Niagara Falls In October – Essentials To Get You Started
Temperature – Is Niagara Falls Cold In October?
When visiting Niagara Falls in October, think cozy sweater weather and jacket-optional days. The average temperatures are around 15°C during the day and around 7°C at night. On our October visit, we had warm sunny skies, which made for the perfect backdrop for the beautiful fall foliage scene.
Packing Tip: Dress in layers so you can bundle up when you need to (like visiting the falls under the mist at night) and take off layers, for example when hiking along the river).
Is it a good time to go to Niagara Falls in October?
October is considered off-season in Niagara Falls meaning that there are fewer visitors which leads to shorter (or no) lineups at attractions, fewer people on popular trails, and it’s easier to secure reservations (such as dinner at Table Rock). So yes, October is a great time to visit. The destination will have all sorts of seasonal flare including pumpkin-themed menu items, fall events, and the best part, beautiful fall foliage!
What does Niagara Falls look like in October?
The maple trees Canada is known for are on full display in colours of yellow gold, crimson red, and pumpkin orange, lining the parkway and the riverbank for all to enjoy. We’ve put together a complete guide on where to see the fall foliage in Niagara to help you plan your October getaway.
Are attractions open in Niagara Falls in October?
Yes! Almost all of the attractions are open in October, however some have reduced operating hours. We didn’t find any conflicts on our trip, but if there’s something specific you’re looking to experience, be sure to check out their hours and plan your trip around it
Does Niagara Falls have fireworks in October?
The weekly fireworks display in Niagara Falls runs through to the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. After that, you won’t be able to see the fireworks show but you can see the nightly illumination, where the falls are lit up and transition through a colourful display from sundown to 2 am. I loved the evening display so much that I moved my bed and reconfigured my hotel room which allowed me to fall asleep next to the most spectacular show!
What events happen in Niagara Falls In October?
Fall festivities are abundant in Niagara Falls in October making it a perfect time to visit. When planning your trip head over to the Niagara Falls Tourism website to plan which events you want to check out. From pumpkin carving to haunted houses, there are a lot of fun festivities for the whole family.
Niagara Falls In October – 23 Adventures Await!
1. Visit The Falls
As soon as we arrived in Niagara Falls I dropped off my car with the valet, grabbed my camera bag, and headed straight for the waterfalls. After waiting my whole life to see the world-renowned falls, hotel check-in would have to wait as we jogged through the hotel and down the sidewalk to get to the lookout.
Boy did it not disappoint. I squealed, which as I looked around was the feeling that everyone else was thinking but I was just brave enough to let out. While I could hear so many different languages around me one thing that we all had in common was our sense of awe and joy as we soaked in the Niagara Falls sights.
There are a LOT of access points along the walkway by the Table Rock Welcome Centre to see Niagara Falls and I recommend that you walk the whole parkway to be able to see the falls from different angles. Being right next to it as the water crests over the edge is remarkable but it’s also really spectacular to see it from further back and be able to soak in the grandeur of it all.
Niagara Parks Attractions
2. Journey Behind The Falls
After seeing the waterfalls from above I recommend that you head downstairs through the Table Rock Welcome Centre and do the Journey Behind the Falls.
There you can learn more about the falls, and read educational displays that showcase the history, geology, and Indigenous significance of the falls. Once you’re through the museum area you’ll be invited to take a 125-foot descent down an elevator and walk through the tunnels that lead to lookouts behind the falls.
It’s SO noisy down there as you hear the crashing of the water and see it cascade down before your eyes. Fun fact: One-fifth of the world’s freshwater crosses over that cliff. This experience takes around 30 – 40 minutes to experience.
Traveler Tip: I highly recommend purchasing an Adventure Pass through Niagara Parks at the ticketing window inside the Table Rock Welcome Centre. This pass is not only good for the Journey Behind The Falls attraction but many others that are operated by Niagara Parks. By buying the pass in advance, it saves you money (compared to buying individual tickets at each attraction).
3. Niagara Parks Power Station + The Tunnel
A relatively new attraction is the Niagara Parks Power Station and The Tunnel, located next to the falls. Recently restored, it has transitioned from a power plant to a tourist educational museum and experience. Opened in 2021 to visitors, the Niagara Parks Power Station is another must-see attraction when looking for experiences that encapsulate all that Niagara Falls is.
Perfectly restored, visitors get to learn about hydroelectricity, experience hands-on immersive exhibits, come up close with artifacts, and hear interactive storytelling. For 100 years the Canadian Niagara Power Company Generating Station was an engineering marvel providing power to thousands of Canadians and is still seen as an engineering marvel today.
Once you’ve visited the museum upstairs take the elevator downstairs to discover “The Tunnel” a new underground experience.
