Summer family fun in Canada’s Niagara Region

Stop 1: Niagara Falls, Canada

Approximate distance and travel time to Niagara Falls:

• From Windsor, 236 miles (380 kilometres), 4 hours
• From Sarnia, 185 miles (300 kilometres), 3 hours

The number one reason to visit Niagara Falls is, of course, the world-famous falls. The actual falls themselves are made up of three waterfalls between Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York—the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Attractions at the falls

WildPlay Niagara Falls Zipline to the Falls

Soar on four parallel lines 220 feet (67 metres) above the Niagara River Gorge and glide 732 yards (670 metres) past the American Falls to an observation deck at the base of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Location: 5920 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Whirlpool Adventure Course

Challenge yourself on three self-paced obstacle courses with dozens of climbing, ziplining and jumping circuits. Free parking is available on-site.

Location: 3500 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Niagara City Cruises

No visit to Niagara Falls is complete without taking the iconic 20-minute mist-filled journey that delivers stunning views of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Location: 5920 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Journey Behind the Falls

Get a unique vantage point of the world-famous falls. Descend 125 feet (38 metres) by elevator, then walk through a short tunnel to access two outdoor observation decks and viewing portals, located directly behind the falls.

Location: 6650 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Niagara Parks Power Station

Explore the preserved interior of the historic Niagara Parks Power Station. Converted into a museum and interpretive centre, the station houses immersive exhibits, restored artifacts and interactive storytelling events.

Location: 7005 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Summer fireworks

Bring a blanket to Queen Victoria Park and enjoy the Niagara Falls annual summer fireworks, every night at 9:00 p.m., weather permitting. Parking can be found nearby at the Table Rock Centre.

Location: 6345 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Things to do beyond the falls

In addition to seeing the falls themselves, the city of Niagara Falls is home to numerous museums and attractions, perfect for the second day of your visit.

Snap E Bike

Zip around town and explore Niagara Falls by electric bike. Bikes can be booked in advance to ensure availability.

Location: 4239 Park Street, Niagara Falls

Niagara SkyWheel

Take a ride on Canada's largest observation wheel. Towering 175 feet (53 metres) you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Horseshoe and American Falls from glass-enclosed gondolas. Parking is available in the nearby Clifton Hill public lot.

Location: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum

Fans of the bizarre and unbelievable will enjoy over 500 mind-boggling displays of rare and amusing oddities, including incredible customs, unusual hobbies and weirdest artifacts from around the world.

Location: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Enter through a four-storey-high Hershey’s Chocolate Bar, load up on treats and enjoy a HERSHEY’S signature milkshake.

Location: 5701 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls

Louis Tussaud's Waxworks

Snap a selfie and strike a pose with lifelike wax celebrities such as Beyoncé, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or John Lennon.

Location: 5709 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls

Niagara Speedway

Head to North America's largest elevated go-kart track facility. Dubbed a "Mario Kart" inspired racetrack, the raceway runs traditional throttle-powered go-karts.

Location: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Great Canadian Midway

This entertainment complex provides 70,000 square feet of fun with over 300 games. Enjoy interactive games like the Wild West Coaster Motion Simulator or the spooky Ghost Blasters Dark Ride.

Location: 4848 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Safari Niagara

View over 1,000 native and exotic animals, birds and reptile species. The 150-acre park is completely interactive with animal feedings, a petting farm, paddle boats, a speedway, splash pads, a rope course, trams and a catch and release fishing pond.

Location: 2821 Stevensville Road, Stevensville

Places to eat 

Scoops Restaurant

Start the day with breakfast on Lundy’s Lane. If you’re travelling in a group, ask for the “Family Breakfast Feast”, available for four or six people.

Location: 8123 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room

Dine with a 360º view of Niagara Falls, 775 feet (236 metres) up. In addition to the spectacular backdrop, the restaurant offers gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dining options. Paid parking is available at the base of the tower.

Location: 5200 Robinson Street, Niagara Falls

Rainforest Café

Enjoy all the family favourites like burgers and sandwiches in a recreated rainforest setting complete with volcanoes, thunderstorms and exotic wildlife.

Location: 4915 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Mick & Angelo’s Kitchen & Bar

With family-style Italian meals, pizza, wings and more, Mick & Angelo’s Kitchen & Bar is a crowd-pleaser.

Location: 7600 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

Sweet Jesus

Stop by Sweet Jesus at the Sheraton Hotel for an Instagram-worthy ice cream experience. Parking is available in the hotel’s self-parking garage.

Location: 5875 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls

BeaverTails®

Satisfy your sweet tooth with an iconic, Canadian pastry.

Location: 4967 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Where to stay

Sheraton Fallsview Hotel

Located near Clifton Hill, this hotel offers rooms with great views of the falls and is connected to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. The hotel has a parking garage on-site.

Location: 5875 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls

Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls

More than a hotel, Great Wolf Lodge is a destination unto itself. The property features an indoor water park resort and attractions to entertain the whole family. Free self-parking is included with all bookings.

Location: 3950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls

Americana Waterpark Resort & Spa

A family favourite, this property features a beach entry wave pool, activity pool, toddler pool, spa, hot tub and water slides. Secure parking is available on-site.

Location: 8444 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

Crowne Plaza Hotel

The Crowne Plaza Hotel is a four-star property located steps from the falls. The hotel is home to Prime Steakhouse (Niagara Falls’ #1 rated restaurant) and shares a direct indoor connection to the Falls Avenue Resort, which has an incredible indoor waterpark. Secure on-site parking is available.

Location: 5685 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls

Stop 2: Niagara-on-the-Lake

Approximate distance and travel time from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake: 15 miles (25 kilometres), 25 minutes

After a fun-filled couple of days in Niagara Falls, spend some time exploring historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the heart of Niagara’s wine industry, with numerous tours and tasting opportunities in the area. Some wineries are also kid-friendly, offering grape juice and local foods for them to snack on.

