Category: Niagara Falls Hotels

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.

Niagara Falls is home to a number of fantastic dining destinations that offer amazing food and wine for couples, families, and people of all ages. From Fallsview fine-dining to casual food on the go, Niagara Falls has something wonderful for everyone to enjoy.

Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar

Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & Wine Bar offers some of Niagara’s best Fallsview dining with an extensive seasonal menu that currently features dishes like J.K. Short Rib Poutine, Rainbow Trout, Cumbrae Pork Rack Chop, and Ontario Lamb Shank featuring delicious Niagara Brewing Company beer braised lamb. Enjoy these fresh and innovative dishes in direct view of the breathtaking Niagara Falls through the dining room’s floor to ceiling windows and get ready for a Niagara Falls dining experience unlike any other.

The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra

For modern and delicious Italian dishes served in a stunning atmosphere in direct view of Niagara Falls, visit the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra inside the Crowne Plaza Fallsview hotel. The restaurant’s seasonal menu will give you a true taste of Italy right here in Niagara Falls with dishes like Milli-Strato Lasagna made with 87 layers of hand rolled pasta, Sweet Potato Cannelloni prepared with Ontario goat cheese, and Maple Mustard Crusted Ontario Lamb Rack. And with the Rainbow Room’s extensive wine list you can pair your meal with the perfect glass of wine from award-winning Niagara wineries and beyond.

Fallsview Buffet Restaurant

With live action food stations and an unbeatable view of Niagara Falls, the Fallsview Buffet Restaurant is the place to go to find a vast array of amazing food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Fallsview Buffet is a great dining destination for people of all ages and offers a wonderful dining experience that’s both interactive and delicious.

Terrace Food Court

The Terrace Food Court, conveniently located in the Casino Niagara Atrium between the Crowne Plaza Fallsview and Hard Rock Cafe, is the perfect place to find quick and tasty food at Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Great Canadian Burger Company, and Subway. There’s no better place to stop for food during a busy day of sightseeing, and with a number of different choices, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Morton’s Grille

The newly-opened Morton’s Grille is Fallsview dining at its finest, offering a unique steakhouse experience that combines high-quality ingredients with a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. This beautiful Fallsview restaurant is located inside the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa and features delicious menu items like AAA Canadian Beef Steak, Blackened Mahi Mahi, Double Stacked “Ravenous Style” Burger, and Morton’s Midwest Prime Beef Steak.

Milestones on the Falls

For an incredible lunch and dinner experience in direct view of the thundering Niagara Falls, make sure to visit the Milestones on the Falls restaurant inside the Marriott on the Falls hotel, where you’ll find amazing food and wine in an unforgettable atmosphere. Indulge in dishes like Butternut Squash Ravioli, Brie and Mushroom Burger, Stacked Chicken Parmesan, Slow Roasted Prime Rib. And don’t forget to try the Milestones Original Bellini, White Chocolate Cheesecake, and other great items on the bar and dessert menus.

Niagara’s newest and coolest ice cream shop is officially open at the bottom of Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue. With only a handful of locations throughout Ontario, Sweet Jesus offers soft serve creations that push the boundaries of ice cream and feature incredible ingredient combinations that you’ve never seen before.

Dig into the Bangin’ Brownie, made up of chocolate soft serve, caramel, chocolate sauce, brownie bits and chocolate cookie crumble, the Bounty Killah with coconut soft serve, shredded toasted coconut and dark chocolate sauce, the Red Rapture with vanilla soft serve, red velvet cake, cream cheese icing, raspberry puree and meringue crumble, or the Krusty the Kone which is a colourful combination of vanilla soft serve, cotton candy pieces, cotton candy sauce and rainbow sprinkles.

There are plenty of other unique and delicious flavours to check out on the menu, and if you’re looking for a classic soft serve experience, you can also find favourites like caramel, chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and chocolate and vanilla twist. So take a break from sightseeing around Niagara Falls and stop into Sweet Jesus for a sweet and refreshing summer snack unlike any you’ve ever had before.

