City Cruises / Devour Tours / Niagara City Cruises / Niagara Falls

The Best Birthday Ideas in Niagara Falls (2025)

You’ve heard the name, you’ve seen the pictures, and you’ve definitely marked it on your bucket list: Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most breathtaking natural features and a destination that everyone should try to visit at least once in their life. And there’s no better way to celebrate your birthday than with a visit! The group of three waterfalls is located at the southern end of Niagara Gorge and spans the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. What makes them so special? Well, they’re massive: More than 6 million cubic feet of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute, which is the equivalent of about a million bathtubs full of water. Every. Single. Minute. Now, you should — of course — check out the falls in all of their glory, but there are also plenty of other things to do in Niagara Falls for your birthday besides seeing the waterfalls, from firework cruises and wine tastings to the aquarium, a casino, and much more! Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with this short list of a few of our favorite picks listed below.

san francisco little italy restaurant
California / Devour Tours / Eat & Drink / San Francisco Bay Area / United States

A Brief History of San Francisco’s Little Italy

Located close to Chinatown in northeastern San Francisco near Telegraph Hill, the Financial District and Russian Hill, North Beach was once home to one of the most important Italian immigrant communities in the United States.

Despite not being directly on the beach anymore, North Beach is still situated in the northern part of San Francisco. It is bordered by the waterfront to the east and northeast, Chinatown to the south, and Telegraph Hill to the west. The name “North Beach” has persisted over time, becoming ingrained in the neighborhood’s identity.

Today, North Beach is a vibrant neighborhood teeming with excellent Italian restaurants and cafés, delightful boutiques and bookstores, terrific live music venues, and a vibrant nightlife, most of which are clustered around Columbus Avenue. Nearby city landmarks include the historic Coit Tower, an observation deck that provides 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Nestled between Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, it is a bustling area that draws locals and tourists in equal measure.

It’s home to Caffè Trieste, the West Coast’s first espresso bar and the Beat-era City Lights Bookshop, and the annual North Beach Festival, one of the Bay Area’s favorite summer street festivals.

Victoria Bakery, founded in 1911, should be put on your list of places to visit for a range of classic Italian pastries, from Napoleons to cannoli to slices of Princess cake which are known to be life-changing.

Although the area’s Italian-American population has drastically declined since the 1950s, to this day its Italian heritage is still very visible. Aside from the quaint Italian signage and storefronts, not to mention the many neighborhood mom-and-pop shops, North Beach boasts endless delicious Italian eateries, such as the ever-popular Golden Boy Pizza and Italian Homemade Company.