101 Free Things to Do in Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks offers a wide range of parks, activities and services all at no charge to the public. From restrooms and picnic areas, to fabulous Falls Fireworks evenings, 8 million visitors from around the globe can enjoy this full list FOR FREE!
Your purchases help all of these Great Things happen, as every dollar you spend at Niagara Parks goes back into the Park.
1. Admission to Niagara Parks to see Canada’s most famous natural wonder
2. Over 1,325 hectares of beautiful parkland and gardens
3. The entire 56 km Niagara Parkway – one of the prettiest drives in the world!
4. The 53 km Niagara River Recreation Trail for hiking and cycling
5. Nightly Illumination of the Falls
6. Canada’s longest running Fireworks Series
7. The world-renowned Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens & Arboretum
8. The Floral Showhouse with tropical plants & songbirds
9. Witness Canada’s largest battle re-enactment at Old Fort Erie
10. The CAA Winter Festival of Lights annual displays November to January
11. New Year’s Eve Concert & Fireworks Celebrations
12. Live Concerts at Illumination Stage
13. Live Falls Webcam
14. Entertainers at Queen Victoria Park all summer long
15. Musical entertainment at Maid of the Mist Marketplace all summer long
16. Children 5 and under admitted for free at all NPC attractions
17. Sunday Afternoon Summer Concert Series at Queenston Heights
18. Picnic Tables along the Niagara Parkway
19. Benches along the Niagara Parkway to rest and view the Falls & Great Gorge
20. BBQ Grills along the Niagara Parkway
21. Over 100 historic plaques and markers along entire Niagara corridor
22. The Floral Clock
23. Washrooms throughout Niagara Parks
24. First Aid Services/Bike Medics
25. Niagara Parks Police Services
26. A safe and clean Park open 365 days, with fully maintained roadways and recycling
27. Welcome Centre Services for directions, information and to plan your day in the Park
28. Map brochures of Niagara Parks
29. Preserved nature and conservation areas
30. Protected endangered and “at risk” plant and wildlife species
31. Parking at all NPC venues outside of Queen Victoria Park
32. After hours parking at the Falls Lot beside Table Rock
33. Emergency vehicle assistance (i.e. battery boosting, keys left in cars) at Falls Parking lot
34. Parking for persons with disabilities in front of Niagara Parks Police station
35. Attraction admission for a person who is assisting a person with a disability
36. Group Picnic Permit fees waived for churches and charitable organizations
37. Outdoor locations for Wedding Photography
38. Paradise Grove nature area
39. McFarland Park
40. McFarland Baseball diamond
41. McFarland Picnic Area
42. Heritage Kitchen Garden at McFarland House
43. Queenston Boat Launch
44. Children’s Splash Pads
45. Children’s Play Area at Queenston Heights
46. Scenic lookout of the north Niagara River at Queenston Escarpment
47. Queenston Heights Park
48. Access to the Bruce Trail, Lakeshore, Friendship and Trans Canada Trails
49. Tennis Courts
50. Centennial Lilac Gardens
51. Free returns from our Lost & Found service
52. Wishing Pond with all proceeds to charity
53. Butterfly Garden
54. Horticultural education – plants and trees are all identified with markers
55. Niagara Glen Nature Area
56. Shore fishing along the Niagara River
57. Bird Watching in an Audubon recognized, “Globally Significant Important Bird Area”
58. Wildlife spotting
59. Stair access down into the Niagara Glen for trail hiking
60. Geo-caching locations
61. Bouldering in Niagara Glen (at your own risk!)
62. Thompson Point Scenic Lookout
63. Viewing of the Whirlpool phenomenon and Niagara’s Class 6 Rapids
64. Oakes Garden Theatre
65. Year-round indoor Falls viewing gallery in the Grand Hall at Table Rock
66. Artists Garden
67. Award-winning Orchid collection
68. Fragrance Garden signed with Braille
69. Regal Geranium Show
70. Chrysanthemum Show
71. Reiger Begonia Show
72. Easter Lily Show
73. Christmas Show
74. Picnics & Hiking in the Dufferin Islands Nature Area
75. Online downloads for teachers
76. Online Virtual Tours
77. Watch Professional Artists Painting in the Botanical Gardens
78. Downloadable screensavers and photos of Niagara Parks
79. Online Calendar of Blooms in the Park
80. Self-guided walking tour at War of 1812 historic site - Chippawa Battlefield Park
81. Crayons and colouring page for kids at our restaurants
82. Gardening advice from our Horticulture Staff
83. Over 100 Community Events such as Remembrance Day Commemorations
84. July 5th Battle of Chippawa Memorial Ceremony
85. Candy-making demos at Pop & Lolly’s, with samples to follow!
86. Meet & Greet with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer
87. Children’s play area at Kingsbridge Park
88. Recipes from our Executive Chef for dishes served in our restaurants
89. Guest photos taken for you by NPC Staff
90. Meet and take your photo with the Carriage Ride horses
91. Admission to view Oak Hall Art collection and public rooms with period furnishings
92. Motor coach parking at Rapidsview Lot
93. Bus tour permits for school groups and non-profit organizations
94. Admission for chaperones of groups of 10 or more students (pre-booked with Group Sales)
95. Doors Open Niagara – Free Admission at our Heritage Sites Laura Secord Homestead & Mackenzie Printery
96. North America’s largest Daffodil display each Spring – over 1 Million!
97. World-famous Rose Gardens
98. Huge hanging baskets and flowering standards in Queen Victoria Park
99. Play area at Old Fort Erie
100. Rainbows - every day the sun shines!
101. Smiles and Memories that will last a lifetime
Your purchases help all of these Great Things happen, as every dollar you spend at Niagara Parks goes back into the Park.