Tourist Attractions in Niagara Falls, Canada

Niagara Falls, Canada, sits on the edge of the Niagara Gorge, at the site of Niagara Falls, one of Canada's biggest attractions. Its strategic location has made it one of the most popular places to visit in Canada.

The city itself is fun and quirky, with a carnival-like atmosphere. It has a strong appeal for families who come to enjoy the falls, as well as the various things to do, including rides, tours, and action-packed amusements. A plentiful assortment of hotels and resorts adds to the vacation experience.

It also draws couples who come here for romantic getaways, to sit by a fire, relax over a fine meal, soak in the views of the falls, and stop by nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Falls' proximity to Canada's largest city makes it easy to access. It's one of the most popular day trips from Toronto, but it's better to spend the night and see the falls in the evening, when they're lit up in different colors. Visitors have several choices when it comes to getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

Three bridges link the city of Niagara Falls with its American counterpart, all of them with fine views into the gorge that divides the two countries.

Plan your trip and sightseeing in advance with our list of the top attractions in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls are some of the largest, most beautiful, and most famous waterfalls in the world. They are also some of the most easily accessible. You can walk up and stand on the very edge of the falls, separated only by a railing, without even having to pay a fee.

On the Canadian side of the falls, a walkway stretches from above the falls all the way along the edge of the gorge, providing spectacular views.

The main viewing area is on the edge of Horseshoe Falls, behind which is the Table Rock Welcome Centre. This building has a restaurant overlooking the falls and is also where you'll find shops and an information and ticket booth where you can purchase tickets to the various attractions and tours.

If you want to see them from a little different perspective, you can take a Hornblower Niagara Boat Ride to the base of the falls, or go behind the falls and see the water pouring over from above.

At night, the falls are lit up, and for a truly captivating experience, don't miss the nightly fireworks show at 10pm. It's a five-minute display with bursts of color lighting up the night sky, showering sparkles over the majestic falls, and creating a dazzling reflection on the water below.

The falls consist of three parts: The most spectacular section is the concave Horseshoe Falls, running 640 meters across from the Canadian shore to the American shore. The American Falls, about 330 meters across, is on the New York side, but the best views are from the Canadian side. A small third section, known as Bridal Veil Falls, is located between these two.

Below the falls, the Niagara River flows through the deep walls of the gorge, between 80 meters and 300 meters across, forming the Whirlpool Rapids as the gorge narrows. The waters eventually flow into Lake Ontario.

Journey Behind the Falls

Journey Behind the Falls offers a close-up view of the falls from the base of Horseshoe Falls. From the Table Rock Welcome Centre, an elevator takes you down 45 meters to tunnels with viewing portals behind the falls and an observation deck near the lower edge of the falls.

From here, you can look up at the wall of water coming over Horseshoe Falls and hear the roar of the water, feel the blast of mist on your face, and the ground shaking as the torrent of water crashes down. This view offers a unique perspective and a completely different experience from viewing the falls from above.

If you are planning on visiting multiple attractions (Niagara Power Station, Whirlpool Aero Car, Butterfly Conservatory, Incline Railway, and others), consider purchasing one of the three Attractions Passes for very significant savings and free bus transportation on WEGO routes.

Official site: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/journey-behind-the-falls/

Skylon Tower

At a height of more than 235 meters above the falls, the Skylon Tower offers a spectacular bird's-eye view of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Escarpment, and the city. It's easily spotted anywhere in town and is famous for its distinctive "Yellow Bug" elevators, which resemble insects climbing the tower.

The tower features an indoor/outdoor observation area and two restaurants. The Revolving Dining Room is an upscale revolving restaurant (which makes one complete turn per hour), while the Summit Suite Buffet is a more mid-range family-oriented establishment.

Access to the observation decks is free if you are dining at the tower.

Official site: http://www.skylon.com/

Hornblower Niagara Falls Boat Tour

The Hornblower Niagara Boat Ride (Niagara City Cruises) offers a close-up cruise to the base of all three falls in 700-passenger catamaran boats. Cruises run all day and into the evening, when the falls are lit. Cruises take about 20 minutes and allow you to get up close to the thundering torrent of water.

This is a wet experience, and biodegradable waterproof ponchos are provided. The iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour only operates on the US side of the falls.

You'll find the ticket booth near the base of Clifton Hill, where it meets the Niagara Parkway. The docks are reached by descending on a funicular railway to river level.

