Thursday, March 12, 2026

Your daily guide to both sides of the Falls

Today's Weather

NY side: High of 36°F with considerable cloudiness. Dress in warm layers and expect a raw, grey kind of beautiful — the Falls look dramatic in flat winter light. Ontario side: Cloudy with a 30% chance of flurries, westerly gusts up to 50 km/h, high of just 3°C, and a wind chill of -8°C in the morning. Thermal underlayer, waterproof jacket, and sensible shoes — this is a day to earn the view.

Eat Today

It's Thursday in March, which means one thing in Western New York: fish fry season. March is prime fish fry season in Western New York — especially during Lent — and it typically means flaky cod or haddock, beer-battered and fried to perfection, served with fries and coleslaw. Head to The Como Restaurant (2220 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls, NY), a beloved local institution serving Italian-American comfort food and classic WNY fish fry since 1927. Perfect for families and zero pretension. thecomoRestaurant.com

Do Today

Niagara Falls Illumination runs every evening at dusk through March 31, 2026 — the Falls are lit up nightly from the Illumination Tower next to Queen Victoria Place. On a grey, cloudy evening like tonight, the coloured lights hitting the mist are absolutely otherworldly. It's free to watch from the Canadian side promenade; show up right at dusk for the full effect. niagaraparks.com

Stay Tonight

The Giacomo (520 Third St, Niagara Falls, NY) is a boutique hotel in a stunning 1920s Art Deco building steps from the American Falls — great for couples looking for style without crossing the border. Rooms are sleek, the location is walkable to Niagara Falls State Park, and it's far quieter than the Canadian strip. Insider tip: ask for a higher floor for peeks toward the gorge. thegiacomo.com

Quick Tip

Niagara's St. Patrick's Day Celebration — including the World's Shortest Parade down Rainbow Blvd — is this Saturday, March 14, with Irish food, drinks, and music at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. Grab tickets now before they sell out — it's a local favourite.

What's On This Week

  • Mar 6–May 31 — Kevin Sloggett Art Exhibition, The Exchange, Niagara Falls, ON. Powerful paintings exploring trauma, resilience, and emotional survival by a Canadian visual artist. (nfexchange.ca)

  • Mar 2–31 — USA250: Celebrating the American Vision, Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY. Works by Rockwell, Warhol, and more — and admission is free. (castellaniartmuseum.org)

  • Sat, Mar 14 — St. Patrick's Day Parade & Party, Niagara Falls Convention Center, Niagara Falls, NY. The World's Shortest Parade kicks things off, followed by a full Irish celebration inside. (niagarafallsusa.com)

  • Nightly through Mar 31 — Falls Illumination, Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, ON. Free nightly light show on the Falls — Canada's most spectacular no-cover evening out. (todocanada.ca)

*The Falls