Winter is a magical time to experience Niagara Parks. During this season, the water from the Falls continues to cascade from the brink, forming a mist that – when the light is right – is full of ice crystals that reflect the sunlight. Below the Falls, and along the edges of the Niagara Gorge, carved over thousands of years by the power of the natural wonder, the water freezes against the rocks to form fanciful natural ice sculptures.
That is only part of the magic that awaits visitors to Niagara Parks. Along with the natural beauty of Falls, a winter visit also features whimsical holiday displays, entertaining indoor activities and delicious seasonal fare. And no matter your interests, or those of your family or friends, there is a diverse selection of rich experiences waiting to be enjoyed. Here is how you can experience all that Niagara Parks has to offer in the months ahead.
Start your wonderful winter weekend at Table Rock Centre with Journey Behind the Falls. Take in the historic exhibits in the recently renovated visitor gallery before descending 125 feet through the bedrock to explore the 130-year-old tunnels that wind their way behind the Falls and lead to an observation deck 13 storeys below the brink — offering amazing views of the falling and roaring water.
After, head along the Niagara Parkway to the Floral Showhouse. No one does the holiday season quite like Niagara Parks, and each year the Showhouse plays host to the Annual Poinsettia Show. Warm up as you admire — and smell — the cyclamen, azaleas, Christmas cactus, narcissus and all the festive and colourful poinsettias. The show is only on through January 7, 2024, but the Floral Showhouse is open all year and features rotating floral displays, along with rows of tropical plant species, orchids and other flower for you to enjoy.
No trip to Niagara Parks would be complete without a meal at the Table Rock House Restaurant. Perched on the brink of the Falls, the restaurant’s menu, created by Chef Matt Krupa, features internationally inspired dishes made using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
Enjoy a Braised Ontario beef short rib poutine and the Lake Erie pickerel fritters for lunch, or start with the Ontario burrata followed by a hearty dish of maple-brined Ontario pork chop with mashed potatoes, double-smoked bacon and caraway seed sauerkraut for dinner.
After dinner, walk off that meal by strolling through the free Winter Festival of Lights presented by Niagara Falls Tourism, on through January 7, 2024. This annual festival — one of the largest of its kind in Canada — features millions of dazzling lights, interactive displays and animated installations throughout Dufferin Islands, Queen Victoria Park and surrounding areas.
Start at the Grand View Marketplace at the base of Clifton Hill and then follow the Niagara Parkway toward the Niagara Parks Power Station to be sure you don’t miss any of the light installations. If you feel a little chilly along the way, pop into one of the stops along the Hot Chocolate Trail to enjoy one of the drink concoctions created by the chefs and mixologists at some of Niagara’s top establishments, including Niagara Parks’ Table Rock House Restaurant.
Be sure to time your stroll so you don’t miss the holiday illuminations set against the Falls. While the water is lit up at night throughout the year, to mark the Winter Festival of Lights there is a special five minute “Sparkling Winter Lights” show that is inspired by the season. The magical display includes images from gentle snowfalls and blizzards to the Aurora Borealis — all projected onto the cascading water. The show takes place every hour on the hour between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. through January 7, 2024.
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Stick around Queen Victoria Park to experience the fireworks displays during the Winter Festival of Lights. They take place at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through December 21, and nightly from December 22 through until the finale on January 7, 2024.
Day two: nature and history
Star your second day enjoying all Niagara Parks has to offer by experiencing an area tradition, Sunday Brunch at Queenston Heights Restaurant, which is nestled atop the Niagara Escarpment overlooking the charming village of Queenston. Served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Sunday, the locally sourced brunch includes offerings such as fresh Belgian waffles and decadent eggs benedict, salads, soups and even a dessert buffet full of treats.
Not all Niagara Parks’ natural beauty is outdoors. It is also home to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the largest glass-enclosed conservatory of its kind in North America which is home to more than 2,000 of the fluttering insects. Located within the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens this tropical oasis is the perfect spot to spend a cozy afternoon admiring the butterflies on a self-guided tour along the 180 metres of pathways that are surrounded by towering tropical plants and flowers.
Power Station Platform
Contributed
Follow it up with a visit to the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, where interactive displays tell some of the fascinating history about the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. After, descend 180 feet in a glass-walled elevator to explore the 2,200-foot-long tunnel under the station that leads to an observation deck at the river's edge — and offering unique views of the Falls you won’t easily forget.
Before you end your weekend with Niagara Parks, be sure to pop into the convenient and all-new Table Rock Market inside the Table Rock Centre. It is home to four food vendors — so there is an option for everyone. Try the blue cheese and bacon burger from Flame: Fare + Grill, the peperoni pizza from Slice: Pizza + Wings, the wholesome bowl from Sprout: Sushi + Noodles or the thick milkshake from Swirl: Ice Cream + Treats.
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Enjoy more while you save
To experience all these attractions, purchase a Niagara Falls Wonder Pass that gives you up to 60 per cent off. For just $49 plus tax, it includes admission to Journey Behind the Falls, the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara’s Fury and the Floral Showhouse.
The pass also provides you with two-days access to the WEGO bus transportation system, which connects Niagara Parks attractions and area hotels, and the Falls Incline Railway that connects Table Rock Centre to the Fallsview Tourist Area.
