Friday: Arrival, Glow, and a Candlelit Welcome
Your holiday weekend begins at the Sterling Inn & Spa, a boutique retreat where families find space to relax and reconnect. Suites with fireplaces keep you warm from the first moment, and spa-style bathrooms add comfort after a long drive. The Inn feels like a secret hideaway in the middle of Niagara, close to the Falls yet private enough to feel like home.
After you’ve settled in, we suggest your first evening be all about light. Bundle up and take the family to the Winter Festival of Lights, Canada’s largest illumination festival. From mid-November through January, Niagara transforms into a glowing wonderland. Drive slowly through Dufferin Islands, where twinkling animal displays reflect on the frozen ponds, or stroll hand-in-hand beneath arches of light along the parkway. Children delight in the animated displays, while parents savour the romance of glowing trees against the snowy backdrop.
When you’re ready for dinner, return to us at AG Inspired Cuisine. Our holiday menus are built to be both comforting and elevated, with flavours that celebrate Niagara’s winter harvest. Expect hearty roasts, house-made pastas, and desserts that make little ones smile while parents enjoy carefully chosen Niagara wines. We take pride in creating a dining room that feels festive without being formal — a place where families gather and the spirit of the season shines through every dish.
After dinner, head back to the Sterling. Perhaps the kids will watch holiday movies in the suite while you pour a glass of wine by the fire. The quiet warmth of Friday night sets the tone for a magical weekend.
Saturday: Skating, Waterparks, and Holiday Spectacle
Wake slowly on Saturday morning with breakfast brought to your room — a Sterling tradition that feels like a gift each day. Fresh pastries, fruit, and hot coffee arrive at your door, so there’s no need to rush.
Your day begins outdoors at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. From late November through February, their pond transforms into an outdoor skating rink framed by festive lights. Kids can glide (or wobble) across the ice while parents savour a glass of hot mulled wine or hot chocolate. It’s a Canadian winter classic — skating together beneath the crisp sky.
By midday, the chill will have set in, and that’s when Niagara’s largest indoor waterpark comes to the rescue. The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, with its wave pool, giant slides, and splash pads, lets families trade snow boots for swimsuits. Parents often find themselves laughing just as loudly as their kids as they float together along the lazy river. It’s a burst of summer in the heart of winter and a perfect family memory.
For lunch, grab something casual at the waterpark or one of the nearby family-friendly spots along Clifton Hill. If you prefer to keep it festive, holiday snack vendors often pop up along the Winter Festival of Lights route, offering candied nuts and hot cider.
The afternoon can be spent indoors at the Great Canadian Midway, an arcade on Clifton Hill filled with games, rides, and flashing lights. Or, if your family enjoys shows, head to the Greg Frewin Theatre, which often hosts holiday specials and family-friendly magic performances through December.
Return to us at AG Inspired Cuisine for dinner. Saturday nights are when our kitchen shines brightest, with seasonal menus designed to celebrate the holiday spirit. Children might enjoy our hand-rolled gnocchi or roasted chicken, while parents can explore Niagara wines alongside rich winter dishes. Dining with us is not just a meal but part of your family’s holiday story.
Afterwards, if energy remains, take the family up the Skylon Tower for panoramic views of the illuminated Falls. The indoor observation deck is warm, so you can enjoy the view without braving the cold. At night, the sight of the Falls glowing against the snowy landscape feels almost otherworldly.
Sunday: Butter Tarts, Maple Magic, and a Farewell Feast
Sunday is your final day, but we believe it should be savoured, not rushed. Enjoy another Sterling breakfast in your suite before heading out for a family-friendly road into Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Your first stop: Canadian holiday treats. Follow the region’s butter tart trail — small bakeries and cafés offering this flaky, sweet dessert that is a true winter indulgence. Children will love choosing their own butter tart flavour, while parents sneak in one more seasonal bite.
Next, if your visit falls in late January, consider joining a maple syrup or sugar bush tour at a nearby farm. Families can walk through snowy trails lined with buckets on maple trees, watch the syrup boil in steaming kettles, and taste the season’s first sweet drops poured over snow. It’s an experience that ties food, nature, and tradition together.
In December, holiday artisan markets are the highlight. Wander through stalls of handmade ornaments, knitted scarves, and local jams. Children can choose small gifts while parents pick out bottles of Niagara Icewine to bring home.
After lunch in town — perhaps at a cosy café serving soup and sandwiches — return to Niagara Falls for one last holiday moment. Walk once more through the Winter Festival of Lights during daylight, when the displays sparkle against the snow in a softer glow. Children often enjoy seeing the displays “up close” in the day after marvelling at them at night.
