Backpacking in Canada: Planning a Trip to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most spectacular places to visit, and it’s definitely on the backpacking list of many a traveler. When you travel to these amazing waterfalls, you will soon discover that there is plenty to see and do to make sure that you have an experience that you will never forget. In order to make sure that your stay is as enjoyable as possible and you have everything that you need to make the best memories during your visit, we’ve put together this handy planning guide.
What to Pack
When it comes to choosing what to pack, it’s important to know what the best things to wear are during different periods of the year at Niagara Falls. If you are planning to visit in between November and March, this is the coldest time of the year in the area, so you should pack warm clothing to keep you snug whilst you enjoy the spectacular views. April and October can also be pretty chilly, although not as cold as the winter months. If you are visiting from June-September, you’ll enjoy the warmest weather with average highs of 26 degrees Celsius. You should also keep in mind that the falls can also affect the weather conditions – even on the warmest days, be prepared to wear a rain coat if you want to get close!
Get up close and personal to the Falls
Funds
If you plan to take cash along with you on your visit to Niagara Falls, it’s recommended that you use Canadian dollars. If you are travelling over from the U.S.A. or another country, you will need to exchange your money beforehand. You will be able to find currency exchange terminals around the Niagara Falls area, but these may be costly which is why many travelers prefer to have their money exchanged beforehand. There is no set rate of exchange, so it really pays to do your research to make sure that you get the best deal.
You can also use your credit card around the Niagara Falls area in the vast majority of hotels, restaurants and shops. Most of the major American credit cards are welcome, including Diners Club, Carte Blanche, MasterCard, Visa and American Express. ATM’s with 24-hour access and a range of in-store credit and debit card services are available in Niagara on a basis similar to that elsewhere in Canada and the U.S.A. Before you leave home it is a good idea to check with your bank to ensure that you won’t be charged extra for using your credit card.
Where to Stay
When it comes to choosing a place to stay in Niagara Falls, you are definitely spoilt for choice. There are a whole range of Niagara Falls hotels to choose from, whether you are looking for a budget stay or want to go all out in luxurious, five-star accommodation. When you plan your trip, it’s a good idea to browse around the different hotels and accommodation options at Niagara Falls and read reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor to make sure that you find the perfect place to stay. Some travelers also prefer to find a place to stay that is a little further out, so that they are not disturbed at night by the hustle and bustle of the busy Niagara Falls area.
The marvellous Niagara Falls in Winter
Eating Out
When it comes to finding places to eat, there is a huge variety of choice at Niagara Falls. From cute cafes to swanky bars and fine dining restaurants, you’ll definitely be able to take you pick of the best cuisine that the falls have to offer. There are also plenty of bars and breweries where you will be able to sample the best Canadian brews whilst enjoying the backdrop of the stunning falls.
Shopping
If you love shopping, you should definitely make sure that there is room in your suitcase to fit extra in when you travel to Niagara Falls. The area around the falls has a ton of shops, malls, markets and souvenir shops where you’ll be able to shop until your drop and find anything that you could possibly want to take home from your trip. Whether it’s new clothing, electronic goods, foods or souvenirs to take home to your family and friends, you’ll definitely be able to find it when you visit Niagara Falls.
View the Falls from above
Have you visited Niagara Falls in the past? What would you advise other travelers who plan to visit when it comes to planning their journey? We’d love to hear from you – leave your response in the comments.
The main tourist season in Niagara Falls is May – October. Since the busiest tourist months are July and August, it is advisable that you try to come during the shoulder months of May, June or September. September is usually the best for consistent weather and warm temperatures and my preferred choice for going. Less crowded by then.
If you are not a gambler, then the main attractions within Niagara Falls can easily be seen within a day. You might want to schedule 2 days in Niagara Falls if you are a wine drinker as the city is located in one of Canada’s largest wine regions. However, you will either have to rent a car or book a tour to check out some of the local wineries as they are all located outside of Niagara Falls proper.
Finally, to save yourself a bit of money, consider buying the Niagara Falls Park Pass/Adventure Pass. It gives you discounts to four of the main tourist attractions of Niagara Falls, as well as a two day hop-on/hop-off bus pass to get yourself around if you don’t have a car. Highly advisable as Niagara Falls is a bit expensive.
Hi Ray, thanks for the comment. I’ll have to write a proper top 5 backpacking sights for Toronto, Niagara and Winterpeg sometime. I chatted with some Canadians this week about the possibility of a Don’t Stop Living 10 Year Anniversary Tour to Canada in search of High School graffiti. It could be my new challenge. I was helping promote a company with this article by the way, but I gather you’ll have worked that out 😉 Safe travels. Jonny