restaurant. All three restaurants offer amazing food in direct view of the magnificent Niagara Falls for incredible dining experiences unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

At Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar and The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra you can also indulge in special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menus, which feature delicious seasonal dishes and premium wines.

Valentine’s Day Events

There are a number of special events to check out on Valentine’s Day in Niagara Falls including Boys II Men performing at Fallsview Casino Resort on February 14th and 15th at 8:30pm, and the illumination of the Horseshoe Falls and Skylon Tower in red and pink lights on the night of February 14th.

Make this Valentine’s Day the most romantic one yet and start planning your getaway to Niagara Falls today.


Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Ontario

Niagara Falls Ontario Canada
Niagara Falls Canada

Although for many people around the world Canada may be seen as America’s quieter neighbor to the north, this large country boasts a wide and fascinating variety of Niagara Falls restaurants, landscapes, peoples, cultures, wildlife, and attractions. As such, it has something to suit every taste.

First, some basic facts about this majestic country. Canada is huge and covers 3.85 million square miles and is home to more than 36 million people as of 2016. Just like other countries of its size, Canada is composed of many different landscapes, cultures, and wildlife across its 13 provinces and this makes for a wonderfully harmonious and beautiful country.

One of its most exciting provinces has to be Ontario. Home to the iconic, world-renowned Niagara Falls, Ontario is one of the country’s most populous provinces and is the perfect spot to visit year round. Ontario is one of Canada’s more populous provinces and is home to the world-famous Niagara Falls. Ahead of your next trip to Niagara Falls these are some fun facts about Ontario that will help you learn more about the place you’re about to fall in love with.

 General Province Facts

The second-largest province in Canada, Ontario covers over 415,000 square miles (one million square kilometers). This makes it larger than France and Spain combined. A big part of this land mass actually features lakes, so if you’re a water enthusiast you’ll be in seventh heaven in Ontario. In fact, the state boasts around a quarter of a million lakes in total, which makes up approximately 20 percent of the world’s fresh water stores.

Throughout Ontario, you’re likely to spot the province’s official flag in many locations, too. This flag is known as the Red Ensign. It features the Union Jack, which represents the region’s ties to the Commonwealth of Great Britain; and the Coat-of-Arms of Ontario, which consists of a green shield with three golden maple leaves, topped by the Banner of St. George (a red cross on a silver background), plus a bear, a moose, and a dear.

Also around Ontario, you’re likely to see the state’s official flower, the trillium, depicted on many items. This delicate, white, three-petaled flower grows in abundance in the wild woodlands of Ontario, mainly in the early spring months.

If jewelry is more your thing, you might want to buy a long-lasting souvenir to remember your time in the province. Amethyst, the popular, rich purple, semi-precious stone found in many rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets is the official gem of Ontario. In the northwestern part of the province large deposits are found, so you won’t have to look far to find a beautiful accessory made from the stone as you travel.

Toronto

The Capital of Ontario Toronto
Toronto the Capital of Ontario

No visit to Ontario is complete without spending time in its capital, Toronto. Also the largest city in the province, Toronto has over 2.8 million residents and is considered the most linguistically diverse city in Canada. It is believed more than 100 different languages are spoken in Toronto and, in fact, according to the 2016 Census, 44 percent of residents speak a first language that is neither English nor French.

Apart from boasting such a mixed bag of cultures, Toronto is also the place to find a wide variety of restaurants — more than 7,500. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in your element in the city, trying out cuisine after cuisine. Around Toronto you’ll find restaurants specializing in everything from Caribbean, Chinese, Creole and Indian, through to Mexican, Middle Eastern, Malaysian, Thai, Polish, Korean, Hungarian, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and more.

Something else Toronto is pleased to highlight is its commitment to film production. In North America it is the third most popular city for screen-based production work, behind Los Angeles and New York City. (The local industry employs more than 25,000 people.) It probably won’t surprise you to learn, then, that many famous actors were born in the city. This list includes Mike Myers, Christopher Plummer, Eric McCormack, Corey Haim, Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell, Will Arnett, Rick Moranis, Alison Pill, and Patrick J. Adams.

