MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS IN NIAGARA FALLS

 Niagara Falls offers a variety of attractions for all interests, from getting up close to the cascading waters to experiencing the power of the falls on a thrilling ride. Experience the thrill of Niagara Parks’ attractions beloved by generations of explorers for more than 130 years. Whether you’re standing in awe under the roar of the falls, soaring over a rushing whirlpool or surrounded by more than 2,000 free-flying butterflies, our iconic Canadian experiences will take your breath away. Encounter the splendor of the American Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls State Park, home to jaw-dropping natural beauty, miles of trails and fascinating historical sites just waiting to be explored. Niagara Falls State Park is situated on 400 acres of lush terrain, where you'll find protected wildlife and an array of exciting activities and fantastic attractions. Storied landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed Central Park, created a wonderland that surrounds Niagara Falls which includes gardens, over 15 miles of challenging hiking trails and stunning views at every turn. Every year, millions of visitors come to see the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls. It's always free to walk into Niagara Falls State Park to see the Falls, and it's open 365 days a year! What many people are happy to discover, however, is that along with this majestic natural wonder, the Niagara Falls tours and activities that you can enjoy inside the park provide hours of added fun!

Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is located between the cities of Niagara Falls Canada and Niagara Falls USA. The Rainbow Bridge is a steel arch bridge that connects Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and Niagara Falls, New York, USA, spanning the Niagara River. It's named for the frequent rainbows that form near the falls due to the water spray and mist in the air. Construction of the Rainbow Bridge started in May of 1940 and opened November 1st 1941. The deck of this bridge is 202 feet (61.5m) above the water and 950 feet (289.5m) in length. The water current under this bridge averages 26-30 miles per hour. The water depth is in excess of 175 feet (53m). In one minute it is estimated that six billion (6,000,000,000) pounds of water cross under the Rainbow Bridge. The bridges abutments are 50 feet (15m) above the water to avoid damage from ice in the river which incidentally destroyed the previous Honeymoon Bridge in January of 1938. The Rainbow Bridge is the gateway between the cities of Niagara Falls. You can cross the bridge by auto, on foot or bicycle 24/7 every day of the year. Tourists and Locals can walk across the bridge as long as they have their passport with them. 

Clifton Hill

Clifton Hill is known as the "Street of Fun" in Niagara Falls, Canada. It's located just steps from the Horseshoe Falls along the Niagara River and is a popular destination for tourists looking for entertainment, attractions, restaurants, and places to stay. This is the place to go for classic amusement park fun, with rides like the Niagara Skywheel (Canada's largest observation wheel), go-kart tracks, arcades, mini-golf courses, and various thrill rides.  Challenge yourself and your friends to classic arcade games, prize claw machines, and other interactive experiences. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, Clifton Hill has a variety of wax museums and Ripley's Believe It or Not! attractions where you can see strange and interesting exhibits. There are many restaurants in Clifton Hill to suit all tastes and budgets, from casual cafes and fast food to sit-down restaurants with a view of the falls. 

Clifton Hill also has a lively nightlife scene, with bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. Many attractions in Clifton Hill charge separate admission fees. There are also “fun passes” available that can save you money on admission to multiple attractions. Clifton Hill can be very crowded, especially during peak season (summer and holidays). If you're looking for a quieter experience, you may want to visit during the off-season. For visitors who want to enjoy all that Niagara has to offer, come to Clifton Hill: Fun by the Falls and enjoy an unforgettable experience like no other! Our wide variety of facilities makes our amusement area a great choice throughout the year in Niagara Falls. 

Maid of the Mist

Get right up close to the base of the Horseshoe Falls on this iconic boat tour. Prepare to get soaked! Looking for a fun way to "explore the roar?" The Maid of the Mist boat tour in Niagara Falls, NY has been described by generations of visitors as one of the highlights of their trip. A favorite Niagara Falls State Park attraction for more than 150 years, the Maid of the Mist journey begins at the Observation Tower, where guests are given a souvenir rain poncho to wear and board the double-deck Maid of the Mist tour boat. From there, the boat ferries past the base of the American Falls, and onto the basin of Horseshoe Falls--the dramatic passage leading you through the roiling waterfall whitewater and massive rock formations. The Maid of the Mist returns guests to shore with newfound appreciation of the power and grandeur of Niagara Falls.

2024 Schedule

Standard Rates

Adult: $28.25

Child (ages 6-12): $17.75

Child (Ages 5 and Under): Free - with accompanying adult

Ride the Hornblower and embark on a breathtaking voyage to the base of Niagara Falls. This unforgettable journey offers spectacular views of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, culminating in an up-close encounter with the iconic Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Experience the thunderous roar, immense power, and refreshing mist of these natural wonders, with a complimentary recyclable mist poncho provided for your comfort. For a magical twist, opt for the evening tour to enjoy the illuminated falls and a gentle mist experience.

Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds is an iconic attraction takes visitors on a wooden walkway behind the American Falls, offering incredible close-up views and the chance to feel the spray of the mist. Cave of the Winds tickets can be purchased at the Cave of the Winds on Goat Island OR the Ralph C. Wilson Welcome Center. As the Cave of the Winds is a timed ticketed attraction, plan to make it your first stop of the day to make your reservation! The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you thought possible. You ride an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided, you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck”. As you stand at the railing, you are a mere 20 feet (6 meters) from the billowing torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. The rushing waters loom above you, dousing you with a generous spray as you face the thundering Falls head-on. Rainbows are usually visible day and night. Everyone can experience the sights of Niagara Falls. A deck has been built 150 feet from the base of the Falls especially designed for handicapped and adults with children in arms.

Hours of Operation

Now through October 20, 2024

Adult: $21

Youth: $17

Beginning October 21, 2024

Adult: $14

Youth: $10

Journey Behind the Falls 

Similar to the Cave of the Winds, this behind-the-scenes experience takes visitors down an observation deck to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. To stand at the heart of Niagara, you’ll first need to descend 125 feet and explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock, but you’ll feel the thunderous vibration of the Horseshoe Falls long before you see them. The observation deck at the foot of this 13-storey-tall wonder will leave you breathless (and maybe a little bit wet), but don’t forget the viewing portals cut straight through the rock, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down in front of you. After journeying deep into the bedrock, navigate fascinating tunnels that lead behind the Horseshoe Falls. You’ll find incredible cave-like portals that open behind the falling water, where you’ll see, hear and feel the power of the falls up-close at Journey Behind the Falls!

Make your way to the lower observation deck to see one of the world’s most beloved natural wonders from a perspective few have witnessed. Feel the power of nature’s force as you stand just feet away from the mighty Niagara Falls, surrounded by the ancient rock formations carved by centuries of relentless flow. Journey Behind the Falls holds a rich history, dating back to 1832 when the first staircase was constructed down into the Niagara Gorge for visitors to enter what was then called the “Sheet of Falling Water” attraction. This history is celebrated and showcased throughout a refreshed queuing area featuring all-new exhibits. Go on a journey through time, from the formation of the Falls to the first Indigenous inhabitants and the rise of Niagara Falls as a global tourism destination.

Skylon Tower

Skylon Tower offers stunning 360-degree views of the falls, the Niagara River, and the surrounding area. The most celebrated Niagara Falls restaurant in Canada, The Skylon Tower, offers two great levels of fine dining, both 775 feet above the Falls! Choose from our legendary Revolving Dining Room Restaurant and savour award-winning continental cuisine, or select our family-affordable Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room restaurant. The Skylon Tower is Niagara Falls’ best dining value with ‘Early Dinner’ specials. As an added bonus, admission to the Ride-to-the-Top and Observation Decks attractions is always FREE when dining! The Revolving Dining is an extraordinary experience. The restaurant silently rotates 360 degrees every hour, giving diners a constantly changing vantage point. It is estimated that more than 125 km are viewable from the dining room. It is the most breathtaking view in all of Niagara Falls. Ride-to-the-Top of the Indoor/Outdoor Observation Decks are favourite attractions in the region. Glide smoothly to the top aboard our exterior glass-enclosed “Yellow Bug Elevators” in just 52 seconds, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Falls, the Great Gorge, the Niagara Wine District, and the city skylines of Buffalo, New York, and Toronto.

Enjoy a legendary Falls view while dining at the Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room.  Elevators will escort you up to our Niagara Falls restaurant for the best falls-view dining experience.  The Revolving Dining room is the perfect location for special occasions like wedding anniversaries or a simple family get-together.  Casual or dressed up, the dress attire is up to you. Admission to our Ride-to-the-Top and Indoor/Outdoor Observation Decks are FREE when dining. The Canadian Niagara Falls restaurant is quite literally taken to the top at our world-famous Revolving Dining Room with a Falls view. At the height of dining excellence, we present our award-winning continental cuisine 775 feet above the Falls. For lunch or dinner, the menu is rivaled only by the spectacular view. Whether you come for a romantic Niagara dinner for two, a special celebration, or just a family vacation this Niagara Falls restaurant promises the ultimate in Niagara Falls dining. Relax and enjoy as the restaurant revolve silently 360 degrees once each hour. Dine by night and you’ll discover the magic of the Falls illumination, dazzling city lights below and seasonal Falls fireworks, and Winter Festival of Lights displays. Early dinner specials are available at 4:30 and 5:00 pm daily.

Niagara Falls Observation Tower

Extending out dramatically over Niagara Gorge, the architectural wonder of the Niagara Falls USA Prospect Point Observation Tower affords unobstructed views of the wild cascades of Niagara Falls, as well as the raging whitewater below. Elevators at the Observation Tower provide access to the base of the gorge and the boarding site for the Maid of the Mist boat tour. For a multi-sensory view of the American Falls, visitors can go to the base of the gorge and climb a series of stairs to the Crow's Nest, where the views come with complimentary air conditioning and blasts of misty Niagara spray. Niagara Falls USA Observation Tower provides the only panoramic view of all three Niagara Falls, including the American Falls. Bird watching is also a popular pastime at the Niagara Falls Observation Tower. Bird enthusiasts have the opportunity to spot peregrine falcons, bald eagles and the many different gull species present in the Niagara Gorge, which has officially been designated an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA). This observation tower provides the only panoramic view of all three Niagara Falls, including the American Falls. 

