Niagara Falls: Canada Side vs. America Side? Canada – it’s not even close! We embraced the cold and made the drive in January 2023 for beautiful views of the frozen falls, which created a true winter wonderland.
I had not been to Niagara Falls since I was a kid but only saw the NY side. The Canadian side is where you get gorgeous panoramas of both the American Falls and the mighty Horseshoe Falls. It’s definitely the more glamorous side of Niagara Falls, offering more hotel choices with views of the falls, top restaurants, and many family-friendly attractions.
A note about traveling to Canada with kids: bring all the documentation for them including passports and birth certificates, custody paperwork, and a permission letter from the non-custodial parent including a copy of their ID, if that applies to your situation. The border patrol agent asked me right away for it upon entering Canada and I was glad I was prepared!
Day 1
Niagara Falls, ON is about a 6-1/2 hour drive from Frederick County, MD. The trek is very rural at times and we drove through some light snow the further we got in NY, as to be expected during the month of January. We left right after school on a Friday and checked into our hotel Marriott by the Falls in Ontario. It is a nice hotel and I highly recommend paying a little extra for a view of the falls because fireworks are a regular weekend event which you can view without having to leave your room.
Our hotel was not as close to Clifton Hill and the falls as I would have liked which meant it was a short 5 minute drive to get anywhere. Some of the other hotels were closer within walking distance so if I had to do it again, I’d stay closer to the falls to avoid additional parking costs. Canada isn’t exactly known for being cheap to visit!
Day 2
Clifton Hill, located just one block from the horseshoe falls, is an amazing little section of so much fun and some of the best dining options. We did all the touristy things in Ontario like Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium, Louis Toussad’s Wax Works and because we got a combo pass, we did the Ripley’s Selfie Studios which my kids loved. This area is so unique, lively, and really designed with families in mind.
Another tip – use your credit card for all purchases in Canada. You’ll get the US price on your credit card statement instead of Canadian prices.
We had an evening dinner reservation at the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant with legendary views of the falls. This is an absolute must while visiting Niagara Falls! The restaurant silently rotates 360 degrees every hour, giving diners a constantly changing vantage point. Make sure you book this well in advance because this might be the most popular dinner spot in Ontario – and rightfully so with these spectacular views.
Tip: I recommend the early dinner slot in the winter time for a sunset view of the falls. If you book the late view, your photos will end up with light bulb reflections in them.
Day 3
We headed out in the morning to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a storybook little town in southern Ontario and about 30 minutes from Niagara falls. It sits on the shores of Lake Ontario and is known for its flower-filled, tree-lined old town features 19th-century buildings, mainly along Queen Street.
We stopped for a view of Lake Ontario which is on the edge of town so my Michigan-native husband could officially cross off seeing all the Great Lakes. I was pleasantly surprised to see Toronto in the distance and we even contemplated driving there (it’s about a two-hour drive) but decided a visit would be better if we had more time to spend. Since The Maple Syrup Store was closed, we stopped at the Old Tyme Candy Shoppe and picked up a case of Clearly Canadian sparkling water to bring back home and cut our trip short in favor of heading back for a maple syrup tasting in Niagara Falls.
Yes, a maple syrup tasting is a real thing at the Maple Leaf Factory! My only regret is not buying more syrup to bring back home. My kids loved being able to sample different types of maple syrup! They also sell gifts and homemade fudge, and have some fun photo backdrops.
We ended our time in Canada with a tour at Journey Behind the Falls. In my opinion, this is another absolute must.
Journey Behind the Falls is a year-round attraction that offers a unique view of the Falls from below and behind. Visitors descend 125 ft. by elevator, where a short tunnel gives access to two outdoor observation decks and two portals located directly behind the Falls.
We headed back to the US around 5PM with hungry bellies. Buffalo, NY is only 30 mins from Niagara Falls so our first destination after crossing the border was dinner at the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, birthplace of the buffalo chicken wing.
The Lady Liberty statue greeting was a fun way to end our amazing trip in Canada, because it’s always wonderful to be back home.
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