Roses, chocolates, jewelry, and paper hearts — Valentine’s Day can be one of the absolute best holidays of the year. Niagara Falls and its natives are particularly fond of the holiday of love because the city and countryside are particularly conducive to ultimate romance. If you plan your next trip to Niagara Falls during Valentine’s Day, you’ll experience a true atmosphere of passion throughout the region.

The Truth of St. Valentine

Some critics of Valentine’s Day dismiss the celebration of romantic love as nothing more than a retail holiday, Valentine’s Day has its roots in real events that occurred centuries ago.

Though the Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred men under the moniker “St. Valentine,” the most likely candidate was a priest in Rome during the 3rd century. The emperor at the time, Claudius II, believed that single men made better soldiers than husbands and fathers did because singletons were more likely to risk their lives to defend their empire; thus, the emperor outlawed marriage for men under a certain age. In defiance of the law, Valentinus continued to perform marriages until he was put to death for his actions.

A competing legend holds that St. Valentine is remembered for aiding imprisoned Christians despite his unquenchable love for their jailer’s daughter, to whom he often sent love notes signed “From Your Valentine,” a phrase mimicked by lovers today.

Even though Valentine is a slippery historical figure, historians know that Romans celebrated love in February during their festival of Lupercalia. While the carnival required many sacred rites and rituals, one of the most exciting came at the end, when single men blindly chose women’s names out of a giant urn, and resulting pairs would spend the rest of the year courting one another.

These ancient origins echo in the deep romance sought by impassioned lovers even today. Fortunately, Niagara Falls can provide everything from the ambiance to activities for travelers on Valentine’s Day.

The Best of Niagara Falls

A dreamy place to visit any time of year, Niagara Falls is especially conducive to love during the weeks surrounding February 14. Here are some of our favorite romantic activities for couples traveling on Valentine’s Day.

• Carriage ride. Just like a prince and princess in a fairy tale, lovers can cozy up in the back of a horse-drawn carriage in Niagara-on-the-Lake as it clip-clops down cobbled streets and through fantastic parks and gardens.
• Spa day. Christienne Fallsview Spa has some of the most relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to restore romance in any couple. Lovers can ask about partnered massages, facials, and other services, but a must is the infinity tub, which overlooks the thundering Horseshoe Falls.
• Winery Tour. Wine is the beverage of love — writers throughout history have said it — and there is no better location in North America for wine than the Niagara region. Partners can sample some of the New World’s best wines as well as dine on fresh and delicious meals made from local ingredients.

Niagara Falls is an inarguably romantic place. The mist off the three waterfalls, the surrounding natural splendor, and the unending cosmopolitan amenities combine to create an environment perfect for passion. Indeed, time and time again, the city has earned its title, “The Honeymoon Capital of the World.”

Newlyweds flush with marital bliss wish they could never leave this passionate paradise. The feelings of love and lust are so strong in this place that countless couples, long-married or just-dating, visit every year to feel the fervor.

Potential grooms looking to pop the question can find no better location than Niagara Falls. Still, the romantic atmosphere alone won’t be enough to seal the deal. Here are some tips to help future husbands het started wooing their future brides amidst the stunning scenery of Niagara Falls.

Step One: Procure a Ring

For those lacking the style gene, selecting the perfect ring for their sweethearts can be the most trying task of the entire endeavor. However, engagement ring-buying can be boiled down to a simple formula, and in no time at all any future fiancé should be able to find a piece of show-stopping jewelry.

• The material for the band. Most jewelers will offer a selection of gold, silver, and platinum bands. Pay attention to the color of your partner’s other jewelry, and choose a material to match.
• The gemstone for the setting. An engagement ring is iconic for its noticeable rock. Diamonds are typical but not necessary — again, consider what other gems your significant other prefers before making a decision.

If you didn’t come to Niagara Falls with marriage on the mind, yet nonetheless find yourself deciding this vacation is the right time to pop the question, there are dozens of excellent jewelry stores in the area to satisfy your engagement needs. Clifton Hill is the biggest shopping center closest to the tourist district of the city, and it might be easy to keep your honey busy with arcades and rides while you shop. Alternatively, the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls or the Outlet Collection of Niagara offer hundreds of discount designer stores where you can search for the perfect ring.

