The Top 15 Things to Do in Niagara Falls for Couples
Niagara Falls is full of romantic things to do, and it’s an easy getaway from nearby cities such as Toronto and Hamilton. Here are the top things to do in Niagara Falls if you’re looking to bring your sweetheart to the Falls.
The best way to see Niagara Falls, in my humble opinion, is with your sweetheart by your side. Naturally, as an Ontario based blogger, I’m chatting about Niagara Falls, Ontario, and not the Niagara Falls on the American side. In general, I feel most people would be surprised by just how much is going on, and just how much there is to do on the Canadian side of the falls.
I’ll call a spade a spade—some aspects of Niagara Falls can feel a bit artificial and hokey, but if you know where to look, you’ll realize that Niagara Falls is one of the top romantic getaways in Ontario. Not to mention, it’s a short trip from Toronto (roughly 1.5 hours), which makes Niagara Falls incredibly accessible to those based in Canada’s largest city (which is, of course, my hometown).
As of late, Bri and I have had our eyes more on weekend trips in Ontario where there’s a no shortage of activities to take part in, and we’ve had a lot of fun exploring different aspects of Niagara Falls.
NOTE: This post contains some affiliate links. That means, simply, that I may get a small commission for my recommendations at no cost to you.
Get Your Flirt on in Niagara Falls. Here are the Top Things to do in Niagara Falls for Couples!
Initially, I was thinking about this list in the context of weekend getaways from Toronto for couples, but, when I think about it, this list should be valuable for couples coming from anywhere at all actually. In the following list, I’ll be talking about some of the top Niagara Falls tourist attractions, but everything is going to be under the overarching umbrella of what would be fun to do as a couple.
Now, Bri and I have ten years experience travelling the globe together, and I’d like to think that’s given me some inclination of what makes a good trip for a couple but, of course, you can be the judge. Let’s get to it, my friends.
Take a Helicopter Ride, and Enjoy the Falls from Up Above
Nothing says romance like clinging on to your significant other for dear life as you look below at the mighty Niagara Falls!
In all seriousness, I’ve had innumerable people tell me that a helicopter ride is literally the best way to see Niagara Falls because it’s the only way that you can truly get an idea of the magnitude of the falls. Niagara Helicopters are the go-to to make this experience a reality. They’ve been flying since 1961 and have an immaculate safety record if you or your partner have any concerns about that!
It’s certainly one of the most unique things to do in Niagara Falls, and, though it might be on the pricier side, I can’t imagine it’s an experience that you’ll ever forget! And, to be a hopeless romantic - isn’t that just priceless?
Get a Little Boozy at the Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries of Niagara Falls
How you want to explore the region’s fine assortment of booze completely depends on how you life to travel.
For those who like to explore on your own terms, I’d highly recommend checking out some of the incredible wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the region, then formulating a game plan around your tastes. I would say, though, just be sure that you’re not drinking and driving. Plan to enjoy yourself and have someone else do the driving. Booking a winery tour and tasting during your trip means all the planning will be done for you, so you can save the rest to enjoy for yourself.
What makes Niagara Falls one of those romantic getaways in Ontario, however, is that if you decide you don’t want to drive, there’s going to be a tour (or winery, distillery, or brewery) that’s perfectly set up for you.
The Whirlpool Aero Car
The Niagara Whirlpool Aero Car offers breathtaking views of Niagara Gorge. The intimate car on a windy day will give you the perfect excuse to snuggle for warmth as you glimpse the Niagara River and whirlpool from a unique perspective.
It's also a great way to learn about the history of the Niagara region and the importance of the Niagara River. There's really nothing like it!
I’ve actually written an entire article dedicated to the Whirlpool Aero Car if you want to know more.
Take Your Chances at a Niagara Falls Casino!
Now, I’m sure many romantic getaways in Ontario have been ruined by a partner who gets a little overzealous and starts justifying why they should take out their savings and try their chances at Blackjack, BUT if you play responsibly, the casino can be a lot of fun.
Typically, Bri and I will each take out fifty bucks, and then just see how far that takes us. Once we lose it, we’re done.
Going to a casino with your partner is fun when you realize that whether you win or lose, it’s all about having fun together. I add it on to the list of things to do in Niagara Falls for couples because there’s something daring and rather James Bond-esque about putting some chips down on red, then holding hands, and saying a quick prayer. If you win it’s all smiles and, if not, then next time I’m sure you’ll win it all, right?
You’ve got two options to check out while you’re in town— Fallsview and Casino Niagara, with most people preferring the former.
