Niagara Unplugged

For families on the hunt for summer fun that helps everyone break away from the constant pull of their devices, Niagara’s South Coast offers a diverse collection of experiences that make ditching those screens feel almost effortless. Here are six easy ways to help your family press pause this summer while enjoying the area’s beautiful beaches and conservation areas, family-friendly activities, and summer events and festivals.

Press Pause To Play On A Beach Breakaway

Niagara’s South Coast is home to a collection of family-friendly beaches. Lake Erie’s warm waters and gentle waves inspire long, lazy days at the beach where time seems to slow down. Best bets include Bay Beach, Waverly Beach, Nickel Beach, Centennial-Cedar Bay Beach, Long Beach, and Reebs Bay Beach.

For the ultimate day of unplugged play, head to Splashtown Niagara, located at Nickel Beach, where inflatable attractions float right on the beach. This bouncy playground on the water is packed with exciting things to do for kids and adults alike, including inflatable obstacles and waterslides.

Press Pause To Play On A Family Camping Trip

There’s nothing like time spent gathered around an evening campfire to spark family reconnection. Niagara’s South Coast has some excellent options for all levels of camping expertise.

Families with their own camping gear can opt for conservation area camping at Wainfleet’s Long Beach or Chippawa Creek. Ridgeway’s Windmill Point Park is an excellent, privately run option that offers campers various activity options, including a waterpark, paddleboats, horseshoes, and beach volleyball.

Those who prefer camping from the comfort of a furnished cabin with the added summer perk of a pool can find great options at Bissell’s Hideaway, Roots RV Resort in Crystal Beach, and Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores.

Press Pause To Play On A Family Fishing Expedition

Family Fishing Week, taking place this summer from June 28 to July 6, is an excellent time to try fishing, as no license is required for children or adults during this special period. Popular conservation areas with excellent fishing in Niagara’s South Coast include Mud Lake and Stevensville Conservation Area, which recently installed a new fishing pier. Wainfleet Wetlands is another fun option, where the kids can also hunt for Paleozoic-era fossils captured in time in exposed limestone. St. Johns Conservation Area in Pelham is another popular spot for trout fishing with a dedicated barrier-free asphalt parking area to improve site access for visitors with mobility needs and some trails that are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Press Pause To Play At A Small-Town Summer Festival

Residents of communities like Crystal Beach, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Marshville, Ridgeway, and Fonthill love it when visitors join the fun of their favourite summer traditions. Best-bet family-friendly special events and festivals taking place this summer include:

● Crystal Beach Waterfront Supper Market | Thursday Evenings from June 26 to August 28

○ Fun Festival Fact: Every Thursday night all summer, Niagara’s top food trucks and craft food vendors travel to Crystal Beach to serve up tasty fare alongside live music and the backdrop of one of Niagara’s most spectacular sunsets.

● Ridgeway’s Ridgefest | July 11 - 13

○ Fun Festival Fact: Local businesses invite locals and visitors alike to enjoy food, live music, kids' activities, a vendor market and more.

● Fonthill’s Pelham Summerfest | July 17 - 20

○ Fun Festival Fact: This award-winning free event includes music and entertainment for all ages, children’s activities, retail and food vendors, arts and crafts and a car show.

● Port Colborne’s Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival | August 1- 4

○ Fun Festival Fact: Guests have the option of purchasing a ride through the canal lift locks or a Lake Erie sail on the historic Empire Sandy tall ship.

● Fort Erie’s Annual Siege of Old Fort Erie Reenactment | August 10 & 11

○ Fun Festival Fact: Kids can experience what it was like to be a soldier during the 1800s with the mini militia. They’ll learn about a soldier’s life in battle, can take part in simple arms drills, try marching and even charge bayonets!

● Wainfleet’s Marshville Heritage Festival | August 30 - September 1

○ Fun Festival Fact: This beloved local festival showcases what life was like in the 19th century through fascinating demonstrations, including rope and horseshoe making, carpentry, antique buildings, and vintage machinery. Kids will love taking a train ride around the property.

Press Pause To Play On An Unexpected Animal Adventure

New visitors to Niagara’s South Coast are often surprised to learn that the area is home to a 150-acre nature park that houses over 1000 animals, including lions, tigers, snow leopards, flamingos, and so many more! Safari Niagara is an easy place for families to spend the entire day, taking in Zookeeper Talks, cooling off at the splash pad, conquering the ropes course, and racing pedal bike go-karts!

Another family-friendly option for animal lovers is to hit the Fort Erie Race Track for an afternoon of laughs at the track’s annual Wiener Dog (July 13), Basset Hound (August 17) or Corgi (August 17) races.

Press Pause To Play On A Family Bike Ride

Bringing bikes along is an excellent way for families to really get out and explore Niagara’s South Coast at their own pace. Excellent local vehicle-free trail systems make the ride more relaxing for everyone. The Niagara River Recreation Trail is a 53-kilometre paved path that runs along the Canadian side of the Niagara River from Fort Erie all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Friendship Trail extends 16 km across the Town of Fort Erie, running parallel to the north shore of Lake Erie. The Steve Bauer Trail, a six-kilometre multi-use trail that stretches from Fonthill to Welland, is a great option for families looking for a shorter ride.

Don’t forget to plan a post-cycle ice cream stop at a favourite Niagara’s South Coast sweet spot, like Stevensville’s Jazzy Scoops, Ridgeway’s Ice Cream Alley, Fort Erie’s You Deserve It, Crystal Beach’s Maplewood Gelato and Sweets, Port Colborne’s Danny’s Ice Cream Hut, or Pelham’s Gelato Village.

Discover Niagara’s big secret this summer on a sensationally screen-free adventure exploring Niagara’s South Coast. Find even more ideas in our website’s Sun and Sand, Water Adventures, Heritage and Culture, and Trails and Cycling sections.