Author: Tricia Marchand

Niagara Vineyards

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Vineyards

Niagara is the place to be this Spring and Summer. With over 70 Niagara Vineyards to choose from, there is always an exciting Niagara Wine Tasting Event just waiting for you. Here’s what’s happening in the Niagara Vineyards:

Food Freaks & Wine Geeks – Saturdays and Sunday at 3pm

Raise your hand if this is you? Our hands are raised….really high and we’re proud of it. Sample some great eats by celebrity chef Jason Parsons paired with sensational VQA wines.

Sip & Sizzle – Weekends in May

Spend the afternoon sipping fine VQA wine from 25 Niagara Wineries and treating your taste buds to some great sizzling BBQ goodness.

Chicks and Chocolate Food and Wine Pairing - Monday - Friday at 2pm and weekends at 2pm and 4pm

The name says it all, chicks only for an afternoon of wine paired with chocolate. How fun is that? So grab your favourite friends and get ready to have a delicious time.

Graze the Bench - June 4th and 5th

It’s the celebration of chef inspired dishes paired with fine Niagara wine from eight participating wineries in the Beamsville Bench. Tickets are $30 each and include your VIP Pass (ticket) to the private “grazing” area at each winery, as well as a commemorative Riedel Graze the Bench glass and your first glass of wine and light fare of the weekend. Additional wine and food can be purchased for $8 (incl. HST) at all venues.

Food Truck Eats – May 21st – 23rd

This is an event you cannot miss. Three days of food truck bliss, award-winning wine and and local entertainment with the beautiful Peller Estates’ Vineyard as your backdrop. Book soon because these tickets sell out fast.

Food Truck’s in the Vineyard at Coyote’s Run Estate Winery

Food trucks are all the hype and this summer you can enjoy 12 dates between May - September.

Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery Concert Series

Starting in June and running until September, you can enjoy music under the stars paired with your favourite Jackson Triggs’ estate wine.

Here is a list of the upcoming performers:

June 9th - 11th - Sam Roberts Band

June 17th - Steven Page

June 18th - Whitehorse

July 2nd - 3rd - Jim Cuddy Band

July 8th - Colin James

July 9th - Moon versus Sun

July 15th - 54/40 Unplugged

July 16th - Rootstock

July 22nd - 23rd - Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies

August 12th - Stars

August 13th - Dan Mangan

August 19th - Bruce Cockburn

August 20th - Royal Wood

September 2nd - The Trews

September 3rd - Bahamas

September 9th - Arkells

Supper Market at the Village

It’s become an annual summer event. Featuring all of your favourite food trucks, wineries, microbreweries and live entertainment every Wednesday starting at 4:30pm until dusk starting May 25th in the Village.

Looking for a little vacation with your wine tasting? The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is located in the “centre of it all,” just a short distance from all of this fun. Check out our Niagara Falls Hotel Deals. This month’s special is a great package for couples, families and friends.

Niagara Gorge Trail + Bruce Trail = Hiker’s Paradise

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Gorge Trail + Bruce Trail = Hiker’s Paradise

It’s that time of season to dust off your hiking shoes and get ready for some incredible hiking trails in Niagara. And the Niagara Region has a lot of them that many tourists coming to the area aren’t aware of, but are loved by the locals. Whether you are a serious hiker or just in it for casual fun, there’s a trail for everyone!

Here are some of the “must-tackle” trails:

Difficult Hikes (for Serious Hikers)

The Niagara Escarpment (a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve) is at the top of the list for hikers. It’s a world unto itself, encompassing farms, recreation areas, sweeping scenic views, 1675 foot cliffs, streams, wetlands, rolling hills, waterfalls, wildlife and so much history. The Niagara Escarpment’s hiking trail is most commonly known as the Bruce Trail, which starts at Queenston Heights and takes a diagonal path 773 km through Southern Ontario to the tip, Tobermory on the Bruce Trail.

In Niagara, there are 130 km of trails associated with the Bruce Trail. Check out the Niagara Bruce Trail site to see what’s happening in the area.

