TWO RELAXING DAYS IN NIAGARA FALLS CANADA
Day one in Niagara Falls Canada
Visit the falls
The Canadian side of Niagara is much more touristy than the American one. Not far from the falls you will find hotels, casinos, and all sort of restaurants, many facing the falls. This is where I recommend to spend your first day. Yes, you will be surrounded by people, but your encounter with the falls will still be very personal, even if elbow to elbow. When you look at the water, that is all it matters. Its power, sound and beauty will captivate your mind and soul.
Have lunch within the views of the falls
There are many restaurants facing the falls with outdoor terraces or huge windows letting you take in the scenery. Even though the food served is not too sophisticated, I recommend to have lunch there – after all, you came to see the falls! Have a glass or two of great Canadian beer to complement your meal.
Visit Queen Victoria Park
After lunch take a relaxing walk in Queen Victoria Park. Despite its central location in the main area for viewing the fall, the park does not get many visitors. It seems that the majority of tourists have only one goal in mind, to see the falls. This little gem is literally hiding under the shade of a giant. You’ll find there a rock garden, hanging baskets, a tea rose garden and attractive carpet-bedding displays. Park benches and well groomed lawns are perfect spots to relax and take photos.
Take Niagara Falls Zipline ride
For a little more action, take the MistRider Zipline to the Falls at Grand View Marketplace. You will fly into the gorge, towards the base of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. You’ll travel down 670 metres (2,200 feet), soaring past the American Falls and landing atop the falls observation deck at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. The ride is short but the views are great.
Watch the light show on the falls
Have dinner away from the falls
Step away form the falls for more choices of cuisine and entertainment. Unlike the American side of Niagara Falls, the Canadian side comes alive at night. Here are The 10 Best Restaurants In Niagara Falls Canada. Many bars and restaurant offer life music: The 15 Best Places with Live Music in Niagara Falls. For an ultimate Niagara Falls experience, try Skylon Tower Revolving Restaurant:“The Revolving Dining room restaurant silently rotates 360 degrees every hour, giving diners a constantly changing vantage point. It is estimated that more than 8,000 square km’s are viewable from the dining room. It really is the most breathtaking view in all of Niagara Falls.”
Niagara Falls Canada Day Two
Take a morning walk along the falls and the river
Start with the fall area again. Mornings are not busy before buses arrive. Take a relaxing stroll from the falls and continue by the river. If you walk far enough, you will get to see beautiful Canadian houses right along the road. It is always interesting to see how people live in other countries.
Take a boat tour
For a change of pace, take one of Hornblower Niagara Cruises into the heart of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. It is something I recommend to do at least once in your life. I did it twice so far, each time with different people so it felt like a slightly different experience. Make sure to secure your belongings from getting soaked.
Visit Niagara Botanical Gardens
At this point, you will be saying goodby to the falls. The Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens are located on the scenic Niagara Parkway and the Great Gorge, just a 10 minute drive north of the falls. The Gardens presents visitors with 99 acres of beautifully maintained perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, herb and vegetable plantings, and world famous rose garden featuring over 2,400 roses.
Niagara Botanical Gardens Admission – it is free!
From what you see from the road, you may expect a high price entry fee, but a great surprise: the admission to the gardens is free! The only thing you need to pay for is parking. At the time of my visit it was 5 Canadian Dollars. The gardens are absolutely beautiful! You can spend an entire day enjoying flowers and trees. Very romantic too!
Butterfly Conservatory
Niagara Falls Botanical Gardens host the Butterfly Conservatory Here you can watch butterflies in a climate-controlled environment. The 11,000 sq. ft. butterfly garden is home to more than 2000 butterflies. Admission is $15.
Niagara as couples getaway
Niagara has been known as a couples getaway for decades. Many movies about romance have been shot at the falls, including Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe. The city of Niagara Falls hosts about 50,000 honeymooning couples a year!
With heart shaped jacuzzi suites and themed suites, Niagara hotels invite those in love with a wide variety of packages. But even without fancy suites, you can make your stay romantic. Many hotels offer stunning views of the falls. To complete the scene, you need just two glasses and a bottle of champagne.
When thinking of Niagara as a couples getaway, do not forget about beautiful green areas for a romantic walk. Niagara Botanical Gardens and Queen Victoria park are easy to reach and they spell the romance.
Queen Victoria Park – great for those in love.
Niagara Falls Spring – best time to visit
When spring finally arrives, our urge to travel starts blooming too. (Learn about Benefits of Travel Everyone Should Know About.) For that reason, I planned my two relaxing days in Niagara Falls Canada in spring. It turned out to be a perfect time to visit. The summer crowds are not there yet, but weather is already pleasant. The falls are stunningly beautiful any time of year, but what a bonus to see flowers everywhere! Spring bloom adds a special touch to Niagara as a couples getaway.
