Springtime Magic: 10 Must-Do Activities in Niagara This Spring
Spring is the most beautiful time of the year in the Niagara Region. I know I say this for every season, but when the flowers start blooming and the escarpment starts greening up, it really is an uplifting sight for the senses after a grey and barren winter.
As winter bids farewell and the first blossoms begin to pop, the Niagara Region transforms into a vibrant paradise bursting with colour, fresh air, and outdoor adventures. Spring is the perfect time to visit before the summer crowds arrive, giving you a more relaxed experience.
From breathtaking floral displays to seasonal events, here are the top things to do in the Niagara Region during spring!
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1. Chase the Spring Blooms 🌸
Springtime in Niagara is pure magic! As the region bursts into bloom, it becomes a paradise for flower lovers and photographers. If you’re after a flower-filled day, I recommend visiting Niagara Falls. From cherry blossoms, magnolias, tulips, daffodils, lilacs and more, you can tour Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake and get your fill of spring blooms!
Start your floral adventure at Magnolia Alley out in front of the Floral Showhouse for stunning soft purple, pink, and white magnolia petals. From there, head to Queen Victoria Park, where thousands of tulips and daffodils paint the landscape in vibrant hues. Don’t miss the iconic Floral Clock and the meticulously designed gardens scattered throughout Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens—each one a picture-perfect spot!
🌷 See all the top places to catch the spring blooms in Niagara Falls! 🌷
Drive through Lincoln and Niagara-on-the-Lake for the most picturesque landscapes when the fruit trees are in bloom! There are over 1.7 million fruit trees in the area, with petals ranging from white, soft pink, and vibrant pink. It’s a magical site to see and definitely worth driving by!
From cherry blossoms, magnolias, tulips, daffodils, lilacs and more, Niagara’s spring blooms stretch all the way from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Whether you’re strolling through historic streets or taking in nature’s beauty at scenic parks, spring is the perfect season to soak in the colours of Niagara!
2. Stroll Through the Centennial Lilac Garden 💜
Keeping with the theme of spring blooms, the Centennial Lilac Garden deserved a section of its own. Visiting this floral park is one of the many free things to do in Niagara Falls, but it’s definitely the most fragrant springtime experience you’ll find! To me, there is no greater scent than a lilac!
Home to over 1,200 lilacs in every shade of purple and white spanning 10 acres. Peak bloom time only usually lasts for 2 weeks, so save some time during May to come visit these intoxicating blooms!
There is plenty of free parking and is accessible via the WEGO transit system, for those travelling without a car. This garden is a must-visit from mid-May to early June. The scent alone is worth the trip! As a bonus, the Floral Clock is located right next door so you can visit two blooming spots at the same time.
3. See a Play at the Shaw Festival Theatre 🎭
Spring is the perfect time to take in world-class theatre at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. With a lineup of classic and contemporary productions, the festival offers a fantastic cultural experience in a charming setting. Pair it with a stroll through the town’s historic streets and a visit to a cozy café for a perfect spring day.
Spring is the perfect season to catch a world-class performance at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake! From timeless classics to exciting contemporary productions, there’s something for every theatre lover. Make a day of it by wandering through the town’s picturesque streets, soaking in the historic charm, and wrapping it up with a stop at a cozy café (or even treating yourself to afternoon tea)! It’s the ultimate way to enjoy the fresh energy of spring!
4. Take a Scenic Spring Hike 🍃
With winter in the rearview, it’s time to lace up those hiking boots and hit the trails! The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve offers jaw-dropping views of the Niagara River and gorge, while the Bruce Trail winds through forests bursting back to life after their winter nap. It’s also my favourite time to hit up some waterfall hikes – they’re really flowing after the winter thaw!
Spring is when Niagara’s hiking trails truly shine, with blooming wildflowers, lush greenery, rushing waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife making an appearance. Oh, and plenty of wildlife (heads up, Rockway is known to be a huge snake nesting ground!).
One of my favorite spring hikes is Ball’s Falls Conservation Area! This scenic spot is perfect for a quick trek, with charming historic ruins, two lovely waterfalls, and a picturesque village to explore.
Navigating Niagara Tip! 💰 Loads of Niagara Region public libraries have Niagara Peninsula Conservation Area Nature Plus Passes you can borrow for free for up to a week and save on admission!
Other stunning spring hikes to check out:
🌿 Short Hills Provincial Park – Lots of different trails available based on how long you want to hike (including an accessible trail). Includes waterfalls, wildflowers & peaceful forest paths
🦅 Beamer Conservation Area – One of the best spots for spring birdwatching and amazing views of the escarpment.
🍂 Rockway Conservation Area – A scenic spot with towering tall trees and waterfalls (paid parking)
PS – While parking at the Niagara Gorge is paid, if you have a Niagara Parks Annual Parking Pass, parking is included! And if you don’t have one, I recommend getting one for $50, even if you plan on visiting Niagara Falls a couple times during the year. It comes with 2 passes for 2 vehicles within the same household.
5. Visit a Tulip Farm 🌷
Spring means tulip season, and there’s nothing quite like strolling through rows of these vibrant flowers! We’re so fortunate we have amazing tulip farms in Niagara that are all near each other! It’s the perfect spring outing for families and couples – especially if you want some incredible family photos!
If you’re looking for a dreamy way to celebrate spring, JP Niagara Tulip Experience, Sarah Grey Pick Farm, and TASC Tulip Farm are just the place! Your entry ticket isn’t just for admiring the breathtaking fields—you get to pick your own bouquet of 10 gorgeous tulips! With over a million tulips in 100+ varieties, the fields explode in a breathtaking array of colours – photos won’t even do it justice!