Camp X

Every country has its secrets and Canada is no exception. During World War II, Canada operated a spy school near the town of Whitby, Ontario. Here, intrepid young men were trained to spy on the enemies of the Allies.  Two famous men supposedly made up the class roster. These were Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond series of books, and Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Camp X was used after the war as a communication interception station but those operations ceased in 1969. Today, the location is called Intrepid Park.

Sports

Ontario has a long history of sports and legions of residents who are fanatical about them. Baseball lovers will be chuffed to learn that the legendary Babe Ruth hit his first home run while playing for a minor league baseball team in Ontario in 1914. Switch sports to hockey, and you’ll learn that the NHL’s all-time leading scorer, Wayne Gretzky, was born in Brantford, Ontario in 1961. The Great One even has a Tim Horton’s coffee named after him called The Gretzky, which references his jersey number, 99. This mysterious concoction consists of coffee with nine sugars and nine creams!

And, sadly, while the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967, residents of Ontario still adore their team. Fans don’t let the long championship drought get to them, as games sell out regularly. The Ottawa Senators also have a huge following, making Ontario a hockey hotspot.

Niagara Falls is obviously one of Ontario’s main attractions but there is much more to this province than meets the eye. On your next visit, make sure you try to get a feel for some of the region’s other splendors.


Sleep Cheap is Back in Niagara Falls

The Sleep Cheap Charities Reap event is back again in Niagara Falls, offering Niagara Region residents the chance to book stays at some of the city’s best hotels at discounted prices, with proceeds going to local charities.

Sleep Cheap is now in its 14th year with hotel stays available from Sunday, November 12th to Thursday, November 16th. Niagara hotels participating in this year’s Sleep Cheap event include Marriott Fallsview & Spa, Marriott on the Falls, Sheraton Fallsview, and Skyline Hotel & Waterpark.

Since its first year, Sleep Cheap has raised over $1,700,000 and continues to be a hugely popular event in Niagara Falls. Minimum donations for hotel rooms are $35 a night for a standard room, $45 for a Fallsview room, $65 for a Whirlpool room, and $85 for a room with access to a waterpark.

And Sleep Cheap is also offering the chance for Niagara residents to experience a number of local attractions, including the Bird Kingdom, which is offering 50% off regular admission when you mention the Sleep Cheap event, and the Greg Frewin Theatre, which is offering 50% off for a select number of shows.


Weather in Niagara Falls: What to Wear When You Visit

Unpacking upon check in
Check in made easy

The scenery of Niagara Falls is so utterly gorgeous that it often overshadows another remarkable aspect of our region: the weather. Compared to neighboring regions in Canada and the United States, Niagara boasts mild temperatures year-round, meaning visitors don’t need to worry about oppressive heat in the summer or bone-biting cold in the winter. Though the weather in Niagara Falls isn’t as unchanging as the tropics, it is still a relatively comfortable place to visit all year long.

Still, one of the most common questions we are asked is, “But what should I wear?” Hopefully, this post answers all your packing questions, so you can stay cool (or warm) no matter when you journey to see the falls.

Winter Packing Tips

Make no mistake: Niagara Falls can get chilly. In the middle of winter, temperatures hover around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) during the day and plummet to about 15.4 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius) after the sun sets. From mid-December to early March, it isn’t uncommon for snow to cover the ground; in fact, Niagara Falls enjoys a full 50 glittering days of snowfall every year, totaling about 70 inches (180 centimeters). Some years, the falls partially freeze, creating a natural ice sculpture for all to see. While this is certainly colder than California, it is much more manageable than nearby areas in New York and Ontario, which experience much worse winter conditions for much longer.

If you are planning a wintertime make sure you have the right Niagara Falls information if you are planning a trip in Winter. Though the area enjoys a much lower tourism rate in the cold months, the city and surrounding landscape is more magical covered in a layer of snow. Still, you do need to keep the temperatures in mind. You definitely need to pack warm clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and waterproof boots. It is important that you cover your skin as much as possible from December to March if you want to stay safe during your winter trip to the falls.

Spring Packing Tips

Spring comes hard and fast in Niagara Falls, with temperatures rising tumultuously as the birds and bees return for the warm seasons ahead. Springtime temperatures vary between about 41 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit (5 and 19 degrees Celsius), and for most of March and April, every day can bring unexpected weather. One day could be snowy and frigid, and the next could be delightfully bright and warm. Yet, despite this unpredictability, spring is among the most popular times of year for tourism to Niagara Falls.