Medium to Hard Paths

Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area

This is a hidden gem known by locals, but one that tourists need to explore. The Devil’s Punch Bowl is located off Highway #20 in Stoney Creek and is also referred to as the Horseshoe Falls. The land is owned by the Hamilton Conservation Authority. There is a stunning rainbow waterfall approximately 40 metres high. This trail is located along the Bruce Trail on the very outer edge of the Niagara Region boundary. It is complemented by a lower level falls that is situated only a few metres from the north reaching only 7 metres in height.

Here’s a bit of history for the history buffs.

Similar to the rest of the Niagara Region the rocks comprising the Devil’s Punch Bowl are from the Ordovician and Silurian periods dating back approximately 450 million years ago. The land started to take its current form after the retreat of the third Wisconsin Glacier. After the glacier began receding there were high levels of melt water remaining and several streams were created. These streams were powerful enough to carve the landscape into what it is today. The run-off melt water over the Niagara Escarpment was supported by enough pressure that it etched the bottom of the Punch Bowl which appears to be a bottomless gorge from some angles. Over time the water pressure receded and the erosion of the rock slowed. This gave the area receives its fame, as it is now possible to view the exposed layers of stratification which date back nearly half a billion years.

Family Friendly

Niagara Gorge Trail

The Niagara Glen is a unique spot of beauty deep in the Great Gorge that has been a designated Nature Reserve since 1992. Stairways lead to 4 km (2.5 mi) of paths that wind through a pristine pocket of Carolinian Forest, past boulders left behind as the Falls eroded through the area thousands of years ago.

There are many different paths to take: red, white, blue. Whatever path you choose, all lead to the thundering and wondrous Niagara River. During your journey, you’ll also discover interesting wildlife (such as salamanders, snakes or if you are lucky you might be able to spot the peregrine falcons nesting in the Niagara Gorge).

Jordan Hollow Park Hiking

This is another family friendly hiking trail that the whole family will enjoy. If you take the Twenty Valley Trail to Ball’s Falls Conservation Area heading south, you will actually pass under King Street at the bridge. This is a beautiful walk with stairs to make your climb through the valley easier. This trail eventually will merge with the Bruce Trail as you head towards the Ball’s Falls historic village. This is a picturesque hike with a beautiful flowing stream alongside which acts as your guide.

Casual Hikers

The Niagara River Recreation Trail

This 58 km scenic paved trail runs parallel to the Niagara River from historic Fort Erie in the South to Fort George in the North. At the halfway point, you can’t miss the natural wonder, Niagara Falls.

Come and experience the incredible recreation trails in Niagara. Every time you come to Niagara Falls, there’s a new discovery to explore.

 

 

 

 

 

Niagara Falls Marathon Racing Events

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Falls Marathon Racing Events

Niagara is filled with running races all throughout the year. Whether you want to walk or run, train as part of a group or run solo, choose the Niagara Falls Marathon racing event that fits your training style and passion.

Red Bull Wings for Life - May 8th, 2016

On May 8, 2016, at exactly 11am UTC, the Wings for Life World Run will simultaneously start all over the world. Make this race your own. It can be whatever you want it to be: a 5k, 10k or a marathon race. Just watch out for the chaser car. Once it reaches you, you’re out of the race. 100% of the registration fee goes towards spinal cord research.

Buffalo Marathon - Sunday, May 29th, 2016 - starts at 6:30am

This course is flat and fast with a beautiful view of the downtown waterfront and its major landmarks. It also has one of the highest Boston qualifying percentages in the country. You can choose to run the full marathon, half marathon, 5K, participate in a relay, take the Team RWB or encourage your kids to run the kids mini marathon.

Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon - June 5th, 2016

This is an exclusive women’s only event (well Sean Astin managed to sneak in the race last year) where you get to experience a view of the Falls as you run by it not once, but twice. So gather your girlfriends and start training for this spectacular event with a great swag bag (cosmetics, wine and more). To receive a special rate, book here.

Niagara Ultra 100k, 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k - June 18th, 2016

This race takes place on a traffic free, asphalt footpath. Follow the Niagara River Parkway from Niagara-on-the-Lake past Fort George and on to Niagara Falls and back. You’ll need some endurance training if you’re running the 50 or 100k.

