What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? Well, the most simplistic but valid answer to that question, really, is ANY month!
At any given point of time of the year, there is a lot going on at Niagara Falls! There are enough tours and attractions open all year round, for you to be able to find something to do!
But our aim here is to take a deeper look at this question. To understand what factors should be considered to arrive at the right answer. And to provide as much relevant information as possible- to help with your vacation planning!
Welcome to the ToNiagara Blog. If you are new here- we are a Niagara Falls Tours Agency, located in Toronto!
Why are we writing on “What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?”
The birth of this blog post, comes from an unusual, but a very frequently asked question. We do try to anticipate what questions regarding Niagara Falls as well as our tours may be asked of us. And we were surprised by how many times we came across this question- “What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?”
Needless to say, this was a more frequently asked by our international clientele, before booking a tour with us. Understandably, they were a lot less aware of the Canadian weather and maybe the season to season differences at Niagara Falls.
In this article:
- What are the 4 distinct Canadian Seasons and which months fall under each?
- What are the differences in weather conditions with each season?
- Are there any specific seasonal activities more favourable to partake in season wise?
- How should you decide what is the best month to visit Niagara Falls, for yourself?
We are choosing to answer this question season/weather wise because that is what we understood as being the core reason why we were being asked that. When our clients were asking, ” What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? “; we realized that their question was intimately linked to their curiosity about various seasons. Therefore, this blog post.
Since this article is going to be lengthy, here’s a quick summary for those of you that might not have the time to read it all!
The Key Points of this article:
Canada experiences 4 distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Falls, Winter. Each season in Canada feels significantly different from the other and can impact how you experience Niagara Falls. Here’s a high level QUICK summary!
| Season | Temperature Range over the months | What to expect? | Who is this a good choice for? |
| SPRING
March, April, May |
-3 to 20 degrees Celsius | Melting snow, unpredictable sunny and rainy days, possible increase in Niagara Falls currents, and flowers in bloom | Horticulture and Nature enthusiasts, more specifically so! |
| SUMMER
June, July, August |
14 to 27 degree Celsius | Sunny, warm but also potential humid weather conditions; cooler evenings! | Super Popular tourist season! If you like a wide range of activities both outdoor and indoors! |
| FALL
September, October, November |
1 to 15 degrees Celsius | Cooler temperatures; vibrant foliage! | Halloween enthusiasts; hiking and camping buffs in amazing fall setting! All other attractions remain open too! |
| WINTER
December, January, February |
-8 to 2 degrees Celsius | Moderate snowfall, very rare chance of snowstorms; | Winter hike lovers; if you want to see icy formations and shimmering effect on the Falls; Lesser crowded attractions; if you are indoor person and love cozying up! |
We hope that the information in the table above, will help you arrive at your own answer to the question we are posing of- ” What the best month to visit Niagara Falls? ”
As you can see there are significant temperature/weather differences. We recommend you pick a month based on that as well as your preferences/interests!
After reading through this table- please go ahead and read the entire article if you like. But if you would still rather not- then make sure to check out of Frequently Asked Questions page. And here is the link to Contact Us directly, for a fast access to all the info you need!
“What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?” Let’s do a season wise break down!
As we mentioned earlier, if you are not from Canada and unfamiliar with the seasons, you probably do not know how distinct they are! These are not just drastic differences in the temperatures, but also significant changes in everyday lifestyle choices!
How many layers of clothing do you need to put on today? Which shoes? Will you need to add 15 mins to your travel plans, to make up for the delays? All due to icy driving conditions!?
Weather in Canada, truly dictates a lot of your day!
As I already mentioned earlier- instead of trying to figure out ” Which is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? ” , we should think more in terms of the season a particular month falls under!
And to help you figure it out, here is a little info on all the Canadian seasons. We will also be covering if there are specific seasonal activities that you might be interested in!
What is best month to visit Niagara Falls? Are some attractions more accessible, or not, seasonally?
