Niagara Falls is reopening and is ready to welcome visitors once again! On Tuesday, Niagara Parks released a schedule of phased reopenings for their popular attractions, restaurants, and retail venues which will begin on June 19th. The announcement came after the province directed that the Niagara Region could move into Phase 2.
These exciting openings bring physical distancing and new health protocols with them. Extended training procedures, signage, and sanitizing schedules are a few of the keys in place so everyone can enjoy their time visiting Niagara Falls in a safe manner.
Here is the reopening schedule:
June 19, 2020
Grand View Marketplace Ice Cream and Pop-Up Gift Shop
WildPlay Zipline to the Falls
Falls Incline Railway
Queen Victoria Place Gift Shop and Tim Hortons
Niagara Falls will open additional services on June 26 and July 1, just in time for Canada Day!
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests back to Niagara Falls Hotels, and these openings provide excitement and thrills to build remarkable stays.
Whatever you’re looking forward to, there are enjoyable things to do in Niagara Falls this summer. Book your Niagara Falls trip now!
Niagara Falls has always been a popular destination for long weekend revelers. While we face unprecedented times, visitors will find several storefronts open for business with modified hours and with social distancing processes in place. Storefronts will be open from Noon-7:00pm daily, on Saturday May 16-Monday May 18, 2020.
Niagara Brewing Company – situated at the corner of Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue, visitors will be able to stop at the brewery’s Beer Store to pick up Niagara Falls craft beer for the long weekend. The Honeymoon Peach Radler is bright and refreshing and Niagara Premium Lager is an award winning favourite for sunny holiday weekends
Sweet Jesus Ice Cream – Decadent ice cream transformed into eye-catching works of art. Sweet Jesus is not just a treat for your sweet tooth, soft serve here is embellished with inventive toppings such as cotton candy, brownie bits, cornflakes, birthday cake pieces and more. One of the most requested is Krusty the Kone – a colourful take on an edgy cartoon icon.
Starbucks – Two locations will be open this weekend; Sheraton on the Falls and Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa. Guests can order an afternoon pick-me-up from the full menu of fine roasted coffee, blended drinks, and specialty coffee drinks and light snacks.
Great Canadian Gifts – Situated in the Sheraton Marketplace, Great Canadian Gift will be open for cold drinks, snacks, and sundry items such as first aid and over the counter health items.
The renowned Canadian Forces Snowbirds honoured Niagara Residents on Sunday with a flyover. The iconic Air Demonstration Squadron is conducting a cross Canada Tour named “Operation Inspiration”. A salute to all Canadians as we face COVID-19 together.
The team started their mission on May 2 in Eastern Canada and is heading west to British Columbia. The thundering nine-jet formation with trailing white smoke took two laps over the American and Horseshoe Falls on Sunday afternoon before heading off to London Ontario. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the flight team had to postpone by one day due to poor weather.
Each year the Canadian Forces Snowbirds travel the country to delight audiences at air shows, and while gathering at a show is not possible at this time, the air team wanted to thrill spectators at home.
The Snowbirds will now continue their journey west, for more information on their flight schedule follow their social media channels.
As we continue to stay home to do our part in flattening the curve, looking forward has become key to staying positive.
Rainbow on Horseshoe Falls from Niagara Falls – Ontario, Canada
A recently conducted travel survey provides optimism, not just for business but for all travel enthusiasts. It revealed that more than 60% of those surveyed had spent time in the last week planning and researching potential trips, with half of the respondents having spent up to 5 hours planning!
As the excitement to get out and see the sights grows, we wanted to share our tips for planning an exciting vacation.
Be Inspired
A quick search in your favourite browser will lead to thousands of stunning photos of your destination that will help keep you motivated, imagine capturing these images yourself! Images can be a great source of inspiration when choosing your location as well. For example a room with a view of Niagara Falls is breathtaking and if it is essential to your stay, then it will help narrow your hotel search.
Keep It Fun
The research and budget process of planning can be overwhelming, so always keep your goal in mind – which is to create a thrilling adventure full of memories. Budgeting is key, and to reduce stress keep your budget reasonable. Use all available research tools to ensure your plan covers what you hope to see and experience. Whatever your destination may be, we suggest subscribing for email newsletters for hotels and attractions so are among the first to know about special offers, packages and discounts.
