Niagara Falls: Winter’s Wonderland

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Niagara Falls is a magical place, no matter what time of year. While many people think of the falls as a spring or summer tourist destination, there is plenty to see and do throughout the year. Winter gives the viewer an entirely different perspective of these magnificent waterfalls, especially when they are surrounded by snow and ice. Plus, if you visit between mid- November and January 31, you be able to see the beautiful Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights.

Our weekend

We recently had the opportunity to take an impromptu trip to the Niagara region to catch a few hockey games. My cousin lives 400 miles away from us in a small town called Apsley, Ontario. This cousin, April, has six boys, five of whom are old enough to play hockey. Dennis and I usually try to make it up at least once each winter to watch a few games. When April texted and said three of her boys had qualified for the International Silver Stick Hockey Tournament in Niagara Falls this January, we were very tempted to go. After all, 180 miles is much closer than 400, especially in the winter.

This year, however, we were a little more leery than usual. We’d made hotel reservations for this tournament the past two years and hadn’t gone. In 2017, none of the teams won their regional. Note to self: don’t purchase non-refundable rooms for hockey tournaments. And then in 2018, there was a huge ice storm, and we holed up at home, losing out on one night’s hotel room cost because we couldn’t cancel in time. I did try to make a reservation this year at their hotel, Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines-Niagara, but the only room I could find was $345 CAD a night. I wasn’t willing to pay that when I knew that April had only paid $129 CAD.

The boys were to play two games on Thursday and two games on Friday, and each team was guaranteed one game on Saturday. We had to work all week, so the weekday games were out. On Friday evening I asked what time the Saturday games were. Callum was scheduled to play his Bantam semi-final at 8:10 a.m., and Keagan and Beckham were to play at 9:30 a.m.  Dennis really didn’t want to drive up, but at 8 p.m. on Friday night, I convinced him to go. He says I owe him.

Our Day

We got up at 3:00 a.m. and were packed and in the truck by 4:23. After a quick stop at the ATM, we headed north. We made good time, only stopping once for gas at the intersection of Route 7 and I-90. Here’s a tip: Ohio’s gas is always considerably cheaper than Pennsylvania’s, New York’s, or Ontario’s. Our only other stop was a restroom break at Angola on the New York Thruway.

The border crossing was a breeze, with absolutely no traffic at 7:00 a.m. We were asked different questions this time that puzzled me a little. Other than the standard questions (where are you from, where are you going, how long are you staying, what are you bringing in), we were asked about firearms. We said we didn’t have any weapons with us, and then the border agent asked if we carried. I have to wonder if it was because of the camouflage blanket in the front seat. If you are interested in visiting Canada,  read “Traveling to Canada: Border Requirements for U.S. Citizens” to find out what documents Americans are required to show.

We reached the arena with time to spare so we stopped at Tim Hortons for breakfast. We’re not eating any bread or sugar, so there’s wasn’t much to choose from. I got green tea and a breakfast sandwich and tossed the biscuit.

Aunt Jo and Uncle Kim were surprised to see us. April knew there was a slight possibility, but we hadn’t made any promises. It was wonderful to catch up after not seeing each other for months.

The Games

Unfortunately, Callum’s team lost their semi-final game 5-4.  Keagan and Beckham’s team won theirs 2-1 and would play in the Peewee Championships on Sunday morning.  The game was early, and I was able to convince Dennis to spend the night.  I may have thrown in extra clothes for the both of us just in case.

 

After the Games

After the game, our group of eleven (six adults and five kids) all went to a late breakfast/brunch at the Breakfast Barn in Welland, Ontario.  I had a western omelette and bacon. It was very filling.  I was able to make a same-day reservation on hotels.com for the same hotel for $120 USD–a much better price than what I could find several weeks ago.

We checked into the hotel. Their system was down, so I had to email a copy of my confirmation to them. We hadn’t had time to tell our local bank we were leaving the country, so of course our Visa debit card was declined. I left $200 American at the front desk as a deposit instead–luckily the hotel was willing to accept it. We did have Canadian money, but less than $100. Later I was able to go online and set a different Visa card to travel mode and retrieve our cash.