Mighty Niagara Half Marathon - September 24th, 2016

Run along the river, past the quaint villages of Lewiston and Youngstown and take in the breathtaking views (from the French Castle to the historic old Fort Niagara’s compound). This is a Niagara race you don’t want to miss.

Run the Grapes - Half Marathon and 5k - September 25th, 2016

In support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and held in conjunction with the Niagara Wine Festival, this is a fun race where a glass of grape juice is well deserved after you reach the finish line.

Niagara Falls International Marathon - October 30th, 2016

This Boston Qualifier race has a lot of history - celebrating its 19th year of strength, courage and passion. This is one of the only cross border races starting in Buffalo, NY and finishing in Niagara Falls, Canada. You choose your distance - 5k, 10k, Half Marathon or the Full Marathon.

The Niagara Falls International Marathon has partnered with the District School Board of Niagara’s Education Foundation identifying those children in need who are signed up for the race to receive proper running shoe attire for the race and beyond.

Be sure to check out the #daredevilracelegs contest for your chance to win a 2 Night Stay at the Courtyard Marriott along with breakfast, a $40 Keg dinner voucher, 2 passes for dinner and a magic show at Greg Frewin and 2 passes for a spectacular view of Niagara Falls in a helicopter. All you have to do is take a picture of yourself going over the FALLS at any of the Niagara Falls International Marathon race expos, share your pic on Twitter with the hashtags #daredevilracelegs and #NFIM, or the NFIM FACEBOOK page and you could win the ULTIMATE NIAGARA FALLS GIVEAWAY! Book your special rate here.

Stay at the Niagara Falls hotel, located just a short distance away from all of these great Niagara Falls Marathon races. We love our Niagara Falls Marathon runners, receive up 10% off your room when you book our special runners rate. Enter promo code D3Q.

We also offer a variety of Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls Packages, find the most suitable one for you.

 

 

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Are you looking for that perfect gift for that special lady in your life? Come and enjoy the beauty of Niagara Falls with your beauty.

Here are some of our favourite fun-filled things to do with your Mom:

Sip & Sizzle - Weekends in May

We can think of so many ways to thank your mom and this one is at the top of the list (along with a dozen others). Spend the afternoon sipping fine VQA wine from 25 Niagara Wineries and taste some great sizzling BBQ goodness.

Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts

Experience a “Symphony of the Senses” - world class music, wine, visual culinary arts combined with Niagara’s natural beauty and historic riches at Stratus Vineyards.

May 6th - Peter Bence & Laila Biali @ 8pm

May 7th - Tony Yike Yang @ 1pm

May 7th - Emily Bear @ 5pm

Handmade Market - May 6th - 7th

Sip, savour and stroll the annual Handmade Market with your mom. With over 100 talented artisans, handmade food and local wine, this event is sure to make mom happy.

Food Truck Eats - May 21st - 23rd

Celebrate Mother’s Day for the whole month of May. This event is one you cannot miss. Three days of food truck bliss, award-winning wine and and local entertainment with the beautiful Peller Estates’ Vineyard as your backdrop. Book soon because these tickets sell out fast.

Inniskillin Cooking Club - May 8th

It’s 2.5 hours of fun with Executive Chef Tim Mackiddie. Experience the magic of Niagara’s freshest ingredients paired with Inniskillin Wine. And the best part… is you don’t have to do the dishes.

Niagara Wineries

Speaking of wineries, there are over 70 to choose from in this glorious place we call home. So pick your favourites and explore by foot or bike.

Get to Know the City

Niagara Falls has so much to offer. From hopping on board Hornblower Niagara Cruises to exploring the natural beauty of the Botanical Gardens.

Shopping at the Outlet Collection at Niagara

We can’t forget that magical place that all women love. The Outlet Collection at Niagara is a must stop during your time with mom. With over 100 stores, boutiques, restaurants and the new Saks Fifth Avenue OFF Fifth, you’ll have mom smiling ear to ear.

Niagara Falls Casinos

Test your luck at one of the two Niagara Falls Casinos, Fallsview Casino or Casino Niagara.

Dining at the Keg Steakhouse + Bar

Who doesn’t love the Keg? Mouth-watering steaks and seafood. Check out the new menu - from the California Greens to start to the sweet minis to finish, you’re sure to find something mom will love.

