Now that the presents have been opened and Boxing Day has passed, why not get out and enjoy the great outdoors! Here are some fun activities to enjoy locally…
Tobogganing
There are plenty of areas to take advantage of the snow at any of these locations:
1. Stamford Collegiate High School: 5775 Drummond Road, Niagara Falls.
2. Firemen’s Park: 2275 Dorchester Rd, Niagara Falls.
3. *For smaller kids* FH Leslie Park: 5250 Valley Way, Niagara Falls.
4. Burgoyne Woods Park: 30 Edgedale Road, St. Catharines.
5. Chippawa Park: 128 Fitch St., Welland.
6. HH Knoll Lakeview Park: located at Sugar Loaf Street and Elm Street, Port Colborne.
7. Jaycee Park: 543 Ontario St., St. Catharines.
8. Sugar Bowl Park: 100 Gilmore Road, Fort Erie.
Go Snowshoeing in the Vineyards
Westcott Vineyards invites you for a snowshoe trek through their vineyards this winter. This happens on Saturday, January 13th, and Sunday January 14th at either 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. This is a one hour guided snowshoeing adventure through 28 acres of vineyards (or hike if there is no snow) & then return to the tasting room to warm up by the fire and enjoy toasting handmade marshmallows & a glass of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. The cost is $25 + HST and includes a rental of snowshoes and a glass of wine by the fire.
If you prefer evenings, they also have 5:00 pm on Friday, January 12th, and Saturday January 13th for $70 + HST. This includes the one hour guided night snowshoe (or hike) through the vineyards, and then you return to the tasting room to warm up around the harvest tables by the fireplace while Chef Andrew McLeod of Bolete Restaurant serves up a hearty stew and desert.
For more information and to book, please visit www.westcottvineyards.com
Check out some Icewine
It’s Canada’s most cherished Winter delight — Icewine! And here in Niagara Falls, we have plenty of it. Niagara-on-the-Lake has world famous icewine. Sweet and decedant, our Niagara wineries offer a variety to try out and take home. Grapes are naturally frozen on the vine and picked when the thermometer dips to -8° C or lower. They are then handpicked and pressed immediately to gently release thick, rich, yellow-gold liquid, highly concentrated in natural sugars and acidity.
Niagara’s Icewine Festival begins January 12th to 28th. For more information: niagarawinefestival.com
Go Outdoor Skating at Fort George
Free to the community, a 7,200-square-foot rink was just built at the Fort George parking lot (adjacent to the Agora at Fort George). The rink will operate through the end of March (*weather dependent). Skating is free, but there is a fee for renting skates and anything ordered at the concession stands.
Monday – Thursday: 1 pm – 4 pm, 5 pm – 8 pm
Friday: 2 pm – 5 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm
Concession and Skate Rental: 5 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm
Concession and Skate Rental: 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 4 pm
Concession and Skate Rental: 10 am – 4 pm
New Year’s Eve: 10 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 6 pm
New Year’s Day: Noon – 4 pm
Grab a Timmies coffee after riding Canada’s Largest Observation Wheel
Only on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, can you find two Canadian icons side-by-side; Tim Hortons and the Niagara SkyWheel. First, soar 175 feet high at the peak of Clifton Hill in Canada’s largest observation wheel. You’ll stay warm in one of our climate-controlled gondolas and you’ll get some incredible pictures on the Niagara Falls (during the Winter Festival of Lights too!). Afterwards, walk next door and take a break at Tim Hortons — for Canada’s favourite cup of coffee and a snack. For more information: cliftonhill.com
Spend New Year’s Eve at Queen Victoria Park
Celebrate NYE in Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls for its 27th year. It all began in 1991 with Bobbi Curtola, a Canadian teen pop star in the ’60s. Since then, we have seen performers such as Glass Tiger, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, Tom Cochrane, the Great Big Sea, Jeff Healey, SoulDecision, Styx, Barenaked Ladies, and in recent years, Hedley, Nelly Furtado, Demi Lovato, Keith Urban, Sam Roberts Band and Serena Ryder.
This year, James Barker Band, Simple Plan, Marianas Trench and Jess Moskaluke will perform!
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