Winter Festival of Lights

After a little nap, we decided to head to the falls to see the Winter Festival of Lights. Each year since 1982,  the Ontario Power Generation has presented this seven kilometer long display of holiday lights in Queen Victoria Park alongside the Niagara River and falls. It’s the largest display of lights in Canada, attracting over 1.5 million visitors each year. This year, the festival began November 3, 2018, and will end January 31, 2019.

The Winter Festival of Lights did not disappoint. The lights were absolutely beautiful.  There are parts that visitors can walk through, but most people were driving due to the cold weather.  The lights are along the Niagara Parkway, on Lundy’s Lane, up Clifton Hill, in the Fallsview area, and on the Dufferin Islands. Donations are accepted to help with the costs.

Dinner

After we returned to the hotel, we had dinner in their Piazza Restaurant. April, Uncle Kim, Aunt Jo, and Dennis all had steak and mozzarella salads. Josh had a Canadian burger–he ordered a Caesar salad, but ended up with fries. I ordered a taco salad without the tortilla bowl. My dinner was fantastic.

Sunday morning

The finals game between the Apsley Flames and the Seaforth Stars was scheduled early in morning, but was bumped to a later time so another team could make their flights. We were able to watch the Columbus Capitals team win the Bantam championship before our game started.

Unfortunately, Keagan and Beckham’s peewee team lost their championship game. They played their little hearts out. It was a hard loss.

Our weekend visit was quick–less than 30 hours–but we had a wonderful time with family.  We didn’t visit any of the attractions at the falls other than the Winter Festival of Lights this trip, but we will come back another time. The falls aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

So, what can you do at Niagara Falls in the winter?

We didn’t even touch on the activities that are open during the winter. There’s just so much to do. Here are nine things to do when it’s cold out at Niagara Falls.

1. Winter Festival of Lights

If you are visiting Niagara Falls in November, December, or January, don’t miss the Winter Festival of Lights.  In addition to this display, there are fireworks at various times during the month (usually on Friday nights).

2. Shopping

From tourist shops to malls to outlet stores, Niagara Falls has it all.  Try the Canada One Factory Outlet on Lundy’s Lane for bargains on major brands like  Coach, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Carter’s Oshkosh, and more.  Or, check out the Fallsview Casino Resort Shopping Galleria for smaller specialty shops.

3. Hockey and Ice Skating

Stop by a local arena and see when their public skate times are.  Two nearby arenas are the Niagara Falls Gale Centre and the Willoughby Memorial Arena–there are several more in the area, depending on where your hotel is located.

If you have more time, go see a Niagara IceDogs hockey game at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines.

4. Clifton Hill

All of the restaurants, shops, and museums are open in the winter. From wax museums to the skywheel, Clifton Hill has it all. Check out Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum or Strike, Rock, and Bowl for fun indoor activities.

5. Forts

For a glimpse back into history, don’t forget about the forts. While Old Fort Erie closes for most of the winter, Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4.

6. Wineries

The Niagara region is famous for its wines, and there are over 80 wineries in the Niagara region.  Many of them are open year-round for wine-tasting and tours. These are great stops for adult getaways.

7. Casinos

Want to try your luck at the tables? Niagara Falls, Ontario, is home to two casinos. The Fallsview Casino and  Casino Niagara are home to slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants, shows, and more.

8. Butterfly Conservatory

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is open year-round. Plus, as a bonus, it’s warm inside. Check out my post about our visit to the butterfly conservatory here.

9. The Falls!

How could I forget? Niagara Falls is beautiful when covered in snow and ice. Be sure to visit once in the daytime and then again at night to see the falls illuminated in a rainbow of colors. Remember to dress warm–the mist freezes when it hits you, plus the wind can be brutal. Coats, hats, gloves, and scarves are a must.

In Closing

Our trip was not focused on the falls, but rather on family and sports. However, we did enjoy the Winter Festival of Lights and will come back again with the grandkids when they are a little older.  Don’t count Niagara Falls out as a winter destination. There’s plenty to do to keep your family busy at the falls any time of year!

Disclaimer: Not all of these photos are mine. April took some of them.

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