Seasonal Highlights for Families in Winter
- Winter Festival of Lights: Mid-November through late January, with glowing displays across Niagara.
- Wayne Gretzky Estates Skating Rink: Family skating paired with warm seasonal drinks.
- Fallsview Indoor Waterpark: 3 acres of slides, pools, and family fun under one roof.
- Great Canadian Midway & Greg Frewin Theatre: Indoor attractions and live holiday shows.
- Skylon Tower Observation Deck: Warm panoramic views of the Falls in winter.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Butter Tart Trail: Family-friendly food adventure through Canadian holiday desserts.
- Maple Syrup Tours (January): Sweet traditions at local sugar bushes.
Why Families Choose Niagara Falls for Holiday Weekends
Winter in Niagara Falls balances outdoor wonder with indoor fun. Families can skate, sip hot chocolate, and stroll through lights at night, then warm up in waterparks, bakeries, and theatres. The Sterling Inn provides comfort and space, while the Winter Festival of Lights creates nightly magic. At the centre of it all, we at AG Inspired Cuisine host you for meals that connect the flavours of Niagara with the spirit of the season.
Tips for a Smooth Holiday Weekend
- Book in advance: Hotels and restaurants fill quickly around the holidays.
- Dress warmly: Layers, boots, gloves, and hats are essential for outdoor light displays.
- Check hours: Some attractions reduce schedules in winter, especially in January.
- Mix indoor and outdoor: Balance skating and light walks with indoor waterparks and bakeries.
- Plan for treats: Butter tarts, maple syrup, and hot cocoa are as much a part of the weekend as the Falls themselves.
Savour Every Holiday Moment with AG
A family holiday weekend in Niagara Falls is more than a trip — it’s a memory woven with laughter, light, and flavour. From skating at Wayne Gretzky Estates to splashing in an indoor waterpark, from butter tart stops to nightly walks through the Winter Festival of Lights, each moment feels like part of a shared story. Here at AG Inspired Cuisine, we’re honoured to be part of that story, welcoming you at our table each evening. When you return home, we hope it’s with full hearts, full bellies, and memories of Niagara that will last far beyond the season.
Resource Links
- Sterling Inn & Spa
- AG Inspired Cuisine
- Winter Festival of Lights
- Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
- Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery
- Great Canadian Midway
- Greg Frewin Theatre
- Skylon Tower
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism
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Flavours That Speak for Themselves
What Our Diners Have to Say
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My wife and I often visit Niagara Falls, Ontario, in the winter. Over the years, we have dined at most of the restaurants in the area. This we went to AG Inspired Cuisine. It was a trifecta! The facility speaks of competence. It is comfortable, modern, well-designed, and cultured. However, the aesthetics do not get in the way of the meal. It sets the stage. The staff could not be more accommodating and pleasant. They greeted us warmly, explained the menu choices, elaborated on the chef’s selections. In the end, we were gently guided to selections that matched our palates perfectly. Finally, the meal. It was exquisite. The items complimented each other. The portions were neither too large nor too small. The presentation was artistic without appearing ostentatious. During our business lives, we have traveled globally and either entertained or were entertained at excellent restaurants everywhere. We agreed after the meal that we had never had a better experience anywhere. I have since read that AG Inspired Cuisine is among the top restaurants in Canada. That seems perfectly plausible to me. It will to you, too.
Once again we had a lovely time at the AG. Everything was top notch from the greeting to the goodbye. The service was excellent, the food delicious and nicely timed, and the room, lovely and comfortable. We try to make a stay at the Sterling Inn and dinner at the AG an annual occurrence and we are never disappointed.
This is the hidden gem of Niagara- the food, service, and atmosphere are all incredible. It is not overcrowded or noisy, but rather a relaxed and quiet environment that you can rest and enjoy. I have been a few times, and every time the food impresses me!
The best meal of 2024 for my wife and I. Every thing we ate was awesome, and the venison was life altering! 12/10, would recommend!
This was such a great spot for farm-to-table dining, loved that the hotel had such a great restaurant on site. The service was excellent, and they had such great options for dishes, and wine selection. I loved that all of the wine selection was mainly local, as well as the food dishes which were sourced from the farm which was amazing. Overall such a great spot, I was told by so many locals about this spot so I’m so happy to have finally tried it and now know why it is a loved spot. Highly recommend for a special dining experience in the Niagara Falls area.
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