Free
Horseshoe Falls railing walk
The free promenade in Queen Victoria Park runs right to the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. Open year-round, lit at night.
Niagara, Ontario
Niagara Falls
Some of the world's most powerful falls, and a quiet gorge of trails, gardens and islands just beyond the bright lights.
Photo: The Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side, Photo (c)2007 Helen Filatova, CC BY 2.0
Stand at the railing in Queen Victoria Park and the Horseshoe Falls curves right past your shoulder, roaring and throwing mist into the air. The American Falls pour down across the river. The best seat in the house is free, and you can stay as long as you like.
Then follow the river north and the neon fades fast. The Niagara Glen's boulder trails drop into the gorge, the whirlpool spins below the Aero Car, and the Botanical Gardens are quiet and green. Most day-trippers never find this side of Niagara.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Niagara Glen
Trails down into the gorge among giant boulders and old forest beside the rapids. Steep stairs; wear proper shoes.
Free
Dufferin Islands
Small wooded islands and footbridges just upriver of the falls, a peaceful walk and picnic spot.
Free
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Free-to-enter gardens along the Parkway, including a large rose garden.
Free
Falls illumination and fireworks
The falls are lit in colour every night, and fireworks run on many evenings in season. Check the schedule.
Cheap
Floral Showhouse
A greenhouse of seasonal flower displays near the falls, open year-round.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Paid
Niagara City Cruises
The boat ride into the mist at the base of the falls. Seasonal, from spring to fall.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Paid
Whirlpool Aero Car
A vintage cable car crossing high over the Niagara Whirlpool.
Season Open roughly April–Nov (check before you go).
Paid
White Water Walk
A boardwalk at the edge of the Class 6 rapids in the lower gorge.
Season Open roughly April–Nov (check before you go).
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Paid
Journey Behind the Falls
Tunnels and observation decks beside and behind the Horseshoe Falls. Open year-round.
Paid
Niagara Parks Power Station
A restored 1905 hydro station with exhibits and a tunnel out to the river below the falls.
Paid
Butterfly Conservatory
Thousands of free-flying butterflies in a tropical greenhouse at the Botanical Gardens.
Paid
Skylon Tower
An observation deck high above the falls, with a revolving dining room.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Clifton Hill
The bright, noisy street of attractions, arcades and the SkyWheel, steps from the falls.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Zipline to the Falls
A zipline down the gorge toward the falls.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Helicopter over the falls
Short scenic flights over the falls and the gorge.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Niagara City Cruises Cruise
- Whirlpool Aero Car Tickets
- Journey Behind the Falls Tickets
- Skylon Tower Tickets
Part of our Niagara guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The falls light up every night, and on many summer evenings there are fireworks too. You only see the show if you're still here after dark.
- The boat into the mist, the tunnels behind the falls and the gorge trails won't fit into one rushed afternoon. Give them two days.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake's wineries and old town are 25 minutes away. Put them on day two.
Nearby and worth the drive
Niagara-on-the-Lakeabout 25 min · Guide ↗
Heritage streets, Fort George, theatre and wine.
Hamilton waterfalls and Dundasabout 50 min · Guide ↗Webster's Falls, Tew's Falls and the escarpment trails, about fifty minutes west.
Niagara Falls, New Yorkabout 15 min · Guide ↗Cross the Rainbow Bridge (passport needed) to Goat Island and Cave of the Winds.
Ready-made trips with Niagara Falls
2 days · Niagara Falls → Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake
A Canadian-side trip: the Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara Glen, then the Parkway into a heritage town and wine country.
3 days · Niagara Falls → Watkins Glen
Niagara to the Finger Lakes
Cross from the Canadian falls to New York's waterfall gorge and Seneca Lake wine country.
2 days · Niagara Falls → Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, Canada and New York
A two-country trip: the Horseshoe Falls railing in Canada, then across the Rainbow Bridge to Goat Island and the Cave of the Winds in New York.
Good to know
- Niagara Parks: attractions, hours and passes at niagaraparks.com.
- Tourism: niagarafallstourism.com.
- Parking: Lots near the falls are paid. The WEGO bus links the main sites.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side, Photo (c)2007 Helen Filatova, CC BY 2.0
Photo: The Niagara River rapids at the Niagara Glen, The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: A Niagara City Cruises boat below the Horseshoe Falls, Pierre André, CC BY-SA 4.0