Niagara Falls straddles the border of the Us and Canada and is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creations.
It is a destination that captures the hearts of millions of visitors each year with its thundering cascades and misty rainbows.
But there is so much more to do in Niagara besides just looking at waterfalls. Keep reading to discover 10 amazing things to do in Niagara Falls!
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10 Amazing Things to Do at Niagara Falls
Table of Contents
- 1. Stay at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
- 2. Take in the Views at the Table Rock Welcome Center
- 3. Take in the Views From Skylon Tower
- 4. Enjoy Fun-filled Entertainment at Clifton Hill
- 5. Go Zip-lining With Views of the Falls
- 6. Get Up Close to the Falls with Journey Behind the Falls or Cave of the Winds
- 7. Take a Boat Cruise to the Falls
- 8. Go on a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
- 9. Take a Ride on the Historic Whirlpool Aero Car
- 10. Explore the Charming Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
1. Stay at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
My number one tip for visiting Niagara Falls is to book a room at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel. It is located on the Canadian side, so you’ll need a passport if you are traveling from outside of Canada.
I will say that the waterfall views, accommodations, and activities are much better on the Canadian side, so it’s worth getting a passport if you plan to visit Niagara.
The border crossing is in the middle of Rainbow Bridge, so it’s easy to drive back and forth. You’ll just need to wait in the vehicle line to show your passport.
The Marriott Fallsview Hotel is situated on the bank of the Niagara River just above the breathtaking Horseshoe Falls. It offers unparalleled views of the falls right from your hotel room.
There really is nothing quite like watching the sun rise over Niagara Falls from the comfort of your bed (or in our case, the roll-away bed since we have an extra kid).
From mid-May to the beginning of October, there is even a nightly fireworks show at 10 pm.
It is a spectacular sight to see right from your hotel window.
You can also see the falls illuminated by bright LED lights year-round from sunset to 2 am. It’s quite a show as the lights are constantly changing colors.
The falls can be seen from every room. However, for the best view, you’ll want to book a Superior Fallsview room on floors 12-23 on the right side of the building.
These rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows whereas some of the other rooms have smaller windows with metal framing blocking the view.
A continental breakfast is not included with the room rate. It is an additional charge and not really worth it, in my opinion.
However, there is an IHOP located on the 25th floor of the Tower Hotel next door where you can enjoy pancakes with stunning views of the falls.
To reach the waterfall, there is an incline railway that can be accessed from the back of the hotel. The short ride takes you right to the Table Rock Welcome Center and Horseshoe Falls viewpoint.
Day passes are $8, but single-trip tickets can be purchased as well.
If you prefer to walk to the falls, you’ll need to walk or drive about a mile to reach the nearest access road.
2. Take in the Views at the Table Rock Welcome Center
There are several different viewpoints to capture the grandeur of Niagara Falls.
Each one offers a different perspective and is worth taking the time to visit as many as possible. However, the best view is arguably from the Table Rock Welcome Center on the Canadian side.
The historic Table Rock Welcome Center was once the home of the Table Rock Museum built in 1827. Today it houses a visitor center, gift shop, and restaurant.
Take some time to browse around, shop for souvenirs, and eat lunch with a view at the Table House Rock Restaurant. After you’re done, head outdoors to the viewing deck.
The viewing deck is only a mere few feet from the top of the waterfall where you can witness the calm river begin its descent into the tumultuous falls.
You’ll get wet from the powerful mist and there’s a good chance you’ll catch a rainbow shining in the mist. I would suggest waking up early to watch the sunrise at the falls.
It truly is magnificent and peaceful to experience the beauty of the falls without all of the crowds.
Parking is available at the Table Rock Welcome Center for $31. The parking pass is good all day for any of the Niagara Parks parking lots.
3. Take in the Views From Skylon Tower
The Skylon Tower is the tallest viewpoint over Niagara Falls and offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Visitors will take a glass elevator 775 feet up to an observation deck with sweeping views of Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and the Niagara River Gorge.
For a unique dining experience, make reservations for the Revolving Dining Room or grab a bite to eat at the Summit Suite Buffet.
The tower is located on the Canadian side and tickets were $17 per person at the time of our visit, but check the site for updated pricing.
4. Enjoy Fun-filled Entertainment at Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill, known as The Street of Fun, is a vibrant entertainment district located only one block from Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.
The lively atmosphere is buzzing with activities for all ages and you will find a variety of themed attractions that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
The most popular attractions are the Niagara SkyWheel and the Niagara Speedway.
The Niagara SkyWheel is one of the largest observation wheels in Canada and offers panoramic views of Niagara Falls from 175 feet up.
