Niagara Falls is a fantastic spot to visit, whether you’re planning on visiting the American side in the state of New York or you’re heading over to the Canadian side in Ontario and booking a hotel with gorgeous views. You can view the spectacular Falls from both sides, and you can also plan a variety of excursions right on the water to get as close to these amazing waterfalls as possible. But regardless of what activities you are planning on enjoying while you are at Niagara Falls, you should wear the appropriate clothes and shoes.
Continue reading to learn more about what you should not wear to Niagara Falls based upon the time of year that you’ll be traveling there. With this information, you can really make the most of the experience and be as comfortable as possible.
Summer
The summer season is a fantastic time of year to visit the Niagara Falls from both the American and the Canadian side. The average temperature by day is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so you will definitely want to wear clothes that will keep you cool. However, if you are planning on staying into the night, expect that the temperature could drop down as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit, so you will likely want to wear a pair of long pants and a light jacket to keep you warm and comfortable.
Spring
The spring is also a hugely popular season for tourists who wish to see the amazing Niagara Falls. The temperature during the day, however, can still be quite cold, hovering around the mid-30s in the month of March, so you will definitely want to bundle up to stay warm while you are outside. If you wait to visit the area in April or May, on the other hand, you will be able to wear a warm jacket, perhaps a t-shirt, and a pair of jeans, as you will be comfortable in the 60-degree weather that is common at that time of year. Just be aware that temperatures will drop at night, and April and May could also have cooler temperatures by day, so be prepared with clothes that will keep you warm and comfortable.
Fall
When traveling to Niagara Falls in the fall, you can expect temperatures to be quite comfortable, hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit in September and into October. However, once November rolls around, you should expect chillier temperatures around 40 degrees, so you will likely want to wear some layers, maybe a pair of boots, and a warm jacket that you can remove if you get too hot.
Winter
During the winter season, Niagara Falls takes on a whole new appearance, thanks to the ice and snow, and the temperature during the day will be around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the lows at night could dip down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so you definitely need to bundle up with a sweater, a winter coat, a scarf, a pair of non-slip boots, gloves, and a winter hat, especially since you will feel even colder when you are near the water.
What to Wear—and What Not to Wear—on the Water
If you are planning on riding on something like the famous Maid of the Mist attraction that will get you right on the water, make sure that you wear shoes that have great traction, such as sneakers. You definitely do not want to wear heels, and you do not want to wear any clothing that you do not want to get wet because you will certainly get quite wet, despite the poncho that you will be provided to wear over your clothes.
Always Wear Comfortable Shoes
Whether you are trekking through the national park that Niagara Falls is a part of on the New York side or you are going to be walking down the busy street to view the Canadian side of the Falls, you should always wear flat, comfortable shoes. Hiking books may be ideal for the New York side, but sneakers should be fine for the Canadian side.
This is not an attraction that requires you to get dressed up and fancy, so keep your wardrobe and your shoes casual and comfortable, especially because, even if you don’t get right on the water, you will get sprayed with water and you could get quite wet.
Now that you have a better idea of the clothes that you should wear in every season of the year, you can pack your clothing and shoes appropriately for an unforgettable trip to Niagara Falls.
Photo Credit: Boris Dzhingarov
