Being responsible for your family’s fun on the first long weekend of the year can feel like a lot of pressure. This year, swap hours of scrolling and planning for a more direct route to a fun getaway that everyone will love. Here are some easy ways to create an effortlessly entertaining long weekend in Niagara!
Booking a suite is an easy way to add some extra smiles to your next hotel stay. If the waterpark calls, consider Great Wolf Lodge’s KidKamp and Wolf Den suites, which include tent- and cave-themed sleeping areas for the kiddos. If you’re travelling with teens or grown children, knock their socks off with a luxurious suite at White Oaks Resort, where they can also stroll to the on-site Starbucks, schedule in some spa time, workout at the world-class fitness club, and shop for designer deals right across the street at the Outlet Collection at Niagara. Another great option is the Hotel Philco in Crystal Beach, which has 14 unique themed suites. Sports lovers will adore hunkering down for a few days in the Buffalo Bills suite or the Golf Room, complete with a putting green flooring, two holes and a PlayStation!
Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls is the perfect place to lean into some old-school ways to play. Whether you opt for some Skee-ball and Whack-a-mole at Great Canadian Midway, bowling at Strike Game Zone, or check out the bizarre and unbelievable exhibits at Ripley’s Museum, you’ll have an absolute blast! For a double dose of fun, pair your Clifton Hill adventure with some waterpark excitement by booking a stay at Americana Resort or the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls – Fallsview or Skyline Hotel and Waterpark, which all offer direct indoor access to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark.
Animal-loving families can find plenty of interesting options for getting up close and personal with a wide variety of creatures and critters on a trip to Niagara. Visit any of the Niagara Geopark’s 20 Geosites for a chance to spot a glimpse of Niagara’s native animals and birds in the winter wilderness. For an animal adventure that will make you feel like you’ve escaped to the tropics on a cold winter day, visit Niagara Parks’ Butterfly Conservatory or Bird Kingdom to spend some time watching the many winged wonders.
While Niagara Falls boat tours press pause for the chilly winter months, there are still plenty of other exciting ways to experience the rush of getting close to Niagara Falls in the off-season. WildPlay’s Zipline To The Falls experience is open all year long, offering brave riders over the age of seven the chance to soar above the Niagara Gorge for a birds-eye view of the Falls. The Niagara Parks Power Station allows guests to explore a 2,200-foot-long tunnel that lies 180 feet beneath the building and ends at an incredible new observation deck at the Falls’ edge with unparalleled views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls. Journey Behind The Falls is another wow-worthy way to get close to the thunder of the Falls all year long. Guests venture through the tunnels in the bedrock to find cave-like portals that open onto an observation area that sits behind the cascade of the Falls.
When it comes to delicious doughnuts, Niagara’s bakers generate some pretty big buzz. Treating your favourite foodies to a tasty tour with stops at some of the region’s most beloved spots for doughnuts is also a fun way to explore some new-to-you parts of Niagara. Best-bet stops include Beechwood Doughnuts and Humble Doughnut Company in St. Catharines, Beyond Doughnuts in Niagara Falls, Doughvine and Fritters on the Lake in Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Manic Maker in Fort Erie, and Beamsville Bakery.
Visiting one of Niagara’s many museums or community learning spaces that hosts limited-time exhibits and special events is an easy, fun, and affordable way to learn something new about Niagara’s history and culture. Check events calendars at Niagara Falls History Museum, The Exchange, St. Catharines Museum, Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, and Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre to see what will be happening during your stay.
From the excitement of huge cheerleading competitions to a wide range of family-friendly winter concerts, shows, and events, including The Original Harlem Globetrotters, Cirque Du Soleil OVO, Mini Pop Kids Live, Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock Live, and Beauty And The Beast performed by some of Niagara’s most promising young talent, Niagara’s entertainment scene has some exciting options this February and March.
While Family Day may be a bit too early for the sap to be flowing at Niagara’s sugar bushes, there are still some tasty ways to make some maple syrup memories. Visit White Meadows Farms’ Maple Sweet Shop, just outside of St. Catharines, and ask staff to bring you to the Sugar Shack for a full explanation of the sugar-making process that includes samples!
Introduce your youngsters to the time-honoured tradition of high tea with all the trimmings. Niagara is home to many acclaimed high tea experiences, including The Watering Can’s Winter Garden Tea. Many tea rooms and restaurants offer specially priced options for children, including Tea on West in Port Colborne, Tay’s Treats in Vineland, Hob Nob Restaurant at The Charles Hotel, Prince of Wales Hotel’s The Drawing Room, and The Fox & Hummingbird Tea Room in Welland.
Show the kids that parents don’t just sit in the stands and watch when it comes to getting out on the ice. Great outdoor skating options in Niagara include rinks at Wayne Gretzky Estates and Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hilary Bald Park in Beamsville, and Niagara Falls’ seven outdoor rink locations.
Check out our Family Fun, Attractions, Winter pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover places that will perfectly round out your trip!
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