Looking for thundering waterfalls, epic boat rides, and unforgettable views? Head to Niagara Falls! Straddling the border of the U.S. and Canada, Niagara Falls is a natural wonder offering adventure, romance, and fun for all ages. Whether you’re taking in the Horseshoe Falls or exploring local wineries, Niagara delivers dramatic scenery and timeless excitement.
Niagara Falls Highlights:
- For Thrill Seekers: Ride the Maid of the Mist or Hornblower Niagara Cruises – Get soaked (and thrilled!) on boat tours that bring you face-to-face with the falls.
- For Scenic Views: Walk along the Niagara Parkway (Canada) – Take in panoramic vistas of the American and Horseshoe Falls.
- For Families: Visit Clifton Hill – This vibrant district is packed with arcades, wax museums, mini golf, and fun attractions.
- For Nature Lovers: Explore Niagara Falls State Park (U.S.) – The oldest state park in the U.S. with walking trails, scenic lookouts, and picnic spots.
- For Couples: Watch the Falls Illumination & Fireworks – Enjoy a romantic evening with the falls lit in rainbow colors and seasonal fireworks shows.
Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls
The best time to visit Niagara Falls is from May through October, when boat tours and outdoor attractions are in full swing. Summer (June–August) is peak season with lively festivals and warm weather. Fall (September–October) offers fewer crowds and beautiful foliage. Winter offers ice-covered scenery and indoor attractions, though some outdoor activities close.
How to Get to Niagara Falls
- By Air: Fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) for U.S. access or Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) for the Canadian side.
- By Car: Accessible via I-190 from Buffalo (U.S.) or QEW from Toronto (Canada). Cross-border travelers can use the Rainbow Bridge.
- By Train: Amtrak serves Niagara Falls, NY, and VIA Rail connects Toronto to Niagara Falls, ON.
Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
- For Falls Views: Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa (Canada) – Incredible views of Horseshoe Falls, close to the action.
- For Walkability: Sheraton Niagara Falls (U.S.) – Steps from the American Falls and Niagara Falls State Park.
- For Boutique Comfort: Sterling Inn & Spa (Canada) – A cozy retreat just a short walk from the falls with luxurious amenities.
Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls
1. Canada - Niagara City Cruises
Rating: ★★★★★
Experience Niagara Falls on an unforgettable boat cruise which takes you through the mist and up to the face of the falls. Explore this natural wonder on a state-of-the-art 700-passenger catamaran or the private 150-passenger jet boat. Niagara City Cruises offers a variety of tours in and around the falls. Be sure to book ahead of time during the holidays.
Go on the iconic ‘Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour’ during the day or experience the magnificence of the falls under a night sky of the dazzling stars aboard the fully-licensed ‘Falls Illumination’ or ‘Falls Fireworks Cruise’. Both tours begin with the majestic Niagara Great Gorge and travel past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and into the very heart of the famous Horseshoe Falls, to come as close as possible to the awe-inspiring flow of water tumbling over the falls. If you are planning a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls, this is a great activity.
2. New York - Cave of the Winds Tour
The spectacular Cave of the Winds Tour is an exhilarating walk that takes visitors into the stormy mist zone of Niagara Falls to soak up the experience of being next to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Before the adventure begins, visitors are geared up in protective clothing consisting of a souvenir rain poncho and specially designed anti-slip sandals before taking an elevator ride 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge. The walking tour then follows wooden walkways along the edge of the Niagara River to the Hurricane Deck, which is situated just a few feet from the thundering torrents of the falls and enshrouded in mists created from the rushing Bridal Veil Falls. Special edition Cave of the Winds Tours are offered in early spring, offering visitors the chance to see the winding walkways and decks being built for the upcoming season, which are removed and replaced each season due to the extreme weather conditions in the Gorge in the winter.
3. Ontario - Butterfly Conservatory
A wonderful attraction for the whole family, the Butterfly Conservatory is home to over 2,000 tropical butterflies, which fly around freely within the lush confines of the conservatory. Located on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, just 10 minutes north of the falls, the Butterfly Conservatory features a network of paths and walkways winding their way through a rich, tropical rainforest environment consisting of ponds, waterfalls and verdant vegetation. The conservancy features an Emergence Window where the butterflies pupate and take their first flight, as well as a short, informative video presentation on the conservancy and educational materials for teachers and school trips.