Spend Some Time at the Falls
Obviously, it’d be all kinds of silly if you went all the way to Niagara Falls and didn’t spend a little time at the Falls. One thing I will say, you’re going to get misted on a little bit, so bring a little wipe for your glasses or what have you, or perhaps a raincoat if it’s cool enough out.
When you think of things to do in Niagara falls for couples, there’s no question this is at the top of the list. One way you can see the falls is to go during the day and just walk around it - there are plenty of vantage points which won't cost you a penny. I’d also really recommend that, at some point, you take a moment to appreciate Niagara Falls at night. Niagara Falls Tourism does a remarkable job lighting up the Falls to showcase them in all their majesty.
If you want to get up close and personal with Niagara Falls, Hornblower Niagara Cruises offer one of the city’s top tourist attractions. You can also Journey Behind the Falls for an extra special experience. Especially if you’re from quite a ways away, doing both of those will your romantic weekend in Ontario.
You could, theoretically, justify any of the above listed activities as the best way to see Niagara Falls - it just depends on preference.
Hike the Niagara Gorge and Glen
There’s nothing that can make a gorge even more gorge-ous than by having your adoring partner by your side. In all seriousness, the Niagara Gorge is a stunning place to hike. Not only are the forested parts that run alongside the Niagara River beautiful, but the turquoise blue of the rushing waters downstream of the falls is an incredible sight.
While hiking in the Niagara Gorge isn’t exactly challenging, it does have some steep sets of stairs to go down to the river and come back up. This is for the adventurous couples and novice hikers, for sure! If you think about the distance from the top of Niagara Falls to the bottom, then that’s about as far as you need to be able to walk down stairs to access the trails. I only mention this if stairs or physical activity may be limiting for you—if you’re capable of taking these stairs, then walking along these paths is well worth it on your next trip to Niagara Falls.
It’s recommended to keep your hiking in this area for the warmer, less wet months of the year. I only say this because the trails and centre are closed, plus you wouldn’t want to find yourself trapped on icy trails in the dead of winter. To access the trails, you’ll need to get yourself to the Niagara Glen Nature Centre. Go inside to get a trail map and check out the information they have on display before heading into the gorge.
There is a series of types of hikes and levels that you can choose from on the map. Pick your desired distance, and enjoy yourself as you get to hiking in this beautiful corner of Ontario! Don’t forget to wear close-toed shoes and bring a water bottle, too.
Say “I Do”
Eloping to Niagara Falls is so popular that the tourism website has a page for couples looking specifically to get married there. Whether you want an intimate ceremony just for two or a full-fledged gala with 600 guests, Niagara Falls is the perfect destination for a wedding.
The area boasts multiple unique wedding venues in picturesque locations - you can even get married on a Niagara Helicopter. Just a quick hop to the local municipal office for a license and you’re on your way!
Take in the Scenery at the Skylon Observation Deck
There’s really only one place that you’re going to see Niagara Falls from 775 feet above, and that makes the Skylon Observation Deck one of the top things to do in Niagara Falls for couples. The elevator ride up is nearly a minute, and it can be a pretty exhilarating experience to appreciate with your partner.
It’s not just Niagara Falls that you’ll see though, you’ll also be privy to views of the Great Gorge, the Niagara Wine District and, on a clear day, you can even see Toronto and Buffalo. If you can, I’d recommend coming up when you know they’ll be some fireworks going off over the Falls because that’s just hands down one of the best way to see Niagara Falls.
A lot of people are also keen to dine up there, and many people dine there during the summer and plan it so that the end of their meal coincides with the nightly fireworks that happen at 10pm.
Take a Spin on the Niagara SkyWheel
It just wouldn’t be a romantic getaway to Niagara Falls without a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel. The SkyWheel is technically located in Clifton Hill, but that’s not far away at all. What’s nice about the Niagara SkyWheel is that the gondolas are climate controlled to ensure that you can ride this bad boy all year.
This is a particularly inviting experience for couples in that you’ll get to take in the serenity of Niagara Falls for about 8-12 minutes with spectacular views Niagarin all directions. At its height, you’ll be 175 feet above the Falls, and likely in awe. As you may have guessed, much of your time in Niagara Falls is going to be spent getting views of the marvel that draws all the tourists in the first place which is, of course, the Falls themselves.
This attraction is open day or night, all year round, and, with the views that it offers, that means it has to make the list of the top things to do in Niagara Falls for couples.
Journey Behind the Falls
I recently wrote an article focused entirely on the Journey Behind the Falls experience in Niagara Falls.
