Visiting Niagara Falls, USA in winter is an overlooked time to visit. In this post I share how to prepare for a visit to Niagara Falls, New York in the winter.
If you are planning a visit to Niagara Falls in the winter you will want these tips! As a local, this guide to winter in Niagara Falls Canada will help you prepare for the weather conditions and have a great trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
A winter visit is a great time to visit if you can get over the cold! It is way less crowds and you will experience the falls in a way that most guests don’t get to see.
If you plan to visit check out my Niagara Falls USA and Canada itinerary. This is a good starting point to plan your visit, keep in mind all attractions are not open year round.
Winter Weather in Niagara Falls USA
The winter weather in Niagara Falls USA will be cold. It is often colder as you get closer to the falls due to winds and the mist.
Dress in layers with hats and gloves to stay warm. The average winter temperatures are lows in the teens and highs in the 30s. (Farenheit)
Tips for Visiting Niagara Falls USA in Winter
Viewing Niagara Falls in the winter is such a unique experience and it is beautiful, even when it is freezing out!
Winter can actually be the best time to visit Niagara Falls because you will have way less crowds then during the summer months. It is a unique experience that not many people get to do.
Prepare yourself for the winter weather and you will be fine. Some of the best things to do in the Niagara region are listed below to help plan your visit.
- Dress for the weather. Niagara Falls in the winter is cold and the mist from the falls can make it seem colder. Lots of layers.
- Keep your children close and explain the importance of staying on the paths.
- It is easy to get around Niagara Falls by car. There are parking locations throughout the state park and you can walk most of the stops if you would like.
Plan a Mix of Indoor and Outdoor Activities
Depending on the weather you want to plan indoor and outdoor activities to balance out the day.
We started the day with a visit to Niagara Falls State Parks that has hiking trails and observation points to view the falls. You also want to check out Three Sisters Islands on Goat Island to view the Canadian Rapids.
After the outdoor time you might want to warm about at the Aquarium of Niagara or the Niagara Power Vista. Both are good attractions that will take 1-2 hours exploring.
If you are dressed for the elements consider doing Cave of the Winds. They offer hours almost year round.
Time Your Visit
At times in the winter months we will have a random mild temps day-this is a great day to plan visit Niagara Falls. We visited in January and the temperature was around 50 degrees making it a good day trip destination.
If you are not flexible with your dates do not worry too much, just dress for the weather. If you want to see the falls frozen the best time to do that is usually February. Of course this isn’t an exact science and depends on the type of winter weather for the year but it is the best time to see an iced over falls.
Overall visiting Niagara Falls USA in the winter can be a unique and fun activity.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.