4. Canada - Journey Behind the Falls
You've seen the mighty Niagara Falls from the front, now go behind them in this unique and exhilarating adventure, which takes you deep into the heart of the falls. ‘ Journey Behind the Falls ’ begins in the Table Rock Welcome Centre at the edge of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls where an elevator ride takes you 150 feet down through bedrock to a network of tunnels that rest one third of the way behind the thundering sheet of water, and lead to the Cataract Portal and Great Falls Portal. View the Falls from the Upper and Lower Observation Decks, which are based at the very foot of the mighty waterfall and take in the spectacular sights and sounds of water crashing down to the basin below.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
5. Marineland Canada
Marineland Canada is a themed amusement park and animal exhibition center at Niagara Falls in Ontario. In addition to Archic beluga whales, Marineland is also home to a variety of large sea mammals, including orcas or killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and walruses, as well as a range of land animals, including black bear, buffalo and elk. At the park’s Arctic Cove area, visitors can participate in an interactive experience with beluga whales with a ‘touch and feed’ show. State-of-the-art underwater viewing windows allow visitors to watch beluga and killer whales beneath the water. The park boasts a number of family-friendly rides and amusement park adventures, such as the Ocean Odyssey, Bumble Bee, Orca Screamer and the famous Sky Screamer, the world's highest triple tower ride.
6. Skylon Tower
Located in the heart of the Niagara Falls entertainment district, the world-famous Skylon Tower is surrounded by busy hotels, the Fallsview Casino, bustling restaurants and bars. The observation tower is ideally located just steps from the falls, making it one of the region’s most visited attractions. Standing 520 feet (160 meters) above street level and 775 feet (236 meters) from the bottom of the falls, the tower has an observation deck which can be reached by three signature, glass-enclosed elevators in less than a minute and offer magnificent views all the way up. Once on the observation deck, 360-degree panoramic views take in the falls, Niagara wine country and the striking skylines of Toronto and Buffalo. Dine in style 775 feet above Niagara Falls at one of two excellent restaurants in the tower - the world-famous Revolving Dining Room Restaurant, or the family-friendly Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room restaurant.
7. Whirlpool Aero Car
The Whirlpool Aero Car is a cable car that takes visitors over the Niagara Whirlpool, named for its whirling, raging waters. Six sturdy cables support the antique cable car, which transports 35 passengers across a one-kilometer section of the river, providing an exhilarating experience of floating high above the swirling whirlpool below. If being airborne is not for you, then head to the White Water Walk, which is a wooden boardwalk winds alongside the raging rapids of the river, offering nearly as spectacular views.
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
8. Niagara SkyWheel
Located on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, the Niagara SkyWheel is a 175-foot high (53.3 meter) Ferris wheel that provides breathtaking views of Niagara Falls and its surroundings. Towering high above the Niagara Falls horizon, the SkyWheel gives unfettered views of the Horseshoe and American Falls, the Niagara River, and other well-known landmarks in the area in climate-controlled gondolas with panoramic windows. Trips on the SkyWheel range from eight to twelve minutes and offer spectacular aerial views for miles in every direction, with bird’s eye views of the Niagara River, Niagara Parks, and Clifton Hill. Sunset and evening rides offer sensational views of the glittering lights of the Niagara skyline and the vast starlit sky.
9. Maid of the Mist
Board the Maid of the Mist and admire the power and hear the thundering roar of thousands of gallons of water falling right before your eyes and feel the mighty rush of the mist on your face. First launched in 1846, the Maid of the Mist has been running sightseeing tours to the falls and giving visitors an up-close and personal experience of these magnificent falls for nearly 170 years.
Operated from the American side of the falls, the tour begins in the calm waters of the Niagara River near the Rainbow Bridge and cruises past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, before heading into the dense mist of the famous Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls. Ponchos are provided to each guest on the tour, but be prepared to get wet.
10. Bird Kingdom
Discover some of the world’s most exotic birds and animals in the tropical rainforest display at Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls. The largest indoor free-flying aviary in the world, Bird Kingdom is a family-friendly adventure that offers hours of fun for all ages. Travel back in time at the mysterious ‘Old Museum’, have a close encounter with a parrot and other exotic birds at the ‘Explorer's Base Camp’ and take in the spectacular views of the ‘Niagara River Gorge’ from the depths of the bird-filled jungle. Experience the creatures of the night in the ‘Night Jungle’ exhibit and search for treasures in the ‘Archaeology Dig’ section. Wander through ‘Discover The Kingdom’ where you are surrounded by free-flying winged creatures from all over the world, feed birds by hand at Lorikeet Landing and enjoy a refreshment at the Javanese house deep within the jungle.
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