Whether you travel to Niagara as a member of a 20-person bachelorette party or in celebration of your 25th wedding anniversary, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the nighttime hours. From world-class musical acts to gambling and theater, Niagara boasts a nightlife that’s robust, varied, and plenty of fun. Some of it is even one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking to stay up a little bit late in Niagara, here are four ways to enjoy the night that are as unique as the place.
Falls Illumination Cruise
For a romantic, nighttime exploration of the waterfalls, the Falls Illumination Cruise can’t be beat. Cruise alongside the illuminated falls beneath countless stars from 9:45 p.m. until roughly 10:30 p.m. Even if you’ve taken in the falls via the Maid of the Mist and the Journey Behind the Falls, this cruise will give you an experience of Niagara Falls that will make this natural wonder seem brand-new again.
With platforms that offer tiered viewing and a dry area with large windows should anyone in your party fret about getting wet, the Falls Illumination Cruise is a pleasure for tourists of all ages.
Late-Night Drinks in Full View of the Falls
Niagara has a wide array of nightclubs for anyone looking to dance, dine, or drink the night away, but R5 offers a view that can only be had here. Contemporary and chic, R5 is an elegant and welcoming space that can provide the perfect atmosphere for drinking, dining, and conversation when you’re looking to stay up late and have a good time while doing it.
Designed to showcase its location near the falls, you can gaze out at the majestic and illuminated waterfalls every night, while enjoying an expertly crafted cocktail. Sit with a loved one by the fire, or belly up to the bar. Whatever you choose at R5 will feel just right, and it will last long after the sun has gone down.
People Watch at Clifton Hill
When it comes to late-night people watching, New York City is hard to beat, but thanks to the wide variety of visitors and goings-on in Niagara, Clifton Hill is pretty entertaining, too. Niagara Falls’ most famous street, Clifton Hill comes by its nickname, “Street of Fun,” pretty honestly. From moon-eyed lovers to teenagers being allowed a long leash, Clifton Hill is a people watching experience all its own, and you can only have it in Niagara Falls.
Niagara Skywheel
There are few experiences as exhilarating as journeying upwards of 175 feet to gaze upon the glitter and glam of downtown Niagara Falls, but you can do just that on the largest observation wheel in all of Canada.
The Niagara Skywheel offers climate-controlled gondolas so that, regardless of the weather, you and your crew can experience the waterfalls and the city from up above. While the trip is just eight to 12 minutes long, the experience of seeing the city and the lit-up waterfalls at midnight is something you’ll remember the rest of your life.
So, stay up late. Whether you want to people watch or get close to the water, the city offers a wealth of nighttime fun that can only be had in Niagara.
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A classic arcade game that involves a measure of athletic skill, skee ball is fun to play whether you’re squaring off against your best friend or just trying to score points all by yourself. Weighted balls about the size of a grapefruit are rolled one at a time up an incline into a space that has circles of varying size worth different amounts.
For Americans of every socio-economic stripe, April 15th looms large each and every year as a day of hand wringing and infamy. Required by federal law to file taxes on or before that date each year, roughly one third of the United States’ population waits until the last minute to file their taxes. It’s an act that adds stress and drama to a day that might otherwise pass by unnoticed, but still, year in and year out, the act of filing taxes is put off. It’s almost as if most Americans need an extra incentive just to comply with federal law.
The best part of filing taxes for most Americans is getting a fat refund check, and should you book a Niagara vacation to celebrate Tax Day, that refund will be sitting in your bank account, or — at the very least — you will know the dollar amount of your refund as an official check makes its way to you in the mail. Refunds, of course, are nothing more than the government giving you back the money that is rightfully yours, but they feel like a bonus. Take that bonus on a vacation. Whether you stock up on award-winning Niagara wine or hit the casinos, celebrating Tax Day in Niagara Falls will almost always happen when you’re flush with cash.
Eating in and around Niagara Falls is one of the many highlights enjoyed by almost every tourist who travels to the region. From a family of four driving in from Ohio to newlyweds fresh off an airplane, the variety of food available throughout the region and the high quality with which it is source, prepared, and served is sure to satisfy — especially if you know where to go and you choose each meal with care.
Another reason to put Mahtay Café on your vacation itinerary is their robust music calendar. Not only will it give you a sense of the original music happening in and around the region, but most of their shows also happen earlier in the evening, which means you don’t have to be a night owl to enjoy it.
Without a doubt, the number one reason people venture to Niagara Falls is to take in the area’s famous waterfalls. Made up of a trio of waterfalls that includes the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls, Niagara Falls may not be the world’s largest or tallest waterfall, but it does have the world’s largest flow rate, which makes for a stunning and awe-inspiring view as well as a constant and deafening roar.
With indoor and outdoor observation decks, the view from Skylon Tower is impressive any time of day or night and in almost any weather—provided there isn’t so much rain or snow in the air that the view is obstructed.
Spring hikes in Niagara are not for the faint of heart, even if they only last an hour or two. While the region is certainly beautiful any time of the year, the wild and wooly weather that sometimes strikes during March and April can make for some wet, chilly, and surprising outdoor experiences.
The perfect sandwich is a great snack companion on any hike, regardless of the season or the location. In fact, the only downside to the perfect sandwich when you’re hiking is having been able to find it before you set out. Lucky for you, when you’re hiking in Niagara, numerous perfect sandwich opportunities are available. Here are a handful to choose from that will make any spring hike — no matter how cold, wet, or crummy — absolutely perfect:
Whether you’re of bona-fide Irish stock or you just love a grand excuse to revel in Irish culture for a day, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most popular and most celebrated holidays in all of Europe and North America. Marked by all things green, lucky, and boozey, and punctuated by parades far and near, the religious feast day of the patron saint of Ireland is an almost-guaranteed day of excess and fun — no matter where you mark it.
While the trio of waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls are stunning any time of year, day or night, St. Patrick’s Day night finds them in a rare and Irish-themed hue. Most nights out of the year, the waterfalls are bathed in a rainbow of colors, but when March 17th rolls around, the falls go green. If you’ve never seen millions of gallons of green-tinted water rushing through the dark of night with a deafening roar while merrymaking is all around you, you’ve never experienced St. Patrick’s Day in Niagara.
The Niagara Peninsula is easily one of the most fertile places in all of Canada and North America as is evidenced by our wealth of wineries, vineyards, orchards, and farms. Blessed with a mild climate, an abundance of fresh water, and rich, well-draining soil, it’s common practice for many people in the region — not just professional famers, landscaping companies, and vineyard owners — to plant and maintain impressive gardens and tend to luscious and intentional landscapes.
For anyone who loves renovating, updating, or just generally improving a home, this year’s Complete Home Improvement Centre will be a definite highlight. Learn tricks and tips for those do-it-yourself projects you’ve been putting off. Discover the latest in materials and design, from flooring and roofing to storage and lighting.
When it comes to possible college spring break destinations, cooler climes rarely make the list as students flock by the thousands to warm and sunny beaches throughout the southern United States. While many enjoy a rowdy week off from studying and other adult-like responsibilities, the endless party and beach scene isn’t a fit for everyone.
If there’s one thing college students do on a regular basis, it’s eat inexpensive comfort food at all hours of the day. While pizza, nachos, burgers, and donuts are all available in the Niagara region for your Spring Break enjoyment, a popular Canadian dish called poutine can be had as well.
One of the most exciting aspects of any vacation is getting to eat three square meals a day in a brand-new place. From Chicago to Paris to the outback of Australia, food is one of the best reflections of history, culture, people, and place.
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