The most important consideration for packing for Niagara spring is comfort. Because not even experienced meteorologists know for certain what the skies will bring during springtime, you should bring clothing suitable to a variety of temperatures. Outfits should be composed of light layers, such as a T-shirt, a cardigan, and a heavy, wind- and waterproof coat, so you can take off and add clothing as necessary.

Summer Packing Tips

Sunny summertime is when Niagara weather truly shines. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), and after the sun sets, temperatures barely drop to around 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). Most days are bright and warm, but there are a few cloudy and rainy days, as well as afternoon thunderstorms — providing the perfect opportunity to dip inside for Niagara’s covered attractions, like an indoor waterpark or museum.

Casual summer clothing made of comfortable, lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for Niagara’s summers. For most of the day, you will be comfortable in short-sleeve or sleeveless tops, but it is wise to carry along a layer, like a cardigan or light coat, in case rain does fall or you are out past nightfall — which is a common occurrence when so much happens in Niagara after dark during the warm, high tourism season.

Fall Packing Tips

Photographs of attractions
Niagara Falls beautiful scenery

As summer dies down, so does tourism in Niagara Falls — which is a shame because fall is easily Niagara’s most beautiful season. Temperatures remain warm, around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) during the day and 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) at night. Plus, autumn is the driest time of year for Niagara, lacking the snowstorms of winter and the fog and rain of spring and summer. This weather coupled with the gorgeous foliage and quiet attractions make fall the best season for Niagara travel.

Again, it is wise to pack layered outfits for an autumn Niagara trip. While the mild weather is relatively predictable, the diversity of activities around Niagara Falls typically necessitates different amounts of coverage. Though it might not rain, you should still bring along some waterproof options if you want to journey close to the falls, by boat or by cave.

No matter the season, you should always bring along a camera and plenty of storage space for souvenirs and gifts. Niagara Falls is one of the best travel destinations in the world, and while you should be comfortable in your clothing, you should also be confident that you are bringing back memories for a lifetime.


Best Eats in Niagara Falls: Fallsview Buffet & More

A Food Lover’s Guide to the Best Eats in Niagara Falls

Women dining in Niagara Falls
Best Restaurants in Niagara Falls

Some people go on vacation to see amazing natural wonders. Some people go on vacation to experience new cultures and meet new people. However, everyone eats while on vacation.

Fortunately, in Niagara Falls, there’s something for every kind of traveler — especially the food-loving kind. Because Niagara Falls is an amazing place for agriculture, renowned chefs flock to the region for the opportunity to work with some of the freshest, highest quality ingredients in the world. As a result, even the cheapest restaurants in Niagara boast delicious grub. If you are looking to pig out on your trip to the falls, this guide should help you find the absolute best spots.

Fallsview Buffet

It’s hard to imagine a place where you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind world wonder and eat as much fresh, wonderful food as you want — but Fallsview Buffet Restaurant is that place, and it definitely exists. Located in Sheraton Fallsview, the buffet provides views of all three of Niagara’s waterfalls as well as a significant amount of the Niagara countryside. Plus, Fallsview offers an 80-foot buffet, filled with live-action cooking stations. You can dine here for any meal and find something different and delicious, making it an excellent stop during a busy day of seeing (and tasting) Niagara.

Windows by Jamie Kennedy

Easily one of Canada’s most notable chefs, Jamie Kennedy gives Niagara visitors more than edible treats in his restaurant Windows. Through the eatery’s eponymous floor-to-ceiling glass, you can view a panorama of Niagara. Featuring an up-close scene of Horseshoe Falls as well as a peak at American and Bridal Falls, the restaurant certainly provides some of the best views in the region. Furthermore, the food has won several awards from Canadian and International agencies, so you know you’re eating a high-class meal.

Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra

Another Canada native, Massimo Capra has earned his name as a world leader in Italian cuisine. His Niagara flagship, the Rainbow Room, is located high in the Crowne Plaza Hotel — a resort that is already highly regarded for its room views. North of the falls, the restaurant overlooks a swath of the Niagara River as well as both sets of falls, and visitors can enjoy the Niagara skyline while they dine, too. Because Chef Capra calls Ontario home, his food uses some of the freshest ingredients in Canada, ensuring your meal is local, unique, and delectable.

