Best Things to Do in the Niagara Region with Kids (Beyond Niagara Falls)

If you’ve already seen the Falls and you’re wondering what else there is to do in the Niagara region, keep reading. There’s a lot more here than the tourist strip, with small towns, wineries and hiking trails that feel completely different from the Falls.

Think historic towns with five-cent carousel rides, gorge hikes through forests, escarpment lookouts with views stretching toward Toronto, and conservation areas that feel far from the crowds. Most of it is within 30 to 40 minutes of the falls, but it feels like a different trip entirely.

I grew up nearby and have been exploring this region my whole life, including many visits with my boys when they were young. These are the spots I’d actually add to an itinerary, whether you’re adding on a day or two to a Niagara Falls trip or making the wider region your destination.

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Best Things to Do in the Niagara Region

From historic towns and conservation trails to carousel rides and lavender fields, here are the best spots in the Niagara region worth adding to your itinerary.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls along the scenic Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of the most well-preserved 19th-century towns in North America, and a perfect place to spend an afternoon with kids.

King Street is the main area, lined with independent shops, cafés, fudge and candy stores, and patios. It’s easy to walk, easy to stop for snacks, and my boys have always been happy here — which says a lot. There’s enough going on that it never feels like you’re dragging them through shops.

King Street is the main area, lined with independent shops, cafés, fudge and candy stores, and restaurants with patios. It’s easy to walk, very pretty, and great to enjoy at a slow pace. My boys have always been happy to wander here. There’s enough to look at and enough to snack on (COWS Ice Cream is a favourite), that it never feels like you’re dragging them through shops.

A few things worth doing while you’re there:

• Queen’s Royal Park sits right on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River, with a small beach, open lawns, and views across to New York State. It’s a great spot for a picnic or a paddle in the water on a warm day.
• The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is small but interesting if you have kids who are into history — the town played a significant role in the War of 1812.
• Cows Creamery on King Street is a must. If you’ve been to PEI or NS, you already know. If you haven’t, just trust me and go.

Tip: The drive along the Niagara Parkway from Niagara Falls to NOTL is beautiful, especially in spring when the trees are in bloom or in fall when the leaves turn. It’s worth taking the scenic route rather than the highway.

Port Dalhousie

Port Dalhousie sits on the edge of St. Catharines, about 25 minutes from Niagara Falls, and it’s one of those places locals have been going to forever.

The historic lakefront neighbourhood sits at the mouth of the old Welland Canal on Lake Ontario, with a sandy beach, a pier, and a charming main street. But the real reason to bring kids here is Lakeside Park Carousel, a beautifully restored antique carousel that has been running since 1921 and still charges just five cents a ride. It’s one of the last rides of its kind in North America, and there’s something about watching kids ride it knowing it’s been here for over 100 years.

The beach at Lakeside Park is also worth a visit. It’s free and family-friendly, with a playground, picnic areas, and plenty of space to spread out. In summer it gets busy, but it never feels overwhelming.

Tip: The five-cent carousel ride is cash only.

Queenston Heights

Queenston Heights is a great stop if you want a mix of history and outdoor space. The park sits on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, overlooking the river and the surrounding countryside, and it was the site of one of the most significant battles of the War of 1812.

The Brock Monument dominates the hilltop, a tall column honouring General Isaac Brock, who was killed during the Battle of Queenston Heights. The Laura Secord Monument is also here, commemorating the Canadian heroine who walked 30km through enemy lines to warn British forces of an American attack. It’s an easy way to make Canadian history feel a bit more real for kids.

Beyond the history, the park has picnic areas, hiking trails, and a splash pad in summer. It’s also the official northern terminus of the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, which stretches more than 900km south to Tobermory along the Niagara Escarpment.

We’ve hiked sections of it many times over the years, including stretches to find incredible waterfalls in Hamilton and there’s something really cool about standing at the very start of it, even if you’re not planning to hike it end to end.

Tip: The views from the escarpment over the Niagara River and into New York State are excellent. Worth a few minutes just to take it in before heading back down.

Balls Falls Conservation Area

If you visit one conservation area in the Niagara region, make it Balls Falls. Set in the Twenty Valley, about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls, this is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and one that doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves.

