Whether it's a day trip or a week long vacation, finding anything free and fun to do these days is a pleasant surprise. In the Niagara region there are plenty of wineries, restaurants, shopping spots, and popular attractions to take in over the course of a day but that can add up quickly. For those searching for simple and sweet to unique and antique, this list offers something a little different at no charge.
As the oldest and longest footpath in Canada, the Bruce Trail stretches a combined 1,100 km (805 km of main trail and 250 km of side trails) across Ontario, traveling up along the Niagara Escarpment. Conceptualized in 1960, the trail is home to spectacular cliffs, streams, waterfalls, unusual floral species, and a wide range of wildlife. Parts of the trail in Niagara travel through conservation areas, such as Beamer Memorial, and the famous Niagara wine country.
With over ten acres of woodlands and walking trails, access to Dufferin Islands is free and open daily, year round. Visitors are welcome to picnic, bird watch, and fish, as well as to enjoy many of the over 120 illuminated displays when the area is transformed for the Winter Festival of Lights from early November to January each year. Dufferin Islands is located a few minutes south of the Horseshoe Falls along the Niagara Parkway.
Built by Ontario Hydro in 1950 and maintained by the Niagara Parks horticulture staff, the 12.2 diameter working clock displays over 20,000 small plants, altered twice a year with seasonal varieties, and powerful 1,250 pound steel hands. As one of the most popular attractions aside from the Horseshoe falls, the Floral Clock boasts Westminster chimes which sound every 15 minutes and a 10-foot wide water garden that bends 85 feet along the base. The Floral Clock is located at 14004 Niagara Parkway, behind the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station.
Open Victoria Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend, let the kids run free from 10 AM to dusk at Happy Rolph's while feeding chickens, pigs, rabbits, horses, sheep, goats and other farm animals. Beautiful gardens and pathways close to Lake Ontario as well as picnic, playground and pavilion facilities make this an ideal place for families and kids of all ages. The park also offers one of Canada's largest and most exotic collections of rhododendrons. Located on Reed Road, north of Lakeshore Road in Port Weller.
This tour of the land surrounding the canal pairs history with nature in light of the development of the Welland Canal in 1824 as an innovative transportation corridor and precursor to major railways and highways. Beginning at Lock 7 in Thorold, featured sites include several of the Flight Locks, historic ruins, museums, displays, and important structural remnants of the first set of canal locks. Tour guides and maps are available at Lock 7 Tourism Office, 50 Chapel Street South, Thorold.
While not technically free, .05 cents is the only requirement aside a sense of childhood fun necessary to enjoy the over century old carousel, crafted between 1898 and 1905. Originally, it was one of 58 attractions situated in Port Dalhousie where more than a quarter of a million visitors passed through in steamships every weekend. It is currently one of 350 antique hand carved carousels that remains in operation in North America. Free parking, playground and pavilion facilities on site. Concessions and patio restaurants nearby. Located off Lakeport Road in St. Catharines.
Visit a blacksmith shop, carpentry shop, gristmill, icehouse, and sawmill all in one location annually from May 1st to Thanksgiving weekend with group and school tours available at no charge. Experience on-site demonstrations and special showcasings throughout the year. Specifically in 2010, the opening weekend of May 29th and 30th will feature old arts and recreations from 1905. The mill is located at 2710 Decew Road in St. Catharines.
Over 15,000 artifacts are housed in this Heritage Resource Centre with many original heritage structures. In the spring, the museum hosts a Pie Social, History Fair and Antique Road Show while summertime brings thousands to the annual Canal Days. In the winter, visitors from all over come to celebrate the Grand Old Christmas Festival. Open daily, noon to 5 PM from May to December (including holidays) with free parking, requested tours and wheelchair accessibility.
This self-guided walking tour of downtown St. Catharines starts at the corner of King and James Streets and highlights historic old buildings, many dating back to the mid 1800s. From small churches to larger cathedrals, town halls, courthouses, and the mansions of prominent officials and entrepreneurs, St. Catharines is full of interesting and surprising elements of the past. Maps of the walking tour are available at the downtown St. Catharines library.
Unique to Welland, these 28 permanent canvasses are painted on the outside of the city’s core downtown buildings. They range in size up to 80 feet long and 3 stories high, depicting the construction of Welland Canal as well as other monumental milestones of educational, cultural and economic growth throughout Niagara Region, including the arrival of immigrants the early 1900s and women's rise in the workforce. Brochures with the location of each mural are available at the Welland Museum.
Various other free attractions include: the Comfort Maple, Coca-Cola Concert Series in Queen Victoria Park, Long Beach Conservation Area, Merritt Island and Trail, Niagara Glen, Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Parks Greenhouse and Fragrance Garden, Niagara River Recreation Trail, Queenston Heights Park, St. John's Conservation Area, and the Welland Canal Lock 3 Viewing Complex.
