Living in Toronto there’s many quick getaways at our finger tips and one that’s quite  popular with both, tourists and locals, is heading to the Niagara region. Just under two hours away lies  vineyards, outdoor adventure and one of the most stunning falls you can experience. Two weekends ago we decided on spontaneous day trip to Niagara Falls and so we booked a Zip Car and headed for a day of fun in the sun. Having prime weather before the busy tourist season was our main motivator as we loaded the car with a toddler and infant and zipped our way for some family adventures. Today’s #IGTravelThursday post is all about the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and if you’re on Instagram join in the fun and share your travel pictures and posts with us!

Having left at 10:30 a.m. on a Saturday in May we managed to avoid any major traffic. Luckily we had timed the journey well so that both Baby Boy and Little Monkey both took naps on our way out of the city. TOTAL WIN!

Where to Play

There’s plenty of thrills and adventure at the Niagara Falls and whilst many may seem intimidating, most are very kid friendly. Mix in a bit of adventure with a few relaxing options and you’ll have yourself a glorious day outdoors.

Niagara Helicopters : Soaring high about the falls and getting a bird’s perspective of the area is simply remarkable. Kids under three years ride for free and they even offer noise cancelling headsets. Buckle up tight and watch the amazement on the little one’s faces. Click here for a full review.

Greg Frewin Show : The Greg Frewin theater is an ideal place to park your car at for the day if you’re catching a matinee or evening show. Great family entertainment that will have the smallest of the lot captivated by the illusions, tigers and birds that are part of the act. Click here for a full review.

SkyWheel : Clifton Hill is home to many attractions and there’s something for everyone from golfing to kid friendly museums. However it was the SkyWheel that we chose for this visit. The hubs and I had been here many years ago and it was a relaxing experience looking down at the dinosaurs below and getting another perspective of the Falls from above with the kids. We got a cabin to ourselves and there’s  secured stroller parking at the foot of
the attraction.

The Falls : With a long day filled with activities we decided to walk up to the main falls area but didn’t go the whole way. Especially because the toddler was more impressed by the water fountain nearby and the bubble blowing machine on sale, that the soaking in the sheer wonder of all three falls. Luckily over the years the hubs and I had taken in the Falls from all angles so we didn’t mind not walking up to the Canadian Falls.

Parks : There’s many small gardens and parks scattered through out Niagara Falls and if you need a bit of a time out be sure to keep an eye for these. We spotted some lovely Tulips in bloom during our visit!

Where to Dine

As with any tourist destination, there’s plenty of options when it comes to food and drink. For us our lunch and snack choices were based on proximity to our attractions and so we only visited two spots during our day. I hope to be back to really explore the culinary side of the Falls, because I’m sure there’s some fine gems here.

Antica Pizzeria : A very casual but hearty Italian lunch spot. I hear it can be busy here with a line up during peak season, but the lines move fast. Of course during our visit there was no wait and we were able to enjoy a fast meal, which was key! Try the Tiramisu and the little one’s will love the Gnocchi! High chairs and change pad on offer here. Click here to read the full review.

Rainforest Cafe : Having visited a Rainforest Cafe in Toronto I knew I liked the drinks and the entertainment here. So a quick visit for mommy to enjoy some ” Jungle Juice” with her lemonade was in order! Perfect way to step out of the sun and get some down time. There’s bound to be a line up for a table but just head straight to the empty bar area. They serve food there as well AND kids and strollers are allowed inside! You can always take a quick walk to the main area to show the Elephants and Gorillas in action.

A visit to Niagara Falls is definitely in order to kick off the summer! I hope to get back there very soon to explore some culinary and four star Niagara Falls hotel delights as we have yet to do that. Have you visited Niagara Falls?