There’s something extra romantic about Niagara in the winter. Long nights, breathtaking lights, fun activities for two, and a chill in the air create an equation for cozy couples getaways that’s hard to beat. Here are just a few of the many ways to enjoy some quality time with someone special this winter in Niagara.
Instead of heading off on your own to enjoy treatments on your next visit to a Niagara spa, treat yourself to some self-care time together. Spas, treatment options, and packages to keep in mind as you plan your Niagara couples getaway include:
• Sterling Inn and Spa, where all services offered in the spa are available as side-by-side couples treatments.
• The Couples Massage at White Oaks Resort and Spa or Spa On The Twenty.
• The Reconnect For Two Hours package at Christienne Fallsview Spa which includes both a side-by-side Stress Relief Massage and a Body Glow Exfoliation treatment.
• The Halotherapy Salt Lounge and Sound Bath experience at Spa at Q’s 12,000-square foot spa.
• The Hydrotherapy Circuit at Burning Springs Spa and Thermal Pools.
Couples who love taking a romantic evening stroll together will want to time their trip during Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights. The Festival, which runs from November 16 through January 5th, captures the magic of the season with millions of twinkling lights, engaging displays, and interactive experiences along the Niagara Parkway and through the Dufferin Islands.
While smaller in scale, Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light, offers another excellent option for an illuminated evening stroll in St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie.
Those who prefer to enjoy an illuminated view with a delicious meal can opt for a dinner at a restaurant with a front-row seat to Niagara Falls when it’s all aglow. Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-coloured water and light masterpiece each night at dusk. Check the Illumination Schedule, as the Falls are often lit in special colours for charities to mark a significant date in support of their cause.
Bundling up and enjoying the frosty festivities of Niagara’s annual Icewine harvest in January is an entertaining way for couples to shake off winter’s chill together. Activities to consider adding to your agenda include:
• The glamorous Cool As Ice Gala on January 18 at Niagara Parks Power Station.
• Winery touring events, like the Icewine Discovery Pass.
• Peller Estates’ Greatest Winery Tour, which includes the chance to sip Icewine in Niagara’s only igloo-like lounge, the 10Below Icewine Lounge.
If you’re visiting Niagara before January, be sure to stop by some wineries to browse through beautiful Icewine sets that are perfectly packaged for holiday gifting. Niagara wineries that have cultivated loyal followings of Icewine lovers include Konzelmann Estate Winery, Pillitteri Estates Winery, Inniskillin, and Caroline Cellars.
Sampling wines beside a crackling fire is another cozy option for enjoying some couple time in Niagara. Wineries known for their welcoming fireside experiences include 13th Street Winery, Lakeview Wine Co., De Simone Vineyards, Peller Estates, Niagara Custom Crush Studio and Konzelmann Estate Winery.
Finding a great playlist, getting a steaming cup of coffee, and heading out on a Niagara road trip together is always a fun way to spend a winter afternoon together. To guarantee lots of interesting stops along the way, use one of Niagara’s many touring routes or seasonal tasting programs as your guide:
• Designate a driver and tour your way to a collection of different wineries courtesy of one of Niagara’s winter winery passport weekends like Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Taste The Season and Chocolate and Cheese signature events, or Niagara Benchlands Wineries’ Get Wrapped Up and Love The Bench weekends.
• Follow the Niagara Ale Trail and choose from over 20 stops at the region’s boutique-like breweries and cideries.
• Get to know the many farms, markets and bake shops that call Niagara Benchlands home by exploring the CultivATE Taste Trail.
Niagara’s live arts scene sets the stage for a memorable night out together enjoying music, comedy shows, and dramatic performances. Can’t-miss musical events on the calendar in the months ahead at Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage include The Beach Boys, Morrissey, Diana Krall, Ryan Adams, The Beaches, and Melissa Etheridge. The Shaw Festival wraps up 2024 with two favourites: A Christmas Carol and My Fair Lady.
Comedians including Craig Ferguson, Billy Gardell, Larry The Cable Guy, Gerry Dee, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Paul Reiser will all be serving up big laughs at the Fallsview Casino. Niagara’s more intimate venues, including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary, will host a diverse assortment of critically acclaimed talent, like The Strumbellas, Jully Black, Finger Eleven, Brett Kissel, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Great Lake Swimmers, and Ashley MacIssac.
While there is no shortage of romantic activities to enjoy on a winter day in Niagara, finding a place that makes you feel like you’re a million miles away is never a bad choice! Lovely places to press pause include:
• The oh-so-dramatic Black Room or one of the other themed suites at Hotel Philco in Crystal Beach.
• A King Suite complete with fireplace and jetted tub at Harbour House in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
• The peaceful Room P at The Juniper Waterside Inn, which features three different views of Port Dalhousie.
• A Fallsview Tower King room at Tower Hotel Niagara Falls Fallsview, a beautifully renovated boutique hotel located within a former observation tower near the brink of the Falls.
• Your own private vineyard vacation rental located at renowned wineries like Vineland Estates Winery, Cave Spring Vineyard, Alvento Winery, and Vieni Estate.
Are you ready to start planning your romantic Niagara getaway? Check out our Shopping and Spas, Winter, Wineries, Arts & Entertainment 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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