Niagara Falls can be visited year-round, and each season offers something different. Summer (June–August) is the peak season: the boat tours run, the Cave of the Winds boardwalk is open, and the falls are at their most theatrical. The crowds are largest in summer and the town's limited accommodation fills quickly.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are less crowded and often have good weather. The Maid of the Mist typically runs from late April through late October. Winter is spectacular in a different way: the mist from the falls coats the surrounding trees and structures in elaborate ice formations, the crowds are minimal, and the illuminated falls viewed through ice-encrusted railings is unlike anything else in North America. Most attractions are closed December through March, but the falls themselves are always present.
The annual Festival of Lights runs from November through January, with illuminations that make a winter evening visit worthwhile.