Official site: http://www.niagaracruises.com/

Niagara Skywheel

One of the newest attractions at Niagara Falls is the Niagara Skywheel, one of the largest observation wheels in Canada, standing 175 feet tall. You'll be amazed at the views out over the roaring falls and the surrounding countryside. If the day is clear, you'll be able to see the skyscrapers of Toronto out across Lake Ontario.

Climate-controlled gondolas mean it's open year-round, and rides last between eight and 12 minutes. You can take this at any time, day or night. At night, you can see the city lights as well as Niagara Falls illuminated in various colors, and if you time it right, the nightly fireworks at 10pm.

Official site: https://www.cliftonhill.com/attractions/niagara-skywheel

Whirlpool Aero Car

The Whirlpool Aero Car is an antique cable car in continuous operation since 1916, suspended above the roiling waters of the Whirlpool Rapids. Climb aboard and take a 10-minute trip over this portion of the Niagara River for a unique view of the powerful currents swirling around in a massive whirlpool, a stunning 240 feet below. Don't be fooled by the website's claim that the cable car soars 3,500 feet above the river below – that's the distance the car travels, not the vertical height.

The Niagara Aero Car travels approximately one kilometer from one side of the gorge to the other and can hold 35 standing people per trip. You'll actually pass into the United States on this trip, but because you don't actually land, no passport is required.

Official site: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/whirlpool-aero-car/

Clifton Hill

Part of the attraction of the town of Niagara Falls is the festive atmosphere. A walk down Clifton Hill, also known as Niagara's Street of Fun, will take you past the Niagara Skywheel, the Niagara Speedway, restaurants, and family-oriented attractions.

Along here, you'll find wax museums, haunted houses, mini-golf, arcades, shops selling ice cream, cotton candy, fudge, and other treats. This area is just up the street from the falls. Even if you don't choose to spend much time here, it's worth a look just for the tacky and cheesy displays.

Clifton Hill stays open late; you can hop from attraction to attraction until 1am, and restaurants remain open until 2am.

Niagara Power Station

Over the years, people have walked or driven along the Niagara Parkway past the falls and have seen a beautiful old building seemingly abandoned. It's been a long time coming, but now the former power station, dating from 1905, has been completely renovated and brought back to life.

It's now a spectacular building, bright and airy and full of antique equipment, and is fast becoming one of Niagara Falls' top attractions. Self-guided and guided tours are available, and anyone, even with the slightest passing interest in how electricity is produced, is sure to enjoy their visit.

The Niagara Power Station's newest attraction, The Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station, officially opened in July 2022. It offers a deep dive into the workings of the historic station as you descend in a glass-enclosed elevator and walk through the 2200-foot-long (just over half a kilometer) historic tunnel to a viewing platform at the river's edge, providing never-before-seen views of the Canadian and American waterfalls.

Whitewater Walk

When you visit Niagara Falls, all the views of the river, with the exception of the area above the falls, are down into the deep gorge. If you want to get within mere meters of the roaring river as it churns along, give the Whitewater Walk a try.

Located just north of the Whirlpool Bridge, the Whitewater Walk is accessed via an elevator that descends 70 meters straight down through the earth to the river's edge. As you emerge, you'll be amazed by the sheer power of the Class 6 rapids rolling by at an incredible 48 kilometers per hour.

The Whitewater Walk leaves from here; just follow the 300-meter-long boardwalk to find the best photo spots to capture the green water as it roils and boils by you.

Niagara Parkway

The Niagara Parkway is a scenic drive running from Niagara-on-the-Lake, past Niagara Falls, to Fort Erie, following the gorge. The road, lined by parks and green space, has many interesting sights along the way where visitors can stop.

Some of the most popular features along the parkway are the Floral Clock, Whirlpool Rapids, Butterfly Conservatory, and Fort George National Historic Site. Another popular attraction located just a bit past the falls is the Niagara Power Station.

An easy way to see the sights along the parkway in high season is to take the WEGO bus, which stops at all the major attractions. There is a fee to ride the bus, but some of the attractions along the route charge for parking, meaning you are not necessarily saving money by taking your own vehicle, and parking lots can be full on busy days.

If you are looking to get some exercise, a popular summer pastime is to ride a bike from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake via the parkway. The ride is along a wide paved trail and is a delight on a warm day. Tempting fruit stands selling fresh-picked strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, grapes, baked goods, and all manner of sweet treats can be found along the way. Bike rentals (e-bikes and regular) are easily arranged in Niagara Falls. The route is downhill from Niagara Falls and climbs on the return trip.

A paved pathway for walking and biking runs alongside the Niagara Parkway.

Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory, along the Niagara Parkway, is home to 2,000 free-flying butterflies. The glass-enclosed conservatory with waterfalls and tropical plants features more than 40 different species of butterflies and is the largest of its kind in North America.

Inside, you'll find one of the most spectacular species: the Blue Morpho. These iridescent blue giant butterflies almost glow in the light. If you are lucky, one may land on you and pose for a photo!

This attraction is open year-round, making it a particularly popular place to visit during the winter months when the outside gardens are not in bloom.

Official site: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/attractions/butterfly-conservatory/

Niagara Botanical Gardens

The Niagara Falls Park service does an incredible job of making the lawns and gardens near the falls look spectacular throughout the spring, summer, and fall. You may wonder where all these spectacular plants originate from, and the answer is the Niagara Botanical Gardens.

Spread out over an extensive area, these wide-open gardens are worth a visit if you have a green thumb, love photography, or are visiting the Butterfly Conservatory located on the same property (admission is free!). One of the highlights of a stop is the incredible rose garden. Flowering throughout the warm months of the year, the smells and sights of 2,400 roses are something to behold.

The Botanical Gardens are also an excellent place to spot wildlife. Deer are frequent visitors, as are squirrels, bunnies, and hummingbirds.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

Interested in taking a thrilling jet boat ride through the class 5 Devil's Hole Rapids towards Niagara Falls? Well then, head to Niagara on the Lake and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. These giant super-powered jet boats race up the Niagara River on a thrill ride you won't soon forget. Choose the "wet" tour, where you'll get completely soaked as the boats crash through huge waves, or the "dry" tour, where you are comfortably enclosed in a glass dome.

At one point, the boat drivers will make the boat spin 360 degrees at high speed, a true stomach-turning experience!

During the quieter parts of the tour, the guides share educational information on the geology and history of the area.

Address: 61 Melville Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Bird Kingdom

If you love birds, this is the place to come, and it's also a great indoor activity if you are visiting in winter. Bird Kingdom is the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world.

Colorful tropical birds zoom past and squawk from the trees as you walk along the paths. One of the highlights of a visit is acting as a human feeding station at the Lorikeet Landing. Have the camera ready to snap photos of your favorite friend covered in colorful birds.

Another highlight is the Night Jungle. Here you'll be able to walk through a darkened area and see the denizens of the night, including owls, bats, and other rarely seen birds.

Official site: https://www.birdkingdom.ca/

Niagara Speedway

At the top of Clifton Hill, the Niagara Speedway is a fun family attraction, and it offers a new twist on go-kart racing. Unlike traditional flat courses, the track here is elevated in a roller coaster style that allows you to drive up a spiral ramp. This track is the largest of its kind in North America.

Single and double seater go-karts are available, making this a fun family thing to do in Niagara Falls. The go-karts are powered by a Honda engine and have a surprisingly fast top speed of 32 kilometers per hour. Each race lasts about five minutes.

Official site: https://www.cliftonhill.com/attractions/niagara-speedway

Niagara-on-the-Lake

The quaint little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake sits on the shores of Lake Ontario just a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls along the Niagara Parkway. The town has a mid 19th-century appearance owing largely to its history.

During the war of 1812, part of the town was razed and as a result, much of the original architecture was built in the years following the war. Building by-laws have since ensured that newer architecture is built in similar style, resulting in this charming town where horse-drawn carriages pulling tourists through the streets blend beautifully with the old-style buildings.

The town is renowned for the Shaw Festival, a prominent theatre festival that features plays written by George Bernard Shaw as well as those by other playwrights. Three indoor theaters and one outdoor host performances throughout the summer, drawing attendees from around the world.

Some tours of Niagara Falls, particularly those from Toronto, include stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where visitors can wander through the shops or enjoy a meal. The area is particularly lovely in fall when the leaves are changing colors. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, this is a great place to stay.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Niagara Falls, Canada

Niagara Falls, Canada - Climate Chart

Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Niagara Falls, Canada in °C
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
-1 -8	1 -8	6 -4	13 2	21 8	24 13	28 16	27 15	22 11	16 4	9 0	3 -5
PlanetWare.com
Average monthly precipitation totals for Niagara Falls, Canada in mm.
65	59	67	63	75	83	68	77	89	68	76	73

Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Niagara Falls, Canada in °F
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
31 17	33 17	42 25	55 35	69 46	76 55	82 61	80 59	72 51	60 40	48 32	37 23
PlanetWare.com
Average monthly precipitation totals for Niagara Falls, Canada in inches.
2.6	2.3	2.6	2.5	2.9	3.3	2.7	3.0	3.5	2.7	3.0	2.9