Skylon Revolving Dining Room

A glass of wine being poured
Best dining locations in Niagara Falls

Looming at 775 feet from base to tip, Skylon Tower provides some of the best birds-eye views in the region; the only way you can get higher is by taking flight. You can visit the Tower nearly any time of day, morning, noon, and night, and purchase tickets to the observation deck — or you can reserve a spot in Skylon’s Dining Room and enjoy a meal and a view all at once. Skylon’s menu rivals the complexity and artistry of the best restaurants in the area — including Kennedy’s and Capra’s. It is your responsibility to remember to eat when you are so busy soaking up Skylon’s spectacular panoramas.

AG Inspired Cuisine

Most other Niagara restaurants are situated high-up for outstanding scenery; meanwhile, AG Inspired Cuisine is located in the basement. Still, AG doesn’t have the views of the previous four dining options, but it certainly offers a competitive menu. Boasting some of the first true farm-to-table food in Niagara, AG is both a farm and a restaurant catering to those with exquisite taste.

Trius Restaurant

Undoubtedly, your trip to Niagara Falls will include at least one winery tour. If you are smart, you will schedule some time at Trius Winery at Hillebrand, which is one of the first, the largest, and the best vineyards in the Niagara valley. Not only does Trius boast some of the most noteworthy distinctions for its vintages, it also offers a top-tier restaurant that will pair its famous wines with outstanding food. It’s important to eat while you are tasting wines — so why shouldn’t you eat some high-quality cuisine?

Mai Thai Cusine

Mild, temperate Niagara Falls might be the last place you would expect to find exotic Asian cuisine, but Mai Thai offers such sumptuous plates, you definitely shouldn’t balk. Authentic Thai food is spicy, sweet, and savory. It might be a welcome departure from the sophisticated salmon and lamb dishes at other Niagara foodie spots.

Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria

Perhaps the best purely Italian restaurant in the Niagara region — considering Capra’s Rainbow Room is a mixture of European culinary styles — Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria is warm and welcoming. With a motto of “He who eats well lives well,” the pizzeria offers high-class Italian comfort food, including goat cheese ravioli, Portobello pizza, and house-made meatballs.

Kitchen 76

If you didn’t drink enough at Trius, Two Sisters Vineyards beckons with more delicious wine and food. Kitchen 76 offers an approachable menu that uses ingredients from the surrounding Niagara countryside to craft dishes that perfectly complement its signature wines.


Top 4 Niagara Wine Clubs

With over production 70 wineries in the region, Niagara is Canada’s undisputed leader in Wine. World famous Icewines, reds, whites and seasonal’s are produced here. It’s easy to see why winery visits, tours and tastings are considered a key aspect of any Niagara Falls Vacation. But did you know that you can receive a bit of Niagara year round by joining a Niagara Wine Club? There are a number of these; here are what we consider to be the Best Niagara Wine Clubs in terms of value, wine quality and perks.

Top 4 Niagara Wine Clubs

Great Estates Niagara Wine Club (Inniskillin & Jackson-Triggs)

  • Exclusive VIP Access to Jackson-Trigg Amphitheatre Concerts Tickets
  • Many on-site tasting perks, including samples of Icewine each visit
  • High quality wines shipped monthly

The Great Estates Niagara Wine Club is the result of an allegiance between two of the Niagara region’s most prestigious wineries: Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs. By joining one club, members gain exclusive benefits and gift packages that reach across both Niagara Wine estates.

Members receive wine deliveries based on their membership package, with hand-selected wines from these estates. The variety of plans on offer means that anyone signing up can select package to customise their wine deliveries – whether it’s mostly red or white, whether wine deliveries are monthly or quarterly, and whether the focus should be on getting wines from a specific estate instead of all three. Some speciality packages like the Inniskillin Icewine Club are there for specific tastes as well.

Great Estates Niagara Wine Club members also get additional perks such as advanced seating and sneak peeks for the Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre entertainment programme, discounts on wine shop purchases, complimentary tours and invitations to exclusive events.

but it’s worth asking for more information – there are so many options and selections that prospective members should review all possibilities in order to take full advantage of the opportunity to benefit from a great multi-estate membership program.

