A long weekend staycation for GTA locals who haven’t been in a while
Earlier this year in April, I packed up and headed to Niagara Falls for a long weekend staycation, and boy, did it turn out to be precisely what I needed after having long winter season. Whereas most people use the long weekend to get away to someplace nice and sunny, I did the exact opposite and enjoyed being a tourist in my very own backyard. No regrets whatsoever.
Why Niagara Falls, Why Now
It had been around ten years since my last trip, and I can say that the Niagara Falls is that place which simply lingers somewhere at the back of your head because you know that it’s still there and one day you will get there, but something else always pops up in between. And finally, it was the time. It was early April, and we chose not to travel during high tourist seasons; instead, we opted for the spring when there was no more snow, but not yet too many tourists either.
Also, while life is unpredictable, I booked with free cancellation through Booking.com as a safety net, not sponsored by the way, but I genuinely wish they would. That flexibility gave me peace of mind going in.
Getting There: Expect the Unexpected
Here’s where things got interesting before we even left Toronto. On the morning of our departure, Thursday, April 2, 2026, I found out that a CN train derailment the previous Monday (March 30) had disrupted GO train service to Niagara Falls, and repairs were still ongoing through the long weekend. My original plan was a direct express GO train from Union Station all the way to Niagara Falls GO – comfortable, no transfers, maybe even a nap on the way. That plan was out the window.
The silver lining? The plan was for me to reach Union Station early in order to pick up some snacks, unfortunately as it turns out, it gave us enough time to figure out the other possible route. In our case, we rode the GO train until we reached Burlington GO Station where we transferred to the 12B GO Bus en route to Niagara Falls. Note to those who end up at Burlington GO Station, you will have two choices of GO bus: the express bus or the regular bus.
After the bus ride, we transferred to the WeGo Bus (Route 603) to get around Niagara Falls itself. One important thing to know: the WeGo bus does not accept debit, credit, or cash on board. You need to purchase a WeGo day pass separately before you board. We got a 2-day 48-hour Weekday Pass which covered both the GO Bus and WeGo Bus for our trip – great value if you’re planning to use transit the whole time. Next time I would look into the Wonder Pass, which bundles included attractions, the WeGo bus pass, and the incline railway all together.
The morale of the story: be flexible. You can’t control train derailments or weather, but you can control how quickly you adapt. We got there in the end.
First Stop: Lunch at Turtle Jack’s
By the time we arrived, we were starving. We had left Toronto in the morning without much to eat and the wind in Niagara was no joke – layers were absolutely necessary during in April. Fortunately, Turtle Jack’s was close by to our hotel, so we stopped there before even checking in to drop our luggage. It was a great call.
📖 Full review of restaurant here: Turtle Jack’s
Where We Stayed: Marriott on the Falls
We stayed at Marriott on the Falls at 6755 Fallsview Blvd, and just a note, this is not the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa across the street. In fact, we were saw an entire family checking into the wrong Marriott Hotel, so make sure you have the correct hotel you reserved before you go there.
The extra cost that we had paid for the Fallsview Room on a higher level was well justified because the scenery from our room on the 30th level was absolutely stunning both day and night, when the whole complex comes alive with the light display. In fact, when we checked in at about 2 PM instead of the 4 PM check-in time, we were allowed entry without any hassle.
📖 Full hotel review here: Marriott on the Falls Hotel
Exploring Niagara Falls: Taking It All In
After settling in and catching our breath, we headed out to explore. My approach this trip was intentionally unhurried – no rigid schedule, just absorbing the experience from a fresh perspective compared to my visit ten years ago. A lot has changed, and it was nice to rediscover it slowly.
We started at the Niagara Parks Fallsview Welcome Centre – there’s a gift shop, casino, and cafeteria downstairs, but what really stands out is Fallsview Square, offering an amazing view of the falls from above. The next stop was the Skylon Tower, a version of the CN Tower at Niagara, where we bought our tickets for later. We didn’t ascend immediately, but this was about to be the highlight of our adventure.
Continuing along, Clifton Hill – the traditional street of attractions and restaurants whose layout has remained more or less the same throughout the years. Very vibrant atmosphere, particularly if you are visiting with children. And then it was time to head towards the waterfall itself, so as to see it up close. On our way there we even saw some people going down by means of the Zipline to the Falls, which appeared to be quite an entertaining experience. Walking along the Niagara Parkway while the waterfall was just next to us, we finally arrived at the Table Rock Welcome Centre, one more fantastic place with a gift shop and breathtaking view.
The Skylon Tower: Day and Night
Later that evening, after a rest at the hotel and dinner at Milestones on-site, we headed back out to the Skylon Tower for our first visit, the night view. And then the next morning, we went back again for the day view before checkout. The Day + Night Pass made this possible at genuinely great value, and the staff member who recommended it to us – the patient, knowledgeable gentleman in the hat and tie, and honestly made the whole experience. I almost didn’t add the Skylon Tower to the itinerary at all, and it ended up being a highlight of the trip.
📖 Full review here: Skylon Tower Review
The Second Morning: No Rush, No Stress
One of the best decisions we made was not rushing the checkout morning. After our second Skylon Tower visit, we checked out, made our way back to Union Station, had a late lunch, and headed home. Easy, relaxed, no scrambling. That’s the beauty of staying overnight rather than doing Niagara Falls as a day trip – the return journey alone is about two hours each way, so a day trip realistically eats up four-plus hours of travel time. Staying overnight completely changes the pace of the experience.
Is Niagara Falls Worth It for GTA Locals?
My honest take: yes, but not every year. Niagara Falls is one of those sights that should be seen once in a blue moon or so, if you lived near GTA region. The Niagara Falls sightseeing area has really developed a lot over the last ten years. It’s also an ideal destination for whenever you have foreign friends or relatives visiting you in Toronto.
If you go often, the novelty fades. However, as an occasional long weekend reset? It absolutely delivers.
Tips Before You Go
- Book hotel with free cancellation – life is unpredictable and the peace of mind is worth the slightly higher rate
- Check your GO train service before you leave – disruptions happen and having a backup route saves stress
- WeGo Bus does not accept cards or cash on board – purchase your day pass before you board
- Consider the Wonder Pass – it bundles attractions, WeGo bus, and the incline railway together and may be better value depending on your itinerary
- Go low season on a weekday – April was quiet, manageable, and honestly ideal. Summer will be a completely different (much more crowded) experience
- Book a Fallsview room if you’re staying overnight – the city view side exists, but you’re in Niagara Falls. Try to get the falls view
- Stay two days and one night – the round trip travel time alone makes a day trip feel rushed. Overnight gives you the space and time time to actually enjoy it
Final Thoughts
This vacation served as a reminder that sometimes revisiting a place you have been taking for granted since your entire life as a local might prove rewarding. Niagara Falls is not merely another tourist attraction that exists just to attract outsiders, but an actual wonderland which should be experienced leisurely for two days without any fixed schedule. Low season, flexible plans, and a Fallsview room. That’s the formula.
Disclaimer: All experiences, accommodation, and attractions on this trip were paid entirely out of my own pocket. This is 100% my honest, unsponsored experience. Please note that attractions, transit options, pricing, and operating hours are subject to change – I’d recommend checking directly with the relevant venues and GO Transit or WeGo for the most up-to-date information before your visit.
Jen's One Fine Day 
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