Hotels in Niagara Falls

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls experiences warm summers and severe winters. From November – March average temperatures range from 20 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The area receives plenty of snowfall during these months. Although the Falls are not known to stop or freeze due to the weather, (except once in the last 200 years), many of the attractions and boat tours shut down during this time. The spring months of April – May and the late fall month of October also tend to be a little frigid. From June – August, average temperatures remain in the range of 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but even on the sunniest days, visitors close to the Falls can get quite wet from the mist if the wind is blowing their way. Be prepared to wear rain gear or quick-dry clothing. Since summer is the peak tourist season, you can expect long lineups for all the rides and attractions.

Getting around Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls area is fairly compact, and you can explore most of the attractions on foot, especially during the warmer months. When your feet are weary, or the weather is not conducive, hop on one of the WEGO buses, a shuttle service that connects all the Niagara Parks locations, attractions and hotels in the area. A 24-hour ticket costs $7.50 CAD per adult, and $4.50 CAD per child (ages 6 – 12). Several local hotels offer their guests a free shuttle service to and from popular sites and attractions. You can also use the Falls Incline Railway, a quaint tram that chugs up and down the 50-metre slope that separates Table Rock near the Falls from Fallsview Boulevard. A one-way ride costs $2.75 CAD.

Driving near the Falls can be stressful due to constant traffic congestion, one-way streets, plenty of pedestrians and expensive, scarce parking. If you happen to drive in to Niagara with your own set of wheels, try to park your vehicle at one of the larger lots, then walk or use the shuttle buses for visiting the actual attractions. The larger lots offer full day parking for $5.00 CAD. There is one at the intersection of Fallsview Boulevard and Robinson Street, or you can use the Clifton Hill Parking Lot on Victoria Avenue. There are over 60 other smaller lots closer to the attractions, but they charge between $6.00 – $15.00 CAD per day, and are often completely occupied by mid-morning.

Save by purchasing the attractions passes

To avoid standing in long lines at the attractions, purchase a Niagara Falls Wonder Pass. For $25.00 CAD, the pass offers one-time entry to key attractions, 2-day access to the WEGO hop-on hop-off bus system, and to the Falls Incline Railway. ‘Journey Behind the Falls’, ‘Niagara’s Fury’, and the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory are some of the key attractions included in the pass. If you are traveling with family and intend to spend a fair amount of time at Clifton Hill, you might want to buy a Clifton Hill Six Attractions Pass that costs $29.95 CAD per adult, and $19.95 CAD per child. The pass includes access to 6 major attractions in the area, including a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel.

Best places to stay in Niagara Falls

A popular natural wonder of the world, where the mammoth Niagara River rumbles toward a 170-foot waterfall at about 20 – 30 miles an hour, Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada always leaves visitors spellbound. The speed at which the river cascades into the falls creates a misty fog, and an unmistakable roar can be heard miles before you approach this compact touristy town. Most Niagara hotels are located on a few key streets, and each of the streets offer some unique sights, attractions and entertainment.

Fallsview Boulevard

This area features several high-rise hotels with breathtaking views. You’ll also find several pubs and eateries, a plush casino, and plenty of live music in the area. Stay at the Embassy by Hilton Niagara Falls – Fallsview that offers spacious rooms and suites with absolutely spectacular views of the Falls. Another amazing property is the Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview Hotel & Suites that offers scenic views, 2 restaurants, and a waterpark on site. Across the street from this hotel, you can try your luck at the slot machines or game tables at the Fallsview Casino. Check out The Tower Hotel, which was originally built as a restaurant and tourist attraction, and then converted to a hotel in 2005. The rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a delightful close-up view of the Falls.

Clifton Hill

Just a short walk from the Falls, Clifton Hill is a fun and colorful street, packed with exciting family-friendly attractions, themed restaurants, and excellent night life. The area resembles a miniature version of the Las Vegas strip, with its bright neon-lit signs and carnival-like ambience. Enjoy the casual rooms and excellent location of Travelodge Niagara Falls at the Falls hotel, amid all the entertainment of Clifton Hill. Stay in luxurious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering full or partial views of the Falls at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, a 5-minute walk from the Clifton Hill attractions.

Lundy’s Lane

One of the longest streets in Niagara Falls, Lundy’s Lane is a shopper’s paradise. The street is packed with several plazas, gift shops, unique boutiques, bargain shops, and premium brand outlets. Just a short distance from the Falls, this vibrant area also offers a wide range of eating options, including succulent seafood, mouthwatering Mediterranean fare, hearty home-style Italian, and several other international cuisine choices. Enjoy the flowering courtyard gardens, indoor pool and modern rooms in the Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel. At the end of Lundy’s Lane on Victoria Avenue, check out the Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls, a modern hotel with stylish, contemporary rooms.