The Niagara Speedway is an adrenaline-fueled go-kart track that is reminiscent of a real-life Hot Wheels track.
This unique track is spread across four acres and features a 4 story spiral ramp.
It is the first track of its kind in Canada and is definitely one of the most fun go-kart tracks that we’ve ever driven on!
Other attractions at Clifton Hill include: Dinosaur Adventure Golf, Movieland Wax Museum, Wizard’s Mini Putt, Zombie Attack 6-D Adventure Ride, Ghost Blasters interactive ride, Cosmic Coaster, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and over 300 midway games.
You’ll even find Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, a 3-acre indoor waterpark on the 6th floor of a parking garage with views of Niagara Falls.
If you are planning to visit, I would recommend getting the Clifton Hill Fun Pass which includes admission to 6 of these attractions.
There are also quite a few dining options at Clifton Hill. Be sure to get a Beaver Tail at Beaver Tails Niagara Falls.
And when in Canada, you also need to try poutine at Smoke’s Poutinerie.
5. Go Zip-lining With Views of the Falls
For a thrilling adventure, try Zipline to the Falls on the Canadian side.
This 2,200-foot zip line cable runs parallel to the Niagara River and offers a unique birds-eye view of American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. You’ll be able to feel the mist as you glide over the water in a specially designed zip-line chair.
The advertisements and photos can be a bit deceiving as you are not actually zip-lining OVER the falls. You will be zip-lining next to the falls over solid ground, but it is still a fun way to experience Niagara Falls.
6. Get Up Close to the Falls with Journey Behind the Falls or Cave of the Winds
Journey Behind the Falls is an attraction located on the Canadian side that allows you to get a unique view of Horseshoe Falls.
The tour departs from the Table Rock Welcome Center where you’ll descend in an elevator to the base of the falls.
Here, you’ll find a tunnel through the bedrock that leads to two different outdoor observation decks where you’ll get soaked by the mist and spray of the thunderous falls.
The tunnel also leads behind the waterfall with two different lookout points along the way where you can get face-to-face with the world-famous Horseshoe Falls.
The historic Niagara Parks Power Station is also located nearby and recently opened to the public.
Here, visitors will learn about the purpose and history of Canada’s first power station on the Niagara River.
After viewing the artifacts and interactive exhibits, visitors can take an elevator down to a 2,200-foot long tunnel that leads to an observation deck at the foot of the falls.
The deck has a similar view to the Journey to the Falls, but you get the added bonus of being able to tour the historic power plant.
Cave of the Winds is a similar experience located on the US side. However, the name is a bit deceiving as there isn’t actually a cave.
There used to be an overhang that allowed visitors to venture behind the falls, but that collapsed in the early 1900s.
Today, visitors can get up close to the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls along a series of wooden staircases.
You can expect to get soaked by the spray of the falls as you marvel at the force and power of Mother Nature.
A few more of the best viewpoints on the American side of Niagara Falls include Prospect Point, Luna Island, and Terrapin Point on Goat Island.
7. Take a Boat Cruise to the Falls
The US/Canadian border runs right through the center of the Niagara River.
Whether you are on the American side or the Canadian side, there are two different boat tour operators that will take you right up to the base of the falls.
You can tell which boat is from which country because the passengers on the Canadian boats have red ponchos and the American boats have blue ponchos.
The Niagara City Cruises, formerly the Hornblower, is located on the Canadian side.
It offers “Voyage to the Falls” boat tours that depart at the foot of Clifton Hill near Queen Victoria Park.
Visitors will take an elevator down to the boat dock where they’ll embark on a 20-minute scenic cruise.
The boat glides past the American Falls as it makes its way to the center of Horseshoe Falls.
You’ll be able to spend a few minutes immersed in the spray and thunderous roar of the surrounding falls before heading back.
It is definitely one of the most iconic things to do in Niagara Falls and is an experience you won’t forget!
I would also recommend booking an evening cruise. In the summer, the sun stays out until around 9:30 pm so we booked a 7:30 pm cruise. The lighting was beautiful and the boat was only half full.
The Maid of the Mist is located on the American side. It is the original Niagara Falls boat tour and has been around since 1846.
To reach the Maid of the Mist boarding dock, head to the Niagara Falls Observation Tower at Prospect Point in Niagara State Park.
The top of the Observation Tower has a viewing deck that juts over the Niagara Gorge where visitors can get a picturesque shot of the falls before descending down the elevator to reach the boarding dock.
There is also a staircase at the bottom leading up to the Crow’s Nest where you’ll get a front-row seat to witness the raw power and beauty of the falls.
