Niagara Falls is a fantastic vacation destination, offering year-round activities perfect for a solo adventure, family trip, romantic getaway or outing with friends. On top of the landmark falls that draw more than 8 million tourists each year from all over the world, the region is also known for its numerous vineyards, parks, casinos, tours and a never-ending series of local events.
But now comes the tricky part: when should you plan your Niagara Falls trip? What season offers the least hustle and bustle from fellow visitors? When are the best events and things to do in Niagara Falls? What’s the weather like?
The good news is that there is never really a bad time to visit Niagara, depending on what you want to get out of your trip. To help potential vacationers plan their trip, following is a rundown of what each season offers. Use Niagara Falls Hotels when you’re looking for the best place to stay in Niagara Falls.
Winter
The Niagara region gets chilly in the winter, though not as cold as most of Canada. That means that a blanket of snow is not uncommon, nor are sheets of ice forming on the 750,000 gallons of water that flow over the falls every second of every day. If you’re looking to enjoy a winter wonderland for the holidays, Niagara is a solid destination.
The snow-kissed trees and icy waters make for amazing photographs and give the falls a unique look visitors during other seasons miss out on. Through the holidays, the surrounding area sparkles with lights and decorations, as well as weekend fireworks displays. Winter festivals are common including the annual Winter Festival of Lights which runs from mid-November-January, as well as celebrations that focus on the region’s unique icewine. Icewine grapes are harvested in freezing temperatures, which produces a sweeter taste that has become distinct for Niagara wineries. If you’re interested in the Niagara Icewine Festival, it has become a staple for the winter months.
If you happen to be in the area the weekend of February 14-17, you’ll even be able to take part in Family Day, an annual holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February designed as a day to enjoy quality family time. Many families mark this long weekend with a getaway and Niagara Falls has become a popular choice with special activities geared toward visitors of all ages.
A winter visit to Niagara is going to be cold, so it’s probably not ideal timing for people who don’t like bundling up. That chilly weather comes with some benefits, though, including the region’s lowest tourist rate and discounted travel and hotel prices.
Spring
As you might have guessed, spring is one of the best seasons if you’re looking for things to do in Niagara Falls. The temperatures have started warming, but the region has not yet returned to peak vacation status. Snow can continue into April, but temperatures frequently reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit by the time May rolls around.
If you’re looking to take in plenty of nature, spring is a time when the region returns to full bloom. Niagara is home to plenty of botanical gardens, as well as a Centennial Lilac Garden and landmark Floral Clock. The region explodes with new life each spring, including more active waterfalls now that the ice has melted away.
Spring is a busy time for the Niagara community, with local plays taking centre stage thanks to the annual Shaw Festival hosted out of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Spring is also home to the Sip & Sizzle festival, which takes place throughout weekends of May and boasts special activities hosted by many of the region’s wineries.
If you’re visiting between March 16-20 this year, you’ll be just in time for Niagara Falls’ annual March Break . Kids are out of school this week, which means even more family-friendly activities and promotions are available.
Summer
If you want to experience perfect weather at Niagara Falls, then summer is your time to shine. Temperatures inch higher throughout June, usually reaching their peak of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit come July. The falls are rushing, wildlife is out exploring and the whole region becomes a perfect vacation destination.
Most consider this the best time to visit the falls, with tours in full swing alongside countless community events. Of course, that also means you’ll have the highest concentration of tourists to compete with, which also means travel and hotel stays are typically at their highest during the busy summer months.
If you’re comfortable with bigger crowds, you’ll be rewarded with everything from longer business hours to more festivals, events and activities at the falls than you can possibly cram into one trip.
The Niagara Integrated Film Festival is scheduled each summer, as well as the Niagara New Vintage Festival , a perfect destination for those who enjoy wine. Fireworks displays are a big draw in the evenings and can be seen every night at the peak of the tourist season. To make a stay extra magical reserve a Fallsview guestroom or suite and watch the display from your room! Summer is also when you can enjoy activities like the Niagara-on-the-Lake Peach Festival.
Fall
Fall is basically the reverse of spring for Niagara. Temperatures start to cool heading into winter but, much like the spring, you can expect a comfortable 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit heading through September and October. Rain becomes more common through the fall months, leading into the early snows of November.
Whereas tourism increases the deeper you head into spring, visitors are on a decline throughout the fall months, making it another ideal timeframe to visit Niagara if you don’t mind chillier temperatures in exchange for fewer people. Now that the summer crowd has departed, room rates and travel fare start to inch down, though not as low as you’ll find during the winter.
Each fall, Niagara is home to numerous community activities including the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival in September. Niagara Falls celebrates its Oktoberfest in October, with November kicking off the Winter Festival of Lights.
The big difference from spring is that nature moves the opposite direction in fall, which offers its own brand of beauty as the rains settle in and the colours shift to bright oranges, yellows and reds.
Book a Trip
Depending on what kind of vacation you’re looking to experience, Niagara Falls offers something unique throughout all four seasons. The only thing left to do is read up on more seasonal activities, events and promotions and find the best place to stay in Niagara Falls. To put the final touches on your vacation plans, visit Niagara Falls Hotels.