You’ll be 180 feet beneath the Niagara Parks Power Station, and walk inside a 2,200-foot-long tunnel and pop out right at the base of the waterfalls. Yes, protective rain jackets are recommended as the mist is thick as it sprays all around you.
Photography Tip: If you are there right when it opens head to the elevator (to your right) and take the first ride down. Walk fast to be at the front of the line and you’ll be able to have the tunnel and the lookout all to yourself for a few moments!
4. Floral Showhouse
With seven shows per year, the Floral Showhouse is a great place to visit in October with the the green thumb or artist in your life. Formally known as “The Niagara Parks Commission Floral Showhouse” this attraction is a collaboration between the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture and Niagara Parks, where the students can showcase their work for visitors to enjoy.
And don’t be fooled into thinking this is just about flowers… construction and creativity collide and students craft beautiful masterpieces like the gigantic dragon featured here. Let your imagination flow and appreciate all of the hard work the students have done to craft these creative pieces of art.
5. Whirlpool Aero Car
For over 100 years visitors to Niagara Falls have been taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. This antique cable car takes 35 guests from the Canadian lookout and back, right over the Niagara Gorge and powerful whirlpools below them. The best time of year (in my opinion) is to go in October when the trees are transitioning through their beautiful fall foliage colours, making for incredible photos that had all of us taking photos for the duration of our tour.
Here are a few more photos from the Whirlpool Aero Car to inspire you to visit during October:
6. White Water Walk
Another beautiful place to visit in October is the Niagara Parks attraction called White Water Walk. Appropriately named after the class six rapids that run alongside the park, you’ll get an up-close look at the powerful water running through the Great Gorge.
The Niagara Parks team has done a fantastic job of creating a beautiful boardwalk that runs alongside the river, making an accessible experience for guests (with the exception of two lookouts that are only accessible by stairs).
7. Niagara Glen
If you’re looking for the best thing to do in Niagara Falls in October it’s a hiking trip to the Niagara Glen. This Niagara Parks site will bring you up close and personal with the beautiful fall foliage which is set upon a turquoise backdrop that is the Niagara River.
Bring your hiking boots and start exploring the area by ascending down a steel flight of stairs into the Great Gorge. The Niagara Glen is a designated Nature Preserve and is one of the most well-marked trails I have ever explored.
You can do the whole exterior loop if you have time or cut back through the trails if you’re looking for a shorter route. I recommend the exterior loop that runs alongside the river for the best scenery and brightest photography.
Hiking Hints:
- The trail is on rocky surfaces with uneven terrain so proper footwear is required (no high heels or flip-flops!)
- The trail starts with a 60-meter descent into The Glen, which is a lot easier on the way down than it is on the way up, so be sure to save energy and plan accordingly to climb up those stairs to exit the park.
8. Butterfly Conservatory
My yellow jacket was quickly mistaken for a flower and within seconds of walking through the Butterfly Conservatory doors, I had made some new friends. With 2,000 tropical butterflies flying by, it’s easy for one to stop for a rest stop and a little photographic visit. An educational centre, be sure to stop by the emergence window and see butterflies leaving their pupae and preparing to take their first flight!
While we were only there for a quick visit (30 minutes or so) I could have stayed longer taking photographs of the beautiful butterflies and wandering through the habitat watching them eat, sleep, rest, and even play!
9. Eat At Table Rock House Restaurant
I’m pretty sure the saying, “The best seat in the house” came from whomever designed Table Rock House Restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel like you’re sitting on the edge of the falls, a meal at Table Rock House Restaurant should be on your Niagara Falls in October bucket list.
We had reservations for sunset which allowed us to view the falls during the day and then watch them transition into the night when the falls’ illumination show begins, the best of both worlds.
Tips: Book ahead and request a window table or a bench table that looks out over the falls.
Adrenaline Filled Adventures
10. Niagara City Cruises
We were giggling like school kids on a grade four field trip as Niagara City Cruises pulled into the heart of Niagara Falls, soaking us all with its mist. One of the top “must-see” things to do for both locals and visitors alike, this is where your Niagara memories leave you with the ultimate souvenir.
Your tour will start off taking you through Niagara Gorge, next to the American Falls and their Bridal Veil Falls. Then your Captain will remind you why you were wearing your plastic rain ponchos as you head into what feels like a shower as the Niagara mist surrounds and soaks you as you journey close to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
You’ll try to share the excitement with your travel buddy only to be drowned out by the thundering roar that is Niagara Falls.
Fun fact: If you want to visit at night and see the falls illuminated or watch the fireworks from below the falls this option is available in early October.
11. WildPlay Niagara Zipline to the Falls
I’ve been ziplining all around the world but I can honestly say that ziplining towards Niagara Falls was the most scenic and special zipline I’ve ever done. The WildPlay Niagara Zipline to the Falls is one of a kind!
