The kids are back in school. You’ve watched all of Netflix. It’s time to get outside and find some fun things to do while there are still warm, sunny days to enjoy. This fall, why not take a few hours to remind everyone in your family why you love where you live. See how many of the following Only-In-Niagara challenges you can check off your list. Score bonus points for snapping photos along the way and sharing them with us on social media using the hashtag #OnlyInNiagaraFallFun.
#OnlyInNiagaraFallFun Challenge #1: Eat Breakfast At A Waterfall
Niagara Falls may get all the attention, but there are plenty of other spectacular waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment. Pick up some breakfast pastries from a local bakery and set out on a family hike. Local pastry favourites include Con Gusto’s heavenly croissants, Beechwood’s decadent doughnuts, buttermilk biscuits from de la terre Café + Bakery, pumpkin maples loaves from Tay’s Treats and 13th Street Bakery’s scones.
For help tracking down a new waterfall, read this blog post. To keep Niagara’s outdoor spaces beautiful, please be sure to pack up your garbage and leave no trace of your visit.
#OnlyInNiagaraFallFun Challenge #2: Watch For Flocks and Eat Fresh Fall Fruit
Forget grabbing fruit out of the fridge. It’s way more fun when you get to pick what you’d like to try at a Farmer’s Market, roadside stand, or straight from the tree at the orchard. Once you’ve stocked up, head out to find some feathered friends. Cave Springs Conservation Area is an excellent choice for watching migrating birds and spotting owls.
Fantastic Fall Fruit Options
- The Catharines Farmers Market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 am to 1 pm. Please send one representative to shop for your family.
- The Town of Lincoln’s farm stand listing is loaded with additional options.
- Windwood Farms is a great orchard for families who would like to pick their own apples
- Cherry Avenue Farms has pick-your-own pears in the month of September.
#OnlyInNiagaraFallFun Challenge #3: Follow The Steps Of Laura Secord
While your family may not be up for tracing all 32 km of Laura Secord’s historic journey, the 4.5-km section of the trail that runs between Rodman Hall Art Centre and Rotary Park is a beautiful fall walk that even novice hikers will enjoy. The Friends of Laura Secord website offers helpful turn-by-turn directions, Google Maps and satellite maps.
#OnlyInNiagaraFallFun Challenge #4: Ice Cream and Rush at Lakeside Park
If your kids have never heard of the band Rush, it’s time to do something about that. Neal Peart, the drummer and primary lyricist of Rush, grew up in St. Catharines and is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time. The Rush classic, Lakeside Park, was written in honour of, you guessed it, Port Dalhousie’s Lakeside Park. It includes references to Peart’s memories of the summer nights of his youth spent enjoying the park’s rides, midway lights and shining stars. Peart passed away earlier this year, and the park’s new pavilion is being named in his honour.
Getting your kids to listen to classic rock may take some convincing, which is where the ice cream comes in! Pick up some scoops from Old Port Dairy Bar or Rozie’s, head down to the lakeshore and watch the sunset as you give Lakeside Park a listen in Lakeside Park.
#OnlyInNiagaraFallFun Challenge #5: Discover Something Brand New Nearby
With so many things to do in and around St. Catharines and surrounding communities like Beamsville, Vineland, Jordan, Campden, Tintern, and Rockway, fall is a great time to get out and explore the corners of our region you may not have visited before. Take advantage of trip planning tools and business directories for St. Catharines and the Town of Lincoln to find a new destination or activity for your family to enjoy this fall.
COVID-19 Considerations
To help protect the health of yourself and others, please remember to bring and wear your face mask, wash and sanitize your hands regularly and practice physical distancing of at least 2 m/ 6 ft. Contacting the places you wish to visit in advance is recommended to check to see if reservations are required.