A Season-by-Season Guide to Niagara Falls
Spring, summer, fall or winter — there’s never a bad time to visit Niagara Falls USA. Enjoy the best of the region with our seasonal guide, from outdoor adventures to festivals and attractions.
While many attractions are only worth visiting in specific seasons (skiing can be tough in the summer!), the Niagara Falls area has so much to do and offer that there is hardly a bad time to visit. From snowy hikes to nature walks to boating outings to wine trails, there’s great activities for every forecast. (And we don’t blame you if you want to come back over and over again to try them all!)
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6369/2_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2fa7ec6aef340c902487c753e31e973e 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6369/2_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4219135b0643093619610d3c9598d225 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6369/2_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e24e42a5cbc9b4ed7aac89be17036704 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6369/2_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=387344312980468619ced9bd203b8825 990w)
Summer: Festivals & Fun
With all of the major attractions open, summer is the peak season for exploring the gorgeous nature in Niagara Falls. Cool off with a boat trip on the iconic double-decker Maid of the Mist or get closer to the Falls than you imagined possible by descending into the Niagara Gorge at the Cave of the Winds. If you’re ready for a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experience, take a ride on Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours for a wet and wild journey through Class V rapids of the Niagara River. Head for a hike and a picnic at the beautiful Devil’s Hole State Park. At night, head for a Niagara Power Baseball (New York Collegiate Baseball League) game at Sal Maglie Stadium, and end the evening with a hand-scooped cone at local favorite De Dee’s Dairy.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/3_nf_seasons_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3ecfbf01f4737fbc038452d386cd6385 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/3_nf_seasons_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=64fda7cfbc7b02bd0c8a6c9ea840c676 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/3_nf_seasons_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=376c8780f25d7e2900344a826b42f1b1 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/3_nf_seasons_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d787715540c3beec75aa19e6bec617d8 990w)
Fall: Enjoy Nature’s Bounty
The autumnal colors of the changing leaves around Niagara Falls are alone worth the visit, with the peak usually coming mid-to-late October. Hike through Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the nation, to see the fall foliage up close. At Becker Farms, you can not only pick your own apples and pumpkins, you can also enjoy hayrides and events such as the Pumpkin Fiesta. As much fun as it is to pick your own apples, sipping cider may be more your speed, so check out Donovan Orchards Estate Ciders for some of the best hard cider in New York. And throughout fall, the Niagara wineries have multiple events, such as the Harvest Festival, along with tastings, tours and dinners.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/4_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=541626aad3da45de195d54db256d6628 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/4_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=47c2be02c8af7f24c01f7385ed88ac07 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/4_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=68bd90f53a22c7eb6a60bc13c184cd78 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/4_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0f1ac8635338ce9f4d4b1a4917b5362c 991w)
Winter: A Snowy Fairy Tale
What’s the definition of a winter wonderland? That would surely be Niagara Falls State Park, covered in a blanket of white snow with the shimmering magic of ice dusting the trees and rivers. After you’ve built a snowman and taken photos of the natural beauty surrounding you, head to Platter’s Chocolate Factory to warm up with its famous hot chocolate and get a sneak peek of the chocolate-making process. Before heading back out into the snowy playground, consider these fun indoor activities.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/5_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d146d57a241bab8b9aecdc5ac130918f 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/5_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d1f5f35c28983e6d197bbbc0404b7c29 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/5_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f175a04e716f8c1c98a70a24202f6968 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/6370/5_nf_seasons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2c864dd911962d280707c9d36ab27a65 991w)
Spring: Get Outside!
When spring has sprung, and visitors are encouraged to explore. Temperatures are on the rise, making it ideal to walk Old Falls Street, hit the bike lane, or attend an event or festival. Be sure to check the concert calendar at Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, known for its outdoor amphitheater (now that’s it’s finally warm enough!) and major headliners. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Power City Eatery for authentic New York deli sandwiches. If it’s warm enough, enjoy your soup and sandwich on the restaurant’s large patio.
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Use this checklist to ensure you make it to all of Niagara Falls USA’s best…
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/apple-orchard_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=f2f07c6eac486379fb4695146ef8d92d 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/apple-orchard_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=1dbdbdb994fae037266aed4dee1d6f0b 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/apple-orchard_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=9f6bd9d71fcc63a7a22db6d210a9e06a 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/apple-orchard_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=8379a6d193fdd56c1e3dbda7867d10f9 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/apple-orchard_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=b82d606831a2952d063bb68b942349bc 1185w)
Experience the spoils of each growing season at the region’s farms and orchards.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Untitled-design-12-1024x539.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=dde4934760a47fc402a3a654d4eeb8e1 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Untitled-design-12-1024x539.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=5d3a5fc492c1e0204dde2c8377244013 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Untitled-design-12-1024x539.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=0dda804039d3a83ce141217f04a430ef 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Untitled-design-12-1024x539.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=2a09182194e4304453ca1f3f0b80b9ad 808w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Untitled-design-12-1024x539.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=7d3f517fb1115dff94763a0ba472553e 809w)
Don’t have a passport? Want to avoid some of the tourist traps? Staying in Niagara…