Category: Niagara Falls Hotels

Falls Avenue Resort’s Niagara Culinary Experiences Series is back for another season, offering six exclusive dinner events throughout 2017 and 2018 at the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra and Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar. Each of the dinner events will feature delicious and innovative dishes prepared by Niagara’s top chefs and award-winning wines from all over Niagara and the world.

The first dinner in the series is A Culinary Tour of Piedmont with Chef Massimo Capra on October 27th, which will showcase the best food, ingredients, and wines to emerge from this charming Italian region. Following this dinner is A Farmhouse Christmas Dinner with Jamie Kennedy on December 1st where a traditional turn of the century Christmas feast will be served using local Niagara ingredients and paired with wines from Bachelder winery.

The third culinary event in the series is An Icewine Dinner at Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar on January 19th, hosted in celebration of Niagara’s unique Icewine harvest and the delicious food that the season brings. This dinner is followed by A Culinary Tour of Tuscany on March 23rd at the Rainbow Room, A Spring Fling in Niagara at Windows on April 20th, and A Culinary Tour of Veneto at the Rainbow Room on May 11th.

Dinner-only and Dinner & Hotel Room packages can be purchased at fallsavenueresort.com/culinary, so make sure to book your tickets today to experience the incredible combination of food, wine, and breathtaking views of Niagara Falls. 

Whether you’re looking to have drinks at a cool bar, dance at a nightclub or sample craft beers at a brewery, Niagara Falls has a ton of amazing nighttime destinations that will make any night out in the city an unforgettable one.

Fallsview Casino Resort

If you want to play your favourite slots and table games or even catch a live show at the theatre, Fallsview Casino Resort offers a range of nighttime experiences that are both thrilling and unique. The casino’s gaming floor is packed with over 3,000 slot machines and 130 table games available 24/7

Niagara Brewing Company

This new craft brewery located on Clifton Hill is a great place to sit back and enjoy a wide range of innovative craft brews and delicious food like warm soft pretzels and homemade meatball sandwiches. Beers currently on tap include Niagara Premium Lager, Beerdevil IPA, Honeymoon Peach Radler, Amber Eh! Ale, Clockwork Berliner Weisse, Best Bitter, and more. And with daily live entertainment and Hoppy Hour, it’s the perfect place to spend a night with friends.

Spicy Olive Bar & Grill

Spicy Olive Bar & Grill is located in the heart of the city’s tourist district at the top of Clifton Hill and is an authentic Italian restaurant that turns into a lively bar at night. The bar features live music from great local bands along with a full-service bar and plenty of seating space. Spicy Olive is close by to many other Niagara Falls destinations and is an ideal spot to grab a quick drink or sit back with friends for the night.

Dragonfly Night Club

Located inside Fallsview Casino Resort on Fallsview Boulevard, Dragonfly is Niagara’s top nightclub destination that hosts a number of exclusive events you won’t want to miss out on. Upcoming events include Dragonfly Fridays and Saturdays featuring great DJs along with guestlist and bottle service options, which is the perfect time to go dancing and experience all that this Asian inspired nightclub has to offer.

It has just been announced that Rogers Hometown Hockey will be kicking off this season’s tour on October 7th and 8th in Niagara Falls. Hockey is Canada’s national pastime and Rogers Hometown Hockey is a special road trip that will be making stops in great cities and towns all across the country. The tour will be bringing amazing stories and experiences to hockey loving Canadians and will celebrate the ways that this sport connects us.

You can join Ron Maclean and Tara Slone in your hometown on Saturdays and Sundays for an exciting hockey festival featuring a range of free family-friendly activities, alumni appearances, awesome giveaways, and much more. And on Sundays you can catch a live broadcast with Ron and Tara and show your support by cheering on your favourite NHL team.

When Rogers Hometown Hockey is in Niagara Falls the live broadcast on Sunday October 8th will be Montreal at NY Rangers at 6:30pm, which is sure to be an unforgettable time. And because Niagara Falls is the very first stop of Hometown Hockey’s fourth season, you can expect thrilling experiences that will tap into the heritage, culture, and fabric of hockey in Canada. Don’t miss out on this season-long journey that explores and celebrates how hockey unites all Canadians, and come out on October 7th and 8th to the magnificent Niagara Falls.

Everyone on their way to Niagara Falls knows the iconic places to snap a good picture of Horseshoe Falls. In the high season, Queen Victoria Park, which stretches through the tourist area of the Canadian Side, is packed shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors craning for a good view of the falls; boat tours like Maid of the Mist and Hornblower have been booked solid for months; and exciting locations like Skylon Tower and the Skywheel boast long lines for entry. If all you’re after on your vacation is a lowkey look at the falls’ majesty, you are going to need to find someplace unique — someplace hidden.

