A Sleepover with a View: Niagara Falls, ON

Wow, its been a busy two weeks over here! First, there was a family getaway to Niagara Falls, followed by a girls trip to Cuba, and ending with what should be (fingers crossed) our second-last move for a handful of years to come. I know, I know, tough month.

I can't wait to recap it all for you, but first, we'll start at the beginning with our little family getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Or, as I like to refer to it, our sleepover with a view.

As previously mentioned, the start of daycare and end of maternity leave are fast approaching. As in days away. Cue the waterworks.

To celebrate, we decided we were in need of a little getaway. Just the three of us. 

We chose Niagara Falls, Ontario - the perfect distance from Toronto for an overnight, family-friendly trip. Even in the middle of winter. 

We stayed at the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, in a room overlooking the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the border.  The hotel is a short walk from many of Niagara's attractions, restaurants, Fallsview Casino and the spectacular Falls themselves. 

The hotel also had an indoor pool, which eventually was the perfect way to wind down our adventure-filled day. 

The day was filled with visiting a few of Niagara Parks' great attractions - Journey Behind the Falls, the Floral Showhouse and the Butterfly Conservatory.

The Niagara Parks Wonder Pass is a great option to explore these attractions and save money while doing so, whether you're visiting the Falls for one day, two or even more.

Aside from the photos and memories, a souvenir to remember Morley's first visit to Niagara Falls was definitely needed. We made a pitstop at Souvenir City, a 15,000 square feet plaza that has become one of Niagara Falls’ largest free tourist attractions and features a vast selection of Niagara Falls and Canadian-themed souvenirs and gifts.  

We had a delicious dinner at Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, where we dined liked a king, queen and princess on a variety of tasty meats and sides. 

After our bellies were full, we took a walk down by the Falls to see the new Falls Illumination, the new new energy-efficient LED illumination system. Every evening beginning at dusk, Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-coloured water and light masterpiece. These lights work to create a breathtaking view not to be missed.  

After a good night's rest and a big breakfast, our last stop of the trip was to Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary. Morley loved watching the exotic colourful birds fly freely in the multi-level rainforest. She even got to meet a few, including one that sang to her. We were so impressed! She loves animals, which makes this animal-loving mama very happy. 

While we would have loved to check out the other attractions Niagara Falls has to offer, such as the infamous Clifton Hill, it was quickly approaching nap time. So, to the car it was. That was ok with us because we also didn't want to get stuck in the dreaded rush hour traffic on the way back into Toronto.

Most people associate visiting the Falls with the summer months, but I highly recommend checking it out during the winter.  There were no big lines or crowds to battle, and, at times, we were the only ones walking down the street. The majority of attractions and restaurants are still open, and as it is their slow season, most will thank you for stopping in.  That being said, be sure to check ahead before your winter visit, just to be safe.

A BIG thank you to Radisson Fallsview, Niagara Parks, Niagara Falls Tourism and Souvenir City for making Morley's first visit to the Falls a huge success and creating lasting memories for my family!

Where we stayed in Niagara Falls:

Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview

6733 Fallsview Blvd  //  905-356-1944

Where we ate in Niagara Falls:

Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse

6361 Fallsview Blvd  //  905-353-7187

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 5:00-10:00pm; Friday 5:00-11:00pm; Saturday, 4:30-11:00pm

Where we visited in Niagara Falls:

Journey Behind the Falls

6650 Niagara Pkwy  //  905-354-1551

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00-6:00pm

Floral Showhouse

7145 Niagara Pkwy  //  (905) 354-1721

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30-5:00pm 

Butterfly Conservatory

2565 Niagara Pkwy  //  (905) 358-0025

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-5:00pm

Souvenir City Headquarters

 4199 River Rd  //  866-344-0985

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00-5:00pm

Bird Kingdom

5651 River Road // 905-356-8888

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30-5:00pm

*Hours, contact information and admission prices subject to change.

Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? What was your favourite place to visit? I'd love to hear!

Exploring the Wonder of Niagara Falls

The countdown is officially on for Morley to start daycare and for me to head back to work. It's crazy to believe that 10 months have already passed.

To celebrate, we decided we were in need of a little getaway. Just the three of us. 

Living in Toronto, there are many quick getaways at our finger tips. A short 1.5 hour drive down the highway, Niagara Falls, Ontario is the perfect one-day or overnight trip option for those that live in,  around or are just visiting the big city of Toronto. 

Whether you are traveling with family, friends or even solo, Niagara Falls has something to do for everyone. While the Niagara Region may be known for its award-winning wineries, vast network of hiking trails along the Niagara Escarpment and the Falls themselves, it is filled with adventure and activities all year long, making it the perfect mid-winter celebratory getaway for my little family. 

