The Newbigging-Pearson Real Estate Team love to tell people about how awesome it is to live in Niagara.
One of the most commonly asked questions we get from families considering the Niagara real estate market who are from outside the region is: “What is there to do here in the summertime for families on a budget?”
Well…there’s so much to do, we can’t really begin to answer that question properly. We can, however, point you in the direction you need to take for finding some answers:
* Play tourist
Since Niagara has so many gorgeous municipalities (12 in all!), there are countless historical and just plain beautiful places to visit. Some of them won’t cost you a dime to have a look-see – unless you end up having to pay for parking. Let’s talk Niagara Falls: If you plan to visit the viewing areas around Niagara Falls, there are plenty of places to park if you don’t mind walking for a bit to get to the river. Niagara Falls’ WeGo transportation system also won’t break the bank, and passes are available for folks who plan to visit more than one touristy location in or around the city on the same day. If you plan to splurge a little on attractions, visit the Niagara Parks Commission website, or the Clifton Hill site, where sometimes you can find deals on passes or coupons valid at local attractions. Don’t neglect the other municipalities: For example, plan a visit to the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, or stop by a viewing area near the canal in Thorold to watch ships climb the mountain. Take a winery tour; enjoy a sip or two of Niagara’s liquid bounty; find awesome gifts for loved ones at each winery’s unique retail store, and learn the history of one of Niagara’s prime viticultural exports.
* Hit the beach
Grab a great paperback and your sand toys, and head to one of Niagara’s many beaches. For beach locations, maps, a list of amenities and water quality postings, visit the website for the Niagara Region. Don’t forget the sunscreen and your water bottle!
* Splash pads and pools
Each Niagara municipality boasts at least one public park with a public outdoor pool or splash pad, playground equipment and places to spread out your blanket for a family picnic. Some parks have picnic bench areas; it just depends on the municipality. Visit each municipality’s website and search for “public parks and splash pads” or “outdoor pools.”
* Especially for history buffs
If history is your thing, Niagara’s museums chronicle the events that affected our region, from pre-European settlement through the American Revolutionary War, up to and including the War of 1812-14 and to present times. Old Fort Erie, Old Fort Niagara (in New York State), Fort George, Fort Mississauga (harder to get to, because it’s on a golf course) and various battle sites holding historical re-enactments throughout the summer give locals and visitors an idea of what living here would have been like, in Niagara’s early days. Don’t forget about our museums! Each municipality’s website has information on local museums, times of operation, ticket prices and lists of special exhibits or events. You just need to use a search engine, or make your query directly on the municipality’s website.
* Bike, roll, stroll, hike and kayak
It doesn’t cost much to go for a hike on one of Niagara’s many trails, or within one of our many conservation areas. The Niagara Region website hosts a great list of places where a hike on a summer day can introduce you to some of Niagara’s beautiful countryside. A useful map listing all the trails in Niagara, their locations and their possible uses is also available to download from Ontario Trails. Don’t forget about the Bruce Trail, which runs from Queenston to Grimsby in Niagara, but can be followed all the way to Tobermory, should you choose to take on that challenge. If you are interested in biking or kayaking, but don’t own the equipment you need, it’s available for rental at several sources. (Try before you buy: Smart!) Use a search engine to query “Niagara kayak and bicycle rentals.”
* Get your game on
If you are into league sports, there’s no shortage of organizations offering soccer; baseball; softball; basketball; tennis; beach volleyball; road hockey; golf; disc golf; extreme frisbee; horseback riding; football; rugby, and more. Some groups have fees associated with them; some don’t. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Start your own casual group of sports enthusiasts! While there are too many groups on the Internet to link here, a simple google search of Niagara + summer sports leagues brings up all kinds of results, for all age groups.
* Learn something new
Feel like taking a course this summer? Check in to the summer schedules for part-time studies at Niagara College, or visit the Brock University website to see a full list of spring and summer 2018 classroom and online courses. Niagara’s many municipal libraries are also great resources for courses of interest – usually, there’s something offered for several different age groups. For students, some summer offerings come directly from the District School Board of Niagara or from other sources, such as the YMCA of Niagara’s summer camp program. Some courses will have fees associated with them; some won’t.
* Shop ’til you drop
Niagara’s 12 municipalities are full of quirky, unique shopping places, along with traditional malls and outlet collections (Canada One Factory Outlets; the Pen Centre; Seaway Mall, Fallsview Casino Resort Galleria Shops and the Outlet Collection at Niagara, in Niagara-on-the-Lake). Make a day to visit a nearby community, looking up unique shops, bookstores, cafes and local restaurants. You never know what you might find … and getting to know your neighbouring towns is always a bonus. Window shopping can be fun, especially if you pair it with a visit to a unique cafe for tea or coffee. If you aren’t sure where to start searching for fun stuff, we like to suggest beginning with a search engine, like Trip Advisor’s “Things to do.” Enter the name of the municipality you are visiting, and see what pops up!
* Make note of special events
Summer in Niagara is full of special events, celebrating all things, from community carnivals; to fruit and berry season; to charitable organization fundraisers; community garage sales and even sporting events. Places to check for special events include each municipality’s website and local library; Niagara Falls Tourism; calendars and websites for local newspapers (Niagara This Week or Post Media papers); the events calendar for the Niagara Parks Commission; the events calendar for Visit Niagara Canada; Online Niagara events; the events calendar for Niagara Region; the website Summer Fun Guide, and the Facebook group Spotlight Niagara: Niagara Events (just enter the name in your Facebook page’s search bar).
* Enjoy Niagara’s goodness
Visit a local farmer’s market for treats from our hard-working farmers. Fruits; vegetables; baked goods; meats; cheeses and unique finds, including plants and artisan items, will soon fill your shopping bag, at reasonable prices, too. Find each municipality’s farmer’s market by visiting the Niagara Region website page dedicated to local food. You might get to enjoy local music while you’re at the market, too!
So much to do; so little time this summer to try it all!
Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what Niagara in summertime is all about. Families on a budget will find all kinds of things with which to keep busy, with very little trouble.
Who knew getting to know your new home would be so much fun?
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Want to get to know Niagara? Our team of Niagara real estate experts at Newbigging-Pearson can help!
Call our office at 289-686-1552, or send us a message HERE.
Let’s talk!