Be In The Know
If it’s not on Facebook did it even happen? Like or follow feeds for your prospective hosts, not only will promotions be posted, but you will also learn about special events and new and noteworthy items thanks to the immediacy of the channels. Is your favourite artist performing in Niagara Falls during your stay – perhaps; the city now offers two live entertainment venues, and concert announcements make for great posts! In Niagara Falls, you can also catch Live Video of the Falls nearly every day on our Niagara Falls Facebook page.
We will be able to explore the landscapes beyond our windows, driveways, front lawns and porches again. We hope these travel tips will help inspire you as you fill your time researching your next great adventure.
Hopefully we will be welcoming you to Niagara Falls once it is safe for us all to travel once again!
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its hold on the world, hotels in Niagara Falls are trying to shine a light of hope and love.
While all industries have felt the impact of the Coronavirus, hospitality has been particularly hard hit. With orders to avoid non-essential travel, and the guidance of medical officials to self-isolate in order to flatten the curve, restaurants and hotels have been impacted.
This month marks March Break and Spring Break for many students and would typically be a banner time of year for the hospitality industry in Niagara Falls. Instead, rooms sit vacant, restaurants are closed to dine-in, and many attractions have been closed.
To offer some brightness in the dark, staff at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa thoughtfully staggered lighting in rooms on Friday night resulting in a massive, multi-storey heart to show their love and solidarity with all those impacted by the virus.
The hotel hoped that this shining beacon would inspire other hotels, office towers and businesses to join in.
Update: On Saturday several Niagara Falls Hotels including Sheraton on the Falls, Fallsview Casino Resort, Marriott on the Falls, Embassy Suites and the Oakes Hotel also participated. The efforts were also covered by several media outlets including CNN, BlogTO, Narcity, and CHCH News.
When you see Niagara Falls, it’s a seemingly never-ending rush of water that drops off the brink over and over again. In truth, the Falls have stopped twice in history; once of natural causes, and the other for maintenance work on the rocky shoal. Aside from those two examples, the waterfalls never stop flowing, roaring through the area and soaking visitors down below on the iconic Niagara Falls boat tours. More than 6 million cubic feet or 168,000 cubic metres of water go over the Horseshoe Falls alone every minute, water speeds reaching up to 109 km/h or 68 mph.
But where does all this water come from? Learn fun facts about Niagara Falls, including how they keep flowing, here.
How Does Niagara Falls Work?
Niagara Falls is made up of three separate waterfalls: the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls, which is the largest waterfall. The waterfalls have been pumping out water for the past 12,000 years, even as they’ve receded about 7 miles back.
The water rushing over the Niagara Falls waterfalls comes from the Great Lakes, which is the world’s largest surface freshwater system in the world. It contains about 18% of the world’s freshwater supply, with water flowing into the Great Lakes from streams and rivers that empty into it.
The rivers and streams empty into Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair, all in North America connecting the U.S. and Canadian borders. Precipitation and groundwater replenish the Great Lakes. Less than 1% of water in the Great Lakes is renewable, while the rest comes from the last ice age. It’s also known as “fossil” water.
As water empties into the Great Lakes, it travels from Lake Superior through Niagara along the Niagara River. Once the water reaches the Niagara River, it passes over the waterfalls. After reaching the waterfalls, it flows north into the final Great Lake, Lake Ontario.
From there, the water goes into the St. Lawrence River and then the Atlantic Ocean. From Lake Michigan to the Atlantic Ocean, the water flow journey takes at least 15 hours.
During high- or low-precipitation years, the Great Lakes water flow can be greatly affected. The International Joint Commission, made up of the U.S. and Canada, has regulated water flow levels since 1910. In 1950, a treaty between the U.S. and Canada was created to determine the diversion of water from the Niagara Falls for power generation. Other water is used for navigation, Niagara Falls flow and domestic and sanitary purposes.
What Gives the Water Odd Colours?
You might notice brown foam below Niagara Falls or a greenish tint to the Niagara River. The water is still fresh water and is perfectly safe. The colours come from natural elements the rushing waters pick up along their journey.
The brown foam below the Niagara Falls waterfalls is that colour because of clay. Clay contains decayed vegetative matter, which is absorbed as the water travels. It mostly comes from Lake Erie’s shallow eastern basin.
As for the river, you’ll notice it’s a vibrant green colour. That brilliant hue comes from minerals. There are an estimated 60 tons of dissolved minerals that flow over Niagara Falls every minute. The minerals consist of “rock flour,” which is finely ground rock, as well as dissolved salts. The rock flour primarily comes from the limestone bed, as well as sandstones and shales from under the Niagara Falls limestone cap.