Step Two: Plan the Time and Place

Despite the glitz and glamour associated with a proposal, an effective asking depends on one thing only: that you know your partner. This may sound overly simplistic, but it is nevertheless true. A person who proposes on the Jumbotron to a quiet and private person will probably receive a lackluster response, as will a person who pops the question alone at home to a loud-and-proud diva. Before you plan the specifics of your proposal, you absolutely must know what kind of gestures your honey appreciates.

Niagara Falls has ample locations to suit any proposal needs. Busy lookout spots throughout the Niagara Parks system that prominently feature the Falls can be romantic areas to get down on one knee in a crowd of onlookers. Conversely, wine tastings or spa experiences offer some alone time to inquire about your marital future.

Unfortunately, Niagara Falls can’t help you when it comes to what you say and how you say it, but if you have the other elements of your proposal right and you intimately understand your one true love, your proposal should go off without a hitch.

Some of the most overlooked but most exciting aspects of vacations are definitely the souvenirs. Once your trip has ended and you are back firmly in the grasp of the day-to-day grind, you can glance at the fun items you brought home and remember the pleasure and exhilaration of your travels — for many, this feeling can be almost as satisfying as the trip itself.

Searching for the perfect souvenir can be tricky, especially in a place like Niagara Falls, where there are thousands of different activities and attractions worth a memory or five. Luckily, we can help you find the perfect souvenir to remember your time in Niagara Falls.

1. Maple Syrup

Most of Niagara Falls is nestled comfortably in Canadian territory, which means quintessential Canadian stuff is a must if you are interested in an authentic Niagara vacation. Maple syrup is delicious on more than breakfast foods: You can actually use our favorite condiment on meats, in salads, and on snacks — though we can never say no to some waffles or pancakes topped with the good stuff. You can load up on bottles of maple syrup before you head back home, where prices are infinitely higher and quality is much, much lower.

2. Niagara Wine

We’ve said time and time again that wines from the Niagara region rival those from more famous vineyard land in France, Italy, Argentina, and more. The fact is that it is almost difficult to make a poor quality wine in Niagara, where the fertile soils grow plump, flavorful grapes. After your tasting tour, be sure to return to your favorite cellars and pick up a bottle of your favorite varietals.

3. Hershey’s Chocolate

While Niagara Falls isn’t the home of Hershey’s, it is certainly Hershey’s favorite vacation destination. Niagara Falls hosts one of the world’s only Hershey’s Chocolate World retail stores, where visitors can overindulge their sweet teeth with more than 800 varieties of Hershey’s sweets. Plus, Hershey’s Chocolate World has a fresh bakery counter that incorporates your favorite treats into luscious baked goods as well as a milkshake counter where you can drink thick, creamy shakes flavored by your favorite candies. You can remember your near chocoholic overdose with any of the Hershey’s-themed merchandise — clothes, candles, décor — or bags and bags full of Hershey’s chocolates.

4. Photo Album

Visitors to Niagara Falls are usually here for one primary purpose: to see one of the world’s most amazing natural sights. Billions of photographs are taken of the iconic Falls every year, but many will remain hidden in digital archives to be unseen and unloved even by their takers. While social media provides an inexpensive and simple way to showcase one’s travel photos, the time-honored photo album is a personal and memorable place to store all of one’s cherished memories.

5. Typical Travel Souvenirs

People who travel widely and frequently tend to seek out particular items to showcase on their souvenir shelves. Whether your souvenir of choice is a T-shirt, a key chain, a shot glass, or anything in between, Niagara Falls has what you are looking for to commemorate your trip. In fact, there are more than three shops in the heart of Niagara Falls that specialize in all types of fun and funky souvenirs, and two stores in neighboring towns that are more than happy to fill your nostalgia needs.

While many visitors to Niagara Falls would probably (accurately) declare that our beloved city is an amusement park altogether due to its dedication to fun and excitement at every turn, the region is home to three unique amusement parks built specifically with visitors’ needs and desires in mind.

Each of our three parks boasts sights, sounds, and experiences truly unlike any other in the area, and they are bound to delight kids from age 3 to 103. After you’re done viewing the Falls during your next trip to Niagara Falls, visit one or all of our three exceptional amusement parks for a time you won’t soon forget.