Fortunately, spots like that exist. In fact, there are several secret scenic spots around Niagara Falls, so you can enjoy the power and glory of the natural wonder in peace.

Crowne Plaza

You could buy tickets to reach the top of Skylon Tower to see stretching views of the entire Niagara region. You could buy tickets to circle around the SkyWheel, getting glimpses of Niagara Falls from above. Or, you might want to enjoy scenic Niagara vistas from the quiet comfort of your hotel room.

The Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls was built in the 1920s to provide glamorous and elegant accommodation to tourists visiting the falls. Back then, it was among the first hotels in the skyline to offer four-star luxury and unparalleled views of Niagara. Today, it remains the standard of sophisticated Niagara travel while still catering to families and budget travelers. Importantly, it isn’t just the unattainable, high-priced suites that provide jaw-dropping views of the falls and beyond; at the Crowne, you can watch the falls through your window without breaking the bank.

Plus, the Crowne offers other unbeatable amenities, as well. In the lobby, you can enjoy some of Niagara’s best shopping experiences, including a trip to Hershey’s Chocolate World and a handful of top-tier gift shops. Furthermore, there are comfortable, indoor connections to Niagara Falls’ most exciting attractions, including Casino Niagara and Fallsview Indoor Water Park — which provides another exhilarating view of the falls.

Rainbow Bridge

Connecting the American and Canadian sides, the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge is just downriver from the action — ensuring you get amazing views without competing for space like you would in Queen Victoria Park or other popular viewing spots closer to the falls. From the bridge, you can see both the American and Canadian falls, as well as much of the Canadian skyline. Most tourists drive across the bridge without a second glance at the views, so for just $.50, pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy reaching panoramas of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River without a hassle.

The Rainbow Bridge wasn’t the first bridge to cross the Niagara Gorge. Preceding it was the Honeymoon Bridge, built in the 1890s, which in its time was the largest steel arch bridge in the world. Unfortunately, the Honeymoon Bridge collapsed after a terrible winter storm in the 1930s. The Rainbow Bridge was constructed nearby just a few years later, stronger and safer, though just as beloved as its precursor.

Niagara Gorge

Another reason to take trip to the Rainbow Bridge is to give you time exploring the Niagara Gorge on the American side of the falls. Though the American side is less amenity- and attraction-filled than the Canadian side, its vast natural spaces provide solitude and space to enjoy the splendor of the area. The Niagara Gorge boasts several walking and hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks of the falls and surrounding country. The Niagara Gorge Rim Trail will lead you up close to the American and Canadian falls, but you might also want to spend time on the American Falls Gorge Trail or any of the trails that take you past Niagara River’s white-water rapids.

You should know by the power of Niagara Falls that Niagara River is no lazy waterway. In fact, just downriver from the falls are Class VI rapids and a dangerous whirlpool. If you’d rather not cross the border, you can see both the rapids and the whirlpool from the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve on the Canadian side — where you can also take a scenic and exhilarating trip in the high-flying Whirlpool Aero Car.

Restaurants Around Niagara

Because Niagara Falls is so massive and breathtaking, plenty of institutions around Niagara Falls have endeavored to keep the falls well within sight. As a result, you can enjoy a picturesque view of Niagara Falls at mealtimes if you dine at any of the following locations:

• The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra. The high-class in-house dining at the Crowne Plaza, the Rainbow Room offers a panoramic view of the falls and surrounding landscape.
• Windows by Jaime Kennedy. Similarly, Windows is the in-house restaurant for sister hotel Falls Avenue Resort. Focusing on incorporating local fare into its food, this restaurant looks and tastes like Niagara Falls.
• Canyon Creek Chophouse. Perhaps the biggest secret view of Niagara Falls, the Chophouse is slightly removed from the river but still offers outstanding food and atmosphere.

As we enter the dog days of summer, even the mild, Mediterranean climate of the Niagara region can start to feel a little warm; therefore, it’s a good idea to sprinkle indoor activities into your vacation itinerary. Additionally, if you are planning an autumn trip to the falls, you might need to plan stops take shelter, as September through November tend to be Niagara’s rainier months. During the winter, low temperatures and sporadic snowfall can chase you indoors. In fact, even in the spring, scheduling indoor-time allows you to rest your feet and learn more about the area.

Regardless of when you visit, you shouldn’t miss out on the following amazing indoor activities and attractions around Niagara Falls.

