Additional Information

Additional Information

Weather & Climate

Niagara Falls, much like most of Canada, has four seasons that see fluctuations in temperature. During the winter months (November to March) temperatures average between -6 and 4°C (21 and 39°F) with snow fall common. The beginning of spring (April and May) sees average temperatures between 8 and 14°C (46 and 57°F) with temperatures rising to average highs of 26°C (79°F) throughout the summer in June, July and August. By mid-September temperatures begin dropping again, staying near an average of 13°C (55°F) until the end of October.

While these are seasonal averages, we can all agree the weather can change in a moment’s notice. We recommended you check the forecast for the duration of your stay prior to arrival. It’s also recommended you be prepared to get wet, as even on the sunniest days mist from the Falls can blow your way if the wind is strong.

While you’re here, check the daily forecast

Niagara Falls at a glance:

  • Location: City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
  • Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5)
  • Closest International Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
  • Closest Airports: John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (HLZ), Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
  • Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Currency & Exchange Rate

The primary currency used in Niagara Falls, Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Canadian dollars come in the following denominations:

  • Notes: $1000, $100, $50, $20, $10, $5
  • Coins: $2.00, $1.00, $0.25, $0.10, $0.05

While most businesses will accept American Dollars, you will get the best value by paying in Canadian currency. The rates for currency exchange vary, and it’s recommended to have local currency on hand prior to your arrival. If not, you can change your money at a bank or Currency Exchange Center within the city once you arrive. When you cross the border into Canada, you must declare any currency or monetary instruments you have valued at $10,000 or more – either in Canadian or foreign currency, or a combination of both.

Current exchange rate
$10.00  USD
$13.79  CAD
Last updated Oct 15, 2024 @ 3:49pm

Most banks are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday with fees between $3.00 and $6.00 for non-client transactions. Currency Exchange Centres are usually open longer hours, seven days a week, with fees as low as $1.00. You can find these centres conveniently located on all international bridges as you enter the country, as well as throughout the city. Both of the casinos in Niagara Falls also offer currency exchange with rates comparable to banks.

Before leaving, international travellers should check with their bank, to ensure they are aware you will be travelling out of country. Credit card companies can decline purchases made in foreign destinations as a safety measure, if they are not made aware of travel ahead of time.

TAXES AND SERVICE FEES

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

There is a mandatory Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 13% that is added to most purchases of taxable goods and services within the Province of Ontario. This tax is not typically reflected in the price on display, but rather is applied at point of purchase.

Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)

Your hotel bill will include a mandatory MAT. A MAT used to fund tourism is a common practice around the world that will be familiar to many travellers.

In April 2017, the Province of Ontario passed Bill 127: Stronger, Healthier Ontario Act which allowed lower or single tier municipalities in Ontario to charge a transient accommodation tax, also called a “Hotel Tax”. In Niagara Falls, providers of overnight accommodations (Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfast etc.) collect a $2 per room, per night Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) which is administered by the City of Niagara Falls through the Niagara Falls Canada Hotel Association. The funds are used to promote the destination via the local Destination Marketing Organization which is Niagara Falls Tourism. The MAT must be disclosed to the purchaser at the time of booking. For more information about the MAT, please visit the City of Niagara Falls website.

Other Service Fees*

Like other destination cities around the world, here are some additional fees you may find at some businesses in Niagara Falls:

  • Some hotels may charge an additional “hotel or resort fee” to cover incidental services. As this is individually determined by each business, the charge may vary from property to property.
  • Some businesses may also charge additional service fees.

Businesses are permitted to set their pricing and add discretionary service fees and the amount to be charged must be made known in advance to the prospective customer and not shown as a “tax”. As pricing and service fees are individually determined by each business, these charges may vary. Businesses in Ontario are required to adhere to the Provincial Consumer Protection Act which covers these requirements.

* Niagara Falls Tourism is not responsible for establishing pricing, or processing or collecting any service fees.

TIPPING

For restaurants, gratuities are rarely included in the bill. It is customary to tip approximately 15-20% on the total bill before tax, tipping less for poor service or more for truly exceptional service. Many restaurants may automatically add 15-18% gratuity for groups of six or more to your final bill.

For accommodations, it is customary to tip hotel staff who assist with baggage and parking as well as the concierge and the room attendant. The choice to do so, or not do so, as well as the amount, are completely up to you. 

Emergency Information

Emergency Services' Phone Numbers

In the event of an emergency and you find yourself in need of immediate medical, police or fire assistance, always call 9-1-1 right away.

To contact these services in a non-emergency event you can call:

  • Police: 905-688-4111
  • Niagara Parks Police: 905-356-1338
  • Fire: 905-356-1321
  • Ambulance: 1-866-895-6227

Medical Services

Ontario hospitals will always provide treatment to those requiring care, but in order to avoid incurring costs of an emergency healthcare visit, visitors should ensure they have adequate travel insurance from their home healthcare provider.

