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Niagara Falls hosts tourists from all over the world who are looking for a full-blown family vacation in America. But it also makes for a convenient—and sometimes, frequent—weekend getaway for many who live within close range, or in the U.S. in general. The main tourist traps (think haunted houses and tacky souvenir shops) can get old for regular visitors, though, which is why many people wind up seeking alternative experiences at this favorite weekend destination.

Following up on this idea, we've put together a few suggestions on how to have a more relaxing getaway, and perhaps try something new, at Niagara Falls.

1. Take A Scenic Drive To Niagara-on-the-Lake

Although technically outside the Niagara Falls city limits, Niagara-on-the-Lake is just a half-hour drive north of the main tourist attractions. This town is residential - meaning far fewer tourists - but is still a must-see, not to mention an excuse for a lovely little road trip. As you head north, you will pass through Lake Ontario’s stunning wine country, home to more than two dozen wineries where you can enjoy interesting estate tours and delicious wine tastings. While there, be sure to sample at least one varietal of Canadian ice wine: a sweet delicacy of northern regions made from grapes that have frozen while still on the vine.

Once you’ve enjoyed this wine country a bit and you’ve arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you will find yourself surrounded by quaint lake houses, historic buildings, and lots of unique places to eat and shop. You could easily spend an entire day strolling leisurely through town and exploring Queen’s Royal Park (which provides great views of Lake Ontario). And if you happen to be visiting between April and November, be sure to catch a performance at the Shaw Festival Theatre, a delightful venue conveniently located on the town’s main strip.

2. Enjoy A Night Of Entertainment At A Luxury Resort

After a relaxing day in wine country, you’ll be ready to head back to the bustling Niagara Falls area for some evening entertainment. And no matter how you prefer to spend your nights, you will find something to do at Fallsview Casino Resort. If you’re one to enjoy a bit of gaming, this resort is home to the largest casino in Niagara Falls, with over 100 tables and 3,000 slot machines. This can be particularly nice for a lot of American visitors who aren’t used to accessible casino activity. And for that matter even those who might be curious about it all but overwhelmed by the actual casino floors will find that the easy availability of online gaming platforms in the same area makes it simple enough to try some games in the comfort of one’s own resort room!

If you’d rather eschew the casino attractions entirely but you’re still in need of some after-dark activity, there's still plenty more to do at Fallsview. The resort is home to many restaurants, shops, and an impressive theater that often hosts performances by world-famous artists. Additionally, if you’d like to fully embrace the relaxing aspect of your weekend getaway, you can always to take advantage of the resort’s luxury spa offerings.

3. Experience The Falls Up Close

The above suggestions focused on things many visitors may not have tried before, but it still wouldn’t be a trip to Niagara Falls if you didn’t take some time to enjoy the stunning waterfalls themselves. The falls are easy to view from town, but there are still some more intimate ways to experience their astounding beauty. One great viewing spot, on the U.S. side, is Goat Island. From this vantage point within Niagara Falls State Park, you can view both the American and Horseshoe Falls. Meanwhile, if you want to get a little exercise in during your weekend vacation, you can also opt to walk the two-mile loop around the island and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding waterfalls.

If Goat Island still doesn’t get you as close as you’d like to be, you can always take a boat tour as well. Many of the up-close tours are on small jet boats (you’ll likely need to bring a change of dry clothes!), though if you’d prefer to stay dry you can also take a relaxing evening cruise on the Niagara River and enjoy the attraction from a safe (or rather, dry) distance. With the latter option, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a firework show for the perfect ending to your weekend getaway.