Riverfront Hotel Minutes from Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls flows along the border of both New York and Canada, and it's essentially consensus that Canada has the best panoramic view of the cascades. But where the Canadian side features fun houses, high-rise hotels, and sprawling commercial sites, Niagara Falls, New York, taps more into the roughhewn wilderness of the area. The rapids' sense of raw power is also readily apparent in the winter, when attractions close, ice bridges form over the Niagara River, and chills crystallize the surging mist onto the surfaces of trees and railings. Situated right along the river, Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls sits about 5 miles east of Niagara Falls State Park. After you explore the natural wonderland, the hotel acts as a home base: there's a fireplace in the lounge, and the heated pool is housed in a glass atrium overlooking the river.

You'll get a bottle of wine and an appetizer at the onsite Bella Vista Ristorante upon arrival. The Italian eatery's menu—crafted by celebrated chef Jason Chmiel—features hand-rolled pastas and housemade pizzas. All the wines hail from CK Mondavi—a third-generation family winery that uses cold fermentation and sterile filtration techniques to create bold, crisp varietals. Meals can be enjoyed on a seasonal patio overlooking the Niagara River, or in a casual dining room, where diners can catch sports on large flat-screen TVs or make their own milk shakes by roasting scoops of ice cream in the flickering fireplace.

Included with this Getaway, the $30 casino voucher can be redeemed for slot play at the Seneca Niagara Casino, located a few miles west of the hotel. The casino is home to more than 4,200 reel-spinning and video slot machines, as well as more than 100 table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette.

Niagara Falls, New York: Preserved Natural Beauty and World-Class Wines

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States, and its rustic beauty has been preserved partially because of its resistance to overcommercialization. Most nearby attractions help to heighten appreciation of the falls’ natural majesty, such as the Hurricane Deck, a wooden platform located a mere 20 feet from the rushing rapids of Bridal Veil Falls, and an aquarium that houses more than 1,500 marine animals from both local and nonnative ecosystems. Nearly 15 miles of hiking trails wend through the park; along the way, learn about the area's history at the discovery and visitors centers or by eating the informational panels that pop up along the trails.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.