Winter Wonderland at Niagara Falls

Although the primary tourist season for Niagara Falls is late May through December, we found it to be spectacular in February.  There is much to see and do in Niagara, even in the dead of winter.

Where to Stay

Numerous hotel accommodations are near Niagara Falls State Park in New York. Since it was our first trip to Niagara, I booked online, hoping we could walk to the park from our hotel.  It turned out to be just a short walk to the falls, and our hotel wasn’t even the closest. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn Niagara Falls, which was less than a half mile from the falls. The Fairfield provided a spotless and well-appointed room, and an excellent hot breakfast was complimentary with our stay.  The staff was terrific and very helpful in assisting us with our late check-in. I would definitely recommend this hotel for the beautiful accommodations and location.

Other hotels were even closer to the Niagara State Park Welcome Center and the Falls. All these hotels offer a perfect location for a wonderful visit to Niagara Falls, NY.

• The Red Coach Inn: This is in a prime location overlooking the river that feeds Niagara Falls.  It offers one—and two-bedroom suites with kitchen areas and guest rooms. It also provides a nice restaurant and bar, wi-fi, free self-parking, and room service. A complimentary breakfast is also included.
• Holiday Inn Niagara Falls Scenic Downtown: This hotel is a short walk across the bridge to the falls. It offers a restaurant, all of the amenities the Holiday Inn brand name is known for, and the perfect location for walking to attractions.
• Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls, New York: This hotel offers stunning views of the Niagara River. If you book this hotel, be sure to ask for river views; they will be worth it. Accommodations offered by the Double Tree include regular guest rooms and suites. Some suites offer separate sleeping and lounging areas. There is a restaurant on-site, and room service is available. There is a parking fee for this hotel.
• The Courtyard by Marriott at Niagara Falls: This hotel is within walking distance of the falls and offers all of the amenities of the Marriott brand. There is a restaurant on site.

Fabulous Food

Because of its location close to the falls and inviting appearance, we wandered into The Red Coach Inn Restaurant for lunch.  Our visit was in February, and this quaint inn offered a warm and cozy atmosphere. We were seated near the window and enjoyed a beautiful view of the Niagara River as we warmed up. I must say we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. The artichoke dip with fresh bread was to die for.  Honestly, it was the best I ever had, and the staff’s hospitality was so wonderful that we decided that when we returned to Niagara, we wouldn’t just eat here again but stay at the inn.

When visiting Niagara, you will enjoy staying in the area closest to the falls so that you can walk to the attractions. During the peak season, public transportation is available. We enjoy walking when we visit different cities because we feel that we can enjoy more of the scenery. It also takes a lot of pressure off of us in navigating new cities because we allow public transit or Uber to take us where we need to go.

Other nearby restaurants:

• Top of the Falls: This restaurant is located on Goat Island and allows patrons to view the falls while enjoying their meal.  It is open seasonally, so you would need to check with the restaurant or visitor center to make sure it is open when you visit.
• Hard Rock Café Niagara: Located near the Rainbow Bridge, this restaurant needs no introduction if you’ve ever visited a Hard Rock Café elsewhere. 
• SPOT Café: This cozy little café offers a variety of entrees and an all-day breakfast menu. If you want a nice meal with a local flare, this is the spot for you!

Top Attractions at Niagara Falls, NY

During our February visit to Niagara, most water-related attractions were not in service, but there was still plenty to do and see. We walked over the bridge to Goat Island, where we could view the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Cave of the Winds was open, and we were able to enjoy the interactive museum, where we learned interesting facts about the history of the falls; we then moved into a theater room where we watched a short informational film; as the film ended, we rode the elevator down to the viewing platform where we were able to get an up-close view of the American falls. It was cold and wet, but the frozen falls were breathtaking. When visiting Cave of the Winds, you should remember to wear shoes that won’t slip because the walkway is wet and slippery.

Other attractions:

• Hiking Trails: Visitors can enjoy several hiking trails to view Niagara’s beautiful scenery. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes.
• Trolly Tours: Trolly tours are available but are seasonal. Be sure to check with the Niagara Falls visitor center before you plan your trip to ensure you can enjoy all of the attractions you want to enjoy.
• Maid of the Mist: Get up close and personal with the falls on the Maid of the Mist as you take a boat ride as close as possible to the falls.
• Several adventure tours and educational tours are available at the Niagara Falls Visitors Center. This site will also help you with seasonal openings and closings of attractions.

When to Visit Niagara Falls

We visited Niagara Falls in February and absolutely loved it. This time of year allowed us to enjoy the falls in winter without a huge crowd; however, most attractions were closed. Since our main objective was to see the falls, we were not disappointed, but we both admitted that we would like to return someday when more attractions are open. The primary tourist season begins in late May and continues through December, with the busiest months being July and August. We want to visit again and ride on the Maid of the Mist. Also, it would have been nice to enjoy the Trolly system and get around to other areas of Niagara.  All in all, our first visit was a success and left us wanting to return. For more information about Niagara Falls attractions, visit the Niagara Falls Visitors Center.