Niagara Falls on a Budget: How to Do a Weekend for $300

Niagara Falls is one of North America's most popular tourist destinations, but it's not just the Falls people come to see. From casinos to wineries to family-fun parks, the area has plenty to recommend it besides its famous natural wonder. But those millions of visitors passing through each year have a way of driving up prices, especially during the high-demand summer months.

Still, you don't have to break your budget to spend a wonderful weekend on either side of the border. In fact, you can easily see Niagara Falls on a budget of just $300, including lodging, food, and activities for a whole weekend. Check out our guide to see how.

Hotel: Less Than $200

If you want to stay within a reasonable walk of the Falls, it can be hard to find an affordable option—but not impossible. These hotels all boast excellent locations within a short stroll to the Falls, plus they offer bonus packages that cover food and entertainment.

• Ramada by Wyndham Niagara Falls by the River: Upgrade to a couples or family package to get vouchers on food and fun at this hotel located a 15-minute walk from the Falls (starting at $39/night).

• The 4-Star Sheraton Niagara Falls: Walk 5 minutes to the Falls—if you can peel yourself away from the indoor pool area, which features two 15-person hot tubs, a shark tank, and a tropical fish viewing lagoon (starting at $79/night).

• Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallview: Connected to the popular Fallsview Casino (with 3,000+ slots); packages include casino and dining credits (starting at $68/night)

• The 4-Star Marriott on the Falls: All packages of this deal comes with a voucher at Milestones On the Falls, which offers dramatic views of the Falls 

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Food & Drink: About $50

You don't have to stick to fast food if you want to eat well on a budget in Niagara Falls. Here are some places to grab some good grub:

• Lunch on Day 1: C$12 (about US$9) for BBQ at Big Texas Niagara

• Dinner on Day 1: C$15 (about US$12) for Italian at Vittorio's Italian Eatery 

• Lunch on Day 2: C$12 (about US$9) for Korean and Japanese food at Young Garden

• Dinner on Day 2: C$10 (about US$7.50) for burgers and wings at Bull Market Niagara

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Sightseeing & Attractions: About $20 or Less

The good news is the biggest attraction in Niagara Falls—namely, the Falls—is free to see. But after spending some time taking in the sights, you'll want to explore the rest of what the town has to offer. Here are some highlights:

• Niagara SkyWheel: This Clifton Hill attraction provides a 360-degree view of the Falls and surrounding area from a height of 175 feet (starting at $11.40).

• Safari Niagara: Check out a 150-acre nature park that's home to more than 1,000 animals, including rhinos, giraffes, wolves, and gibbons (starting at C$22.95, or about US$17.50).

• Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Visit the Odditorium to see 15 themed galleries collecting more than 400 exhibits, from two-headed animals to shrunken human heads (starting at $11.64).

• Bird Kingdom: More than 400 exotic birds soar above guests' heads inside this multi-level rainforest, which claims to be the world's largest free-flying indoor aviary (starting at C$11.50 for a child admission, or about US$8.70).

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Other Activities: About $40 or Less

Whether you're on a romantic couples getaway or a family vacation, you won't have a hard time finding fun things to do in Niagara Falls. Here are some of the area's most enjoyable activities:

• Wine Tour from Niagara Fun Tours: Spend a full day sipping wine samples at four Niagara Wine Country wineries, with round-trip transportation included (starting at C$49, or about US$37).

• Niagara Wax Museum of History: See 46 life-sized wax figures, including historical local figures like Father Louis Hennepin. ($9 for two admissions)

• Fallsview Indoor Waterpark: Zip down six-story waterslides, bodysurf the wave pool, and feel the splash of the 1,000-gallon tipping bucket at this 3-acre park (starting at C$36.99, or about US$28).

• Captain Jack's Fun Center: This 40,000-sq.-ft. complex is packed with family-friendly attractions, from glow-in-the-dark mini-golf to a Lazer Maze that will have you humming the Mission: Impossible theme (packages starting at C$25, or about US$19).

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