Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
heritage.
North of the Falls
arehikingtrails,
Whirlpool State Park,
andthebeautiful,his-
toric town of
Lewiston
. Where the river meets Lake Ontario is
Youngstown
, an area that
has witnessed more than three centuries of conflict over the control of Niagara.
Buffalo
BuffaloisNewYorkState'ssecond-largestcity.At
Canalside,
thecity'swaterfrontdistrict,
you can
kayak, sail,
and
fish.
Downtown, buildings designed by the likes of Frank Lloyd
Wright, H. H. Richardson, and Louis Sullivan are a stunning reminder of the city's affluent
past, while the neighborhoods of
Elmwood Village
and
Allentown
are centers of
arts and
culture.
To the east and northeast of the city,
Lockport
and
Niagara County
offer
wine-
tasting
and
hiking
in the countryside.
Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wine Country
Niagara-on-the-Lake, perched on the southern shoreline of Lake Ontario, is a beautiful
Victorian village.
The area expanding outward from NOTL is a fertile crescent, home to
more than 20
wineries and vineyards.
To the west, the
Welland Canal
draws
recreation-
al boaters
and ocean-going freighters alike, and is where visitors can watch massive ships
traverse the canal's locks. The small towns that line the canal are charming and historic,
from the garden city of
St. Catharines
to
Fort Erie,
home to the
historic Old Fort Erie.
When to Go
Most people visit Niagara Falls in the 100 days of
summer
, mid-June through early
September. The weather is pleasant, with high temperatures averaging 81°F. During this
time, you may experience
longer lines
at attractions, especially on the Canadian side of the
borderandonholidayssuchasMemorialDayandtheFourthofJuly.Avoidtravelingtothe
falls on summer holidays, due to the crowds and lengthy waits at
border crossings.
Hotel
rates peak during summer.
Nature puts on an amazing show during
autumn
, September through October. This re-
gion explodes with color as leaves make their annual transformation from green to yellow,
red, brown, and orange. The weather moderates, with the high temperature averaging 60°F
in October. Mornings and evenings can be crisp, but the days are mostly bright and sunny.
Many locals favor visiting the falls at this time, because the attractions are still open, but
thereisseldomaline.Ifyouarea
leaf peeper,
visitthisregionontheColumbusDayweek-
end and hike to your heart's content while the fall colors are at their peak. Wineries take on
an extra-romantic ambience at this time of year.