One good thing about Niagara Falls, is that most of the attractions, do reman active and open. So we would say there is not a huge or drastic difference when it comes to accessibility, really.
However, certain months of the year (depending on season), are just better, for visiting certain attractions!
This will be great list to review, if there are certain attractions that you are specifically interested in. And perhaps you can match the attraction, with your preferred type of activity and arrive at your own answer to ” What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?”
Please let us know in the comments below, what your answer is, and why!
We will be starting our discussion with the Canadian Spring Season followed by Summer, Fall season and the Canadian Winter!
Are the Spring months of March, April & May the best to visit Niagara Falls?
The Canadian Spring seasons starts in March and lasts through the end of May.
After months of being snow clad, the temperatures in Canada, begin steadily rising! Melting snow might result in wet streets, muddy shoes and sometimes, even flooding! The weather is still quite a bit on the unpredictable side though, throughout the season of Spring.
Despite its unpredictable nature, Spring brings with it, a promising start to the vacation season! We at ToNiagara must say, that Spring to us brings excitement as we begin excitedly to prepare for the months ahead!
Prominent Spring attractions at Niagara Falls
If you like activities centered around nature with blooming flowers beautifying the scenery, then perhaps a spring month is the best month to visit Niagara Falls!
Here is a look at 5 Niagara Falls attractions; that we think are significantly better in the spring:
This is a walking tour inside a glass enclosed butterfly conservatory! Being there, is a magical experience that simply cannot be described in words!
You will be walking on 180 meters of winding pathways, through lush vegetation with about 2000 different species of butterflies, fluttering around you! And the temperatures, the shining Spring sun, all make this a very worthwhile experience!
Floral Showhouse
The name of this tourist attraction itself- gives me vibes and thoughts of Spring! Niagara Parks’ long standing, centuries old attraction that first started in 1894 (that’s right!), with just two wooden greenhouse structures!
Its open year round and features seasonal plants and flowers- but we recommend choosing a show during the Spring! Especially, if you enjoy gardening and horticulture!
If you are horticulture geek wondering- ” Which is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?” ; we would say choose any dates between mid-March and end of May!
Niagara Falls Botanical Gardens
We are telling you.. when it comes to Spring and it being the BEST time for horticulture enthusiasts- we cannot help put another Garden on this list!
These botanical gardens are huge! Spanning across 99 acres of beautifully designed and well maintained landscapes and filled with seasonal flowers and greens!
They have it all- all types of flowers, vegetable gardens and even beds of herbs amidst its serene settings. A must visit for the gardener in you!
Queenston Heights Park
The Bruce Trail is Canada’s longest marked footpath and the Queenston Heights Park is its Southern end point. The Bruce Trail passes the Niagara Escarpment and this park is located atop its Northern end.
As spring is turning into Summer, especially during the end of Spring season in mid may- this park is awesome place to walk, have a picnic with your family and let your children play in the squash pads!
This is another recommendation from us that goes on the Spring list!
Whirlpool Jet Boat
The Whirlpool Jet Boat tour takes place on the natural whirlpool created at the Niagara Gorge. It is nestled between the borders of Canada and USA, with a national park from each side bracketing the Whirlpool.
Check out the details of the Niagara Falls Whirlpool Wet Jet Tour that we offer as well as a “stay dry” option. That one is the Whirlpool Freedom Jet Dry Tour.
We recommend this tour during the Spring time, because the flow of water and the overall power of the whirlpool is heightened, because of the melting snow!
What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? Should you be choosing something from the Summer Months?
Making a plan to visit Niagara Falls, or in fact ANY place is Canada during the Canadian Summer is an absolute no brainer!
We get the maximum number of international bookings during the Summer months! The weather is warm, the days are long and it is during these months, that tourism is at its peak at Niagara Falls.
During the summer months we even have people booking a popular Tour of Niagara Falls, right when they land in Canada!
And we even have this tour option- and is more popular during the summer, because of conducive weather conditions! On MOST summer days the weather is refreshing enough, so that it doesn’t feel very taxing to land into Canada and go off on a your fun tour!