In short, Journey Behind the Falls is one of the main tourist attractions in the city, and it has been for quite sometime. In all honesty, it’s not the greatest attraction overall, but you certainly do get a sense for the magnitude of the Falls, and in the end, it is a fun adventure to embark on with someone.
If you’ve got extra time, consider it!
Smell the Roses at the Botanical Gardens Niagara Falls
If you and your partner get a little tired of the grind of Niagara’s tourist district, you can head ten minutes north of Clifton Hill and experience nearly one hundred acres of gardens galore.
What they’re most famous for, and the reason I think this has to be included in the discussion of romantic destinations in Niagara Falls is because they’ve got a rose garden that is famous around the world, and, at its peak, will have around 2500 roses in full bloom.
The Botanical Gardens were establish in the mid 1930’s, and they’ve been a staple of Niagara Falls tourism ever since. It’s also worth mentioning that entry to the botanical gardens is entirely free, so if you decided to splurge and take the helicopter ride and now you’re scrambling to save a buck or two, you might want to come here.
They’re open daily, year round, but, understandably, it’s going to make a bit more sense to come in the warmer months to see everything in bloom.
Check Out Clifton Hill
If you’re looking for fun activities to do together, Clifton Hill has a variety of fun date options. Wander up the Hill and pop into one of the various wax museums, jump on some fun carnival rides, or play a round of mini-golf.
If you want to up the ante and get your blood pumping, race your sweetheart at the Niagara Speedway! Several of the local hotels offer special rates for the local attractions, especially if you visit more than one. Clifton Hill offers endless opportunities for some one-on-one fun.
Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is actually technically on the grounds of the Niagara Botanical Gardens, That being that, it’s an experience that’s worth thinking of as separate because, done right, this is a place that you should spend a little time.
Bri and I actually went to the butterfly conservatory in Vienna when we were there, and that’s when I realized that a place like this is awfully pleasant to discover with your partner. It was fun to take pictures of each other near the butterflies, or even with butterflies resting upon us. Also, as a passionate photographer, I loved playing with my prime lens and getting photos up close that really showed what remarkable creatures butterflies truly are.
It’s not just about the butterflies, it’s just a fun place to be and appreciate each other, and that’s why the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory makes the list of the top things to do in Niagara Falls for couples.
Consider a Winter Visit with Your Partner
A lot of people think of a trip to Niagara Falls in the spring, summer or even fall months. But few consider how romantic it can be during the winter!
We have another dedicated article on the website about how to enjoy winter in Niagara Falls, but if you’re just looking for a few ideas, you can think about checking out the Niagara Parks Festival of Lights. This annual light display fills the park areas beside the falls with thousands of stunning twinkle lights. Once the sun sets and it’s dark, it’s a truly beautiful and romantic place to walk around and experience in the winter.
Another great romantic thing to do in winter in Niagara Falls is to book a hotel room with a view of the falls that you can enjoy at any time of the day with your partner.
Find Yourself a Lovely Hotel Room in Niagara Falls
A true romantic getaway in Ontario has to include the perfect place to rest your head at the end of the day. In my opinion, you want to look for a hotel that has a view of the Falls because that really adds quite a bit to it all.
The other thing that I would be looking for (particularly in regards to making the most of your couple’s weekend) has to do with finding a hotel that has a spa. There’s something quite nice about coming back to your hotel after a long day and heading straight to the spa. This is especially true if you’ve been out to explore the Falls and gotten soaked or misted by the Falls on a brisk day.
My feeling is that if you’re going to do it right, then you may as well go for a hotel that has the proper amenities.
What else Can You do?
Here are few other things to consider on your visit:
The White Water Walk
Visit the Dufferin Islands
Go to the Bird Kingdom
The Niagara Parks Power Plant
What Makes Niagara Falls One of the Top Romantic Getaways in Ontario?
As I said in the introduction, when you think of a romantic weekend in Ontario, I’m not sure that Niagara Falls is the first place that comes to mind, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t.
When I was younger, I sort of just thought about Niagara Falls as a place that was one of those short trips from Toronto, and a place I might go off with a few friends to do a bit of casino hopping. However, my mindset on that has really changed, as evidenced by this article.
For one, you’re going to have breathtaking views of Niagara Falls, and I also think just feeling the power of the Falls and getting to be near it with your partner is something special in and of itself. Beyond that, there are no shortage of Niagara Falls attractions, and, for me, another big draw is the fact that it’s a wine region that also has a few quality breweries and distilleries.
So head to Niagara Falls, skip the gimmicks, and fall in love with a place like Niagara Falls, while showing your real love that they come first!
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