Things to Do in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls gets 8 million visitors a year. Most of them see the same four things. This is the complete list — both sides of the border, organized by category.

The Falls Themselves — Free

Prospect Point — Main US overlook. Open 24/7. Best angle on American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

Goat Island — Multiple viewpoints along the gorge edge, including Terrapin Point directly above Horseshoe Falls. Free access; $10 parking.

Luna Island — Small island between American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Dramatic close-up view. Accessible on foot from Goat Island.

Queen Victoria Park — Main Canadian viewing area. Open 24/7. Best panoramic view of Horseshoe Falls.

Table Rock Overlook — At the very brink of Horseshoe Falls. As close as you can stand without a boat or tunnel.

Water Experiences

Maid of the Mist — Operating since 1846. Takes you into the basin of Horseshoe Falls. Ponchos provided. Spring through fall.

Hornblower Niagara City Cruises — Canadian boat ride. Catamarans approach within 20 meters of Horseshoe Falls. April through October.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours — 1,200hp jet boats through the Niagara Rapids. Departures from both sides. Reservations required.

Behind and Below the Falls

Journey Behind the Falls — Tunnels behind Horseshoe Falls with a platform behind the curtain of water. Open year-round. Adults $28, Child $18.50.

Cave of the Winds — Wooden walkways within feet of Bridal Veil Falls. The Hurricane Deck is exactly what it sounds like. Adults $23 in-season, $14 off-season.

Underground & Industrial

Niagara Parks Power Station & Tunnel — Restored 1905 hydroelectric plant. Glass elevator descends 180 feet to the tailrace tunnel. One of the best attractions at the Falls. Adults $33.

Schoellkopf Power Plant Ruins Site — Free. 5-minute walk from the Rainbow Bridge. Open May 7–October 31. Almost nobody knows about it.

Observation & Views

Niagara Falls Observation Tower — Only spot with a panoramic view of all three waterfalls simultaneously.

Skylon Tower — 775 feet above the Falls. Indoor and outdoor observation decks. Revolving restaurant on top. Deck admission free when dining.

Niagara Falls Observatory — Top floor of the Tower Hotel. Weekdays 10am–11pm, weekends 2pm–11pm.

Adventure

Zipline to the Falls — 2,200 feet long, 220 feet above the gorge. Tickets from $69.99.

Niagara Helicopters — Aerial tours over the Falls. Adults $203, Child $124. Weather dependent.

Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours — US-side helicopter tours.

Whirlpool Aero Car — Antique cable car over the Niagara Whirlpool, 200 feet above the rapids. Seasonal.

White Water Walk — Boardwalk along the edge of the Class 6 Niagara River rapids. Seasonal.

Gorge & Nature

Niagara Gorge Trail — The most underused attraction at the Falls. Descends into the gorge and runs along the river. Wildflowers in spring, fall color in October. Almost empty.

Whirlpool State Park — Free views of the Niagara Whirlpool. Dramatic gorge scenery.

Niagara Glen Nature Reserve — Hiking trails through the gorge on the Canadian side. Massive boulders, river access, wildflowers. One of the best nature experiences in the region.

Niagara Butterfly Conservatory — Hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies in a large conservatory. Open year-round. Adults $25.

Niagara Botanical Gardens — 99 acres of curated gardens adjacent to the Butterfly Conservatory. Free.

Dufferin Islands — Chain of small wooded islands connected by footbridges. Quiet, free, and completely different from the tourist core. Best in fall and during the Winter Festival of Lights.

Floral Clock — 40-foot clock made of living flowers at the Niagara Parkway entrance. Changes design annually. Free.

History & Culture

Old Fort Niagara — 20-minute drive. Built by France in 1726 at the mouth of the Niagara River. Historically significant and rarely crowded.

ArtPark — 15-minute drive to Lewiston. Outdoor amphitheater above the gorge. Summer concert series June–August. One of the best music venues in Western New York.

Lundy's Lane Historical Museum — 1874 building. Site of the Battle of Lundy's Lane, War of 1812.

Niagara-on-the-Lake — 20 minutes north. Historic town, Shaw Festival, wineries, 19th-century architecture. Often called the prettiest town in Ontario.

Entertainment & Family

Clifton Hill — The entertainment district. Arcades, mini golf, haunted houses, wax museums, go-karts, the SkyWheel. Loud, touristy, and fun for families.

Niagara SkyWheel — 175-foot climate-controlled Ferris wheel on Clifton Hill.

Nightmares Fear Factory — One of the most-reviewed haunted attractions in North America.

Bird Kingdom — World's largest free-flying indoor aviary. Multi-level rainforest environment.

IMAX Theatre Niagara Falls — Good rainy-day option. Falls-focused films on a massive screen.

Fallsview Casino Resort — Ontario's premier casino. Gaming, OLG Stage live entertainment, multiple restaurants.

Casino Niagara — The original Niagara Falls casino. More casual than Fallsview.

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino — US-side casino. Multiple restaurants, currency exchange.

Greg Frewin Theatre — World Champion Magician. Vegas-caliber magic show, family friendly. Use promo code NFLIVE for a discount.

Aquarium of Niagara — Sharks, penguins, sea lions. A few blocks from the State Park. Often overlooked.

Wineries & Wine Tours

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries — The core of Niagara wine country. Dozens of estates along Niagara Parkway and Niagara Stone Road.

Weinkeller — In-town option. Makes wine on-site at the restaurant. No drive required.

The Nightly Shows — Free

Falls Illumination — Every night, year-round, from dusk through midnight. LED lighting in rolling color patterns. 100 years of tradition.

Summer Fireworks — Nightly at 10pm, mid-May through mid-October. Free from Queen Victoria Park.

Winter Festival of Lights — Mid-November through early January. 8km of illuminated displays along the Niagara Parkway.

Quick Reference

Free things: Falls viewing, Gorge Trail, Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Glen, Dufferin Islands, Floral Clock, Schoellkopf Ruins, Illumination, Fireworks, Winter Festival of Lights

Best for kids: Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Clifton Hill, SkyWheel, Bird Kingdom, Aquarium

Most underrated: Niagara Gorge Trail, Schoellkopf Ruins, Niagara Glen, Power Station Tunnel, Old Fort Niagara, Dufferin Islands, ArtPark

Best adventure: Whirlpool Jet Boats, Zipline, Helicopter Tours, Whirlpool Aero Car

Check the monthly guides for current open/closed status of each attraction.