Summer is jam packed with events but one you won’t want to miss is the Falls Fireworks Illuminations. All throughout the summer you can catch a glimpse of the Falls in an unforgettable way — lit up by beautiful fireworks.

The fireworks display takes place every Friday and Sunday evening through the summer, but special holiday shows occur on:

• Canada Day – July 1
• Independence Day – July 4
• Civic Holiday – August 4
• Labor Day – September 1

Once you’ve picked when you will take your trip, the next part is figuring out the best place to view Niagara Falls fireworks. In truth, you can see the illuminations from nearly anywhere in the city, and no matter where you catch a glimpse of them, you’ll be thrilled by the light and color. However, there are a few extra-special spots with incredible sightlines, to include:

Niagara Parkway

The Niagara Parkway is the main thoroughfare through Niagara Falls — for motorists and pedestrians alike. The road follows the Niagara River through Ontario, providing amazing all-angle views of Niagara Falls and plenty of other attractions, including Clifton Hill and a few dozen Niagara wineries. The Parkway is the oldest path in Ontario, even dating back before Europeans began settling in the area. Today, you can walk the Parkway during the day to enjoy the stunning landscaping and fascinating scenery — or, even better, you can take a nighttime stroll and enjoy the fireworks over Niagara Falls.

The Table Rock Welcome Centre

Ideally one of your first stops in Canada, the Table Rock Welcome Centre is perhaps the best place to see Niagara Falls — as well as the fireworks in Niagara Falls. One of several welcome centres around the Niagara Parks, Table Rock sees the most visitors thanks to its stunning location. During special event days, the centre boasts live music in addition to the concert, so you can enjoy exciting accompaniment to the flashes and bangs. No matter when you visit, you can sit on the grass, enjoy some ice cream, and watch the fireworks explode high above the falls right in front of you.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

When the sun is up, you can’t miss taking a boat ride to the base of the falls and feeling the thundering waters all around you. However, when night comes, most of the Niagara cruises close — except Hornblower. This brand-new experience gives you the chance to see the Niagara Falls firework high above as you cruise in the water below. A beloved and best place to view Niagara Falls is swiftly becoming the best place to watch illuminations thanks to this new tour option from Hornblower Cruises.

Windows by Jaime Kennedy

You don’t have to be outside to see the fireworks over Niagara Falls; if you book a table at the renowned Niagara Falls restaurant, Windows by Jamie Kennedy, you can enjoy fine wining and dining while watching the show. Appropriately named for its floor-to-ceiling glass that provides an amazing panorama of the falls, Windows is also celebrated for its hand-crafted meals and cocktails. Chef Jaime Kennedy draws inspiration from the fertile lands of the Niagara region, which produce much of the food and drink you’ll see on your table. It’s easy to fall in love with Niagara when you can use all five senses to experience its beauty.

Niagara SkyWheel

Located on Clifton Hill, the Niagara SkyWheel is easily Canada’s largest observation wheel, taking riders up more than 175 feet over the Niagara horizon. Unlike other Ferris wheels, the SkyWheel provides a completely enclosed, temperature-controlled environment. During the day, you can catch birds-eye views of Horseshoe, Bridal Veil, and American Falls as well as see the snaking Niagara River far into the distance. At night, you can relax in comfort as the fireworks explode over Niagara.

Rainbow Bridge

In itself a Niagara landmark, the Rainbow Bridge connects the New York side of Niagara Falls with the Ontario side. Slightly downriver from the falls, the bridge is the best place to see Niagara Falls in panorama: You can take snapshots that include all three waterfalls, Goat Island, and the Niagara Falls, Ontario skyline if you angle your camera just right. From this spot, you are far enough away to avoid the shuddering bangs of the fireworks, and you can take amazing pictures of the whole of Niagara illuminated in vibrant color.

For most folks, Niagara Falls is on the bucket list for how it looks during the day. However, that doesn’t mean you should tuck into bed as soon as the sun sets. The dazzling Falls Fireworks Illuminations are just one reason you should explore Niagara after dark. With fewer people pacing the Niagara streets, you can enjoy a more intimate view of the city and enjoy a special look at the falls reflecting colorful lights. To see this magic firsthand, book a trip to Niagara Falls today.