As we mentioned before, there are certain more popular tours sold during the summer and here’s a look at them!
Journey Behind the Falls
As we have mentioned earlier in other blog posts, Journey Behind the Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions! Whether you are going for a day or taking a multi-day tour, we recommend not missing out on this attraction.
Chances are, that you have already heard about it- and I encourage you check out more details on one of our very popular Journey Behind the Falls Tour.
The reason why this is a part of our recommendations for the summer- is because you are likely to get drenched from the splashing waters of the Falls. During the hot summer months, this is not only pleasant to experience, but also refreshing!
HornBlower Cruise
A close second in popularity to the Journey Behind the Falls Tour, is the HornBlower Niagara Falls Cruise! Summer is the best time to experience the cooling splash back from the Falls and get close to them!
If you are considering getting on the HornBlower Tour with us, we suggest that you check out all the details of the Hornblower Tour from Toronto on our website. Especially designed for people planning a group trip, this trip adds convenience and ToNiagara’s excellent personalized attention!
But if you are much smaller group than that- you can also always add-on this tour within a customized Private Tour Options on our website! That’s the link for a tour that would start in Toronto. But, no matter where you are located in the GTA- we have you covered!
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour
Another popular tour over the summer months for us, is the Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour!
We have put this on our summer months recommendations, because we know that kids will enjoy this especially! It is more likely that you will choose one of the summer months to plan your visit to Niagara Falls, especially if its a family vacation!
You will be able to see by the sheer number of reviews (189) that this tour has received that the Helicopter Tour is a very popular one !
Wineries Of Niagara-On-the-Lake
When we answer question- ” Which is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? ” this one is a little unusual recommendation for the wine enthusiasts. If you are one, then you should be choosing one of the summer months!
For more than four decades, Niagara on the Lake is home to some of the BEST wineries in Canada. Summer season brings ripening of the grapes and this is when the wineries are most active!
We have wonderful Private Tour of a Winery option. You will learn a lot about the wine making process, up close. You will also get to taste and sample a big variety of regular as well as ice-wines. Your Private Tour guide will definitely enhance the amazing experience.
Consider adding this to your Niagara Falls summer experience! Here are some of the other suggestions of things to do and check out at Niagara-on-the-Lake!
What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? Would one of the Fall Season’s month, be the best pick for you?
Canadians seems to be divided on their opinion on what is their favourite season in Canada? While for most of them the answer is invariably Summer; for some its the Falls Season!
As a writer of the blog- let me take a moment to voice my personal opinion! If I were to answer the question- ” What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? ” – my answer would be any of the Fall season months!
There is something magical, about the Fall colours in Canada. All hues of green and red and yellow and pink! The leaves changing time, is also a dress up time for the trees in Canada! Almost feels like one last hurrah, before the cold winter months!
So what is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? I would for sure say pick Fall!
Here is a list of Fall centered things to do! And if you are like me- maybe they will also be your vibe!
Niagara Falls State Park
Open 365 days a year, and absolutely free to visit and explore! A good choice, if you love to be in nature and are a hiker! Combine hiking with a mesmerizing array of Fall colours- and you have the best activity ever!
I love winter hikes myself a lot and maybe that’s your jam too! In that case, of course feel free to check out the trails during the Winter months too!
But, as I mentioned earlier, there is something about hiking during the Fall months, which is just too perfect!
Skylon Tower Niagara Falls
This is one of the very famous attraction for tourists, all year round. The Skylon tower stands 775 ft. above ground. There is a revolving restaurant giving you a fabulous, well-rounded view of the Falls. Apart from that there is a observation deck to check out the Falls and a whole lot more from such a height!
We are especially recommending this activity for the Fall months, because of the natural explosion of colours that your eyes will get to feast on!
With ToNiagara tours, this Skylon Tower experience is included in several pre-crafted tours that we offer. The Helicopter Ride with Skylon Tower ; Journey Behind the Falls with Skylon Tower and Admission into the Skylon Tower’s Observation Deck which can be added on, to ANY of the Custom Tours you book with us!
