Bright lights, big games, racing screens, and prize counters are all part of the fun at Clifton Hill. For families visiting Niagara Falls, the arcades offer an easy way to add some friendly competition to the day. The two main spots are the Great Canadian Midway and Strike Game Zone, and together they offer games for kids, teens, parents, and anyone who enjoys trying for a high score.
- Start at the Great Canadian Midway
- Games That Bring Out the Competition
- More Than Arcade Games
- Play, Win, and Pick a Prize
- Head Upstairs to Strike Game Zone
- Make It a Family Challenge
- Good Choices for Younger Kids
- Bigger Challenges for Teens and Adults
- Take a Food Break Nearby
- A Great Indoor Stop in Niagara Falls
- Visit During the Day or After Dark
- Build the Arcade Into a Clifton Hill Day
- Tips for a Better Arcade Visit
- Big Games, Small Wins, and Lots of Fun
Start at the Great Canadian Midway
The Great Canadian Midway is one of the biggest indoor attractions on Clifton Hill. The 70,000-square-foot complex is home to more than 300 games, so there is plenty to choose from. Guests can race cars, shoot hoops, roll Skee-Ball, spin giant wheels, test their aim, and try many different skill and redemption games.
The arcade mixes older favourites with newer games, which helps make it fun for different ages. Parents may spot games they remember from years ago, while younger players can try newer racing, sports, and prize games. Guests use a PlayCard loaded with game credits to play. Current credit packages and online offers can be found on the Great Canadian Midway PlayCard Deal page.
Games That Bring Out the Competition
Some games are quick and simple, while others can turn into a family challenge. Monster Drop is all about timing, while Big Bass Wheel gives players a chance to land a bigger win with one spin. Down the Clown tests speed and aim, and Connect 4 Hoops adds a basketball twist to a familiar game.
There are also racing games, basketball games, air hockey, Skee-Ball, reaction games, and many other skill-based choices. This variety is one of the best parts of the Midway. One person may spend most of the visit racing, while someone else may keep returning to a favourite basketball or redemption game.
More Than Arcade Games
The Great Canadian Midway is also home to two interactive dark rides, giving families another way to play without leaving the building.
Ghost Blasters Dark Ride sends riders through a spooky haunted setting filled with ghosts, ghouls, and moving targets. Riders use blasters to score points along the way, adding a little friendly competition to the experience.
Toy Store 4D offers a brighter, family-friendly adventure with motion, large-screen effects, and interactive action. It is a good choice for younger guests and families looking for something different from the arcade floor.
Both rides make it easy to take a break from the games, try something new, and then jump right back into the Midway action.
Play, Win, and Pick a Prize
For many younger visitors, the prize counter is just as exciting as the games. Redemption wins are stored on the PlayCard, so there are no paper tickets to carry around. After playing, guests can check their balance and choose from a wide range of prizes.
Part of the fun is deciding whether to choose something small right away or keep playing and aim for something bigger. That simple choice can keep kids interested from the first game to the final stop at the prize counter.
Head Upstairs to Strike Game Zone
The arcade fun continues upstairs at Strike Game Zone. This area adds more games along with ten-pin bowling, making it a good choice for families or groups that want to mix things up.
A visit can easily move from arcade games to bowling and back again. That makes the whole complex useful for groups with different interests, especially when some people want fast-paced games and others would rather take their time with a round of bowling.
Make It a Family Challenge
One easy way to make an arcade visit more fun is to turn it into a family challenge. See who can get the best basketball score, win a race, or come closest to a target. Families can also take turns at the same game and compare scores.
These simple contests can make even a short stop more memorable. Parents, kids, and grandparents can all join in, and the games are easy to enjoy without needing much practice.
Good Choices for Younger Kids
Younger children often enjoy games with simple actions and clear goals. Rolling a ball, spinning a wheel, pushing a button, or tossing an object can be easier than games that need fast reactions or several controls.
Parents can play beside younger children and help them learn how a game works. With so many choices close together, it is also easy to move on and try something else if a game feels too hard.
Bigger Challenges for Teens and Adults
Teens and adults may be more interested in racing games, sports games, air hockey, and skill challenges. These games are good for head-to-head play and can quickly turn into a friendly contest between friends or family members.
The wide mix of games helps the Great Canadian Midway work well for groups. Everyone can choose a different favourite while still staying together in the same entertainment area.
Take a Food Break Nearby
After a long stretch of games, families do not have to go far for a meal. Boston Pizza Clifton Hill is connected to the Strike Game Zone area, making it an easy place to stop for lunch or dinner before heading back to the arcade.
This can be especially helpful during a full day on Clifton Hill. Families can take a break, recharge, and then decide whether they are ready for another round.
A Great Indoor Stop in Niagara Falls
Because the Great Canadian Midway is indoors, it works well in many kinds of weather. It can be a handy stop during rain, a place to cool down on a hot afternoon, or somewhere to warm up on a colder day.
With more than 300 games, it is also easy for a short visit to grow into a much longer one. Families can stop in for a few games or make the arcade a bigger part of their Clifton Hill plans.
Visit During the Day or After Dark
The arcades fit easily into almost any Clifton Hill schedule. During the day, they can be a good break between outdoor attractions. In the evening, the bright game floor matches the lights and energy of Clifton Hill after dark.
That makes the Midway a natural stop after dinner, after another attraction, or later in the evening when families are looking for one more thing to do.
Build the Arcade Into a Clifton Hill Day
The Great Canadian Midway is right in the heart of Clifton Hill, so it is easy to combine arcade time with other nearby attractions. Families can ride the Niagara SkyWheel, race on the Niagara Speedway, visit Movieland Wax Museum, or play mini golf before heading indoors for games.
Because so many attractions are close together, there is no need to travel across Niagara Falls to keep the day moving. The arcade can be a quick stop between attractions or one of the main parts of the visit.
Tips for a Better Arcade Visit
Setting a game budget before starting can help, especially with younger children. It can also be useful to let everyone choose a few must-play games before moving on to something new.
Mixing racing, sports, skill, and redemption games can help keep the visit fresh. There is no need to try everything. With hundreds of games available, part of the fun is simply finding a new favourite.
Big Games, Small Wins, and Lots of Fun
The best arcade moments are not always the biggest wins. Sometimes it is beating a parent at basketball, winning a close race, landing a great Skee-Ball shot, or finally getting the prize that caught your eye at the start of the visit.
That mix of games, prizes, lights, and friendly competition is what makes Clifton Hill’s arcades such an easy fit for a Niagara Falls day. With more than 300 games at the Great Canadian Midway, more gaming and bowling at Strike Game Zone, and many other attractions just steps away, families can turn a quick arcade stop into one of the highlights of their visit.