1. Bird Kingdom

It’s hard to imagine being outdoors in the temperate climate of Niagara and then, one step later, being inside a tropical paradise — but that’s exactly what happens when you visit Bird Kingdom. Home to all sorts of tropical animals, especially birds but also reptiles, amphibians, and a few big spiders, this indoor attraction is thrilling and educational. In the world’s largest free-flying aviary, you can feed and hold a bevy of birds, and dozens of exhibits showcase more delicate and less friendly creatures. Animal trainers and caretakers are eager to teach you about the animals, including where and how they live in the wild.

Visitors usually reserve at least an hour to explore the museum and exhibitions, but you might allow even more time in your itinerary to take it all in. At the gate, tickets are $17.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids — but you can save a few dollars by reserving your tickets online.

2. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

There are waterparks — and then there is Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Home to more than 16 waterslides, a gigantic wave pool, a water-filled rain fortress, a 1000-gallon tipping bucket, a toddler splash area, an activity pool, a sundeck, and an adults-only jacuzzi. Fallsview provides everything you want at a waterpark and then some. The park is enclosed in a three-acre space; because it is indoors, you and your family can relax and enjoy the excitement of the waterpark regardless of the weather outside, and you don’t have to worry about your kids getting lost, sunburnt, or even hungry, because there is a Planet Hollywood bar serving food and drinks all day long.

It’s a good idea to expect a full day spent inside the waterpark: Once kids are wet, they rarely want to get dry again. If your trip to Niagara Falls is planned for the peak season, you can pay $49.95 per person for day passes, but you might be able to save by purchasing a waterpark package through your hotel.

3. Movieland Wax Museum

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to see your favorite celebrity in the flesh, you probably remember the heart-pounding, jaw-dropping exhilaration of meeting someone famous. At the Movieland Wax Museum, you can repeat that experience again and again with all sorts of different stars. Finally! You can snap a picture with Justin Bieber or Katy Perry; you can meet your favorite fictional characters, like Lara Croft, Indiana Jones, Captain Jack Sparrow, or Hannah Montana; you can even see stars that have been long-gone, such as Marylin Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson. The wax museum is a great opportunity to educate your kids about cultural icons — and gush over some of your favorite celebrities from the past and present.

You can spend at least an hour touring the wax museum and gift shop — but that’s not including the activity of making your own souvenir wax hand. Admission costs $10.99 for adults and $6.99 for kids, but if you invest in the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, you can save on more exciting indoor activities.

4. Skylon Tower

If you are like most Niagara Falls visitors, your goal in coming to this popular destination is seeing the magnificent, natural waterfalls — everything else is just a bonus. To that end, you simply cannot miss a trip up Skylon Tower, a 775-foot-tall tower that provides unbelievable panoramic views of the falls and beyond. Skylon offers both indoor and outdoor observation decks, making it a must-visit come rain or shine. Plus, you can enjoy the views during lunch or dinner in the revolving dining room. Downstairs, Skylon boasts a 3-D/4-D movie theater that teaches about the geologic history of Niagara Falls as well as a family fun center replete with arcade games and rides.

How long you spend in Skylon depends on how many of its amazing activities you plan to engage in. Tickets to the observation decks cost about $15 for adults and $9 for kids, depending on where you purchase them; however, if you eat in the revolving dining room your trip to the top is free.

5. Niagara Falls Museums

There are several museums in and around Niagara Falls that teach about the history and culture of the area. However, the best options include:

• Niagara Falls History Museum. With artifacts dating from the beginning of inhabitance around Niagara Falls and exhibits discussing modern-day issues, this museum covers everything you ever wanted to know about the area.
• Battle Ground Hotel Museum. Niagara was an important territory during the War of 1812, and some of the fiercest battles were fought just outside this museum — which is housed in a tavern that stood there almost two centuries ago.
• Willoughby Historical Museum. A rural branch of the Niagara Falls History Museum, this museum’s exhibits showcase life for country folk in the Niagara region.

August is in full swing and there are a number of great attractions and events to check out while visiting Niagara Falls.

WildPlay MistRider Zipline to the Falls

One of Niagara’s newest and most thrilling attractions is the WildPlay zipline to the Falls. This is a one of a kind experience that takes you on an exciting ride into the Niagara Gorge while descending from 670 metres high. The ride will take you toward the base of the mighty Horseshoe Falls and give you unparalleled views of the Niagara Gorge.

