Niagara in the summer offers the best of the best: wineries, hiking trails, pick-your-own fruit farms, the iconic Niagara Falls, as well as a whole slew of amazing restaurants and breweries.
While Niagara is home to some amazing beaches and ice cream parlours, there’s much more to summer than just that!
While I may be biased because I live in one of the best areas of Ontario, the Niagara Region is one of the best places to be during the summer.
For me, there’s truly no place like home. Niagara has it all.
If you’re wondering how to spend summer in Niagara, this bucket list of the best things to do will surely keep you preoccupied all summer long!
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High Tea at Prince of Wales Hotel
While a visit to the Prince of Wales for Afternoon Tea is one of the many fantastic things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake all year long, summer is one of the best times to visit.
Why? Ditch the coats and wear some fancy clothes and take a seat in their luxurious tea room while gazing out to flower-lined streets and lush greenery right outside your window.
If you’ve already visited the Prince of Wales in Niagara-on-the-Lake for afternoon tea, another amazing stop is the McFarland House. This historic building is one of the original homes still standing from the War of 1812 and was once used as a hospital. You can also take tours of McFarland House, too!
A beautiful glass-enclosed tea room is attached to the back, and is available seasonally from May – September for a charming afternoon tea.
Address: 6 Picton St, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Zipline over Niagara Falls
If you’re looking for some amazing views of Niagara Falls and want to do something a bit different, then you need to head to Niagara Falls Zipline offered by Wildplay Niagara!
This zipline glides 2,200 feet past the American Falls and lands at the observation deck near the Horseshoe Falls.
Ziplining over Niagara Falls is one of the best things to do in Niagara Falls for thrill-seekers!
Address: 5920 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls
Go on a Ghost tour or Re-Enactment at Old Fort Erie
While post people associate ghost tours with Hallowe’en, you can also take a ghost tour on special nights during the summer at Old Fort Erie!
Take a guided tour of the grounds and barracks on the grounds of Canada’s bloodiest battle during the War of 1812.
Guided by costumed interpreters, their stories and tales will surely give you goosebumps. Keep your eyes peeled – you may even experience some unusual events while you’re there, too!
If ghost tours aren’t your thing, there are also a number of re-enactments scheduled throughout the summer, so don’t miss out!
Address: 350 Lakeshore Rd, Fort Erie
Attend Canal Days
One of the best things to do in Port Colborne during the summer is to attend their biggest event: Canal Days!
This annual event celebrates Port Colborne’s marine history and has been going on for over four decades. Over 300,000 visitors come to this event over Civic Holiday weekend – bringing lots of activity to a small port town.
From boat tours, heritage displays, craft vendors, a vintage car show, live music, food trucks and fireworks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Port Colborne Canal Days!
Go to a Free Concert at Charles Daley Park
The Sunset Music Series has been a local favourite summer activity at Charles Daley Park for years. On every Tuesday during July, you can attend a free concert at the park starting at 7:00 pm!
From country and pop, jazz to rock and more, each concert features a different theme.
Food vendors are open starting at 5:30 pm, and Charles Daley Park is an unexpected place for one of the most beautiful strolls in Lincoln.
Bring a blanket or chair and come enjoy the live music! Tons of parking is available.
Address: 1969 North Service Rd, Jordan
Visit a Lavender Field
What’s more magical than a field of purple? Spend the day outdoors immersed in the floral fragrance at one of the lavender fields in Niagara and enjoy the calm!
There are a number of health benefits associated with lavender, including relaxation, improving sleep, and eases headaches – but that’s just scratching the surface.
Don’t forget to browse the shops for all-things-lavender!
Go Peach Picking
The Niagara Region is known as one of the best fruit-producing regions in all of Canada! Niagara produces 90% of all the tender fruit in all of Ontario, so if you’re looking for fresh fruit, you have to head down here!
Peaches taste like summer, don’t they? What’s even better is that there are a number of places to go peach picking in Niagara!
Even if you don’t want to pick your own peaches, you can pretty much drive down any side street and stumble across roadside stands, fruit farms, and farmers markets selling this sweet summer fruit.
Visit the Wednesday Supper Market at Hernder Estate Winery
There are far too many summer winery events to list in one post, but one of my favourite things to do on a summer evening in Niagara is to visit the Wednesday Supper Market at Hernder Estate Winery.
This fun afternoon and evening market runs every Wednesday from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm until mid-October!
You’ll find local produce and craft vendors, food trucks and live music! Get wine by the glass or wine flights to enjoy at one of their many picnic tables or on the patio.
This event is kid & dog-friendly!
Address: 1607 Eighth Ave Louth, St. Catharines
Hike the Niagara Gorge
One of my favourite hikes in Niagara is the Niagara Gorge, accessible from the Niagara Glen Nature Centre.
The views of the Niagara River from this free hiking trail are unbelievable – photos really don’t do it justice! Various trails lead you through unique formations carved out by rushing waters thousands of years ago, right down to the Niagara River.
The Niagara Glen is a perfect place to picnic in Niagara Falls, as it has plenty of picnic tables and washrooms, too.
Parking is $5/hour (or included in the Niagara Parks Annual Parking Pass) but is also accessible by WEGO.
P.s. Be sure to return in the fall, because the Niagara Gorge is one of the best spots to see the fall foliage in Niagara!
Address: 3050 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls
Visit a Sunflower Field
Get lost in a sea of yellow! Visit Howells in Pelham to experience over 100,000 vibrant yellow flowers that will surely lift anyone’s mood!
Sunflowers make a stunning backdrop for photos and you can pick your own bouquet, too!
There are a number of sunflower fields near Niagara if you’re looking for more of a day trip out of the region. These towering flowers only last for a couple of weeks, so if this is on your Niagara summer bucket list, keep a watchful eye on local sunflower farms bloom times!
Have Lunch at Vineland Estates
While Vineland Estates isn’t the only winery to offer food, it’s by far one of my favourites in Niagara. Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Vineland is to visit a winery (duh!), and one must-visit place is Vineland Estates for lunch.
This elegant and charming winery has a beautiful outdoor covered patio overlooking the vineyard and trees along the Niagara Escarpment. This peaceful setting is perfect for quiet days out, anniversaries, birthdays, or date night.
Lunch at Vineland Estates is offered Wednesday – Sunday from 12:00 – 3:00 pm and reservations are highly recommended. There’s a decadent 3-course prix-fixe menu featuring the best of seasonal fares, and you can upgrade to wine pairings as well.
Be sure to stop by their store for all-things-wine. You can also book dinner here, too!
Address: 3620 Moyer Rd, Vineland
Visit a Niagara Museum
Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re just looking for something different to do, head to a museum in Niagara! There’s so much to uncover in the region. Head to St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre which contains local exhibits as well as an awesome viewing platform to watch the ships pass through the canal.
Or head to the Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston to learn about Canada’s famous heroine and her actions during the War of 1812 (and maybe buy some chocolates, too!).
I’m a member of the Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre, and membership grants you access to a whole bunch of museums in Niagara! Each of these museums has different displays local to their area, so there’s always something new to learn!
Annual individual memberships are just $35, families of two adults and two children are $65, and seniors are $31.50, which makes this an incredibly affordable and educational way to learn about the region. Plus, you’ll be supporting important preservation and ongoing research!
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