Flying cliffside with my feet towards the falls was an incredible way to immerse myself in the mystical experience. I loved it so much that I wanted to do it again (and it’s only $15 for a second flight). They also provide a really neat video after your adventure so you can relive the memory, again and again.
12. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
If you truly have a spirit for adventure and want to get right into the Niagara Gorge then head to Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours for 45 minutes of soaking wet fun. Affectionately referred to as the “Mount Everest” of white water, this Whirlpool Jet Boat tour will have you soaked head to toe within minutes of riding through the class five rapids.
When I say it’s not for the faint of heart, please take my warnings seriously. If you’re seated in the front row be prepared to face mighty Class 5 whitewater of the Devil’s Hole Rapid with walls of water coming at you again and again. No part of your body will be dry after the first wave and you’ll be soaked to the bone (Tip: try to book on a sunny day). But if you’re up for the adventure, the laughter, and the respect of the river then this is an adventure for you!
When you’re not crashing through waves you’ll enjoy the guided tour which will take you past the power plants of the Niagara Gorge, the 175 stone wall canyon, and finally under the Whirlpool Aero Car (I highly recommend that you do that first and then go and see it from below with this tour).
If you’re looking for the adventure without getting wet they do offer a “Freedom Jet” experience.
Photography Tip: Do NOT take a camera on board unless it is 100% waterproof. I recommend having a wrist strap too as your camera may get knocked out of your hand!
13. Niagara Riding Stables
I’ve recently fallen in love with horseback riding tours and a visit to Niagara Riding Stables in October would be a perfect way to explore the less traveled path in Niagara. With over 60 years of experience, you’ll get to explore Niagara on horseback, traversing through trails that would take you way longer to hike, and learning from your guide along the trail. Beautiful and adventurous? Sign me up!
Fun fact: They have over 160 five-star reviews on Trip Advisor!
14. Niagara Speedway
One of my FAVOURITE things we did in Niagara Falls was visiting the Niagara Speedway.
However, my travel buddy Erin decided to surprise me and got us Mario and Luigi costumes so we could embrace our inner 90’s kid and race around the go-cart track in style. The look on some of our fellow riders faces was hilarious and it created a memory I’ll never forget.
So while you don’t have to dress in full costume to ride, the Niagara Speedway is a must-see when visiting Niagara Falls in October. As North America’s largest elevated go-kart track, you get to race four stories up, loop down an elevated hill, and then round two more stories down to complete the lap and repeat it. A combination of throttle-powered go-karts with the thrill of a roller coaster elevated track this is go-karting unlike anywhere else.
Tip: Don’t make the same mistake I did and only ride once! I am kicking myself for only going once and I wish I would have gone multiple times.
Scenic Aerial Niagara Falls Views
15. Niagara Helicopters
If there’s ever a place to do a helicopter tour it’s in Niagara Falls! Our twelve-minute flight over the falls was one I’ll never forget! Touted as “The world’s highest, most scenic, and most exciting sightseeing experience” we really can’t say enough about this Niagara Helicopters experience so we will share a few pictures to let them speak for themselves:
Few trip tips:
- This is more affordable compared to other helicopter tours we have done, with tours starting at $185.00 (adult).
- You don’t have to book ahead, you can just show up and head to the skies.
16. Niagara SkyWheel
A slower adventure with more scenic views out over the city of Niagara and Niagara Falls, the Niagara SkyWheel is a romantic way to fall in love with the city. Your sky-topping Ferris wheel adventure will have you soaring 53 meters (175 feet) into the sky. From there you can see the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side as well as the American Falls, the Niagara River, and the city skyline.
Rides are between 8-12 minutes in length and you can decide if you want to explore in the daytime or nighttime, each offering unique views.
Visitors Tip: The Niagara SkyWheel is located in Clifton Hill, which I can only describe as a Las Vegas for kids. With things like bowling and mini golf, the Niagara Speedway, and a ton of other family-friendly destinations, be sure to allow ample time when visiting the Niagara SkyWheel as you’ll undoubtedly spend some time exploring Clifton Hill while you’re in the area.
17. Skylon Tower
If scenic sights are always on the top of your priority list then a visit to Skylon Tower is a must. Located centrally in Niagra Falls you’ll get to take a “Yellow Bug Elevator” which is a glass-enclosed elevator that takes you 236 meters (775 feet) above the city to the top platform. In October you can expect to see a bright and colourful view overlooking Niagara Falls and on a clear day, you can even see New York, Buffalo, and Toronto!
Rainy Day Activities
18. Bird Kingdom
Don’t let the humble entrance fool you, Bird Kingdom is the World’s Largest Free-Flying Indoor Aviary! After going through the entrance you’ll start off meeting some of the residents, like the parrots who were excited to come and say hello (literally!).