1. Marineland Canada

This park is heaven on Earth for visitors looking to combine their dual loves of high-flying adventure and marine biology. Marineland Canada began as a marine zoo, where visitors could come to see and learn about various aspects of life under the sea. The park still places a strong emphasis on education, and several exhibits on marine mammals, birds, and fish are sure to teach your family about the importance of conservation and preservation.

However, Marineland also understands their visitors’ need for fun. Not only can you see the park’s animals lounging comfortably in their own habitats, but you can watch them play in a handful of carefully choreographed shows and skits designed to make you laugh — and gasp in awe. What’s more, determined visitors can even get up close to their favorite creatures. Orcas, dolphins, beluga whales, and more have distinct habitats where guests can feed, pet, and possibly even train the animals to their hearts’ desire.

Believe it or not, that isn’t all the fun Marineland can provide. In fact, this park offers visitors the most thrill rides and play areas of any park in the city, which means that you and your family could spend days here without repeating an attraction once. From simple log rides to wild roller coasters, the park’s rides are numerous, and there is destined to be one to perfectly suit the tastes of everyone in your clan.

2. Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

The world may be covered in waterparks, but not one of them stands up to the amenities and wet and wild fun available at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. This park contains all the elements you’d expect to find at a typical waterpark — slides, wave pools, play areas — but it makes them legendary to the extreme.

There are literally dozens of waterslides in Fallsview, each with its own thrills. For example, the Extreme Racing Slides will pit you against a friend in a breakneck race to the pool to the bottom, and the Canadian Plunge will see you whirling and spinning as your inner tube takes you on a wild ride down a narrow slide. Meanwhile, less adventurous guests can soak in any of the pools or lounge on the decks while ordering food and drinks from the Planet Hollywood Beach Club restaurant.

3. Safari Niagara

Most people don’t come to Niagara Falls expecting to see exotic animals like lions, giraffes, and hippos, but at Safari Niagara, that’s just what you get. With more than 500 wild and domestic animal species to see and interact with, this zoo provides Niagara visitors the chance to learn about animals they’ve never known about before. Zookeepers guide guests around the zoo, providing facts about each of the exhibits; plus, presentations in any of the park’s various amphitheaters will educate listeners on anything from the preservation of threatened species to up-close introductions of individual zoo inhabitants. On top of this, the park offers a handful of fun rides to keep little minds entertained: visit the rope course, bungee experience, or animal splash pad for extra fun.

We have written at length about the absolute unparalleled beauty of Niagara Falls during the winter, but we have barely nicked the surface. Visitors can enjoy the wintertime by participating in a variety of sports perfect for this time of year. Winters in Niagara are snowy yet mild, which creates the perfect environment for any type of winter play.

Instead of waiting for the busy, hot summer months to see Niagara Falls, grab your skis, sleds, snowboards, skates, and sense of adventure for a thrilling Niagara vacation you won’t soon forget.

1. Skiing and Snowboarding

Despite being located in a region full of steep hills and gentle valleys, Niagara Falls is not particularly well-known for skiing. For skiing enthusiasts, this could be a blessing in disguise: Some of the continent’s best slopes have yet to be overrun with eager skiing greenhorns that clog up trails and ruin clean snow. Plus, these trail wholeheartedly welcome snowboarders as well. Here are two of the best undiscovered skiing spots in the area:

• Bond Lake. A public park within Niagara County, Bond Lake offers more than 13 miles of absolutely free cross-country trails. To cool down and warm up after a long day of skiing, the site has a skating rink and a warming house as well as a tubing hill to entertain less-avid skiers.
• Kissing Bridge. Less than 30 minutes from the city, the Kissing Bridge falls in a region called the Colden Snowbelt, which receives an average of 180 inches of snow every year. There are more than 36 downhill trails over the park’s 900 acres, and most of the trails are lit for use at night.

2. Sledding

The activity goes by a whole slew of names throughout the world, but in Canada, the proper term for riding a sled down a snowy hill is “tobogganing.” Local Canadians enjoy the sport just about year-round — grassy hills are just as conducive to tobogganing as snowy ones — but deep winter after a full night of snowfall always feels the most appropriate.

