Things to do Around Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of the top attractions in Canada but there is so much more to see than the Falls. The region boasts beautiful parks & trails, a renowned wine region, and numerous significant historical sites and is well worth a lingering visit for both budget and luxury travellers.
Today's post gives a broad overview and links to several more detailed blog posts that explore some of the area's great things to do, see, and experience. The map below shows each attraction included in this post.
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Niagara Falls
Connect with Nature
The Niagara Region offers a variety of outdoor activities for those looking for a more active adventure. Visitors can hike or bike through the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with some of the region's most beautiful and diverse natural landscapes. Several parks and conservation areas offer fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities.
The Falls
One of the most popular things to do in the Niagara Region is to visit Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls are one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. The falls are a breathtaking sight, and visitors can take a boat tour to get a closer look or even go behind the falls for an even more unique perspective. There are also several observation decks and viewing points that offer stunning views of the falls.
Check out my post on how to visit Niagara Falls on A Budget.
Butterfly Conservatory/Botanical Gardens
The farther you move from downtown Niagara Falls, the quieter and more natural the scenery becomes. A happy experience for me is always visiting beautiful gardens, especially when those include a butterfly exhibit. The Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory is a 99-acre complex located about a 10-minute drive north on Niagara Parkway from downtown. These days, visitors can wander the grounds and check out the beautiful displays and gardens – and the world-famous rose gardens known for having over 2,400 roses!
The Botanical Gardens, which are located adjacent to the Butterfly Conservatory, feature a wide range of plants and flowers from around the world. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and feature a variety of garden styles, including English, Japanese, and Mediterranean gardens. Visitors can also see a beautiful collection of cacti and succulents, as well as a collection of tropical plants and orchids. The gardens also offer a variety of recreational activities, such as picnicking, birdwatching and nature walks.
The conservatory is home to thousands of live butterflies from around the world, and visitors can walk through the tropical gardens to see the butterflies up close. The gardens also feature a variety of exotic plants and flowers, providing a beautiful backdrop for the butterfly exhibits. The Butterfly Habitat also features a butterfly release ceremony, where visitors can release a butterfly and watch it fly away.
Floral Clock
I saw the Floral Clock listed on a tourist pamphlet as a free display worth seeing. I was heading in the general direction and decided to stop. Located north of the Botanical Gardens, close to Queenston Park, it was much more interesting than I had anticipated, but it doesn't require a lengthy visit.
The Floral Clock, run by Ontario Hydro, is exactly what it sounds like: a floral monument that actually functions as a clock. The clock face is planted with thousands of small carpet bedding plants. The clock chimes every quarter hour. Scoot around the back, and you'll be able to look through the back door to the clock mechanisms and some historical photos of the clock over the years.
Queenston Heights Park
Queenston Heights Park is another great place to check out, just north of the Floral Clock. This huge green space high on the Niagara Escarpment offers a wonderful view and is a great place for a picnic or to enjoy a meal in the Queenston Heights Restaurant. Check out my post Niagara Day Trip: Queenston for more details. Queenston Park will also appeal to history buffs wanting to learn more about the people and events involved in the War of 1812 between the USA and British forces.
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is an 890 km trail that stretches through the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Niagara, along the escarpment up the Bruce Peninsula and ends in the charming town of Tobermory. It is the oldest and longest marked footpath in all of Canada. The Niagara section is about 90km in length but is neatly divided into smaller trails that accommodate both serious and day hikers.
I have never done this trail from top to bottom, but I have done many smaller sections. Every section is genuinely breathtaking. Some sections are rougher than others, but at every ability level, people should be able to find parts of the trail that are appropriate to them.
Ball's Falls
Ball's Falls is a beautiful conservation area named after the Ball brothers, who built a sawmill and a grist mill in the early 1800s. Ball’s Falls has been lovingly maintained to its early mid-19th-century industrial hamlet atmosphere, featuring the original Ball family home, an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, a blacksmith shop, a carriage shed, and more.
Visitors can take an easy hike to see two waterfalls on one of several well-marked trails, including a section of the Bruce Trail. The Upper Falls are narrow and steep, but the Lower Falls are wider and have less elevation.
The conservation area also hosts several events throughout the year, including the annual Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Festival, which features live music, crafts, and food vendors.
Explore Pre-Confederation History
The first British settlers built small communities and farms in colonial British North America. American troops attacked during the War of 1812 and battled British forces. The British, with the assistance of local First Nations, chased the invaders back home.
