Category: Special Occasions

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 Falls Canada Day | Niagara Falls Fourth of July

Posted on by Dennis Diaz

Here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate Niagara Falls Canada Day and Niagara Falls Fourth of July.

Fireworks over the Falls

We love to celebrate with a big bang every Friday and Sunday throughout the summer. So of course we are going to do something special for our Country’s Birthday and the Birthday of our Great Neighbour (or should be say Neighbor?). Come and join us on July 1st and 4th for some spectacular eye candy in the sky. Plus don’t miss the Coca Cola Concert Series on the Queen Victoria Stage right across from Niagara Falls which happens every evening right before the Fireworks.

Canada Day Parade

Nothing says patriotism like a Canada Day Parade. The festivities start at 11am along Victoria Avenue to Queen Street ending on St. Clair Avenue. Following the parade, get ready for some musical entertainment at City Hall starting at 12:30pm until 9pm. And you can’t have a birthday celebration without birthday cake, plus free face painting and more.

Friendship Festival

Can you believe that we’ve been celebrating the Friendship Festival for 29 years? The Friendship Festival is all about the good relations between Canada and the United States since the end of the War of 1812. Come and celebrate from June 26th – 28th with fabulous food, fun and musical entertainment (live country music – Josh Gracin, Jamie O’Neal, Chadley Chase and Arms of America – U2 Tribute Band) And you can’t miss the “2015 Festivals Got Talent.”

Market at the Village – every Wednesday Night

Every Wednesday starting at 4:30pm until dusk, come to the Market at the Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake and be sure to bring your appetite and your dancing shoes. Featuring some fabulous local food vendors, wineries and microbreweries. This is the perfect place to paint the town red and white in honour of Canada.

 

Summer of Thrills - every Thursday - Monday starting July 2nd

The name says it all - featuring fabulous street performers and death-defying daredevils. New this year - The Sky Scraping Sway Pole.

Niagara Wineries

Speaking of great wineries and microbreweries, Niagara is definitely not short of some great places to raise a glass to patriotism. Visit Niagara Wine Country where you’ll find over 70 Niagara Wineries to choose from.

Niagara Microbreweries

If something “hoppy” is what you are looking for, check out Niagara Oast House Brewers (just look for the Big Red Barn past the Old Oak) or Silversmith in Niagara-on-the-Lake (just look for the church and old church from 1894 converted in a microbrewery). You will be pleasantly surprised with both.

Get Musical

There are also a few musical events to get you in the holiday spirit.

ArtPark

The Steve Miller Band with special guest Miller and the Sinners – June 30th at 6:30pm. The Steve Miller Band needs no introduction.

Marianas Trench – July 1st at 6:30pm – A Canadian Pop Band from British Columbia. The band has released three full length studio albums, the most recent titled, Ever After, which was nominated for a Juno Award.

Fallsview Casino – Battle of the Voices – July 1st – 8th.

A new epic vocal showdown like never before, hosted by 98 Degrees’ band member Drew Lachey, Battle Of The Voices is a knockout music event featuring artists from American Idol, The Voice and America’s Got Talent. Become part of the battle where you choose the champion!

And we know of the perfect place to stay during the festivities. Make room for A LOT of Fun at the Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls. We’ve Got a Package with Your Name on it: One Night, Two Night, Romance, Family Fun and one for the Girls.

Happy Celebrating!

Great Gifts for Dads in Niagara Falls

Posted on by Dennis Diaz

Great Gifts for Dads

Father’s Day is coming soon and we have some great gifts for dads right here in Niagara Falls.

Here are our Top Five Favourite Things to Do with Dad:

Golfing

Niagara has joined the ranks of the world’s premier golf destinations in terms of challenge, design aesthetics, course conditioning, facilities and service. The Top Five Recommended Courses: 1) Grand Niagara 2) Hunters Pointe, Legends on the Niagara, Whirlpool and Peninsula Lakes. These courses come highly recommended from some golf aficionados we know personally and take this sport very seriously.

Fishing

Many people don’t know this, but Niagara is well known for its fishing. The popular fishing grounds are the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, where you can fish year-round for a variety of fish: Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) and Brown Trout.

Your captain Aldo Nava has appeared on the Canadian Sport Fishing Television Series (and does he know fish).

So what are you waiting for? Make your dad’s day with a sweet fishing trip.

Beer Tasting

Niagara is also known for their micro-breweries. Our favourites are Niagara Oast House Brewers and Silversmith.

Niagara Oast is easy to spot. It’s just down the road, past the old oak in the big red barn. They are famous for their Barn Raiser Brew, plus their live music every Friday night and their gourmet food from Gastronomo Vagabundo . You have to try their fish tacos.

