There are few places more beautiful to see when covered in a blanket of fresh, white snow than Niagara Falls, New York. Here’s how to spend a perfect snow day in Niagara Falls, from your first cup of hot cocoa to your cozy fireside dinner.
MORNING
It’s cold out there, which means you’re going to need something warm and carb-laden to power your day. Do like the New Yorkers and go for bagels and schmear — or, better yet, a pastrami-egg-and-cheese bagel sandwich — and a good cup of joe at Power City Eatery. From there, it’s a short stroll to Niagara Falls State Park — once you arrive, you’ll know its 400 acres are even lovelier when covered in frosty snow. Curious about the best way to experience the park on a wintry day? Head to the Cave of the Winds pavilion to check out a pair of free snowshoes, and then glide your way across the park’s scenic terrain.
AFTERNOON
When you return the snowshoes, linger a bit at the Cave of the Winds — its popular Hurricane Deck may be closed until the warmer months, but the winter experience is still more than memorable. The Cave of the Winds Gorge Trip will take you down into the Niagara Gorge for a view of the Falls that’s up close and personal (and even better when the Falls are frosted). Then it’s time to warm up with a hot chocolate and a bite to eat at Spot Coffee, just outside the park.
EVENING
After warming up at the hotel, it’s time to reward your winter-day efforts with a dinner to remember. And on a cold night, there’s no place cozier than the historic Red Coach Inn, where you can indulge on dishes like surf-and-turf or pan-seared scallops next to a roaring hearth. But don’t forget your scarves and mittens — you’re not going to want to miss out on the best show in town: the nightly illuminations of the Falls. If you’re lucky, you can see fabulous fireworks displays as well. After braving the cold, end your evening with a hot toddy or a glass of wine at the nearby Parkway Prime Steakhouse & Lounge.