Bruce Trail
As the oldest and longest footpath in Canada, the Bruce Trail stretches a combined 1,100 km (805 km of main trail and 250 km of side trails) across Ontario, traveling up along the Niagara Escarpment. Conceptualized in 1960, the trail is home to spectacular cliffs, streams, waterfalls, unusual floral species, and a wide range of wildlife. Parts of the trail in Niagara travel through conservation areas, such as Beamer Memorial, and the famous Niagara wine country.
Dufferin Islands
With over ten acres of woodlands and walking trails, access to Dufferin Islands is free and open daily, year round. Visitors are welcome to picnic, bird watch, and fish, as well as to enjoy many of the over 120 illuminated displays when the area is transformed for the Winter Festival of Lights from early November to January each year. Dufferin Islands is located a few minutes south of the Horseshoe Falls along the Niagara Parkway.
Floral Clock
Built by Ontario Hydro in 1950 and maintained by the Niagara Parks horticulture staff, the 12.2 diameter working clock displays over 20,000 small plants, altered twice a year with seasonal varieties, and powerful 1,250 pound steel hands. As one of the most popular attractions aside from the Horseshoe falls, the Floral Clock boasts Westminster chimes which sound every 15 minutes and a 10-foot wide water garden that bends 85 feet along the base. The Floral Clock is located at 14004 Niagara Parkway, behind the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station.
Happy Rolph’s Bird Sanctuary and Children’s Petting Farm
Open Victoria Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend, let the kids run free from 10 AM to dusk at Happy Rolph's while feeding chickens, pigs, rabbits, horses, sheep, goats and other farm animals. Beautiful gardens and pathways close to Lake Ontario as well as picnic, playground and pavilion facilities make this an ideal place for families and kids of all ages. The park also offers one of Canada's largest and most exotic collections of rhododendrons. Located on Reed Road, north of Lakeshore Road in Port Weller.
Historic Welland Canal Walking Tour
This tour of the land surrounding the canal pairs history with nature in light of the development of the Welland Canal in 1824 as an innovative transportation corridor and precursor to major railways and highways. Beginning at Lock 7 in Thorold, featured sites include several of the Flight Locks, historic ruins, museums, displays, and important structural remnants of the first set of canal locks. Tour guides and maps are available at Lock 7 Tourism Office, 50 Chapel Street South, Thorold.
Lakeside Park Carousel
While not technically free, .05 cents is the only requirement aside a sense of childhood fun necessary to enjoy the over century old carousel, crafted between 1898 and 1905. Originally, it was one of 58 attractions situated in Port Dalhousie where more than a quarter of a million visitors passed through in steamships every weekend. It is currently one of 350 antique hand carved carousels that remains in operation in North America. Free parking, playground and pavilion facilities on site. Concessions and patio restaurants nearby. Located off Lakeport Road in St. Catharines.
Morning Star Mill
Visit a blacksmith shop, carpentry shop, gristmill, icehouse, and sawmill all in one location annually from May 1st to Thanksgiving weekend with group and school tours available at no charge. Experience on-site demonstrations and special showcasings throughout the year. Specifically in 2010, the opening weekend of May 29th and 30th will feature old arts and recreations from 1905. The mill is located at 2710 Decew Road in St. Catharines.
Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum
Over 15,000 artifacts are housed in this Heritage Resource Centre with many original heritage structures. In the spring, the museum hosts a Pie Social, History Fair and Antique Road Show while summertime brings thousands to the annual Canal Days. In the winter, visitors from all over come to celebrate the Grand Old Christmas Festival. Open daily, noon to 5 PM from May to December (including holidays) with free parking, requested tours and wheelchair accessibility.
St. Catharines Walking Tour
This self-guided walking tour of downtown St. Catharines starts at the corner of King and James Streets and highlights historic old buildings, many dating back to the mid 1800s. From small churches to larger cathedrals, town halls, courthouses, and the mansions of prominent officials and entrepreneurs, St. Catharines is full of interesting and surprising elements of the past. Maps of the walking tour are available at the downtown St. Catharines library.
Welland Murals
Unique to Welland, these 28 permanent canvasses are painted on the outside of the city’s core downtown buildings. They range in size up to 80 feet long and 3 stories high, depicting the construction of Welland Canal as well as other monumental milestones of educational, cultural and economic growth throughout Niagara Region, including the arrival of immigrants the early 1900s and women's rise in the workforce. Brochures with the location of each mural are available at the Welland Museum.
Various other free attractions include: the Comfort Maple, Coca-Cola Concert Series in Queen Victoria Park, Long Beach Conservation Area, Merritt Island and Trail, Niagara Glen, Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Parks Greenhouse and Fragrance Garden, Niagara River Recreation Trail, Queenston Heights Park, St. John's Conservation Area, and the Welland Canal Lock 3 Viewing Complex.
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