Niagara Falls, Canada: travel guide
Thundering Horseshoe Falls and Niagara wine country
Home to the world-famous waterfalls, boat tours and a buzzing tourist district on the US border.
About Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the Ontario town beside one of the continent's great natural spectacles. Horseshoe Falls drops in a curtain of white water into a mist-filled gorge, and viewing it from the promenade, from a boat or from behind the falls is the reason most visitors come.
The town itself has a lively, funfair-like district around Clifton Hill, and Skylon Tower gives a panoramic view of the falls and the river. For something calmer, drive along the river to Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding wine region, where vineyards and historic streets make a gentler day out.
Niagara Falls travel suits families and short stopovers from Toronto. Summer is the busiest season, while spring and early autumn are less crowded and the falls are impressive in every season.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Toronto
Last updated
Top places to visit in Niagara Falls
Horseshoe Falls
waterfall · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest of the three waterfalls at Niagara, about 670m wide with a 57m drop. The Canadian side offers the best panoramic views of this iconic curtain of water.
Clifton Hill
entertainment-district · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Niagara Falls' "Street of Fun", a bustling tourist entertainment strip packed with arcades, wax museums, haunted houses, mini-golf, restaurants and the SkyWheel.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
historic-town · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A charming 19th-century town at the mouth of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario, famed for its preserved Queen Street, the Shaw Festival theatre, and surrounding wine country.
Journey Behind the Falls
attraction · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Travel 38m down via elevator to tunnels and observation decks behind and beside the thundering Horseshoe Falls, getting up close to the cascading water.
Skylon Tower
observation-tower · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 160m observation tower with an indoor/outdoor observation deck and a revolving dining room offering 360-degree views over both falls and the surrounding region.
Niagara Wine Region
wine-region · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The Niagara Peninsula, Canada's largest wine region, renowned for its icewine and cool-climate Rieslings and Cabernet Francs, with dozens of wineries clustered around Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Niagara Parkway
scenic-drive · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 56km scenic route along the Niagara River from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, once called "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world" by Winston Churchill.
Niagara SkyWheel
ferris-wheel · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 53m-tall Ferris wheel on Clifton Hill with climate-controlled enclosed gondolas, offering views of the falls and the tourist district day and night.
White Water Walk
boardwalk · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A boardwalk along the edge of the Niagara River's Class VI whitewater rapids in the Great Gorge, reached by elevator to the river's edge.
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
nature-reserve · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A network of rugged hiking trails descending into the Niagara Gorge through Carolinian forest, with boulders, sea caves and views of the Whirlpool Rapids.
Whirlpool Aero Car
cable-car · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An antique cable car, designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo and operating since 1916, that crosses high above the Niagara Whirlpool and rapids.
Queenston Heights
historic-park · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic park atop the Niagara Escarpment, site of the 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights and home to Brock's Monument honouring Sir Isaac Brock.
Things to do
- Niagara City Cruises Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour Boat · 0.5 h · from CAD 36 per person
- Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour Air Tour · 0.2 h · from CAD 175 per person
- Niagara Wine Country Tour Winery Tour · 4 h · from CAD 130 per person
- Journey Behind the Falls Experience Attraction · 1 h · from CAD 25 per person
- Niagara Falls Illumination & Fireworks Evening Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from CAD 60 per person
- Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour Boat · 1 h · from CAD 89 per person
- WildPlay Niagara MistRider Zipline to the Falls Adventure · 0.8 h · from CAD 70 per person
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Bike & Wine Tour Cycling · 5 h · from CAD 145 per person
Day trips and tours
- Niagara Wine Country Half-Day Tour 4 h · from CAD 130
- Falls & Niagara-on-the-Lake Combo Day Tour 8 h · from CAD 165
- Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto 9 h · from CAD 150
Where to stay in Niagara Falls
- Fallsview about CAD 320 per night
The hotel district on the bluff above the falls, with high-rise towers offering direct falls views, the casino, spas and fine dining. Best for first-time visitors who want to wake up to the falls.
- Clifton Hill about CAD 180 per night
The lively entertainment strip near the falls, packed with attractions, arcades, budget and mid-range hotels and family restaurants — a short walk to the falls.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake about CAD 300 per night
A genteel historic town 20 minutes north amid wine country, ideal for couples seeking charming inns, the Shaw Festival theatre and winery visits away from the crowds.
Hotels
- Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa 4-star · CAD 320 to CAD 650 per night
- Prince of Wales Hotel 4-star · CAD 300 to CAD 650 per night
- Sheraton Fallsview Hotel 4-star · CAD 280 to CAD 600 per night
- Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 360 per night
- DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 450 per night
- Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 420 per night
Where to eat
- The Keg Steakhouse Fallsview Steakhouse, Canadian · about CAD 65 per person
- Flying Saucer Restaurant Diner, American, Breakfast · about CAD 18 per person
- Table Rock House Restaurant Canadian, Contemporary · about CAD 70 per person
- Boston Pizza Niagara Falls Pizza, Canadian, Casual · about CAD 22 per person
- Antica Pizzeria & Ristorante Italian, Pizza · about CAD 30 per person
- Tim Hortons (Falls Ave) Cafe, Canadian, Fast Food · about CAD 8 per person
- The Olde Angel Inn Pub, British, Canadian · about CAD 35 per person
- Paris Crepes Cafe French, Cafe, Breakfast · about CAD 28 per person
Getting to Niagara Falls
Nearest airport: Niagara Falls (IAG), about 11 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced Clifton Hill attractions
Clifton Hill entertainment strip
Individual wax museums, haunted houses and arcades on Clifton Hill charge steep per-attraction admission, and bundled "fun passes" are heavily marketed so visitors end up paying for attractions they don't use.
How to avoid it: The natural falls views, Table Rock and the boardwalks are free or low-cost. If you do want the Hill's attractions, compare the Clifton Hill Fun Pass price against the few you'll actually visit before buying.
Confusing and pricey parking
Near the falls and Fallsview hotels
Private lots near the falls advertise low rates that are per-hour or event-priced, and some lots far from the falls imply they are official falls parking, leading to long walks or surprise totals.
How to avoid it: Use the official Niagara Parks lots or your hotel's parking, or park once and ride the WEGO bus. Check whether the posted rate is hourly or daily before pulling in.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Niagara Falls
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Niagara Falls?
- The highest-rated places in our Niagara Falls guide are Horseshoe Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Wine Region, Niagara Parkway, Niagara Glen Nature Reserve.
- Where should I stay in Niagara Falls?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Niagara Falls: Fallsview, Clifton Hill, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- How do I get around Niagara Falls?
- Ways to get around Niagara Falls covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Niagara Falls?
- Scams reported to us for Niagara Falls include Overpriced Clifton Hill attractions; Confusing and pricey parking. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.