Stay for a night or spend the weekend. The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is the perfect place because of the location “in the centre of it all,” footsteps away from both Casinos, favourite attractions and the world famous Falls. With so many Niagara Falls hotel packages to choose from, there’s one with mom’s name on it.

 

Niagara Concerts

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Concerts

Niagara is the place to be for some of the most exciting concerts and events. Check out what’s happening this Spring at the Niagara Falls Casinos (both sides of the border) and the Meridian Centre.

The Fallsview Casino features over 3000 slots and over 100 table games. Plus the list of Niagara Casino Events this Spring are incredible.

Fallsview Casino Shows

Neil Sedaka - April 28th - 29th

Grand Funk Railroad - April 30th

3 Doors Down - May 12th - 13th

Jeff Dunham - May 19th -20th

B.J. Thomas - May 21st

Lord of the Dance - May 25th - June 5th

Rick Springfield - June 9th - 10th

Starship - Featuring Mickey Thomas - June 11th

Vivian Chow - June 12th - 13th

Peter Frampton - June 16th

Gavin DeGraw - June 17th - 18th

Seneca Niagara Casino Shows

Just a short drive over the border and voilá you are at the Seneca Niagara Casino, the place to be for some of the best Niagara Casino Events.

Robin Trower - April 28th

A Flock of Seagulls - April 30th

The Smithereens - May 14th

The Zombies - May 20th

World’s Greatest Chicago Tribute - May 21st

The LALAs Burlesque - June 17th - 18th

Night Fever - An Evening of the Bee Gees - June 25th

Meridian Centre St. Catharines

There are also a lot of exciting Niagara Events happening in St. Catharines at the Meridian Centre.

If you love basketball, you’ll love the new OBA Basketball Team, the Niagara River Lions, who will be playing Windsor in the playoffs. Check back soon for tickets.

Book your tickets today!

Niagara IceDogs

Come and cheer on Niagara’s OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs during the Eastern Conference Finals. The next game is April 27th at 7pm. Come and see the Dogs play the Barrie Colts.

Book your Playoff Tickets today!

Scottie’s Tournaments of Hearts - Canada’s elite women’s curling teams will be heading to the Niagara region of Ontario for the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, it was announced today by Curling Canada.

First Niagara Center

Just a short drive over the border, there are so many incredible sporting events and performances:

SPORTS

NHL 2016 Draft - June 24th

CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES

Amy Schumer - May 7th

Carrie Underwood - May 24th

Justin Bieber - July 7th

Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas - July 17th

Jim Gaffigan - July 19th

Maroon 5 - September 26th

Like the Meridian Centre on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MeridianCtre

Book your Getaway to Niagara Falls soon. Check out one of the best Niagara Falls Hotel Deals in the City at the Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls. Our Ultimate One Night Package starts at $119 per night (Sunday - Thursday), $129 on Fridays and $139 on Saturdays. This One Night Package includes: accommodations, breakfast buffet, dinner voucher, wine tasting, beer tasting, cheese tasting, fudge tasting, WEGO Shuttle passes and more.

Niagara Falls Easter Weekend

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Falls Easter Weekend - Hop on Over

Peter Cottontail is going to be hopping on over to Niagara Falls really soon to prepare for all of the great Easter traditions happening in our neck of the woods.

Here are a few of our favourite Easter traditions:

Bird Kingdom - March 25th - 27th

Enjoy an Eggstra special Easter weekend. Kids (4-15) are just $7.00 with a regular adult admission. Enjoy hundreds of free-flying birds in a 50,000 square foot tropical rainforest setting, as well as an Easter egg hunt all day with prizes.

Food and Wine Pairing - 13th Street Winery - March 26th - 28th

Sample homemade Chorizo puffs paired with the perfect glass of wine.

Easter Weekend at the Good Earth - March 26th - 28th

It’s a weekend of Good Earth treats paired with Good Earth grapes (compliments of Mother Nature).

Easter at Heartland Forest - March 26th - 11am - 2pm

It’s a day of family fun in the forest: campfire and marshmallows, scavenger hunt, train rides, mini putt and more.

