48 Hours in Niagara Falls, Canada: A Quick Family Escape Full of Big Memories
Sometimes, all you need is a quick getaway to recharge, reconnect, and make unforgettable family memories—and that’s exactly what we found in Niagara Falls, Canada. With just 48 hours to play with, we packed in fun, activities, great food, and stunning views that made our short escape feel like a full-blown vacation. (Keep reading all the way to the end for BIG savings on activities!!)
Day 1: Check-In and Clifton Hill Adventures
We checked in at the Sheraton Fallsview, and let me tell you—our room was everything. With two queen beds and a view of the American Falls that looked straight out of a postcard, it was the perfect place to kick off our little adventure. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave us a front-row seat to the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls, and spoiler alert—we spent a good amount of time looking at the view while we were relaxing in our room!
Once we settled in, we headed out to explore Clifton Hill, Niagara’s famous street of fun. First stop: the SkyWheel, where we soared above the city and got a totally different view of the falls. Dinner that night was a hit with the kids—Rainforest Café served up food with a side of jungle magic. Afterward, we played a round of glowing fun at Glow Wizard Mini Golf, and grabbed some ice cream for the walk back to the hotel.
That night, we were treated to one of the most magical parts of the trip—the Falls light show, visible right from our hotel room. There’s something incredibly peaceful and awe-inspiring about watching the illuminated water crash down as you wind down for the night.
Day 2: Wax Museums, Water Slides & More
We started our morning with a walk up Clifton Hill, ready for another day of fun. My older son loved Zombie Attack—an interactive, immersive experience that had us ducking and diving as we battled zombies left and right. Right down the street was the quirky and fascinating Movieland Wax Museum, where we posed with our favorite film icons (some more realistic than others… but that’s part of the charm!). Have you ever been here? I’d love to know your favorite display!!
After a quick lunch back at our hotel room, it was time for the highlight of the day: Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. This place is a dream for families. It’s got everything—water slides, a wave pool, and a splash zone that kept the little ones endlessly entertained for several hours. One of the best parts? The locker system. For just $12, we were able to store all our valuables and go in and out as many times as we wanted, using a custom color and 6-digit code. No lost keys, no lost wallet, no stress. Loved it!
After a full afternoon of splashing and sliding, we headed back to the room to freshen up. But the fun wasn’t over yet! We hit up the Toy Store 4D ride and Ghost Blasters, two more crowd-pleasers that had us giggling and squealing all over again. Dinner at Kelsey’s Roadhouse was the perfect way to wind down, and we squeezed in a little arcade action before heading back to the hotel.
With hockey on TV and cozy beds calling our name, we wrapped up our second night tired, but totally content.
Final Thoughts
In just 48 hours, we squeezed in so much during our trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It is the perfect destination for families who want to get away without going far. Whether it’s the thrill of the SkyWheel, the splash of the waterpark, or the simple pleasure of ice cream after mini golf, this place has a little magic for everyone.
We’ll absolutely be back!
Note about activities: We were able to do so much because we purchased a Clifton Hill Fun Pass through Viator. Check them out for all your tour and activity needs!
About Kim: Kim is a Travel Planner with Goldgell Getaways. She specializes in helping moms and families book less stressful vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, cruises and other Disney destinations. Kim walks clients through the planning process step by step and takes the guesswork (and stress) out of travel! From research to booking and recommendations to reservations, Kim is your one stop shop for a fabulous family vacation! Kim was previously a health and mindset coach for moms who specialized in stress management. She decided to pivot to travel planning so that she could focus on reducing stress and increasing fun in one specific area for moms - travel and vacation planning! Looking to go to Niagara Falls Canada or any other type of vacation? Kim can help with that! Just fill out this form! 🏝️🎡