Queenston Heights Park mentioned above also includes several significant monuments: one honouring First Nations peoples, the Laura Secord Homestead and the massive Brock Monument.
Landscape of Nations Monument
The Landscape of Nations Memorial is dedicated to the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) Confederacy and Indigenous Allies that participated in and were a significant factor in the success of the War of 1812.
This beautiful installation includes brass plaques mounted on stones for each of the Nations involved. I recommend taking the time to check out each part of this memorial.
Brock Monument
The Brock Memorial was built in 1859 to honour British Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who played a key (but very brief) role in the defence of British North America. The monument stands 45m (about 150 ft) tall. Visitors can climb 235 steps to the top for a fabulous panoramic view of the area.
The memorial's base is adorned with bronze plaques and signage describing Brock's life and achievements.
Laura Secord Homestead
The Laura Secord House is named after Laura Secord, a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812 (and also the name of a much-beloved chain of chocolate and ice cream stores across the country). Laura Secord's home was occupied by American soldiers and after overhearing their plans, she walked 32 km (about 20 miles) through enemy territory to warn the British commanders of the impending attack.
The house is open for tours from May to October, and visitors can take a guided tour of the house to learn about the history and architecture of the building, as well as the life of Laura Secord. The home features an interactive exhibit and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Fort Erie
Over the years, I've taught a lot of Canadian history, and I have a particular fondness for the multiple fur-trading forts across the country. Old Fort Erie was built in 1764 on the shores of Lake Erie and was significant both as a trading fort and, later, as a defensive structure during the War of 1812. Visitors can tour or visit the Niagara Historical Society and Museum to learn about the region's rich history. There are also several art galleries and theatres offering a variety of performances and exhibits, so it's worth checking their website.
One of Fort Erie's main attractions is the restored barracks and officer's quarters, which offer a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers who lived and fought at the fort. Visitors can also see the remains of the fort's walls and earthworks, which were built to defend the fort from enemy attack.
Fort Erie also has a variety of recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching. The fort is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, including the Niagara River and the Niagara Escarpment, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The fort also hosts several events throughout the year, including reenactments of the War of 1812 battles and other historical events.
Ball's Family Farm and Mills
Further away, on the other side of St. Catharines, about a half-hour drive from Niagara Falls, is Ball's Family Farm and Gristmill on Twenty Mile Creek near Vineland. This historical gem offers visitors the chance to step back in time and learn about life and the importance of gristmills in the past. The farm and mill is a working museum where visitors can see the mill in action and learn about turning grain into flour.
Ball's Gristmill and the milling demonstrations are among the most popular attractions. Visitors can watch as the miller grinds grain into flour using the original equipment and learn about the history of gristmills. When I visited, the miller was thrilled to explain the process and escorted me on a private tour of the site and museum. Grains are still produced on-site so you can pick up freshly milled flour or cornmeal.
Visit Wine Country
Niagara On the Lake
Another must-see attraction in the Niagara Region is the Niagara Wine Trail. The region is home to over 70 wineries, and visitors can take a tour to sample some of the local wines and learn about the history and process of winemaking. The wine trail offers a variety of tours, including self-guided tours, guided tours, and even bike tours.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, also known as NOTL, is a charming town in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario and is known for its picturesque streets, charming shops, and historical sites. NOTL is also renowned for its wine industry and is home to many vineyards and wineries that offer tours and tastings.
NOTL is also known for the annual Shaw Festival, which takes place from April to October and offers a variety of plays and performances. The festival is dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.
Visitors can also indulge in the local cuisine, NOTL offers a variety of excellent restaurants and cafes that serve local, seasonal and organic food. It is a great place to spend a weekend or a day trip to enjoy the town's natural beauty, rich history, and cultural activities.
Check out my post Niagara on the Lake for more details.
Some Family Fun
Safari Niagara
Safari Niagara is a family-friendly wildlife park in Stevensville, near Fort Erie. The park features over 1,000 animals from over 100 species, including zebras, giraffes, lions, and tigers. Visitors can take a drive-through safari, walk through the park, or take a guided tour to learn more about the animals and their habitats.
Safari Niagara also offers educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. The park offers various programs, including guided tours and conservation education programs, which teach visitors about preserving endangered species and their habitats.
Check out my post Safari Niagara for more details.
Final Thoughts
While Niagara Falls is a major attraction not to be missed, there is so much more to see and do beyond the Falls. Plan to linger in the area to explore all it has to offer.
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