Niagara Falls Skywheel
We are recommending this under our activities for Fall season at Niagara Falls, because of a similar reason, why we chose our previous recommendation!
A view of the Fall colours from a height of 175 ft. , adds to the experience of Niagara Falls Skywheel! Book a entry ticket through us, if you are choosing to visit during the Falls.
Halloween Themed Attractions
If you have never experienced Halloween, especially if you are visiting from a country that doesn’t necessarily celebrate this tradition- then please consider experiencing it at Niagara Falls!
This is another significant reason why my answer to the question ” What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? ” will more likely be October! Halloween Month!
There are 3 recommended spots that we want to recommend for the Halloween season at Niagara Falls.
Located on the 220 year old farm, the Haunt Manor delivers all the Halloween creepiness through its hayrides, corn mazes and several differently themed haunted houses! A must see for fan of horror/ghosts/urban legends!
For over 30 years, the Nightmares Fear Factory has built its reputation as one of the scariest and most thrilling experience! Over the years, this has been quite popular in the media, so there are good chances that you have heard of it before. Fun Fact: Did you know that about a 100K people have quit the activity mid way! Want to try your courage?
We all know the legend of Frankenstein! This attraction located on the ‘fun street’, Cliffton Hills is filled with the scary un- dead!
Promising to scare you and make you scream, this is another worthy recommendation from us, for Halloween!
Which is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? Let’s see, if the Canadian Winter season, is the answer for you!
One of the advantages of visiting Niagara Falls during the winter months, is lesser crowd, compared to the Spring, Summer and Summer months!
Perhaps the winter months are going to be the least popular answer to our main question of ” What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? “, overall.
However, we urge you to not allow that to discourage you from planning your vacation during the winter months! Despite the drop in temperatures and a moderate snowfall at Niagara Falls, you still can find a lot of things to do!
Here’s what we suggest for the winter months at Niagara Falls! As you will see, our recommendations include a lot of indoor activities, and they are no less fun!
Niagara Falls Winter Festival Of Lights
Every year, from the middle of November to the beginning of January, Niagara Falls celebrates 51 nights of Twinkling Lights! The Niagara Falls Winter Festival Of Lights!
Its a walking tour through Niagara’s twinkling lights displays and light installations! The city is transformed into a thing of beauty! If you are here in the winter months, make sure to grab a cup from the Hot Chocolate Trail and explore the entire magical route!
Culinary Experiences for the Food lover
With Niagara Falls being one of the most popular tourist destination, it is home to a wide variety of food options. From fine dining experiences that will blow your mind, to street food- there is something to fit every budget.
For the food lover/food traveler asking the question “What is the best month to visit Niagara Falls?” we definitely would recommend winter months! You can be indoors, cozy and enjoying your meals!
We at Toniagara have already crafted a tour for culinary enthusiasts. Check out our Premier Dinner Cruise.
Or maybe you want to visit the world famous Hard Rock Cafe!
Two personal recommendations next!
If you love Italian Food that don’t miss out on Mama Mia’s Italian Eatery!
And the Niagara Falls Casino Dining options are also great, even if you don’t want to be at the Casino itself! The Famous, is also another 24 hours diner location just outside the Casino Entrance, and offers truly yummy, wholesome, home-style meals!
If you are a Vegan, like me- don’t miss out on the amazing Vegan restaurant Rise Above!
Spas at Niagara Falls
If you were to ask me, a vacation for me would be incomplete without a trip to the Spa! And I know, I am not alone in this, who believe that there is no better indoor activity than getting a spa treatment!
Here are links to some of the Spas at Niagara Falls that I recommend you check out!
In conclusion:
So, what is the best month to visit Niagara Falls? We hope that now at the end of this article, you have been able to arrive at your own conclusion about this!
Do let us know, in the comment section what is the month to visit Niagara Falls? ..according to you! And why!
Thank you for reading!