Room by room you can get up close and personal with birds, parrots, amphibians, and more (I highly recommend doing the Lorikeet feeding!). My favourite part was seeing that the tortoises got to roam freely around, with humans needing to navigate their path around them.
Once you’re in the main aviary you can see birds flying all around you. Keep an eye open for the boat-billed heron, black-throated laughingthrus, chaco chachalaca golden pheasant, scarlet ibis and so so so many more.
Spa Experiences in Niagara Falls
19. Burning Springs Spa & Thermal Pools
The Burning Springs Spa invites you to “Pause your busy life and immerse yourself in Niagara’s only hydrotherapy journey”. Paying homage to the natural thermal spring that once drew visitors to Niagara Falls, this spa has it all. A wide range of treatments and services are available at the spa, from massages to body treatments to manicures and pedicures. Soak in the 3 thermal pools, alternating with the cold pools on a true hydrotherapy journey. Unwind in the outdoor relaxation area, Finnish-inspired sauna, indoor hot tub and Himalayan Salt Sauna.
20. Christienne Fallsview Spa
If you are looking for a spa with a view, this is it! Their Fallsview relaxation lounge, which provides panoramic views of both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls, is a relaxation dream. Offering a sophisticated spa experience, the Christienne Fallsview Spa has an extensive list of signature treatments and services available, it would be hard to choose. This is the perfect soothing atmosphere to end any adventure day.
21. Five Lakes Spa AVEDA
Located in the heart of the Niagara Falls tourist district, the Five Lakes Spa is a full-service spa featuring AVEDA products in its treatments and services. This spa focuses on results recovery, “Stress and daily environmental aggressors, even diet can trigger imbalances such as acne, sensitivity, premature aging, and body pain. Our approach encourages your body and skin to activate its own repair mechanism”. Services include relaxing RMT massages, facials, make-up, and steam.
22. Healing Salt Cave
This one-of-a-kind experience is unlike any spa I have ever been to. This “Halotherapy Wellness Centre and Holistic Spa offering unique salt spa therapies and holistic treatments” is a truly unique experience. Their man-made salt cave is a recreation of the underground salt mines found in Poland. This “micro-climate” allows for easy breathing and can aid in respiratory issues that you may have. The Healing Salt Cave also offers massage therapy, facials, pink salt floats, hot yoga & meditation, and a new hot/cold therapy circuit.
23. Senses Spa & Boutique
Step into this European-inspired spa and feel the stress melt away. This luxury spa offers many traditional treatments like massages, body wraps, manicures, and facials, or indulge in one of their spa retreats (some are 4 hours!). The Senses Spa & Boutique also offers mom & me, teen, men, couples, mother/daughter, and romance packages. Keep an eye on their website, as they have deals and seasonal specials listed reguarly.
Parking 101 – My tips and tricks!
Parking is $35 per lot when you park, and that gives you a day pass for your vehicle. However, if you move your vehicle to another parking lot, you’ll have to pay again. So if leaving your vehicle at your hotel isn’t an option, then I recommend you pick a central location to park (I recommend the lot by the Table Rock Centre) and then take the WEGO bus to visit the top fall foliage sites in Niagara Falls.
“WEGO is the hop-on, hop-off visitor transportation system that connects all Niagara Parks locations to your hotel as well as other Niagara Falls tourism areas.” If you choose to purchase the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass, you get 2-days of unlimited rides on the WEGO bus system.
Where to Stay: Fallsview Casino Resort
As soon as I walked through the door of my hotel room, I ran to the window and let out a squeal. My view had me overlooking the falls, like my own private viewing deck. I quickly moved all the furniture away from the window, and disassembled my bed, so that I could move my king-size mattress right next to the view. For the rest of the week, I fell asleep and woke up to one of the most iconic views in all of Canada. I would jump out of bed and start taking sunrise photos and do the same at night as the falls lit up and put on a show.
Oh yeah, and it’s a great hotel too, as it’s centrally located (easy to walk down to the Table Rock Centre or quickly hop on the WEGO bus) and has more amenities than I can list (although it has a great indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center). But waking up to that view from the Fallsview Casino Resort… absolutely unforgettable!
Niagara Falls In October – Final Tips and Tricks
A visit to Niagara Falls had been on my list for years and October seemed like the perfect time to visit with their Fall foliage in full bloom. I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations! Of course, like you, I’ve seen a lot of photos and thought that I knew what to expect but once I stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down over into the waterfalls, well I was wowed beyond expectation. A unique combination of proud Canadian mixed with childlike wonder washed over me and I spent four days straight taking photo upon photo from every angle and every time of day.
The warm weather, the beautiful colours, the few crowds, and no lineups, YES, October in Niagara Falls is the perfect time to go!