Night Lights! at Journey Behind the Falls

From August 3rd to September 4th, Journey Behind the Falls will be hosting a new Night Lights event as part of Niagara’s ongoing Canada’s 150th celebrations. Night Lights will give you exclusive nighttime access to the observation deck located at the base of the Horseshoe Falls during the Falls illumination and fireworks show. Night Light at Journey Behind the Falls is running Monday through Friday from 9:30pm to 10:30pm, so don’t miss out.

Jackson Triggs Winery Concert Series

One of the most popular musical events this summer, along with the Coca Cola Concert Series in Queen Victoria Park, is the Jackson Triggs Concert Series which invites a number of amazing musicians to play outdoor shows at the winery’s open-air amphitheatre. The Sheepdogs will be playing a show at the amphitheatre on August 18th and you can check out Black & the Rodeo Kings on August 25th.

Niagara Glen Nature Centre

The Niagara Parks has just recently renovated and reopened the Niagara Glen Nature Centre located along the beautiful Niagara Parkway and overlooking the Niagara River. You can stop by the Nature Centre to get all of the information you need about nearby trails and hikes, purchase bouldering permits, sign up for guided hiking tours, pick up refreshments and souvenirs, and explore the Niagara Glen Nature Exchange exhibit, which teaches about nature and the exciting features of the Niagara Glen.

RCMP Meet & Greet

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are an icon of Canada and from now until September 1st you can visit the Table Rock Welcome Centre, located at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, for a special RCMP Meet & Greet. Royal Canadian Mounted Police members will be at the Welcome Centre every Friday from 10am until 3pm.

Niagara Falls is a city with a bustling nightlife and offers a variety of amazing destinations and activities to experience with loved ones of all ages. Here are some of the city’s top nighttime spots where you’re sure to have a great time and make unforgettable memories with your family.

Niagara Skywheel

Located on Clifton Hill and open until 3am on weekends and 1am on weeknights, the Niagara Skywheel takes you on a thrilling ride high above the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls. Sitting at an impressive 175 feet high, the Skywheel features climate controlled gondolas that will take you on a round trip into the sky high above Niagara Falls for incredible views and an unforgettable night in the city.

Coca Cola Concert Series

Monday through Friday until August 31st, stop by Queen Victoria Park for the annual Coca Cola Concert Series where live bands perform on a stage in the park, followed by a fireworks show over the Falls at 10pm. Check out upcoming bands and musicians like Eric Ethridge, The Moonlighters, The Rasorbax, and Caribbean Festival Entertainment, and get ready for a ton of family fun and entertainment right next to Niagara Falls.

Onguiaahra: Thunder of Waters Show

From now until September 4th you can also stop by Queen Victoria Park for the Onguiaahra: Thunder of Waters sound and light show which tells the amazing story of Niagara with incredible water jets, music, and lights. It’s a unique and totally free show that is both informative and thrilling.

Fireworks & Illumination

Every Monday through Friday you can experience a spectacular fireworks show over the Horseshoe Falls where the sky above the waterfalls is lit up in breathtaking lights and colours. And every night you can also take in the beauty of the Falls as they’re illuminated in a colourful array of LED lights.

Clifton Hill

Niagara Falls’s famous Clifton Hill is known as the Street of Fun because it’s lined with amazing one of a kind destinations like the Adventure City arcade, Niagara Brewing Company, Tim Hortons, Movieland Wax Museum, Sweet Jesus Ice Cream, Niagara Skywheel, Dinosaur Adventure Golf, and much more. Take a walk down Clifton Hill at night and experience first hand what makes this street the most exciting place in the city.

Among the most unrecognized of Niagara’s attractions — and there are plenty of amazing sights, events, and activities that tourists to the area miss — are the Niagara region wineries. While vineyards throughout Italy, France, and California are known the world-over and visited by millions every year, Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, many of which have won global awards for taste and innovation, do not enjoy nearly the international acclaim they deserve.

Niagara Falls is for lovers, and a weekend of wine tasting is just another romantic way to enjoy the area. However, wineries are also excellent destinations for big groups, especially bachelor and bachelorette parties. Regardless of whom you’re going with, here are a few unique and exciting ways to experience Niagara’s remarkable wineries on your next Niagara trip.

The Traditional Winery Tours

If you are a winery wiz, you have probably already experienced a few group winery tours. These excursions put a group of wine-minded strangers together on a bus and shuttle them from winery to winery, with organized tours and tastings at designated spots. The Niagara region boasts more than a few of these familiar, traditional winery tours, and you can easily sign up for more than one to fill a week or weekend with wine tasting fun.

