This is an absolutely beautiful destination any time of the year. There is an old mill located at the top of a beautiful waterfall.
During the summer the mill is open to visitors to see the inner workings of the grain mill. They even sell flour that is milled there!
The mill is located on Decew Rd where it meets Cataract. There is ample parking most of the time.
The historic house is also opened up on the weekends during the summer and is preserved in its original state. It is absolutely beautiful for taking pictures. Although it is free to tour the house, they appreciate donations to upkeep the property.
If you walk the path past the house it continues to the other side of a fence and beyond. If you stay on the trail it will eventually bring you down to the water level. There is a swimming area there where kids have left behind a rope and ladder for getting back out. You can also walk upriver, passing a waterfall on the way back to the main falls the mill is located on (pictured above). This is a popular place for swimming in the summer. You are able to get completely behind the falls. Visiting in the winter, it completely encloses into a beautiful ice tunnel.
This tunnel is located just left of the picture above. You can access it from the base of the main waterfall. A pair of rubber boots and a flashlight are a good idea if you plan on checking it out. I used only the flash of my camera, causing an eerie and slightly terrifying effect.
This is the lower falls at the mill. It still has a lot of force but it is possible to sit comfortably with your feet in the water after a hike. Occasionally during the year it dries up and you are able to sit where the water normally flows and have a picnic or just hang out!
If you are from around Niagara, you better have been down to the gorge by now! It is located downriver of the falls, and after the whirlpool.
There is a rather large staircase that leads down to a walkway. From there you can follow a series of hiking trails that criss-cross the area.
The view is great! You can get right down to the water level. I have seen people fishing down there. Be careful though, this is not a destination for children as the current is extremely strong and there are no fences or barriers. Just nature showing off its extreme power!
To see it on a google map Click Here
White Meadows Farms
This is the fourth year that White Meadows has been offering skating at the farm. I believe it is $2 (not free) per person to skate. I put this at the top of my list because there is so much to do there other than skating. There is also a toboggan hill, and a petting zoo area (free). From February to March they also have sugar bush tours. If you get cold they have a "Pancake House" that serves all-day breakfast.
Rink at the Brink
This is located in Niagara Falls. There are free skate days which they list on their website each year. This year (2012) you can skate for free January 9, 16 & 30th; February 13th. There is also free parking! It is open daily from December-February.
Click here to see regular admission prices and season pass prices (for not-free days)
Woodlawn Park
Woodlawn Park is located in Welland on Woodlawn road at Northwood. In the winter the pond freezes over and makes a sweet local rink. It is free to skate on and available at all hours!
Its a sweet place to hang out with friends or play some hockey on your down-time from school. It is an easy walk from residence/fist ave and especially convenient for those living in the Northwood area.
Chippewa Park
Chippewa Park has a pond in the summer where you can do feed ducks, turtles and fish. In the winter though, it freezes over and is maintained as a rink.
Civic Square
This is located in front of City Hall/Library on Main Street in Welland. Good, smooth ice but i believe that hockey is not permitted.
I will keep my eye out for other free skating locations and upload some pictures soon!