The hilly terrain within Niagara Falls perfectly suits extreme and gentle tobogganing alike, and throughout the winter, visitors are likely to see dozens of excellent toboggan spots around the city’s numerous parks.

There is near unanimous agreement that Fireman’s Park, where eager tobogganers can find a plethora of excellent hills, is the best spot. Some keen tobogganers even bring their own ramps to make their toboggan ride that much more exciting. Still, if Fireman’s Park doesn’t suit your toboggan style, you can search out the perfect hill anywhere else in the city.

Niagara Falls transforms into a winter wonderland during the coldest season of the year, which makes it a utopia for fans of frigid sports. If you are looking for a new winter vacation destination but need a spot that gives you a shot of adrenaline, look no farther than Niagara Falls.

Most travelers enjoy calm and leisure on their vacations, finding space in quiet destinations that offer relaxing attractions to soothe nerves and abate aches. Other travelers seek out places with plenty of entertainment and attractions well-suited to families or large, rambunctious groups.

Then, there is a small fraction of travelers who look first and foremost for vacations filled with adrenaline, where every activity is white-knuckle and bravery is a must. Believe it or not, Niagara can accommodate all three types of vacations. If you want a vacation that will keep your heart racing and your teeth clenched, book a room in Niagara Falls and prepare your body for these extreme attractions.

1. Helicopter Tour

To start your trip off easy, purchase space on any one of the city’s illustrious helicopter tours. With tours departing regularly, it’s easy to schedule a quick birds-eye view of the area. If the standard family tour isn’t enough to get your blood pumping, look into companies offering adventure tours, where you’ll get access to some of the most remote regions of Niagara.

2. Skydiving

Because Niagara is such a stunning region, it should come as no surprise that people love to see the landscape from all angles, including 15,000 feet in the air. Skydiving is a popular sport in and around Niagara Falls, and thrill seekers over 18 are welcome to jump out of a plane and float toward the verdant forests and patchwork of farmland far below.

If this will be your first jump, you’ll learn the ropes with a class beforehand and have the guidance of an instructor throughout your flight, and experienced jumpers are welcome to explore the skies as well. Many companies offer video services to record your experience for posterity.

If you don’t feel quite brave enough to tackle the real thing, you can still experience freefalling at Niagara Freefall. Instructors will educate you about skydiving, and then you’ll be let loose in a vertical wind tunnel strong enough to keep anyone floating well above ground. Though you won’t get the scenery, you will get a quickened pulse.

3. Whirlpool Rapids

If you prefer your thrills a bit wetter, the world-famous Whirlpool Rapids — widely touted as the most dangerous rapids in the world — are available for exploration. The Whirlpool Rapids are generally regarded as too violent to permit human-powered rafting, but that doesn’t mean you are forbidden from experiencing their power firsthand. The Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour will take you directly into the churning, white-tipped water so you can feel the cold spray of the Niagara River. The jet boats are safe and reliable in the chaotic water, which means you can feel secure in one of Niagara’s most perilous places.

To see the rapids from the air, schedule time for the Whirlpool Aero Car, which suspends travelers in a car far above the whirlpools and rapids. Hanging above a wild and powerful river on just two cables strung through the air, your adrenaline will kick in as you dangle directly above the rapids.

Alternatively, the White Water Walk will take you within walking distance of the whirlpool. The journey can hardly be called strenuous or heart-pounding, but the views from the bridge will amaze you as you peer right into the frenzied water.

Niagara Falls is an amazing place to test your mettle, whether you desire flying, jumping, or rafting. Plus, the best part of Niagara’s extreme attractions is that after your need for speed, height, and danger has worn off, you’ll still have plenty of serene and entertaining attractions to keep you busy.

The United States is vast and varied while Mexico is crazy and cultural, so Canada, as the third major country in North America, is often forgotten as a vacation destination. However, Canada has plenty to offer the intrepid traveler, from one-of-a-kind views to world-renowned culture. So, set your sights northward and pack warm for a vacation to any or all of these terrific Canadian trips.