There are pros and cons to this winery tour format. When you register for a tour like this, you can be certain you will have time to stop at a few of the best wineries in the region, and there will be knowledgeable experts on hand to explain the history of different vineyards and vintages. Plus, the bus itself serves as your safe transport from place to place — as well as back to your Niagara Falls hotel headquarters.

On the other hand, these traditional tours often lump your group in with 10 or more other tourists, whom you may or may not get along with. Further, you rarely get the option of choosing which wineries to visit in a single tour, which means you might have to register for several tours to reach the wineries you care about, and you’ll likely visit one or two you couldn’t care less for. If these sound like deal breakers, you might consider another option on this list.

Self-Guided Winery Crawl

Of course, you can organize your own winery tour using online information about Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries and your own vehicle to carry you from one to another. This way, you see all the vineyards that excite you and none that don’t, and you can move along at your own pace. Additionally, you are surrounded only by those people you traveled to Niagara with.

Still, there are some downsides to this plan as well. First, by choosing your own winery stops, you might miss out on a hidden gem or never learn some fascinating information about certain vineyards. Second, there is no guarantee that your plan will bear fruit; perhaps your chosen winery is booked up for the day, closed for the season, or otherwise inaccessible. Finally, you must consider safe driving practices: Who in your party is willing to stay sober while so much good wine is passed around? A self-guided trip might save some bucks, but it also might dramatically impact your experience.

Wine Bicycle Tour

If you love the outdoors, enjoy stretching your legs, and can’t get enough fine wine, perhaps a wine bicycle tour is right for you. On these excursions, a tour company will provide a bicycle (as well as appropriate safety gear) and a tour guide to lead you through Niagara’s gorgeous wine country, visiting important wineries on your way. The ride is scenic, taking you through some of Niagara wine country’s most stunning grape fields as well as quaint towns and verdant forests. Plus, the ride tends to help you sober up between tastings, so you can enjoy your full day of wine and outdoor fun with a clear head.

Niagara Wine Class

Wine tasting tours tend to provide information on individual vineyards and wines, with precious little background for wine tasting novices. If you want to delve deep into wine culture before you are let loose on wineries, you might consider signing up for a wine-related course. In the Niagara region, some wineries host classes to educate the public on proper wine tasting, pairing, and crafting techniques, but there are also independent courses taught by wine experts around the valley.

Alternatively, if you find it likely that you’ll leave a few wineries with bottles in hand, you can sign up for a wine cooking course. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Wine Country Cooking School is dedicated to teaching any level of cook about the delicate art of cooking with and around wine. You’ll have hands-on instruction in building multi-course meals around different styles of wine, so you can leave Niagara with a skill bound to impress friends and family — at least those who didn’t attend the class with you.

A number of amazing musicians and bands will be gracing stages all across Niagara this summer, offering unforgettable live entertainment in beautiful and picturesque settings. Check out any of these destinations for wonderful live performances, making your next trip to Niagara Falls an experience you won’t soon forget.

Coca Cola Concert Series

Every Friday night this summer you can stop by Queen Victoria Park for Niagara Parks’ annual Coca Cola Concert Series where local bands will be performing live shows followed by a fireworks display at 10pm. Experience awesome live entertainment in a beautiful setting and get ready for a totally unique Niagara Falls activity that people of all ages will enjoy.

Ontario Live Series

The Ontario Live Series is a new addition to the popular Coca Cola Concert series, adding live shows to the lineup every Wednesday night in Queen Victoria Park. Great bands and musicians from all across the province will be performing live throughout July and August, so don’t miss out on all of the fun and excitement.

Niagara Brewing Company & Hard Rock Cafe Patios

Enjoy great beer, food, and live music while soaking up the sun on the outdoor patios at Niagara Brewing Company or the Hard Rock Patio, both located just steps away from the beautiful Horseshoe Falls. Both Niagara Brewing Company and the Hard Rock Patio feature live music from local musicians and offer a wide range of food and drinks for you to enjoy with friends and family.

Matthew Good

There are still a number of exciting Canada 150 celebrations to enjoy this summer in Niagara Falls, including a free concert by Matthew Good, lead singer of the popular Canadian alt-rock band, Matthew Good Band. The show is taking place on August 26th at 7pm at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, but seats are limited so make sure to get there early to secure a spot at what’s sure to be an incredible live music experience.

Matt Andersen

Juno award-nominated musician Matt Andersen will be performing a live show in Niagara on July 14th at the beautiful Jackson Triggs Amphitheatre. Matt Andersen is an amazing Canadian singer-songwriter and blues guitarist and you can pair your tickets to his show with a delicious and one of a kind Cellar Dinner at Jackson Triggs Winery.