Floral Showhouse Annual Spring and Easter Show - until Easter weekend

Don’t miss this annual tradition! For over 60 years visitors have come to Discover Paradise at this lush oasis, just a short walk from the Niagara Falls. Collections of orchids, succulents and other tropical plant species are on display throughout the year, along with floral shows that reflect the changing seasons. Flying throughout the greenery are colourful tropical birds that may sing for your entertainment!

The Outlet Collection at Niagara is open all Weekend

With over 100 retail stores, you can shop ’til you drop all Easter weekend long.

Friday, March 25th and Monday, March 28th - 10 am - 6pm

Easter Egg Hunt at Fireman’s Park - Good Friday at 11am

This is an annual event that kids adore, as Fireman’s Park is filled with over 450 pounds of hidden goodies. Admission is $3 per child and the funds raised go towards Project Share and the Park maintenance.

You can also create your own Easter experience with dozens of Niagara Wineries & Microbreweries and Niagara Falls Attractions to choose from and you can’t forget a special visit to see Mother Nature.

Check out our Packages! From family fun to a romantic getaway, we’ve got a package with your name on it.

 

Niagara Wine Tasting

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Wine Tasting Events this Spring

Niagara is filled with fantastic winery events all year round. With over 70 Niagara Wineries to choose from, there is always an exciting Niagara Wine Tasting Event just waiting for you (all year round). These are a few of our favourites:

Food Freaks & Wine Geeks – Saturdays and Sunday at 3pm

Raise your hand if this is you? Our hands are raised….really high and we’re proud of it. Sample some great eats by celebrity chef Jason Parsons paired with sensational VQA wines.

Chicks and Chocolate Food and Wine Pairing - Monday - Friday at 2pm and weekends at 2pm and 4pm

The name says it all, chicks only for an afternoon of wine paired with chocolate. How fun is that? So grab your favourite friends and get ready to have a delicious time.

Get Fresh in the Valley - April 23rd - 24th

Get a taste of the valley by touring and tasting up to 23 wineries paired with some of the finest cuisine Niagara has to offer.

Handmade Market - May 6th - 7th- 13th Street Winery

Mother’s Day is coming up and what better way to spend time with your mom and the lovely ladies in your life than a day trip to the Handmade Market. Sip, savour and shop the amazing creations of 100 artisan vendors.

Food Truck Eats – May 21st – 23rd

This is an event you cannot miss. Three days of food truck bliss, award-winning wine and and local entertainment with the beautiful Peller Estates’ Vineyard as your backdrop. Book soon because these tickets sell out fast.

Food Truck’s in the Vineyard at Coyote’s Run Estate Winery

Food trucks are all the hype and this summer you can enjoy 12 dates between May - September.

Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery Concert Series

Starting in June and running until September, you can enjoy music under the stars paired with your favourite Jackson Triggs’ estate wine.

Here is a list of the upcoming performers:

June 9th - 11th - Sam Roberts Band

June 17th - Steven Page

June 18th - Whitehorse

July 2nd - 3rd - Jim Cuddy Band

July 8th - Colin James

July 9th - Moon versus Sun

July 15th - 54/40 Unplugged

July 16th - Rootstock

July 22nd - 23rd - Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies

August 12th - Stars

August 13th - Dan Mangan

August 19th - Bruce Cockburn

August 20th - Royal Wood

September 2nd - The Trews

September 3rd - Bahamas

September 9th - Arkells

Supper Market at the Village

It’s become an annual summer event. Featuring all of your favourite food trucks, wineries, microbreweries and live entertainment every Wednesday starting at 4:30pm until dusk starting May 25th in the Village.

Looking for a little vacation with your wine tasting? The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is located in the “centre of it all,” just a short distance from all of this fun. Check out our Niagara Falls Hotel Deals. This month’s special is a great package for couples, families and friends.

Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls for Families

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls for Families

January is just flying by and before you know it, it will be time for our mini break with our families. Whether it’s just for a few days or a week away, the Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is the place to be this Family Day and/or March Break. It’s the little things in life that make us happy and having fun with our family is one of the greatest things.

