Extend your stay and explore Niagara County with our list of summer must-dos.
Thanks to its picture-perfect weather and stunning natural beauty, Niagara Falls USA truly comes to life in the summer. Once you’ve checked the Falls off your bucket list, there’s so much more to see, do and taste — so come for the Falls, but stay for everything else. Here’s what to do around Niagara County this summer.
If You Love the Outdoors …
- Take a hike. As the oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls State Park boasts a vast network of trails spread out across 400 acres of lush terrain. Choose from over 15 miles of challenging hiking trails and relish in stunning Niagara Falls summer scenery at every turn.
- Stop and smell the flowers. Whether you’re looking for wildflowers or a sculptured garden, beautiful blooms abound across Niagara County. Don’t miss the gardens at Niagara Falls State Park, which was designed by storied landscape architect — and the man behind NYC’s iconic Central Park — Frederick Law Olmstead.
- Hit the beach. The shores of Lake Ontario provide delightful waterside spots that beckon beach-lovers of all ages. A visit to the shoreside hamlet of Olcott feels like stepping back in time, while Wilson-Tuscarora State Park offers trails, marshland and shoreside fishing, as well as a scenic stretch of beach.
If You Love to Eat …
- Make a pitstop. A treasure trove of delicious roadside food stands pops up in Niagara County every summer. Enjoy seasonal staples like frozen custard, burgers and hot dogs at old-school drive-ins and food stands that harken back to simpler times.
- Taste the amoré. Niagara Falls’ Italian heritage runs deep — the town even has its own Little Italy neighborhood. Discover family-owned Italian restaurants that serve up delicious pastas with a heaping helping of history.
- Scoop it up. Nothing says summer quite like a towering ice cream cone. Get your fix at one of Niagara County’s famed shops, where flavors are locally inspired and cream is sourced from nearby farms.
If You Love Local Culture …
- Discover homegrown flavors. The region’s stunning countryside offers up a bounty of fresh produce. Snap up a bit of the local bounty by scheduling stops at the farmers’ markets that pop up throughout the week.
- Get your fill of fun. Summertime in Niagara Falls USA is festival season. Whether your tastes lean toward live music, arts and crafts, food and drink, or history, there’s a summer event for every interest.
- Hop on the trolley. Experience Niagara’s iconic landscape, rich history and thriving communities from the comfort of the Discover Niagara Shuttle. This free service makes it easy to explore the very best of the region.
If You Want to Beat the Heat …
- Take to the water. There are plenty of ways to get your sea legs in Niagara County, whether that’s by cruising down the Erie Canal, taking a white-knuckle spin over the Niagara River rapids on a jet boat or chartering a fishing captain.
- Explore the great indoors. When the temperature goes up, head indoors to cool off in the A/C at places like the Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Climbing Center, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and more.