1. Niagara Falls

Perhaps the best known of any vacation destination in Canada, Niagara Falls is thrumming with visitors almost any time of year — and it’s easy to see why. Its world-famous waterfalls are some of the world’s natural wonders, with the churning water falling more than 178 feet at a breakneck 100 feet per second, and there are plenty of delightful parks and natural forests to explore. Staying in Niagara Falls also grants visitors access to world-class entertainment, from amusement parks to casinos, winery tours to water parks. Niagara Falls is certainly a place any world traveler must see.

2. Montreal

French Canada feels like its own country, and plenty of French Canadians wish it were so. A visit to Montreal affords visitors a chance to indulge in all things French, from the language to the architecture to the legendary food. Catch glimpses of striking 18th century architecture along the Vieux-Montreal, which boasts plenty of attractions for tourists, like shops and museums. Or, simply eat your way through the city at any of the proudly award-winning restaurants.

3. Victoria and Vancouver Island

If you tire of the French attitudes in the Quebec Province, head west for a taste of Canada’s British roots. Victoria is full of British architecture and culture; the Parliament building looks and feels straight out of London, and the city boasts the country’s best tea rooms where you can indulge in a scone or crumpet with clotted cream along with your brew.

When you exhaust the city’s attractions, you can step outside into British Columbia where opportunities abound. British Columbia is celebrated for its outdoor sports, from surfing to skiing, and the national parks of the region rival even tropical jungles in their diverse beauty. Plus, this is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales. The list of activities on Vancouver Island seems unending, so any traveler can find his or her ideal vacation here.

4. Ottawa

The nation’s capital certainly isn’t the largest city in Canada or even the most culturally or naturally diverse, but it is certainly worth a visit. The metropolitan area is full of federal, financial, and commercial buildings to explore, but the real treat is the Rideau Canal. This waterway connects the capital to Lake Ontario and other cities in the region, and in Ottawa, it creates interesting and lovely scenery. Most importantly, during winter the canal freezes solid creating the world’s largest ice skating rink. So bring your skates for a quick winter trip to Ottawa.

5. Banff National Park

If exquisite landscapes are what you’re looking for, you absolutely cannot ignore Banff National Park. Nestled in the province of Alberta, Banff is Canada’s first and most popular national park due to its seemingly untouched natural scenery. Crystal blue lakes reflect stark white and gray mountains surrounded by a sea of fresh green forest; you can stop for a glance as you pass along the Trans-Canada Highway, or you can spend some time hiking and exploring the park’s unique beauty.

New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls offers a family getaway unlike any you’ve ever experienced! With ET Canada’s free New Year’s Eve concert in Queen Victoria Park offering performances from Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, Keith Urban, and Lights, dazzling lights illuminating the Niagara Parkway, and amazing fireworks shows happening directly over the Niagara Falls, there is something exciting for everyone to experience.

If you’re looking to book a stay, The Skyline Inn is a family favourite hotel located just minutes from the Niagara Falls, Queen Victoria Park, and exciting Clifton Hill entertainment district. It also features a direct indoor connection to the 3-acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, which offers 16 waterslides, a massive indoor wave pool, 1,000-gallon tipping bucket and so much more.

A fun and exciting New Year’s Eve getaway that is sure to please people of all ages awaits in Niagara Falls. Book your stay now to be a part of the fun!

Step aside, Nova Scotia, and take a seat British Colombia; Niagara is perpetually voted Canada’s most stunning area, and the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is nestled comfortably as the number-one most beautiful city in the country.

The quaint shops and cozy parks are cute and welcoming, and there is plenty to do and see even on a day trip from Niagara Falls. However, for a limited time, Niagara-on-the-Lake is dressed up in its winter whites and looks even more gorgeous than usual. Here are all the must-see places and attractions that can’t wait for warmer weather.

Shaw Festival

The city prides itself on its profound emphasis on the arts — especially the theater. In tribute to noted playwright Bernard Shaw, the town hosts a yearly festival, called the Shaw Festival, featuring the world’s best plays, including comedies, dramas, musicals, and everything in between. The magic of the stage can bring audiences to laughter or tears, and Niagara-on-the-Lake works to provide world-class productions at its theaters throughout the year.

The Shaw Festival is on hiatus during the winter months, but the theaters that proudly present its plays continue to offer shows while the snow falls. There is nothing more pleasant than snuggling up to a fantastic show while winter chills the air outside.