The conservation area is home to two waterfalls on Twenty Mile Creek, surrounded by forest and historic buildings from the early 1800s. The upper falls are the more dramatic of the two, and the trails connecting them wind through gorgeous woodland that’s particularly stunning in fall when the leaves turn.

We’ve been several times and it’s always worth the trip. My boys love the trails and the falls, and I love that it feels off the beaten path, especially compared to the busy tourist areas around Niagara Falls. 

In October, the conservation area hosts the Thanksgiving in the Valley heritage festival with pioneer demonstrations, local food vendors, and the fall colours at their peak. And in winter, the Balls Falls Holiday Trail transforms the site into an illuminated evening walk. You’ll follow a 1.5km lit path through the escarpment, along Twenty Mile Creek, and through the 1800s heritage village of Glen Elgin, with the lower waterfall lit up at the end. We haven’t done the Holiday Trail ourselves but have heard it’s really worth it.

Tip: Book Holiday Trail tickets in advance. It’s a timed entry and fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

Beamer Memorial Conservation Area

Beamer is a bit of a hidden gem, even among locals. Perched on the Niagara Escarpment above Grimsby, about 40 minutes from Niagara Falls, it’s one of the best spots in Ontario to experience the escarpment up close. Plus you’ll have views over Lake Ontario that stretch all the way to Toronto on a clear day.

We’ve visited in the fall and the colours across the escarpment are incredible. It’s one of those views where you just stop and stand there for a minute

The trails are manageable for kids and the lookout points make it worth every step.

Beamer is also renowned as the best vantage point in the Niagara Peninsula to observe the annual spring hawk migration — thousands of raptors ride the thermal updrafts along the escarpment cliffs each spring, which sounds like an incredible thing to witness. It’s on our list for a spring visit.

Tip: Fall visits are ideal for the colours and views. If you’re visiting in spring, hawk migration peaks between March 1 and May 15, with the best viewing on warm, sunny days between 10am and 3pm.

Welland Canal

The Welland Canal is one of those places that sounds like a geography lesson but turns out to be actually fascinating, especially for kids. The canal connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, bypassing Niagara Falls, and it’s an engineering feat that’s been moving ships through the Niagara Peninsula since 1829.

I’ll be honest — I thought it was a bit boring when I visited as a kid. My boys had completely different ideas. They insisted on staying until the ship had finished going all the way through the lock, and I was secretly glad they did. The best place to watch it in action is Lock 3 in St. Catharines, where there’s a dedicated viewing platform and the Welland Canal Centre, where there’s a small museum explaining how the lock system works.

The canal is also home to the annual Thorold Seaway Festival in summer, with free family activities and the chance to watch ships lock through up close.

Tip: Ship schedules are available online so you can time your visit. Arriving to an empty lock is a bit anticlimactic, so it’s worth checking ahead.

Wineries in the Niagara Region

The Niagara Peninsula is one of Canada’s best-known wine regions, and while visiting wineries doesn’t sound like a family experience, here it can work surprisingly well with kids.

I’ve done it both with and without my boys, and it’s always been an easy outing. The grounds are usually big, there’s space to run around, and most places are relaxed enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re bringing kids somewhere they shouldn’t be.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake area has the highest concentration of wineries, but there are also great options along the escarpment through Beamsville, Vineland, and Jordan.

A few things worth knowing:

• Many wineries offer self-guided tours of their vineyards which work well with kids
• The Niagara Wine Festival runs every September in St. Catharines, with family-friendly events alongside the tastings. I ran the half marathon race one year, complete with grape ice cream. 
• If you’re visiting in January, the Niagara Icewine Festival is one of the most unique winter events in Ontario

Tip: Call ahead if visiting with younger kids. Most wineries are welcoming, but it’s worth confirming outdoor space is available, especially on busy weekends.

neob Lavender Farm

Just outside Niagara-on-the-Lake, neob Lavender is home to thousands of lavender plants and a pick-your-own flower field, and it’s one of those stops that feels completely different from the busy falls area.