What Is the Future of Niagara Falls?
Since Niagara Falls has already moved back, you may be wondering if the waters will keep running forever. Not to worry:Niagara Falls still has at least around 20,000 years to be in production. Wind and rain do contribute to Niagara Falls erosion, which is why it’s expected to disappear into Lake Erie some time in the very distant future.
For now, flow control and hydro-power generation diversion help to slow down erosion. With flow control, erosion may be able to be reduced to just 1 foot every 10 years. The limestone cap rock is another natural factor slowing down Niagara Falls erosion, since the material is resistant to erosion.
Another possible outcome to the future of Niagara Falls is evaporation. Scientists speculate that around 2,000 years from now, the American Falls waterfalls could dry up. If that happens, it would take on the same appearance as the Niagara Glen.
See Niagara Falls in Full Force Now
If you want to see Niagara Falls in its full glory, the best time is now. The water rushes over with tremendous force, and you can get soaked yourself with a visit to the waterfalls on theHornblower Niagara Cruises. Book yourNiagara Falls trip today.
Warmer days are on the horizon and as spring approaches, it is the perfect time to book a fun family getaway to Niagara Falls. There is no better way to spend your Spring Break than at the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark! For a seamless experience, reserve a Spring Break Getaway Package that connects you and your family to $300 in free attractions, dining and entertainment for an action-packed Spring Break in Niagara Falls!
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is located on the interconnected 20-acre Falls Avenue Resort that is home to first-rate hotels, exciting attractions and numerous restaurants – all under one roof and directly across from the Falls!
Splash the Day Away
The Spring Break Passport includes four two-day Fallsview Indoor Waterpark passes, which will connect you to 16 thrilling waterslides, a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket, full sized wave pool, private cabanas and more! Take advantage of Early Access; guests staying with this package can access the Waterpark 2hrs before it opens on select days!
Comfortable Accommodations
Reserve your Spring Break Getaway Package for arrival from March 13 – April 19, 2020 to enjoy the incredible Spring Break Passport valued at up to $300! The passport features hotel accommodations at any of our 3 interconnected hotels; Sheraton on the Falls, Crowne Plaza and Skyline Hotel & Waterpark or at the Clifton Victoria Inn which is directly across from the Resort. This allows you and your family to enjoy the comfort and convenience of being just steps away from the spectacular Niagara Falls and tourist district.
Satisfying Dining
For amazing dining experiences, this passport includes Kids Eat Free Lunch & Dinner at two incredible restaurants! Kids can enjoy free lunch and dinner at Perkins Family Restaurant for a wide selection of family favourite appetizers, entrees, and desserts or Kids Eat Free Dinner at the Fallsview Buffet, which features live cooking stations and sweeping views of Niagara Falls.
Attractions & Entertainment
Enjoy some of the best entertainment experiences in the city with the Spring Break Passport. The Passport includes 4 passes to Wild Safari Mini Put, Adventure Heroes Laser Ride and Traffic Slam Bumper Cars as well as free child admission to a show at our 4D Motion Theatre. As an added bonus, world renowned magician Mike D’Urzo will be here presenting Mind Kontrol from March 15th – 21st!
Experience the thrill of Niagara Falls when splashing at the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. This limited-time deal has everything you need to make your Spring Break in Niagara an unforgettable one-of-a-kind getaway!
Spring brings warmer temperatures, spring break for kids, the blooming of flowers and lots of fun, affordable activities in Niagara Falls. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Niagara Falls in spring, check out these things to do.
Book a Spring Break Getaway Package
If you’re coming to Niagara Falls with family or group, you can save big with package discounts. From March 13 to April 19, Niagara Falls Hotels is hosting a package packed full of exciting entertainment for you and your family or group this spring. TheSpring Break Passport Package includes:
Four, 2-dayFallsview Indoor Waterpark passes, which include early access to the waterpark up to 2 hours before the park opens to the public on select dates
A Spring Break Passport for four, which includes promotions like:
oTickets to the Mega Magic Presents Mike D’Urzo Mind Kontrol show – shows are March 15-21
oBuy 1, get 1 50% off on selected items at Great Canadian Gifts
The package provides up to $300 in savings in Niagara Falls attractions, entertainment and dining. The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark connects to the Niagara Falls Crowne Plaza Fallsview, Skyline Hotel & Waterpark Niagara Falls and Sheraton on the Falls indoors, so you don’t even have to go outside to get your family to the waterpark.