Winery Tours

Burrowed into the countryside, Niagara-on-the-Lake is settled between a handful of the absolute best vineyards and winemakers in the country. Year-round, these masters of wine offer tastings of their best vintages as well as pairings with world-class meals in their cafes and restaurants.

While winter certainly isn’t a growing season, it is the crucial period that creates Niagara’s signature ice wine, a sweet and unique Canadian variation on Riesling. During the off-season, you’ll be given the star treatment as the best wineries welcome you to warm your bodies and spirits with amazing drinks and food.

Horse and Carriage Ride

Niagara-on-the-Lake looks and feels like a city frozen in time, but the feeling is even more powerful when you’re riding an old-fashioned horse and carriage through the city’s streets and parks. The carriage driver can give you a full tour of the city or simply convey you from one place to another. It’s a unique and comfortable thrill, especially for couples.

In wintertime, the experience is even more intimate. The quiet chill lends itself to snuggling for warmth in the back of the carriage. The town’s twinkling lights and holiday music make the simple ride feel like a journey through wonderland.

Explore History

Because the town is one of the best preserved examples of life in the 19th century, it boasts a handful of opportunities to learn about the history of Niagara and the experiences of its people during that time. The Niagara Historical Society Museum is filled with artifacts and information on Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding region throughout its 9,000-year history.

Throughout this winter, the museum is focusing its exhibits on the experiences of local Canadians during the great wars. After exploring the museum, you can warm up in the province’s oldest working inn, Olde Angel Inn, whose regulars can regale you with stories you’re not likely to find in history books.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a gem of the Niagara region, but during winter, that gem gleams brighter than usual. Instead of waiting for the crowded and busy tourist season, see how the magic of winter transforms Canada’s prettiest town into a real-life winter wonderland.

Step aside, New York City: North America has a new destination for New Year’s Eve fun, and it’s none other than Niagara Falls. Long touted as a party city full of thrills and excitement year-round, Niagara Falls goes all out during New Year’s, with parties and celebrations of all types for days on end. If you are tired of the monotonous and dreary goings-on at your regular New Year’s Eve bashes, visit Niagara Falls this New Year’s for festivities that will revive you for the year ahead.

1. The Biggest Bash

With more than 30,000 revelers expected, Queen Victoria Park hosts Niagara Falls’ largest party, hands down. Filled with lights, music, and dancing, this celebration lasts well past midnight, so you’ll be ringing in the New Year until you can’t ring anymore. This party has a history of booking big musical entertainers, and this year should be no exception. Though the lineup isn’t certain yet for this year’s bash, you can be sure there will be major names taking the stage. Last year featured Demi Lovato, Serena Ryder, the Sam Roberts Band, and more.

2. New Year’s Eve Family Spectacular

This holiday is for the whole family, not just adults, and Niagara Falls understands the importance of access to a family friendly event to delight all ages. On December 31, the Americana Hotel is hosting just such a party, with music, magic, and more lasting past midnight. Games and contests will keep kids of all ages entertained all night long, and as soon as the countdowns starts, adults will have Champagne — and little ones will have cider — to toast good tidings for 2015. All visitors to Niagara are welcome to come enjoy the festivities, so you can stay at any of Niagara’s hotels without worrying about access to the family fun.

3. New Year’s Eve Gala

If event-crowded parties aren’t your scene, the Greg Frewin Theater is inviting visitors to attend a night of illusion and wonder hosted by the Grand Champion of Magic himself: Greg Frewin. To start, you’ll be treated to a cocktail reception and delicious buffet dinner, followed by hours of magic and mystery as Frewin delights and charms you with his award-winning act. Then, an hour before the countdown, you and yours can dance down the clock to a live band playing your favorite hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The gala is classy and fun, with delicious beverages and food to boot.

Before the big night, you can spend the daylight hours exploring Niagara Falls parks and scenery or indulging in any of its wild entertainment. Then, to rest your feet and soothe your head on New Year’s Day, you can lounge in the pool or relax at the spa to cleanse your body of toxins. Then, once rejuvenated, you can go enjoy other Niagara attractions. It’s abundantly clear that Niagara Falls is the ideal place to celebrate the New Year before, during, and after the holidays.