Here are our favourite fun things to do in Niagara Falls with our families:

Bird Kingdom – great Family Specials

Spend a day with your little munchkins and thousands of free flying munchkins (a.k.a birds) and reptiles. The Bird Kingdom is offering $2.00 off each regular admission on a daily basis. However check out this great deal: during March Break (March 14 - 20), receive 50% off your child’s admission. This promises to be a fun-filled day.

March Break at Niagara Falls Museums – March 18th – 10am – 5pm

This FREE event has fun written all over it. Explore the prehistoric world of dinosaurs with Club Rex @ 11am & 1pm! Get hands-on with their collection of dinosaur skulls, claws, teeth and real fossils! After the show, join museum staff to make a craft and search the museum for clues about our past! Finish the day off with a movie @ 3pm.

March Break Fun at Heartland Forest

Get one with nature during March Break at Heartland Forest. While there are no scheduled events or activities, bundle your kids up (weather permitting) and explore the trails, see what’s lurking in the pond and let your kids get dirty in the playground area. After all that’s what childhood is all about - exploring and learning.

Butterfly Conservatory

The learning never ends at the Butterfly Conservatory. Explore this lush, tropical setting with over 2000 colourful butterflies fluttering about freely (you might even be lucky enough to have one land on you). Plus check out the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare for their very first flight!! You also can’t miss the “We are the Insects” Exhibit - it’s a perfect family day adventure. The renowned Montreal Insectarium will be occupying the Butterfly Conservatory’s main atrium until March 31st. There will be educational displays along with live specimens including varieties of Praying Mantis, Flower Beetles, Cockroaches and Scorpions. Click here for additional information and workshop schedules.

Niagara Parks Wonder Pass

Explore the most wondrous Niagara Falls attractions including Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara’s Fury and the Butterfly Conservatory. Save 55% when you book the Niagara Wonder Pass. Adults $21.95 plus tax | Kids 6 – 12 $16.95 plus tax.

White Meadows Farms Sugar Bush Adventure

The Sugar Bush adventure is a real treat for the whole family. Get one with nature and learn how the magic of Maple Syrup is created…right in the heart of the Sugar Bush. This is what your adventure will look like…Visit interactive stations along your route where the Natives retell the tales of maple syrup’s discovery and modern sugarmakers measure the girth of their trees. Jig with the pioneers to their favourite fiddle tunes while maple syrup boils over an open fire, or clasp the handles of a lumberjack’s saw to cut your own sugar bush bling. Whether you go to zigzag through the boggling sap line maze, swagger across the old rickety bridge, or test your wingspan back-to-back with a mighty bird, fun times await in the sugar bush for the whole family. Let our period-dressed re-enactors answer your maple questions while they transport you across the awe-inspiring world of 100% Pure Maple Syrup. And don’t miss the legendary, stick-to-your-lips delicious, sugaring-season tradition — Taffy-on-Snow!

Clifton Hill - “the street of oh so much fun”

A trip to Niagara Falls wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Clifton Hill. From the spooky haunted houses to bowling and the Canadian midway, there’s lots of fun to be had on Clifton Hill.

Stay at one of the most family friendly Niagara Falls Hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott. We’re minutes away from all of these Niagara Falls family activities. Plus we have tons of on-site amenities (like our indoor pool and games room) and our Kids Love Niagara Package to keep your family entertained all day long. This package includes it all: accommodations, one dinner voucher for The Keg ($40 value) or T.G.I. Friday’s ($35 value), movie and popcorn night in your guest room, 4 Ultimate Fun Passes (Niagara SkyWheel, Movieland Wax Museum, Galaxy Glow in the Dark mini putt, Ghostblasters Haunted House Ride and XD Theatre – 6D Motion Ride Experience), plus fifteen tokens at the Canadian Midway on Clifton Hill.

Check out our current One Night Family Fun Package which starts at $189.99 per night and includes: accommodations, breakfast, one dinner voucher for The Keg Steakhouse + Bar or T.G.I. Friday’s, four SkyWheel Passes and a movie and popcorn night in your guest room.