Peller Estates

  • Discounts on Amazing Wine Tours
  • Tastings at Peller & Trius Included
  • Value of shipments equal or greater than monthly membership cost

The first thing new members of the Peller Estates Wine Club receive is a welcome package with benefit information and a member’s card, which entitles them to tastings & discounts at Peller and all its partner wineries, such as Thirty Bench Wine Makers & Trius.

The Peller Estates club send out monthly packages to members. Peller is known for its expert approach to winemaking and local cuisine, so aside from the two bottles of premium VQA vintage, members also receive recipes as prepared by notable winery chef Jason Parsons. Typically the value of wine shipped exceeds the cost of the monthly membership. Additional benefits also include complimentary tastings, samples, tours and experiences at the winery, and discounted offers at Peller’s partner winery, Trius. In addition, members receive access to pre-release pricing on new vintages, invitations to exclusive events, and many more little perks.

Wall of Wine during Wine Club Member Tour at Trius Estates in Niagara

Most packages favour the estate red wines, which are the main focus of the winery, but red and white delivery programs are available as well. Prospective members can find out more and sign up at:

Peller Estates Wine Club

Reif Estate Winery

  • Free & Paid Memberships
  • Exclusive Access to Niagara’s Finest Events

The Reif Estate has a couple of different grades of membership, both emphasising the idea of living a full and elegant lifestyle. Their ‘Reif for Life’ club is free to join and offers both complimentary tastings and a rewards points system for in-house and online purchases, redeemable for merchandise and vouchers for exclusive tasting experiences.

The more up-scale ‘Reifstyle’ membership is a full membership program, starting with monthly deliveries and gift items. The monthly packages come with tasting notes, entertainment tips (in keeping with the ‘lifestyle’ motif of the club) and new information on upcoming vintage releases.

In addition to discounts on all Reif sales and events, members also get complimentary tasting appointments with the Wine Club Manager for a hands-on and informative tasting experience that includes admission for up to three guests. The ‘Reifstyle’ club membership also upgrades the rewards point perks.

All general membership information can be found online.

Strewn Winery

  • Actually Own a Wine Barrel
  • Name the Barrel
  • Receive 120% of cost in wine over 3 years

Where most wineries offer a share in the general yield of its vintages as the crux of their membership program, Strewn Winery has a different approach.

The Strewn Barrel Club is a membership offer that allows anyone the opportunity to directly purchase a new oak barrel, the kind used for storing and fermenting wine. The winery has use of the barrel for three years from purchase, and then the empty barrel belongs to the member to either take home or exchange for a gift pack of wine. During that three-year ‘lease’ period members have access to exclusive events and tastings, first pick of special releases, etc. In addition, on anniversaries of the barrel purchase, the barrel owner can receive a selection of wine of their choice.

The exact value of the perks is based on the type of barrel purchased by the Barrel Club member. Depending on availability, prospective members can buy a barrel made of American, Canadian or French oak. Each type of oak imbues the wine with different flavours – Canadian oak tends to add more tannin and spice undertones, for example – so choose your barrel based on your personal tastes and aside from being a gateway to great wine offers across a three-year period, the club opportunity also offers a valuable addition to any wine aficionado’s home cellar.

Further information on the Barrel Club and other Strewn Winery opportunities can be found online.

While the above four are in our opinion the best Niagara Wine Clubs, they are just a handful of the options available. Visit these wineries during your next Niagara Falls Vacation. For more information on these and other wineries visit our concierge desk at our hotel.

For more information guests #1 rated Fallsview Hotel, offering the best views of Niagara Falls, view:

Marriott Fallsview Niagara Falls Hotel Packages


Who Owns Niagara Falls?

Did you know that the Niagara Falls consists of three different waterfalls? They are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. And what’s even more interesting is that the Falls are divided between two countries – Canada and the US.

Who Owns Niagara Falls?

The American and Bridal Veil Falls are entirely in the US, the Horseshoe Falls flows in both countries although a major portion is in Canada.