Queen Street / Niagara Parkway

Queen Street is the ideal location to take in all of the arts and culture that Niagara Falls offers. The street is filled with boutiques, art galleries, yoga studios, pubs and restaurants serving local brews. Niagara Parkway is the scenic road that runs closest to the Falls, along the Niagara River. You will find several quaint B&Bs in this area. Just a block away from Queen Street, enjoy the warm, Italian-themed rooms of Villa Gardenia Bed & Breakfast on a tree-lined street overlooking the Niagara River. Consider the award-winning Chestnut Inn B&B, a beautiful Colonial-style home that sits on an acre of land, and boasts a canopy of 100-year old chestnut trees. You can also look at the Greystone Manor Bed & Breakfast that overlooks the banks of the picturesque Niagara River Gorge.

Cheap hotels in Niagara Falls

There are plenty of cheap hotels, inns and motels within the Niagara Falls area. Several large international chain hotels located close to the Falls also offer deals and discounts on room rates. A short walk from Fallsview Boulevard, consider the Howard Johnson Hotel by the Falls, Niagara Falls. Just a block away from the Clifton Hill attractions, you have the Clifton Victoria Inn At the Falls. On River Road, overlooking the Niagara River, check out the Niagara Grandview Manor, a traditional inn set in a stately 19th-century manor.

While you can hear the roar of Niagara Falls from miles away, as soon as you get close to the majestic Falls, you’re bound to be met with some typical sights. Massive tourist groups being led by tour guides holding bright umbrellas, large crowds leaning on the railings to feel the mist on their faces, and thousands of colorful waterproof poncho-clad visitors making their way to the boats, platforms and observation decks of the Falls. Apart from viewing the Falls, there are plenty of activities to pack into your itinerary.

• Opt for the ‘Journey Behind the Falls’ where an elevator from the Table Rock Welcome Centre takes you 45-meters down to viewing tunnels near the lower edge of the falls. You can look up at the wall of water coming over the Horseshoe Falls and feel the mist on your face.
• Ride up the 235-meter Skylon Tower for a spectacular bird’s eye view of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Escarpment and the city. The tower features an indoor / outdoor observation area and 2 restaurants.
• Book a tour with Hornblower Cruises to enjoy a catamaran boat ride to the base of the Falls.
• Opt for the Niagara’s Fury show, and discover the ancient story of Niagara Falls in 4D. Experience a 360-degree multi-sensory theater where, apart from stunning visuals, you’ll be sprayed with water and snowflakes as part of the simulations. A moving platform beneath your feet will allow you to experience the might of the Falls.
• Enjoy a scenic drive or use the hop-on-hop-off WEGO buses to visit Niagara Parks attractions as well as the neighboring town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stop by to admire the Floral Clock, and the whirlpool in Niagara Gorge. Interact with over 2000 free-flying butterflies at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. You can also walk or bike on the path that runs alongside Niagara Parkway.
• Book a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel, and enjoy spectacular views of the Falls and its surroundings when your gondola soars to 175-feet high above the Falls.
• Go on an adrenalin-pumping jet boat ride through 5 whitewater rapids with a reputed operator, such as Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours.
• Stroll up and down Clifton Hill, and enjoy a host of fun activities, including gaming arcades, haunted houses, wax museums, and other fun museums, magic shows and thrilling rides. Don’t miss a stop at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Niagara Falls that features 12 themed rooms and over 800 exhibits displaying various oddities from around the world.
• Nature enthusiasts should visit the 40-hectare Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens to see perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, herb and vegetable plantings, and an enormous rose garden with over 2,400 roses.
• Enjoy 16 waterslides, a massive indoor wave pool and an outdoor sundeck with pool at The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark.
• Spend a few hours at Marineland, a large amusement park with numerous rides and games, and an impressive marine park with shows featuring whales and dolphins.
• Get a sugar rush as you sample over 20 different gourmet fudges and 50 types of candy and chocolates at the Fudge Factory.
• Go on a shopping spree at the Canada One Factory Outlets, and get excellent deals and bargains at premium brand outlets.
• Groove all night to foot tapping music, and enjoy the energetic vibe at nightclubs, such as Spicy Olive Bar + Grille and Taps on Queens Brewhouse & Grille.