Hospitals

Greater Niagara General Hospital Douglas Memorial Hospital Niagara Health System Welland County General Hospital
5546 Portage Road 230 Bertie Street 1200 Fourth Ave 65 Third Street
Niagara Falls, ON Fort Erie, ON St. Catharines, ON Welland, ON
(905) 378-4647 (905) 378-4647 (905) 378-4647 (905) 378-4647

Alcohol & Smoking

Alcohol

While visiting our destination you may want to enjoy a libation or two. We hope that you choose to visit a local winery, brewery, distillery or restaurant to experience what Niagara, Ontario has to offer.

Please be aware that by law, you must be 19 years of age or older to consume or purchase alcohol in Ontario. ID may be requested at restaurants and establishments from individuals who appear under the age of 30. Acceptable forms of identification include valid government photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license.

For the most part, alcohol for consumption at home can only be purchased from LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) Stores or The Beer Store. However, there are a select number of grocery stores across the province that are licensed to sell beer, cider and wine. In addition, there are wine boutiques located across Ontario known as Wine Rack and The Wine Shop that sell various wines and wine based beverages.

LCBO locations closest to the Falls:

5389 Ferry St.

Niagara Falls, ON

Monday to Saturday 10am - 10 pm

Sunday 11am - 6 pm

4694 Victoria Ave.

Monday to Wednesday 10am - 6 pm

Thursday to Saturday 10am - 8 pm

Sunday 11am - 6 pm

7481 Oakwood Dr.

Niagara Falls, ON

Monday to Saturday 10am - 9 pm

Sunday 10am - 6 pm

If you do venture out to one or several of the numerous wineries, distilleries and breweries across the Region, you can also purchase alcohol directly from their site. Often they carry products in house that cannot be purchased elsewhere.

Smoking

By law, you must be 19 years of age to smoke or purchase tobacco in Ontario, and you cannot smoke or hold lighted tobacco in any enclosed workplace, any enclosed public places, any restaurant or bar patio, any motor vehicle with a person under the age of 16 inside and within specifically designated outdoor places in Ontario such as children's playgrounds and publicly owned sports fields.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act has greatly reduced tobacco use and lowered health risks to non-smokers in Ontario. When smoking outside, you must be further than 9 metres away from an entrance or exit of any building that is used by the public. For further information please visit the Smoke-Free Ontario website.

Marijuana

The purchase, use and possession of recreational cannabis is legal in Canada for adults age 19 or older. Cannabis can only be purchased from an Ontario authorized retail store or through the Ontario Cannabis Store online. For more information on restrictions and use, visit ontario.ca/page/cannabis-legalization.

Official Holidays

On official holidays, most banks, liquor stores, business offices and government offices will be closed, as will some stores, while other businesses may have reduced hours. It is recommended you check with an individual business for their holiday hours prior to arrival. Holidays that occur on weekends are typically observed the following Monday.

Holiday

2022

New Year's Day

Friday, January 1

Family Day

Monday, February 21

Good Friday

Friday, April 15

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 17

Easter Monday

Monday, April 18

Victoria Day

Monday, May 23

Canada Day

Friday, July 1

Civic Holiday

Monday, August 1

Labour Day

Monday, September 5

Thanksgiving Day

Monday, October 10

Remembrance Day

Friday, November 11

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25
Boxing Day Monday, December 26

Places of Worship

There are numerous places of worship across Niagara spanning several religions, that welcome visitors to their community with open arms. Practicing your faith while travelling can be a joyous and interesting way to explore a new city and connect with like-minded people while on vacation. See below a list of places of worship in Niagara Falls and across the Niagara Region.

Buddhist Temples

NAME

ADDRESS

Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa

4303 River Road, Niagara Falls

Thai Buddhist Temple

4710 Morrison Street, Niagara Falls

International Buddhist Zen Temple

5686 Lewis Avenue, Niagara Falls

Churches

TYPE

CHURCH

ADDRESS

Anglican

Holy Trinity Park Anglican Church

7820 Portage Road, Niagara Falls

Anglican

Christ Anglican Church

4767 River Road, Niagara Falls

Anglican

St John's Anglican Church

3428 Portage Road, Niagara Falls

Baptist

Main Street Baptist Church

6151 Main Street, Niagara Falls

Baptist

First Baptist Church

3900 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls

Baptist

Bible Baptist Church

5329 Beechwood Road, Naigara Falls

BME

Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel

5674 Peer Street, Niagara Falls

Catholic

Our Lady of Peace

6988 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls

Catholic

Saint Thomas More Catholic Church

6548 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls

Catholic

Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church

5740 Buchanan Avenue, Niagara Falls

Mosques

NAME

ADDRESS

Islamic Society of Niagara Peninsula

6768 Lyons Creek Road, Niagara Falls

The Peace Mosque

6735 Caledonia Street, Niagara Falls

Mosque Aisha

5550 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls

Islamic Society of St. Catharines

17 Geneva Street, St. Catharines

Sikh Temples

NAME

ADDRESS

Sikh Society of Niagara

8405 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

Synagogues

NAME

ADDRESS

Chabad Niagara - Jewish Welcome Centre

6417 Main Street, Niagara Falls

Congregation B'Nai Tikvah

5328 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls

Congregation B'nai Israel and Jewish Community Centre

109 Church Street, St. Catharines