Whirlpool Aero Car

For over 100 years, the historic Whirlpool Aero Car has offered riders spectacular views of the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the Class 6 whitewater rapids of the Niagara River. The attraction began operations on August 8, 1916, taking it’s maiden voyage just after 3pm witnessed by a hundreds of spectators gathered to see the amazing engineering feat in action for the first time. The first passengers included Spanish dignitaries, and the car was adorned with the flags of four nations, Canada, Spain, the United States and France. Shortly after taking ownership of the attraction, Niagara Parks constructed the current visitor centre adjacent to it, with guest amenities including a retail store and food service.

In 1984, the attraction underwent substantial upgrades to modernize all of its mechanical components. The carriage was not changed however, in the interest of preserving its historical integrity. In its first few years of operation the Aero Car struggled to be profitable. A drop in travel due to World War I in particular negatively impacted visitation and the Spanish operators began looking to divest themselves of the attraction. Over the next 50 years operation of the attraction would change hands several times, until it was purchased in full by Niagara Parks in 1968. Today, over 100 years since its opening, the Whirlpool Aero Car continues to provide visitors with panoramic views of the Niagara Gorge and swirling whirlpool rapids below. All while crossing the Canada and United States border four times during each trip. It is believed to the only aerial tram of its kind still in operation.

Zipline to the Falls

The Zipline to the Falls at Grand View Marketplace takes you on a breathtaking ride into the gorge, towards the base of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Glide down 670 meters (2,200 feet), soaring past the American Falls and landing atop the falls observation deck at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. WildPlay’s Zipline to the Falls is a hands-free, worry-free, and fully-guided experience for both the thrill seekers and the hesitant. Enjoy the thrill of adventure and a stunning bird’s eye view of Niagara Falls in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for guests over the age of seven. For both the thrill-seekers and the hesitant, the Zipline to the Falls represents a hands-free, worry-free, and fully guided experience like no other in the world!

Aquarium of Niagara

Discover the wonders of the aquatic world at this aquarium, located just steps from Niagara Falls State Park. Go on an aquatic adventure at Niagara's other "water wonder," the Aquarium of Niagara. The Aquarium is home to more than 120 aquatic species, including playful penguins, rescued seals and sea lions, mesmerizing jellyfish, colorful fish and invertebrates, and more. The Aquarium’s educational exhibits feature more than 1,500 animals in diverse ecosystems. Roll up your sleeves and enjoy hands-on animal interactions with sharks and stingrays at the Aquarium’s interactive touch pool. Learn about the threats challenging animals in their natural habitats and leave equipped with tangible ways to positively impact wildlife. Interact with the Aquarium’s knowledgeable staff and charismatic animal ambassadors through animal feedings, educational presentations, and expert talks. A full schedule of programming is included with general admission. Located less than a mile from the Falls, the Aquarium is accessible by the in-park Niagara Scenic Trolley (seasonal) or by taking a leisurely stroll along park trails.

Niagara Falls Illumination

Hundreds of LED lights are housed in three locations across the Niagara Gorge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Together, these lights work to create a breathtaking view not to be missed, and are illuminated every night of the year beginning at dusk. Throughout the year, Niagara Falls is illuminated for holidays and significant occasions, as determined by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board (NFIB). The falls are also lit in custom colors for short durations to mark significant dates in support of charitable causes. A schedule of upcoming special illuminations is shown below. In 2016, almost 20 years since the last major investment in falls lighting, the existing Xenon lights were replaced with new, energy-efficient LED lighting technology. These new lights provide more than twice the previous lighting levels, programmable lighting, and a wider spectrum of color. The new lights also fill gaps to provide a more consistent lighting effect. The Falls will illuminate in 2024 from 8:30 PM - 2:00 AM. 

Why Visit Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, with over 3,160 tons of water plunging over the falls every second. The sight and sound of the falls is truly awe-inspiring, and it's a natural wonder that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. There are a number of ways to get up close and personal with Niagara Falls. You can take a Maid of the Mist boat ride to the base of the falls, or walk behind the falls on the Cave of the Winds tour. You can also get a bird's-eye view of the falls from the Skylon Tower or the Niagara Falls Observation Wheel. Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in New York, and it offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. In addition to the falls themselves, the park is home to hiking trails, biking paths, gardens, and historical sites. The city of Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination, and it offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and casinos. There's always something going on in Niagara Falls, and it's a great place to relax and have fun. The Rainbow Bridge is a beautiful steel arch bridge that connects Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and Niagara Falls, New York, USA. The bridge is named for the frequent rainbows that form near the falls due to the water spray and mist in the air. The Rainbow Bridge is a popular tourist destination and offers stunning views of the Niagara Falls. Whether you're interested in natural beauty, adventure, or excitement, Niagara Falls has something to offer everyone.