Niagara Falls in Winter

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Niagara Falls in Winter

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. In a few weeks it will be time to say good-bye to the 33rd annual Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights and the 3 Million twinkling lights and over 125 animated displays. Be sure to get your last viewing before January 31, 2016. Many of the associates have had a chance to see the Festival of Lights this year and the feedback has been outstanding. One of the favourites are the trees wrapped in lights along the Parkway and in Dufferin Islands.

DUFFERIN ISLANDS

Speaking of Dufferin Islands, this year has been one to remember. From the incredible Canadian Wildlife displays to the dozens of individually wrapped trees and inukshuks, this year’s Winter Festival of Lights is truly wondrous.

FREE LASER LIGHT SHOWS

Don’t miss the free laser light shows in the Fallsview Boulevard District nightly at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm until January 24th. There is also an interactive laser booth where you can write messages and see them immediately on a near-by building with laser-light. How cool is that?

FIREWORKS AND FALLS ILLUMINATION SCHEDULE

There are also the spectacular fireworks over the Falls every Friday night at 9pm until January 29th. Plus nightly Niagara Falls illuminations. Check out the 2016 Niagara Falls Illumination and Fireworks Schedule.

NIAGARA FALLS IN WINTER EVENTS:

– Niagara Icewine Festival which runs until January 31st

– Skate Niagara Ice Show – Meridian Centre – February 26th

– Snowshoeing in the Vineyard – Thirty Bench – weekends in January, February and March

– Niagara Casinos - Shows and Events - Both Sides of the Border (Taylor Dayne, Michael Bolton, Little Big Town, Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan and more)

Plus many of our Niagara Falls Attractions are open year round: Journey Behind the Falls, Bird Kingdom, Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara SkyWheel and many more.

Looking for a Niagara Falls hotel for your Winter Getaway? The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is one of the closest Niagara Falls Hotels to these spectacular and traditional Winter Events. Check out our current special offer, a One Night Package starting at $109 per night. And check back on Monday for our next special offer.

Make Niagara Falls in Winter an annual tradition!

Get Artsy at Artpark

Posted on by Tricia Marchand

Get Artsy at Artpark

It’s time to “Get Artsy at Artpark.” If you haven’t experienced Artpark before, you are definitely missing out on some entertaining events. The name “Artpark” says it all. There are some incredible “artsy” events in a breathtaking outdoor “park”. Artpark is located in Lewiston, New York (which is just a short drive across the Lewiston Bridge – 23 minutes from the Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls hotel, to be exact).

Check out the exciting Artpark events:

“Tuesday in the Park” Artpark Amphitheater:

Barenaked Ladies, OMD and Howard Jones Last Summer on Earth Tour - June 14th

Blue Rodeo with Special Guest Basia Balut - June 21st - starting at 6:30pm

Whitesnake with special guest Whitford/St. Holmes - June 28th - starting at 6:30pm

The Band Perry - July 5th - starting at 6:30pm

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals - July 12th - starting at 7:15pm

Tears for Fears - July 19th

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo/Melissa Etheridge - July 26th

YES - August 2nd

Rain a Tribute to the Beatles - August 9th

Boz Scaggs with special guest Don McLean - August 23rd

Canadian Hall of Fame: The Burton Cummings Band, April Wine and Buffy Sainte-Marie - August 30th

Coors Light Wednesdays

Two Door Cinema Club - June 15th

Ray Lamontagne - June 29th

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - July 6th

Ben Folds with yMusic - July 13th - starting at 6:30pm

Slightly Stoopid with ZGE (Zion I, the Grouch and Eligh) - July 27th

O.A.R. - August 3rd

Mainstage Performances

Rockstar Energy Drink presents Taste of Chaos - June 8th - 6:30pm - 11pm

Dolly Parton - June 12th - 8pm

Bob Dylan - June 30th - 6pm - 11pm

Baila Brazil - July 14th -17th

There are also artpark events for the family.

The Fairy House Festival is back - June 18th and 19t

Rock Workshop - July 5th - July 29th

Family Saturdays - July 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th

Free Family Movie Night - August 15th (Inside Out) and August 22nd (The Incredibles)

Looking for a place to rest your head after all of this amazing artsy fun?. The Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls is just a short drive away. Check out our Niagara Falls Packages or enjoy our current One Night Package Special Offer starting at $119 per night.