The Observation Tower is free for ticketed boat passengers. If you want to just visit the deck and go down the elevator, there is a nominal fee of $1.25.
Even if you don’t do the Observation Tower, you can still see a fantastic view of the American Falls from the viewpoint at Prospect Point.
If you are taking the Maid of the Mist boat tour, it will follow a similar route as the Niagara City Cruises, but it will just hug closer to the American side.
8. Go on a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
One of our favorite things to do in Niagara Falls was to take a jet boat tour on the Niagara River!
The tour is the perfect combination of beauty and thrilling adventure. You can find boat tours on both the Canadian side and the American side.
We did the boat tour on the Canadian side. The boat launches in Queenston, about 9 miles north of the Table Rock Welcome Center.
The tour starts out with a narrated scenic ride upstream along the vibrant turquoise water surrounded by cliffs covered in thick forests of trees.
You’ll learn on the tour that the rich color of the water comes from the dissolved minerals that are swept over Niagara Falls, particularly limestone.
After heading upstream for a few miles, you’ll come to the Class 5 rapids known as Devil’s Hole.
The jet boat will plow through the rapids, completely soaking everyone on the boat as it bounces along the waves.
You will be screaming with laughter as the boat continues to circle around and go back through the rapids multiple times.
The front seats will get the most wet and the middle back row will get the least wet.
If you don’t want to get wet at all, there is an option to book a tour on a boat with a dome cover so that you stay dry.
After going on the rapids, you’ll head upstream a little further to see The Whirlpool, a Class 6 rapid that is much too dangerous for any watercraft to go on.
The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is totally worth it!
Life jackets and ponchos are provided, as well as lockers.
You aren’t allowed to bring anything on the boat, including cell phones, as it could easily get washed away. You can bring a GoPro as long as you have it attached to you, which is what we did.
Wear a swimsuit and/or clothes that you don’t mind getting wet, as well as water shoes. I would also bring a towel and a change of clothes to leave in the car.
9. Take a Ride on the Historic Whirlpool Aero Car
For something a little more calm and relaxing, take a ride on the historic Whirlpool Aero Car.
This refurbished vintage cable car was built in 1916 and has been in continuous operation for over 100 years!
The 10-minute ride will take you across the Niagara Gorge where the fury of The Whirlpool Class 6 Rapids is brewing below.
The Whirlpool is a natural phenomenon that is caused when the immense power of the rushing water from Horseshoe Falls reaches this cove and abruptly changes direction.
It is so mesmerizing to watch the swirling teal-green water from high above.
The Whirlpool Aero Car has a squeaky clean safety record with not a single accident or injury since it first opened.
However, if you have a fear of heights, you can also see The Whirlpool from the viewing deck where the cable car departs.
The Whirlpool Aero Car is located about 3.5 miles up the river from Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.
You won’t be able to see Niagara Falls from the cable car, but it is still such a scenic and beautiful ride.
The White Water Walk is another attraction located near the aero car. Here, visitors have the chance to take in the beauty of the Niagara River from a boardwalk that follows along the river’s edge.
10. Explore the Charming Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
For a change of pace, venture a little further north to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
This picturesque town is located about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls and is known for its historic charm, manicured streets, quaint shops, and charming restaurants.
It is like something straight out of a storybook.
In my opinion, it is in close competition for the cutest town in North America, next to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
You could easily lose track of time as you wander along the street and pop into the different shops.
*Related Post: 12 Bucket List Things to Do in New York at Christmas
The Prince of Wales Hotel is quite possibly the most darling hotel in Niagara.
The Shaw Cafe & Wine Bar gets the award for the prettiest gardens.
And I’m certain that this Dairy Queen is the cutest one in North America.
Be sure to stop by the Niagara Home Bakery for some delicious European pastries and tarts.
Grab a scoop of Gooey Mooey ice cream at Cows ice cream shop.
Then head to the Budapest Bake Shop to try their famous chimney cakes.
Chimney cakes originated in Hungary and are made by wrapping dough around a cylinder and then cooking it over a spit.
They have sweet and savory flavors to choose from. We tried the pizza cake dipped in marinara sauce, and the cinnamon sugar cake with a cookies & cream filling. Both cakes were delicious!
If you like this town, you’ll fall in love with Thousand Islands on the other side of Lake Ontario. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, but this guide 8 Things to do in Thousand Islands will help you plan your trip!
Also, if you’re planning to visit Toronto, see our guide 7 Things to Do in Toronto With Kids. And if you’re interested, you can visit LDS Church History Sites in Palmyra, New York.
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And there you have it, the 10 best things to do in Niagara Falls! I hope you have a beautiful and adventure-filled trip!
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