‘Tis the season to celebrate with friends, family and the Falls!
Standing anywhere from 21 to 34 meters tall, Niagara Falls is one of the many wonders that make up the Niagara region. Whether it is in daylight or illuminated by the glow of the Winter Festival of Lights, the Falls bring in close to 12 million visitors a year. Whether sipping on local wine at a nearby restaurant or soaking in the scenic sights, it is yours to discover.
“The winter, to me, is the best time to visit the Falls and it’s spectacular scenery. There is the frozen Falls effect so the Falls don’t entirely freeze but it can look as if they do. All the mist will encase the trees in ice,” says Chris Giles from the Niagara Parks Commission. “I think the Falls are always changing. It’s important to see them at different times of the year and different times of the day.”
The Falls at Niagara are 12,000 years old and made up of three separate waterfalls: the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. And what they were before is not what it they are today, having migrated back by 11 kilometres as a result of erosion.
Going back in history is one of the features of Journey Behind The Falls. The experience lets you descend 125 feet and then explore the 130-year-old tunnels before hitting the observation deck at the foot of the 13-storey-tall wonder.
If you have 12 minutes to spare, you can take flight for a different view with Niagara Helicopters. On a clear, beautiful day, you can catch glimpses of the Niagara River, the Sir Adam Beck Generating Plant, and of course, Niagara Falls. Hang tight, though! Mid-way through the tour, you’ll find yourself following the curve of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls as you truly discover what it means to have a bird’s eye view.
Once you take in the rush of the Falls, you can always warm up at the Butterfly Conservatory. It is one of the largest glass-enclosed conservatories in North America with up to 3,000 butterflies. While walking along the 180-metre path, you’ll almost forget what season it is. It is warm, humid and full of tropical blooms and flowers.
“The humidity, the moisture, the temperature is all regulated,” says Jessie Bond, Site Manager of the botanical gardens. “Roughly, we want our temperature to sit between 24 to 26 degrees, trying to mimic the natural environment for the butterflies.”
“We always talk about majestic monarchs, so I think part of it is just that beauty of the butterfly but also the wonder of watching the butterflies soar through the air and siphon the nectar,” she adds.
Get daily National news
A quick 14-minute drive north will take you to Reif Estate Winery, one of the founding family wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The 125-acre vineyard was established in 1982 and is known for its ice wines. It is just one of the over 100 wineries that makes Niagara the largest wine region in Canada.
“It’s a lifestyle. It’s not just being in a wine business or winery. You meet amazing people, and you have great food and great wine so this whole combination makes it so attractive for my family to be winemakers,” says Klaus Reif, owner of Reif Estate Winery and a 13th generation winemaker.
“It’s almost like a painting,” he says. “It’s a piece of art. Wine is alive. Most people think wine is made like a pop, but no it is a live, living being.”
As the sun sets, a new twinkling view of Niagara Falls begins to emerge thanks to the Winter Festival of Lights, which runs until January 7. It is Canada’s largest free outdoor light festival with over 3 million lights and 75 light displays across the city.
The self-guided excursion also includes a hot chocolate trail, leading you to 17 local businesses -including Old Stone Inn, Red Ganache and Table Rock Centre – that have 23 unique chocolate concoctions for you to sip and savour while taking in the sparkle of Niagara.
Born and raised in Ontario, I’ve only been to Niagara a handful of times as a kid. But this trip has been a reminder that a magical destination is not far and it is always there for you to discover.
If you’re looking to plan your next Ontario getaway, visit here to explore everything the Niagara region has to offer.