There are many ways to get spectacular views of Niagara Falls while visiting the city this summer, like by walking right up to the brink of the Falls at Table Rock, exploring the tunnels behind the rushing waters of the Horseshoe Falls, and venturing into the mist from below on an iconic boat ride. But if you want to take in the beauty of this remarkable natural wonder from above, here are some of the best ways to do it.

Niagara Helicopters Ride

Niagara Helicopters is one of Niagara’s most exciting aerial attractions. Embarking on a helicopter tour will allow you to experience a one-of-a-kind scenic flight that begins over the Sir Adam Beck Generating Plant, continues over the Niagara River, whirlpool and rapids, and finishes off by taking you directly above the magnificent Bridal Veil, American, and Horseshoe Falls.

Fallsview Hotel Room

You can experience world-class accommodation in direct view of the magnificent Niagara Falls by booking a Fallsview room at one of Niagara’s many amazing hotels like the Sheraton Fallsview, Crowne Plaza Fallsview, Marriott Fallsview, and Marriott on the Falls. You can have a comfortable and luxurious stay while also taking in direct views of the Falls from floor-to-ceiling windows for a truly magical experience right in your hotel room.

Whirlpool Aero Car

Operating in Niagara Falls since 1916, the Whirlpool Aero Car is an antique cable car suspended above the Niagara Whirlpool that offers unparalleled views of the Niagara River, whirlpool, and rapids from above. A round trip on the cable car is about one kilometre in total and the entire journey is both thrilling and unforgettable.

Niagara SkyWheel

Located on Clifton Hill in the heart of the city’s tourist district, the Niagara SkyWheel is Canada’s largest observation wheel standing 175 feet high. A ride on the SkyWheel will give you fantastic aerial views of Niagara Falls from fully air-conditioned and heated gondolas, offering a great activity both day and night for people of all ages.

A summer visit to Niagara Falls isn’t complete without a visit to wine country  in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and there are plenty of unique festivals and events happening throughout the summer that will connect you with the best wine experiences that Niagara has to offer.

Sip & Sizzle

Running from May 5-28, the Sip & Sizzle winery event in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be offering guests a unique summer wine experience with over 20 wineries serving up delicious grilled food with specially selected VQA wine pairings. You can expect pairings like Inniskillin Wines’ 2013 Reserve Shiraz Cabernet served with a grilled chicken taco, and Chateau des Charmes’ 2016 Sauvignon Blanc paired with a grilled prawn, shoot, and sprout salad, and many more.

You can experience a guided Sip & Sizzle aboard a luxury tour bus with Magnificent Tours of Niagara, Niagara’s largest tour company:

Sip and Sizzle Wine Tour

Savour the Sights

Jackson-Triggs Winery will be hosting their Savour the Sights event on May 13 and June 3, featuring five courses of remarkable cuisine and fine wine served in beautiful locations throughout the winery grounds.

Decked Out at Creekside Estate Winery

Visit Creekside Estate Winery on June 2 for their Decked Out event which will feature wine, food, and live music along with special early access to June’s Creek Freek shipment. The winery’s covered deck offers expansive views of the winery’s vineyards and this evening will be the perfect chance to experience it in style.

Graze the Bench

Over 8 Niagara wineries will be participating in this year’s Graze the Bench event, taking place from June 3-4. These wineries will be pouring their favourite vintages, both old and new, and serving them alongside delicious culinary dishes. There will also be live music to enjoy and lively atmospheres, making for a wonderful weekend event for wine lovers and foodies.

Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival

This year’s Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival will be taking place from June 7-8 in Niagara-on-the-Lake and is a great place to celebrate the start of summer with friends. Participating wineries include:

• 13th Street Winery
• Colaneri Estate Winery
• Creekside Estate Winery
• Fielding Estate Winery
• Inniskillin Wines

and more. The festival will allow guests to experience amazing seasonal wines and features special events like the TD Tailgate Party where over 35 Niagara wineries will be serving up incredible food and wine pairings.

Thrilling Across Niagara Falls

WildPlay MistRider Zipline to the Falls

Whirlpool Jet Boat

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark