15 Winter Activities in Niagara Your Whole Family Can Enjoy
When we think about things to do in Niagara, we almost always think about wine tasting, sightseeing, and other outdoor things that are more ideal in the warmer weather. We’re not always thinking of fun winter activities in Niagara.
But there are tons of fun things to including winter activities in Niagara! If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids in the cold season, there are tons of options to choose from.
Many of the local insurance brokers at Duliban Insurance Brokers live in Niagara and love spending time with their families here. Whether we’re participating in festivals or special events, or taking a stroll down the Niagara Parkway, we love our community.
So, who better to give you the best insights on winter fun for kids than our own community members? We’ve put our heads together and created this ultimate guide to winter activities in Niagara for you, organized by city for your convenience.
Niagara Falls
1. Niagara Falls Illumination
You might be a little thrown off by the colder temperatures, but the winter is one of the most beautiful times to take a stroll down to the falls. During this season, the falls are frozen over and transformed into shining, beautiful ice sculptures that will amaze you.
Every evening, you can catch the Niagara Falls illumination. At this time, the falls are lit up using special lights in a spectacular display of colour. Check here for the schedule.
2. Journey Behind the Falls
Get up close and personal to the beautiful icy falls with Journey Behind the Falls. In the winter, tickets are discounted because the lower deck is closed due to icy conditions. Check out the website for a detailed list of hours, prices, and directions.
3. Niagara’s Travelling Flea Market
On February 25th, Niagara’s travelling flea market will be coming to the Scotiabank Convention Centre. This event includes a bouncy castle, face painting, over 70 vendors with huge sales, reptile shows, mascot meet and greets, and more! It’s open from 10am to 6pm.
4. The Niagara Butterfly Conservatory
The Niagara Butterfly Conservatory is your escape from the cold. Inside this lush, tropical building, you and your kids will encounter 60 different types of butterflies and learn some pretty cool facts along the way.
5. Bird Kingdom
Niagara Bird Kingdom is a great destination to take your kids to see some cool animals up close. The indoor environment helps you escape from the cold while your kids get amazed by the reptiles, birds, and fish!
6. Ripley’s Believe it or Not Niagara
Take your kids inside Ripley’s “Odditorium” for some wacky and entertaining fun! There is 10,000 square feet of interesting and unbelievable galleries, artifacts, and exhibits to look at. It’s located at the heart of Clifton Hill and is open every day of the year for your convenience.
7. Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls
Who says you can’t go swimming in the winter? Just take your kids to Great Wolf Lodge and let them enjoy the waterpark and splash pad. If you want to make a weekend out of it, book a night in one of the rooms. You can check the schedule for organized activities, too.
8. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Here’s another indoor waterpark option your water-loving kids will enjoy. There’s no need to wait until summer to get their swimming fix. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is North America’s largest indoor waterpark, so there are tons of options to enjoy. And don’t forget to take your turn down the slides!
9. IMAX Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls IMAX theatre is an excellent choice to learn about Niagara Falls history in a thrilling way and keep your kids on the edge of their seats. Take them on a journey through time to see the exciting events of Niagara’s rich past.
Be sure to check out the Daredevil exhibit while you’re there. You can see, and even touch, the real Daredevil barrels up close.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
10. Sightseeing in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Winter is the off-season for Niagara-on-the-Lake tourism, which means it’s the perfect time to take in the picturesque winter scenery without the crowds. During the colder months, the old town looks like a postcard with its snowy glaze.
The shops are open during the winter as well, so be sure to stroll inside.
11. Chocolate FX Tours
Do you love chocolate? Then this is a fun excursion you and your children will love. You get to sample chocolate at the tasting bar, take a tour to see how it’s made, and then purchase some to bring home with you. Everyone wins.
St. Catharines
12. The St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3
If your family is into ships and boats, bring them to the St. Catharines Museum. This museum’s exhibits will help your kids learn about the Welland Canal Locks and the ships that pass through them from all over the world. The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame is also in the same building for even more to look at.
13. Niagara Ice Dogs Games
Nothing gets the community together like a good local hockey game. Taking your family to a Niagara Ice Dogs game at the Meridian Centre is the perfect way to support our community’s OHL team and give the kids a night out they’ll love.
They get to yell as loud as they want, eat some popcorn, and watch some exciting hockey. You get to sit back, cheer on the Dogs, and sip on a cold beer. Since these games are so popular for Niagara residents, you’ll likely see at least one person you know, too. Don’t forget to high-five Bones, the beloved Ice Dogs mascot, while you’re there!
14. Sky Zone St. Catharines
If you have some energetic children who need to let loose, this is the place for them. Sky Zone St. Catharines is a giant indoor trampoline park filled wall to wall with jumpy, bouncy, and squishy surfaces for kids to enjoy.
Let them take the obstacle course challenge if they’re feeling adventurous. As an added bonus, your kids are going to be so exhausted by the time they’re done you might actually get a good rest yourself!
Fort Erie
15. Movie Nights in Old Fort Erie
On selected nights throughout the winter, Old Fort Erie will be hosting movie nights in the visitor’s theatre. Popcorn and drinks will be available as well. Check out the movie schedule to find one your kids love and head down to the fort.
Trust a Hometown Broker Who Knows Your Community
Duliban is proud to be your Haldimand and Niagara insurance broker for 3 generations now.
We work with 18 of the best insurance companies in Canada to have them compete for your business. Since we work for you, not the insurance provider, we will find you the best premium and coverage at the best price.
Our hometown brokers live in the community and strive to help you feel comfortable knowing that you’re working with a neighbor you can trust. We treat you the way we treat our own family- with respect, care, and the best service.