If you need a dose of spring, a visit to one of the tulip fields in the Niagara Region is an absolute must! It’s definitely an annual highlight for me.
With tulip season only lasting around 3 weeks, this is one spring event you don’t want to miss!
6. Hunt for Cherry Blossoms 🌸
Cherry blossoms are SO beautiful and I anxiously await their bloom every year. These delicate pink blooms make an appearance for a short but spectacular time. Some of my favourite places to see the cherry blossoms in Niagara are at Queenston Heights and Kingsbridge Park, but other places around, too (like wineries)!
It’s a magical display of pink and white hues for a few special weeks each spring. Cherry blossoms are some of the most gorgeous and are highly sought after for photographers!
From Grimsby to Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond, there are endless spots to snap photos of these whimsical petals.
7. Sip and Savour at a Seasonal Winery Event 🍷
Spring is an incredible time to visit wineries in Niagara, with the return of seasonal winery events across Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Benchlands. Many wineries host spring tastings, patio openings, and special events with tasting passports, where you can pair unique wine samples with delicious spring-inspired dishes.
It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the season with a glass in hand! Spring is an incredible time to visit wineries in Niagara. With the weather getting warmer in late April and May, tied in with seasonal blooms, visiting a winery for a local event is a perfect way to spend a spring day in the Niagara Region.
Whether it’s sipping mimosas, pairing wine with fun foods like donuts and chocolate, or partaking in one of many winery events throughout the season (like the Spring Wine Trail in April), you can’t go wrong with visiting a winery during springtime.
There are endless fun things to do involving wineries during spring. I would recommend visiting social media pages and websites for your favourite winery around here to check out what’s going on! Follow along with Niagara Grape & Wine Festival and Niagara Benchlands Wineries for all the fun stuff coming up!
🍷 Looking to hit up a winery for lunch?
Check out my favourite wineries with restaurants in Lincoln! 🍷
8. Experience Niagara Falls Before Peak Tourist Season 🌊
Spring is one of the best times to visit Niagara Falls—before the summer crowds take over!
With favourable weather and less crowds, spring marks the return of the outdoor activities like the White Water Walk and the Whirlpool Aero Car (two of my favourite Niagara Falls activities!).
Stroll through the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens (it’s one of the free things to do!) and soak in the fresh pop of colour with blooming tulips and blossoms.
Or get up close to the Falls with Niagara City Cruises which gives you front-row seats to the thunderous beauty of the Falls.
For some truly memorable, you can even book a fireworks cruise starting mid-May and watch the explosion of light and colour from below Niagara Falls! Visiting from Toronto? This guided tour bundles your transport and sightseeing all into one!
Visit attractions like this without waiting ages in line, and you’ll have a better chance of getting those photos you’re dreaming of without interrupted views!
It’s also the perfect time to snag better hotel rates (dreaming of waking up in bed to a view of Niagara Falls?!) or dining at a restaurant overlooking the Falls – without all the crowds.
And if you’re a local (or planning to visit more than once), the Niagara Parks Annual Pass is a total game-changer! For $150/adult, you get unlimited admission to the best Niagara Parks attractions until December—meaning you can soak up the Falls in spring, summer, fall, and even in the winter!
Psst. Don’t forget the Niagara Parks Annual Parking Pass!
For just $50, you get unlimited parking at all Niagara Parks lots, plus it covers two vehicles from the same household. If you plan on visiting Niagara Falls more than once in a year, this pass pays for itself – especially when parking at Table Rock is $35/day!
9. Enjoy a Spring Market or Festival 🌼
Spring marks the return of farmers’ markets and outdoor festivals. Farmers’ Markets, like the ones in St Catharines or Grimsby are great places to find fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, and artisan products.
Keep an eye out for annual events like the Handmade Market in Niagara Falls. There’s even a Renaissance Faire you can attend! Or head to the St Catharines Flower and Wine Festival, or the ever-popular Niagara Falls Comic Con. There are also loads of pop up markets at community centres, churches, and around town during this time. I usually find out about them through community Facebook groups and township websites.
10. Take a Bike Ride Through Wine Country 🚴♀️
With mild temperatures and blooming vineyards, spring is the perfect season for a cycling tour through Niagara’s wine country. Many wineries offer bike rentals or guided tours (like this cycling tour which includes a wine tasting, or make a full day of it with lunch! Or a guided E-Bike Wine Tour!), letting you sip and cycle your way through picturesque landscapes.
With mild temperatures, fresh spring air, and vineyards coming to life, spring is the perfect season for a cycling tour through Niagara’s wine country. As the vines awaken from their winter slumber, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking mix of lush greenery and vibrant blossoms, making it an ideal time to explore on two wheels.
Bring your bike and set off on one of Niagara’s scenic cycling routes. If you prefer a more structured experience, guided wine tours provide an effortless way to sip and cycle through the region—no need to worry about navigation or planning! Some tours even include food pairings, behind-the-scenes vineyard visits, and the option to have your purchased bottles delivered to your final stop.
Navigating Niagara Tip: Don’t have your own bike? You can rent one easily in Niagara-on-the-Lake with Zoom Leisure Bikes for either half a day or a full day for a very reasonable rate. Or pick one up from any number of their Bike Share spots around town for $8/hour. There’s also super fun and SUPER affordable (it’s a steal!!!) bike tours you can take with them, which includes wine tasting!
While Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Parkway are the most popular cycling routes, don’t skip the Niagara Benchlands either! You can rent ebikes with ebike The Bench or join a wine tour which includes a stop for wine and lunch.
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