Top Travelers’ Tips to Packing Your Suitcase for Niagara

The hardest part of going on vacation isn’t asking for time off or choosing a destination — it is packing your suitcase. For unknown reasons, nearly all travelers are reluctant to begin stuffing sundries into their bags, but leaving packing to the last minute almost guarantees over- or under-packing essentials like underwear or contacts.

There is an efficient and (almost) enjoyable way to pack for vacation: Just stick to the following plan and you’ll be ready to go before you know it.

Coming to Niagara Falls

If you are indecisive when it comes to clothing, we can provide direction for your trip to Niagara Falls. We have plenty of experience with all four seasons, so we can tell you exactly what you need — and what you won’t.

• Summer. The average highs we experience in the Niagara region hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the perfect temperature for outdoor fun. Pack T-shirts and shorts as well as your walking shoes — there’s so much to explore when the weather is nice.
• Fall. The weather gets brisk fast, with nippy temperatures hitting the area in October. You don’t necessarily need snow coats, but light layers are a good idea.
• Winter. As a proud part of the Great White North, Niagara does get some snowfall. However, the region experiences a rather mild winter compared to nearby regions of Canada: Lows are around 20 degrees and highs are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so gloves and heavy socks are definitely a good idea.
• Spring. Like fall, early spring is still quite chilly, but come April, the area is wide awake with verdant fields and a shining sun. Light layers are still appropriate, but you can feel warmer with bright, springtime colors.

Think First, Pack Later

Before you even unzip your suitcase, consider what activities you are going to do here at Niagara Falls. Once you have a rough itinerary, consider what outfits you own that you would enjoy wearing. Packing experts advise wearing bottoms, like pants and skirts, more than once to save room in the suitcase. You can then dress them up or down (depending on the occasion) with different tops and accessories. Experts also suggest:

• Selecting clothing staples or favorite outfits.
• Avoiding including alternatives or options.
• Working within a single color scheme.
• Using lightweight layers instead of bulky items.

Rolls Are Best

Stuffing is so 20th century travel, and even folding and rolling are becoming tricks of the past. Today, frequent travelers prefer to bundle, which is an advanced method of packing that requires practice and precision. Here are the basic steps to bundling:

• Purchase a packing cube, or find an item that can serve as the core of your bundle.
• Begin layering your clothes in a stack. Easily wrinkled and heavier items should be on the bottom — farthest from the core — and make sure to alternate the direction of long dresses and pants.
• Wrap clothing around the cube. Eventually, you should be left with an edgeless bundle of clothing perfect for placing in your suitcase.

However, if you aren’t experienced enough to begin bundling, folding and rolling will still save some space in your suitcase. Rolling your clothes is particularly good for packing unstructured luggage like duffel bags or rucksacks. While the process is fairly simple, you can easily find instructions for rolling online if you aren’t confident.

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