Among the three, the Horseshoe Falls is the biggest as well as the more popular tourist attraction. The international boundary line has split the falls in such a way that about two thirds of the Horseshoe Falls are in Ontario, Canada and one-third in New York, US.

Boundary Line Drawn in 1819

The boundary line and the maps demarcating the Horseshoe Falls were drawn in 1819 based on the Treaty of Ghent. But there have been disputes about the same and it is has been a point of contention between the two countries. When the boundary line came into existence, almost 90% of the Horseshoe Falls was in Canada. The north-eastern end of the Horseshoe Falls lay around Terrapin Rocks which was near Goat Island in New York, US. The portion between the rocks and the island was filled, connecting the two, and forming Terrapin Point in 1955. The United States Army Corps of Engineers also filled in more land in the 1980s and built diversion dams.

Will Change Due to Erosion

Currently, according to the International Boundary Commission, about 300 to 400 feet of the Horseshoe Falls are located on the American side. As the crest of the Horseshoe Falls has a total width of more than 2200 feet, this means that most of the falls is located in Canadian territory. The latest maps on both sides also show a major portion of the falls in Canada. In the future, the US-Canada boundary lines near the falls will continue to alter on account of erosion. While erosion is not an overnight process, the change has been happening over hundreds of years. The rate of erosion has slowed down a bit, in part due to the diversion of water for hydroelectric power generation. But erosion still continues to take place. This will result in the crest of the falls extending further into American territory. Natural erosion and construction can change the area of the Horseshoe Falls in the future and this may require further clarity on the boundary lines.

View Niagara Falls, USA & Canadian boundary portions, during your next visit to Niagara Falls. In-fact, you can see both sides perfectly from our Fallsview Hotel Rooms. The Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa is the #1 rated TripAdvisor Fallsview Hotel. For our best rates view our:

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Does Niagara Falls Freeze in the Winter?

When winter arrives in Niagara Falls, sheets of snow and ice cover the magnificent Niagara Falls. Often, it is so thick and solid that people assume that the falls have completely frozen over. But this is not true. It might flow at a reduced rate but it never stops. Seeing Niagara Falls at or near a frozen state during a winter vacation is a sight to behold.

Walking on Ice at Niagara Falls

Over a long duration of extremely cold weather, ice forms all across the river creating an ice bridge. In fact people would walk over the ice bridge and even set up shops back in the day. Tourists too would flock to the bridge. But things changed in 1912 when an older ice bridge wrecked havoc. Since 1912, walking on the ice has been forbidden. There have been a few times over the years when the winters were so cold that the falls looked completely frozen. During such times, giant icicles form over the falls giving the impression that the water has frozen completely. But the volume of water is so much that it just does not stop flowing.

Niagara Falls Frozen

But there was one instance when the water flow stopped completely in 1848. This did not happen due to the freezing of the falls but because of an ice jam on the Niagara River which blocked the flow of water. Millions of tons of ice had blocked the source of the river leading to the stoppage of water. Since the Falls always created a thundering sound while cascading over, the blockage resulted in silence around the falls. But after several hours the huge volume of water finally found its way through, rushed over the channel and restored the falls to its original glory.

Slowing of Niagara Falls Winter Water Flow

The year 1932 also witnessed a very cold and long winter but even that did not stop the falls completely. Even as recently as 2014 and 2015, photographs in the media showed a frozen Niagara Falls on account of extreme weather. This event caused tourists to flock to Niagara Falls, staying in Hotels overlooking the nearly frozen Falls. But the water continued to flow in spite of the snow and ice. One of the reasons that the falls continues to flow is due to the installation of ice booms made of steel on the river. To answer the question:

Does Niagara Falls Freeze in the Winter?

The answer is no– the installed steel ice cutters effectively deal with icebergs and prevent the water from jamming up ensuring a steady supply of water.
It is also important to do so since the river is a major source of hydroelectric power in the region.

So the next time you look at a modern day ‘frozen’ Niagara Falls, you know the secret–the water never stops flowing! But don’t worry, even if it’s cold during your trip to Niagara Falls there are plenty of indoor warm weather activities to take part in, all the while still experiencing a portion of the outdoor Niagara Falls Winter.

Update January 2018 – You can see the frozen Niagara Falls again from our Fallsview guest rooms.
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