Niagara Falls Winter Getaways Are Secretly the Best

I’m going to need you to trust me on this one: go to Niagara Falls in February. Better yet, go on a weeknight if you can swing it. We went on a Sunday/Monday when it was -20°C and had the whole place basically to ourselves. Not something you can often say about the most visited place in Canada. Here’s why a Niagara Falls winter adventure should be on your bucket list.

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Does Niagara Falls freeze in winter?

Theye never fully freeze over. Especially Horseshoe Falls, which has about 2.2 million litres of water pouring over it every second — it would be pretty impossible to actually freeze through completely. However, legend has it the falls froze over entirely in the 1800s. Apparently it was so cold that locals were riding horses along the river. No Instagram influencer records to prove it at the time, though.

But when you visit Niagara Falls in the winter, the mist freezes and it can create some pretty cool formations around the rocks. As much as it pains me to say it, the American side of the falls looks the coolest in the winter. BUT that also means we get the best view from the Canadian side 🙂

Watching chunks of ice flow down the river and go plummeting over Horseshoe Falls has a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that makes a winter trip to Niagara Falls worth it.

American Falls in winter

What's closed for the Niagara Falls winter season

There’s (obviously) no Maid of the Mist boat ride. No zipline over the river. The Incline Railway doesn’t run. The walking path through the park is closed. Your options are definitely limited.

You can still Journey Behind the Falls, but it’s a completely different experience. Still worth it IMO — just different. The little windows under the falls are completely iced shut, so there’s nothing to “see,” but it’s still cool and kind of eerie with how quiet it is. You can still go out onto a viewing platform and see the falls up close.

Journey Behind the Falls in winter

What to do at Niagara Falls in winter

Journey Behind the Falls runs year-round and is actually more interesting in winter. We also got to breeze through with absolutely no line, which is rad.

Bird Kingdom is a solid warm-up stop. It’s the world’s largest free-standing indoor aviary. Weirdly fun (unless you have ornithophobia) but most importantly: heated.

The Butterfly Conservatory is the same deal: tropical, warm, and even more inviting when it’s -20 outside.

Fallsview Casino. It’s open-year round, 24/7, 365. I’m not a gambler, but if you’re into it at all, it’s a very Niagara thing to do.

Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room had a special set menu on during the winter and it was very reasonably priced. Don’t expect a Michelin-star meal, but the views make it worth it. Great for a date night.

And then there’s Clifton Hill. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t deeply, deeply tacky. But when you’re cold to the bone and need to drop in somewhere, you make your peace with it fast. The wax museum, the haunted house, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, mini golf, a Burger King with a giant Frankenstein and roller coaster on it. Basically, if it’s gimmicky and flashy, Clifton’s got it.

Clifton Hill Burger King and Wax Museum

Where to stay in Niagara Falls in the winter

Usually where you should stay isn’t so weather-dependent. However, your choice of accommodation is actually of the utmost importance for your winter trip to Niagara Falls.

I saw a good deal under $70 at the Comfort Inn. It had a pool, I looked at the map and went, “Hey what a great last-minute deal in this prime location!” I was wrong.

The location appears super closeby. But when the Falls Incline Railway and Falls View park trail are closed, you have to go the loooong way around. It was about a 30-minute walk, which feels a lot longer when it’s cold and windy.

Expectation

Reality

Learn from my mistakes and make sure you look up the walking distance to town. Here are some better places to stay in Niagara Falls during the winter:

Rates in January-February are way down from peak season, so you can usually afford a bit of an upgrade. I should have known better when the Comfort Inn was $65.

Tips for Niagara Falls winter visits

Dress for it properly. Full winter gear, insulated boots, proper gloves, the works. Exposed skin near the mist at -20°C is not a vibe. Exrtra stress on the good gloves — my hands were so cold.

Book a hotel with a hot tub or sauna. There are lots! Some have weird in-room jacuzzis — I’ve even seen heart-shaped ones right next to the bed. Not my personal aesthetic but YOLO.

Check the temperature before you go. The falls don’t get that magical atmosphere when it’s -1°C. While I’m sure it’s still nice, you’ll want to wait until it’s proper cold to really make the most of a Niagara Falls winter trip.

Go during the week for a quiet escape. We were basically alone. However, some restaurants and activities were closed on Sunday/Monday. If you want it to be a little more lively, go on the weekend.

Brave the Niagara Falls winter cold to see the falls at night. It’ll be bitterly cold, but the way everything is lit up is so beautiful!

Kinda feels like they designed this railing especially for Niagara Falls winter

Final verdict on Niagara Falls winter adventures

Look, summer is still the move if you want the full experience. But winter is genuinely underrated, and most people skip it without a second thought. The falls are beautiful, the crowds are gone, and having the whole place to yourself on a freezing Sunday night is a pretty great consolation prize.

And especially if you’re a Torontonian, this is an easy day trip!

Naomi Lai

Naomi is a Canadian travel editor and writer with 13 years of international travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and beyond. She covers everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel — always from personal experience.

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