Experience Nature
Warmer temperatures and thawing plants and flowers make it a great time to head outdoors in Niagara Falls. TheBruce Trail that runs through Niagara Falls is Canada’s longest and oldest marked hiking trail. It begins in Queenston and winds along the Niagara Escarpment.
You can also visit theBotanical Garden Niagara Parks to see more than 40 hectares (99 acres) of gardens full of roses, shrubs and ornamental trees. While you’re there, stop in theButterfly Conservatory next door to see see than 2,000 free-flying butterflies flying all around you.
By April, theFloral Clock, located just north of the Botanical Garden Niagara Parks, should be in full bloom. TheCentennial Lilac Garden is right by the Floral Clock and is in full bloom in May, with more than 1,200 plants with over 200 different varieties.
TheNiagara Glen is another beautiful nature spot to check out, with 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) of rugged paths that go through the Carolinian Forest. See wild fauna and flora, prehistoric geological formations and the rushing waters of the Niagara River and Niagara River Whirlpool.
See the Niagara Falls Waterfalls from a Different Angle
You can see the Niagara Falls waterfalls walking along the Niagara Parkway, or you can hop aboard a vehicle for a totally new vantage point. Beginning in early April, theWhirlpool Aero Car Niagara Falls resumes operations. It transports up to 35 standing passengers between two different points of the Canadian shore of the Niagara River, high above the Niagara Whirlpool.
You can also hop on aHornblower Niagara Cruises in spring to get up close to the Niagara Falls waterfalls. Put on a poncho, because you’re going to get sprayed as you hear and see the rushing waters right in front of you.
To make the most of your time in Niagara Falls, book a guided tour. Magnificent Tours is Niagara’s largest tour company and offers a variety of tours that range from half to full day and even some evening adventures. Each tour includes transportation, VIP access to Niagara’s top attractions, and depending on the tour you select attractions could include an iconic Hornblower Cruise, tours and tastings at award winning wineries, and beautiful scenery along the way. Tours are fully narrated by expert guides so you are sure to leave the tour with stories to share.
Check Out Some Entertainment
Niagara Falls will welcome the new Fallsview Casino Entertainment Centre at the start of April, with an exciting lineup of artists set to hit the stage this spring. The new state of the art, 5,000 seat venue features seats no more than 150 feet from the stage, delivering remarkable views of your favourite performers. Some of the acts that have been announced include Brad Paisley,Larry the Cable Guy, Kesha, ZZ Top, Jason Derulo, Of Monsters & Men, Paul Anka, Dierks Bentley and many others.
Spring is the kick-off season for theShaw Festival, a theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake with live theatre performances. There are four theatres within the theatre, housing productions for top Niagara Falls talent.
You can also plan to attend the annualNiagara Falls Elvis Festival, which features Elvis headliner shows, a 2-day Elvis tribute artist competition and food.
Tour Niagara Falls Wineries
Niagara Falls is home to dozens of wineries with delicious locally crafted wines, including the famed ice wine made from grapes still frozen on the vine.
Spring is a great time to visit Niagara Falls, with lots of sunshine and warmer temps that get flowers blooming and get people enjoying the outdoors. There’s plenty of indoor entertainment, too. Whatever you’re into, there are enjoyable things to do in Niagara Falls this spring. Book yourNiagara Falls trip now.
A couple days in Niagara Falls may not seem like a lot, but there’s plenty you can cover in a short trip to this beautiful Canadian region. With some planning, you can get a feel for the magnificent nature and exciting things to do in Niagara Falls. Use this itinerary guide to inspire you on your next Niagara Falls trip.
Feel the Mist of the Falls
You can see the Niagara Falls waterfalls as you walk along the main Niagara Parkway on the Canadian side, but if you really want to experience them, you’ll want to get a little wet. Hop on aHornblower Niagara Cruises Niagara Falls boat tour to get drenched by the falls. You’ll get a poncho to wear, but you’ll still be able to feel the up-close sensations of being in the midst of Niagara Falls. Seeing the falls from a distance just can’t compare with being immersed in them.
Take a Mini-Wine Tour
With dozens ofwineries in the Niagara Falls region, it’s easy to tour several within a few hours and get a taste for local wines. Hire a driver to tour you around, or join one of the many Niagara Falls wine tours such as Magnificent Tours Wine Tour where you’ll get transportation and hour-long stops at several wineries along the way. Tours typically last around 6 hours, so if you want to speed up your wine experience, you can create your own self-paced tour.