Things to do

Fort George Historic Site

Step back in time with re-enactments of military and daily life during the War of 1812. Paid parking is available on-site.

Location: 51 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Landscape of Nations

This living memorial is dedicated to the contributions and sacrifices made by Six Nations on Queenston Heights and throughout the War of 1812.

Location: 14184 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Butterfly Conservatory

This attraction features over 2,000 colourful tropical butterflies floating freely among lush, exotic blossoms and greenery. Hourly parking is available.

Location: 2565 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Just Christmas

Canada’s oldest year-round Christmas emporium has just about everything you need to make the holiday season festive.

Location: 34 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Outlet Collection at Niagara

Shop for the entire family at this open-air outlet mall offering brand-name fashion and lifestyle retailers at outlet prices.

Location: 300 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Places to eat 

Budapest Bakeshop

Indulge in a European Chimney Sandwich.

Location: 118 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Sunset Grill

Serves all-day breakfast, along with other traditional diner dishes like burgers and sandwiches.

Location: 62 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Walker’s Country Market

Grab lunch to go along the Niagara River Parkway. Find hearty sandwiches, homemade bakery goods, delicious jams, jellies and preserves, all from a family farm that’s been in operation since the 1930s.

Location: 15796 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Avondale Dairy Bar

Cool down in farm country and enjoy the region’s finest homemade ice cream at a family-operated dairy farm.

Location: 461 Stewart Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Stop 3: St. Catharines

Approximate distance and travel time from Niagara-on-the-Lake to St. Catharines: 12 miles (20 kilometres), 25 minutes

Known as “The Garden City,” St. Catharines is renowned for its lush parks, gardens, trails and famous canal.

Things to do

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

Watch freighters navigate the Welland Canal from the indoor Lock View Lounge or Lock 3 Observation Deck. Parking is available along the adjacent recreational trail.

Location: 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines

White Meadows Farms

Visit the village of Pelham and learn how four generations of sugar makers craft 100% pure maple syrup. In addition to an on-site maple store, the farm also runs a one-hour Discover Maple Tour from May to October.

Location: 2519 Effingham Street, Pelham

Ball’s Falls Conservation Area

Rich in flora and fauna and natural landscape, the conservation area is spread over 200 acres (81 hectares) with many trails and scenic waterfalls. The area features structures dating back to the 19th century, when it was a small village where the Ball Family lived and worked. Free parking is available.

Location: 3292 Sixth Avenue, Lincoln

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm

This is the perfect setting for a family picnic. The park has an animal viewing area, a huge playground and one of Canada’s most interesting collections of flowering rhododendrons.

Location: 650 Read Road, St. Catharines

Places to eat

Diner House 29 

A fun and fabulous retro diner that also sells homemade jams for purchase from the on-site pantry.

Location: 431 Welland Avenue, St. Catharines

Twisted Pig Italian Kitchen

Serving family-friendly fare like oven-fired pizza and pasta in St. Catharines’ Port Dalhousie neighbourhood.

Location: 1 Lock Street, St. Catharines

Georges Greek Village

Stop in for lunch on the patio and enjoy favourites like souvlaki and gyros, along with spectacular views of the Welland Canal and the Garden City Skyway.

Location: 535 Queenston Street, St. Catharines

Cafe Amore

Choose from wood-fired pizza, steaks, pasta and salads along with a continuously rotating dessert showcase of cheesecakes, tortes and flans.

Location: 211 Martindale Road, St. Catharines

Where to stay

Holiday Inn & Suites St. Catharines

Ideal for the whole family with a heated saltwater indoor pool and on-site Parkway Social entertainment centre featuring a 30-lane bowling alley, laser tag and arcade. Free on-site parking is provided.

Location: 327 Ontario Street, St. Catharines

Capri Inn

Offers reasonable rates and free parking with complimentary morning pastries just minutes from Port Dalhousie, a waterfront community with boutique shopping, a historic carousel, lighthouses, pubs and restaurants.

Location: 391 Ontario Street, St. Catharines

Crossing the border

Required documents

U.S. visitors to Canada must present a valid passport or NEXUS card.

Find out what else you’ll need to know to cross the border into Canada.

Border crossing locations

There are 14 road border crossings from the United States into Ontario.

Border crossing locations from Michigan into Canada include:

• Detroit Windsor Tunnel, Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ontario
• Ambassador Bridge, Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ontario
• Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron, Michigan to Point Edward and Sarnia, Ontario

Border crossing locations from New York State into the Niagara region in Canada include:

• Lewiston-Queenston Bridge from Lewiston, New York to Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
• Rainbow International Bridge from Niagara Falls, New York to Niagara Falls, Ontario
• Peace Bridge from Buffalo, New York to Fort Erie, Ontario

Before travelling, check border wait times. 

Getting around

You’ll need a private vehicle to complete this self-driving Ontario road trip in its entirety, however, you’ll find several walkable destinations.

In addition, you can get around on WEGO, a hop-on, hop-off visitor transportation system that connects all Niagara Parks locations and hotels.

Parking

Many of Niagara Falls’ museums, shops and attractions, especially around the Clifton Hill area, can be visited on foot. Park your car at the Clifton Hill public parking lot, put on your walking shoes and start exploring. The Niagara Parks Parking Pass makes it easy and affordable, with unlimited parking at almost every Niagara Parks parking lot along the Niagara Parkway.

Find parking meters around Niagara-on-the-Lake. Note that these machines do not accept credit card payments—you can pay by cash or by credit card through the Honk mobile app. Check the parking meter for rates.

Metered parking is available in St. Catharines, with a three-hour limit from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Outside of these hours, parking is free.