This trip, I wanted something that was unlike anything we'd ever done before in Niagara Falls, but also something that family-friendly. For us, the answer was Niagara Park's Wonder Pass.

Having lived in the Niagara Region for a year during grad school, I was familiar with Niagara Parks. However, I had no idea that Parks also ran many of the great attractions in and around the Falls area, offering a "passport"-type adventure pass to visit them. 

The Niagara Parks Wonder Pass is a great option whether you're visiting the Falls for one day, two or even more. At just $22.95 CAD+tax per adult (*subject to change), the Pass saves you money while offering one time admission to the Park's all-season attractions - Journey Behind the Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory and Niagara’s Fury - plus over $75 in bonus coupons to use during your stay. No car? No problem. It also includes 2-days access to the WEGO bus system, which connects major hotels in Niagara Falls to Niagara Parks.

Take a look at how we explored Niagara Falls with the Niagara Parks Wonder Pass:

Journey Behind the Falls

Journey Behind the Falls allows you to venture deep below and behind the heart of Niagara, and stand in the mist where the mighty Horseshoe Falls tumbles from 13 storeys above! You'll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world's freshwater crashing down to the basin below.

This was definitely my favourite part of the Wonder Pass. You really can't get a feel for the amount of water and power rushing over the Falls until you step behind them. 

During the winter months, they close the outdoor viewing platform (for obvious reasons), but there is still plenty to see from the covered areas. The good thing about experiencing this attraction in winter? You don't get wet!

Please note, strollers are not normally permitted in this attraction. We were granted special permission since it was especially quiet on our visit.

Butterfly Conservatory

This magical attraction features over 2,000 colourful tropical butterflies floating freely among lush, exotic blossoms and greenery. Paths wind through the rainforest setting, past a pond and waterfall and the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare to take their first flight!

We spent quite a bit of time at the Butterfly Conservatory. Mostly because Morley slept through half of it, and of course woke up just as we were leaving. We knew she would love to watch the butterflies, so once she was awake, we ended up going through again. 

We're glad we did. Her little giggles as she watched them flying, her shrieks and grunts as she yelled at them laying on the greenery and her delayed reactions as they flew past her face were all priceless. 

Niagara's Fury

Niagara's Fury allows you to discover the ancient story of Niagara Falls, through a 360 degree, multi-sensory experience. Located in the same area as the Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury is a “4D” Universal Studios-style attraction, to help you fully understand how the Falls were formed and their true power. 

In lieu of this attraction being closed for maintenance during our visit, we were offered passes to the IMAX. While I would have loved to take in this attraction, we didn't think Morley would, so we opted out. 

Floral Showhouse

This Wonder Pass add-on option displays collections or orchids, succulents and other tropical plant species throughout the year, with special floral shows that reflect the changing seasons. Colourful tropical birds fly throughout the greenery to make you truly feel like you are in a lush jungle.

Visiting a greenhouse like this one is not something we would normally do, so taking some time to walk through and enjoy the beautiful spring display was a nice change of pace. And Morley loved watching the birds.

Falls Illumination

This past December, the bi-national Niagara Falls Illumination Board unveiled its new energy-efficient LED illumination system in Niagara Falls. The new lighting system provides more than twice the previous lighting levels, programmable lighting and a wider spectrum of colour, offering both new and returning visitors an entirely new way to experience Niagara Falls at night.

After dinner, we ended the day with a walk along the falls to view the new Falls Illumination. Every evening beginning at dusk, Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-coloured water and light masterpiece. These lights work to create a breathtaking view not to be missed.  

Niagara Park's Wonder Pass was definitely the perfectly family-friendly way to see the Falls. It was a busy day, but a fun one. I think Morley agreed.

Visiting Niagara Falls in the Winter

While most people associate visiting the Falls with the summer months, I highly recommend checking it out during the winter.  There were no big lines or even crowds to battle. At times, we were the only ones walking down the street. The majority of attractions and restaurants are still open, and as it is their slow season, most will thank you for stopping in.  That being said, be sure to check ahead before your winter visit, just to be safe.

About Niagara Parks

Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. The Agency offers visitors the opportunity to authentically experience and interpret the 56 kilometre Niagara River corridor through the sprawling parklands, natural attractions, locally-sourced culinary offerings, celebrated golf courses and restored heritage sites.

Planning a trip to Niagara Falls? Let Niagara Parks help with their online trip planner. For more info on the Niagara Parks Wonder Pass, visit Niagara Parks website.

Have you been to Niagara Falls? What was your favourite thing to do or see? I'd love to hear!

Note: This post was made possible by Niagara Parks. I did receive products and/or compensation in exchange for my honest review, however, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you Niagara Parks for creating lasting memories for my family!