Silversmith is another popular micro-brewery and what’s unique about them is that their location is inside an old church, built in 1894 (talk about character). What’s on tap? Black lager, Bavarian Breakfast Wheat, Hill 145 Golden Ale, Dam Buster British Pale Ale. And while you’re sipping one of these popular brews, you have to grab a bite to eat from Tide and Vine’s kitchen, serving pub food classics: oysters, po’ boys, wings and more. Your dad will love it!

Steak Dinner at The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

What dad doesn’t love a classic steak and potato meal? Name one, we dare you. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is known for their mouth-watering steak and succulent seafood.

You can’t go wrong with a Top Sirloin, Filet Mignon or Prime Rib served with potatoes just the way you like them (baked, roasted garlic mashed, twice baked or good old french fries). We look forward to seeing you at the Courtyard Marriot Keg Steakhouse + Bar very soon.

Play Tourist for a Day

Our last favourite thing to do with dad is to play tourist for a day. Why not start with an overnight stay at the Courtyard Marriott? Check out our 1 and 2 Night Packages, which include it all (room, breakfast, dinner voucher at The Keg or TGI Friday’s, WEGO shuttle passes and so much more). What dad doesn’t love steak? The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is located right in the lobby of the hotel and has so many different types of cuts to choose from. After dinner head on down to the Falls where your dad can experience some of the most popular attractions which will leave him speechless (Hornblower Niagara Cruises and Journey Behind the Falls). These two attractions are also part of our Niagara Falls Tour Package. Check out Above the Falls Tours for more information.

So you’ll all set for Father’s Day! You can thank us later!

Make room for a little fun this Father’s Day.

Mother’s Day Travel Deals

Posted on by Dennis Diaz

Make Sunday, May 10th a Fun-Day for your Mom

Looking for a Mother’s Day gift as wondrous as your mom? While that might seem like a mission that’s impossible, we do have a few fabulous gift suggestions that will definitely make her smile. After all Niagara Falls is one of the most wondrous places to visit and is overflowing with wonderful experiences for that special lady in your life.

Breathtaking

Hornblower Niagara Cruises
This Niagara Falls Boat Tour of a lifetime will leave her speechless. With so many boat tour options to choose from, you might just have to experience them all. From the traditional Voyage to the Falls Tour, to the Illumination or Fireworks Cruise, all three cruises will make your “WOW” list. While the launch date is not yet confirmed, we do know based on previous years, that the Hornblower Niagara Cruises, usually hits the water at the end of April/early May.

Looking for a whole afternoon of fun? If so, you’ve got to check out the Courtyard by Marriott’s Niagara Falls’ Tour Package, which includes Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Journey Behind the Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, a stop at the Floral Clock and Photo Opportunities at the Niagara Glen/Whirlpool Rapids. Check out the breathtaking video of Hornblower Niagara Cruises here.

Niagara Wine Country

Sip and Sizzle – weekends in May
This is one of Niagara’s hottest May Events. Experience 26 Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries and unique grilled food paired with fine VQA wine. This will have your mom doing her happy dance. Tour passes start at $43 per person.

Fresh and Polished – Diamond Estates Winery – May 7th – 7pm – 9pm

It’s an evening of wine tasting, pampering (who doesn’t love a mani and a pedi) and live music.

Handmade Market – May 8th and 9th – 13th Street Winery

If you haven’t been to one of Niagara’s Handmade Markets, this is definitely an experience you cannot miss. Featuring over 85 Artisans, the 13th Street Bakery gourmet goodies, fine wine, fabulous food and live music. Your mom will have a blast, as she sips, savours and shops away.

Food Truck Eats – May 16th – 18th – Peller Estates Winery

We know that this event is one week after Mother’s Day, however you can keep the celebrations going as this is one of the most delicious Spring events. Get ready to go on a Food Truck Journey: 15 Food Trucks and 5 local food vendors paired with some of the best VQA wines with the Peller Estates’ vineyard as your backdrop.

Chicks and Chocolate – Peller Estates Winery – Monday – Friday at 2pm. Weekends at 2pm and 4pm.

Chocolate + Wine + Your Mom = one of the most delicious gifts ever. Learn how chocolate and wine complement each other and awaken the palate.

An Enriching Experience

Shaw Festival

Spend the afternoon or evening exploring the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is famous for their unique boutiques, cozy cafés and the ever so popular Shaw Festival. Over Mother’s Day weekend, there are so many great plays to catch. From The Lady From the Sea, Peter and the Starcatcher, You Never Can Tell and Sweet Charity. The theatre performances promise to be an enriching experience.

The Courtyard by Marriott is one of the top 4-star and mother-loving Niagara Falls hotels close to all of these exciting and unforgettable Mother’s Day events. Check out our Mother’s Day Travel Deals for 1 Night or 2 Nights.

Make room for a little fun this Mother’s Day!