Niagara Falls in Winter

Is It Good to Visit Niagara Falls in Winter?

A trip to Niagara Falls will have you spending a lot of time outdoors, but that doesn’t mean that you must visit this incredible destination when the weather is warm.  The colder months of winter bring a whole new beauty to this part of the world and it is only then that you will truly discover how magical the falls can be.

While you can still enjoy all the outdoor activities, despite the cold, many indoor activities become more enticing as well.  Yes, you will constantly be taking off your warmer coats, hats, and gloves, and putting them all back on again, but it will be well worth the hassle to see such incredible sights.

One of the first things you should take the time to see in Niagara Falls in winter is the falls itself.  The colder weather allows chunks of ice to build up around the falls, while the snow also creates piles nearby.  The rushing water slows down slightly at times and if you manage to get lucky during a Niagara Falls sightseeing tour, you may even see the falls completely frozen!  That is something that millions of people never see through the crowds during the summer months!

You will not be able to ride the Maid of the Mist at this time of the year, but you can still experience the falls from either high up on the Niagara Skywheel or from the observation decks at the base of the falls.  However, one of the best ways to see this part of the area is from the walkways that are part of the Journey Behind the Falls.

Do not forget to look out towards the falls at different times of the day when you are visiting, because the ambiance changes constantly, especially at night when the lights are turned on to illuminate the water with different colors.

Many Niagara Falls day tours will include a little time inside Clifton Hill during the winter months.  This massive indoor space will have you playing arcade games, conquering a round of mini golf, and wandering through museums.  Since there are fewer tourists at this time of the year, you will have plenty of space and time to thoroughly enjoy every experience that you have during your visit.

If you are looking for unique things to do while visiting Niagara Falls in winter, then you might want to plan your trip for the times that the Winter Festival of Lights or the Niagara Icewine Festival takes place.  The Winter Festival of Lights begins in November and ends in the middle of January.  Lights are everywhere throughout the Niagara Parks and it is common to see fireworks on some nights.

The Niagara Icewine Festival is held in January and it is a fantastic way to experience the Niagara Wine Country and the fabulous icewine that is popular there.  You can listen to live music, sip on some delectable ice wine, and fall in love with an area that many people forget about once the cold weather hits.

One of the best ways to experience Niagara Falls in winter is with an Airlink Niagara Falls Bus Tour.  They do all the planning for you, so all you need to do is sit back and relax while loving every minute of the falls!