In summer, the fields are in full bloom and it’s a beautiful place to slow down, wander, and take photos. Kids can pick their own bouquet, and the boutique carries an impressive range of lavender-based products. The bath salts I bought here are honestly the best I’ve ever found.

Tip: Lavender peaks in July. The pick-your-own flower field runs from mid-July through October.

Outlet Collection at Niagara

If you want to add some shopping to your trip, the Outlet Collection at Niagara in Niagara-on-the-Lake is Canada’s largest open-air outlet mall, with more than 100 stores. It’s well laid out, easy to navigate with kids, and has plenty of food options.

I’ll be honest, shopping isn’t really our thing when we travel. But if you’re in the region and looking for a rainy day option or want to stretch your dollar on brands, it’s conveniently located and easy to combine with a NOTL visit. And, there’s a Bass Pro Shops, which has a massive fish tank inside that my boys make a beeline for every time we are nearby. 

Great Wolf Lodge

If your family loves waterparks and resort-style stays, Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls is one of the most popular options in the region. It’s an indoor waterpark resort with rides, pools, and plenty of activities built around a stay.

It’s not really our travel style, so we haven’t visited ourselves, but it comes up consistently as a favourite among families with younger kids who want a more immersive resort experience. Worth knowing about if that’s your thing.

Where to Stay in the Niagara Region

If you’re based in Niagara Falls, our guide to where to stay in Niagara Falls with kids covers the best hotels and fallsview options. But if you want to base yourself in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a night or two, here are three good options.

Prince of Wales

The most iconic hotel on King Street, the Prince of Wales has been a NOTL landmark since 1864. It’s right in the heart of town, within walking distance of everything, and has an on-site restaurant with a kids’ menu. A great pick if you want to be in the middle of it all.

Hilton Garden Inn Niagara-on-the-Lake

A more affordable option, the Hilton Garden Inn offers comfortable rooms, a pool, and a reliable family-friendly experience. It’s well located and a solid choice if you want the NOTL base without the boutique inn price tag.

Pillar and Post

One of the most recommended places to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pillar and Post is a historic inn with indoor and outdoor pools, a full spa, and beautifully landscaped grounds. It’s just outside the main downtown area and has a really relaxed feel to it.

It’s an adults-only property, so not one to book with kids, but if you’re ever planning a trip without them, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Practical Tips for Exploring the Niagara Region with Kids

Getting around: A car makes the most sense for exploring the region. The stops are spread out enough that public transit isn’t practical for most of the list above. The Niagara Parkway is a beautiful drive that connects many of the key stops, including Queenston Heights, NOTL, the botanical gardens, and is worth taking over the highway whenever you can.

How much time do you need? Two days in Niagara Falls plus one or two days exploring the wider region gives you a well-rounded trip. NOTL, Queenston Heights, and Balls Falls could easily fill a half to full day on their own.

When to visit: You can visit year-round, but May through October is best for most of these spots. Fall is my favourite time, with the escarpment colours, Balls Falls, Beamer, and the wine harvest all happening at the same time. 

With younger kids: Queenston Heights (splash pad), Port Dalhousie (carousel and beach), and NOTL (ice cream and easy walking) are the most manageable stops with little ones. Save Niagara Glen for when kids are confident hikers.

Our Take on the Niagara Region with Kids

The Falls are the reason most people come here, but the rest of the region is what makes it worth staying longer.

The escarpment shapes everything here, from the gorge to the hiking trails to the views over the lake. Once you start exploring beyond the main strip, it feels like a completely different place.

I’ve been coming here my whole life, and it’s even more fun now with kids. Watching them insist on staying at the canal lock until the ship finishes, or getting way more excited about a lavender field than I expected. That’s the kind of thing they end up remembering most.

Looking for More?

For everything you need to plan your time at the falls itself, our guide to the best things to do in Niagara Falls with kids covers the main attractions, parks, and practical tips and this post on where to stay in Niagara Falls post breaks down the best hotels and areas for families. If you’re coming from Toronto, our guide to getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls covers all your transport options. And if you’re looking for more ways to explore Southern Ontario, our Toronto travel itinerary covers the city’s highlights with options to venture further — including the Niagara region as a natural next stop.