Explore Clifton Hill
Whether you’re traveling to Niagara Falls with kids or not,Clifton Hill is a high-energy destination to check out. Clifton Hill has some of the most family-friendly activities to enjoy in Niagara Falls, including the Niagara Falls Skywheel, the Fudge Factory, Ripley’s Museum, Movieland Wax Museum and Dinosaur Adventure Golf. The world-famousUpside-Down House is also nearby, which is worth seeing from the outside even if you don’t take a tour inside. Besides the rambunctious Niagara Falls attractions at Clifton Hill, it’s also a cool place to check out because there are local vendors selling handmade items, which are great souvenirs to take home.
See Niagara Falls Nature
If you love traveling because you get to see new nature and wildlife, theButterfly Conservatory is a must-see destination on a 48-hour trip. The conservatory has more than 2,000 free-flying butterflies and is a really neat experience if you’ve never been in one before. After you head out, you can walk through theNiagara Parks Botanical Gardens for free. In the gardens, you’ll see gorgeous flowers and local plants. It’s a nice quick stop for when you want to relax in-between more active things to do near Niagara Falls.
Partake in Niagara Falls Nightlife
When the sun goes down, head indoors for nightlife in Niagara Falls. You have plenty of options within walking distance or a quick trip of each other when you stay at one of theseNiagara Falls hotels.
Dining: Enjoy a delectable meal at one of the top Niagara Falls restaurants.Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant is a romantic spot with classic Italian food from Chef Massimo Capra.Prime Steakhouse is the spot for steak lovers, and is ranked the #1 Restaurant in Niagara Falls on TripAdvisor. Both of these upscale restaurants offer delicious Niagara Falls wine pairings, and provide Niagara Falls waterfall views right from your table.
While you could take a ride on theNiagara Skywheel during the day, the experience is dramatic at night and is a different way to see Niagara Falls. You might even be able to catch aNiagara Falls fireworks show from your seat.
Plan a Niagara Falls Trip for as Long as You’d Like
There you have it: some of the top Niagara Falls attractions to check out on a quick trip to Niagara Falls. There are hundreds of more things to do in Niagara Falls. Stay a weekend, or stay a summer. You’ll never run out of things to do near Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls’ new live entertainment venue will open its door this spring! The highly anticipated Fallsview Casino Entertainment Centre will open in early April and will feature some of the biggest stars in music and entertainment.
The 5,000 seat, state of the art theatre, is ideally located. The entertainment space is directly across from the Fallsview Casino Resort and in the heart of the Fallsview Tourist District, which puts guests steps from first class hotels, restaurants and attractions.
The list of performers who will first grace the stage has just been announced, and there is a show for everyone. Artists from country royalty to comedy, classic rock and pop will find a home at the new venue. The theatre will celebrate its opening night April 2 with country music superstar Brad Paisley!
Here are the artists announced so far for the Casino Entertainment Centre:
April 2 – Brad Paisley
April 3 – Larry the Cable Guy
April 9 – Jason Derulo
April 26 – Zucchero
May 1 – Alison Kraus
May 7 – Of Monsters & Men
May 15 – ZZ Top with Special Guest Cheap Trick
May 31 –Joey Yung
June 4 – Kesha
June 5 –REO Speedwagon
June 10/11 –Dierks Bentley
June 20 – Paul Anka
July 31 – Iliza Shlesinger
Tickets for these shows can be purchased at the Casino Box office and through Ticketmaster.
The new Casino Entertainment Centre will operate alongside the existing Avalon Theatre, to provide Niagara Falls with more than 320 live entertainment shows a year.
Check out some of the great live entertainment available in Niagara Falls during your next getaway with a Casino Entertainment Package.
Demonstration Squadron is conducting a cross Canada Tour named “Operation Inspiration”. A salute to all Canadians as we face COVID-19 together.
What Gives the Water Odd Colours?
It transports up to 35 standing passengers between two different points of the Canadian shore of the Niagara River, high above the Niagara Whirlpool.
more than 150 feet from the stage, delivering remarkable views of your favourite performers. Some of the acts that have been announced include Brad Paisley,Larry the Cable Guy, Kesha, ZZ Top, Jason Derulo, Of Monsters & Men, Paul Anka, Dierks Bentley and many others. 
Partake in Niagara Falls Nightlife