Guide to Visiting Niagara Falls, Canada – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

Our visit to Canada happened in July 2025 and involved a three-week road trip around the main areas of Ontario and Quebec. During our preparation we did a lot of research into the best things to do in each of the main cities. But it was Niagara Falls which provided us with the most excitement, because there are plenty of activities and sights to see within the area. Of course, we imagine that one of the main reasons you will head there is to see the magnificent Niagara Falls, or Horseshoe Falls as it’s known.

You may have heard that the area around the falls is a little tacky, and yes we can understand that reputation. But honestly, we loved it, everything was family friendly and provided endless entertainment for everyone.

We’re eager to bring you the best things to do in Niagara Falls and the neighbouring area of Niagara on the Lake. This guide will hopefully provide you with everything you could possibly need, including our tips, which can only be gained from experience. Once you see the incredible list of options, then we’re sure that you will see why we were excited to head there. We can confirm that Niagara was the best part of our trip to Canada, there was so much to do and see in such a small area. But it was the magnificent falls which will leave you in awe, we’re not sure we have seen another waterfall with such ferocity.

Where is Niagara Falls and Why Visit?

Niagara or Niagara Falls can be found in the southern end of the province of Ontario. It is about an hour’s drive from Toronto and borders the state of New York in the United States. The falls themselves straddle the international border of Canada and the USA, and consist of the famous Horseshoe Falls, the smaller American Falls and right next to that is the Bridal Veil Falls. Aside from the sheer beauty of the falls, what makes them so incredible is the fact that combined they have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America with a vertical drop of more than 50m or 164ft.

The fact you have such an outstanding natural wonder, will obviously attract tourists to the area. This has led to much of Niagara becoming a wonderland of hotels, attractions, restaurants and arcades. There is something for everyone, whether you like a relaxed vacation or you are looking for thrills and excitement. But you can also learn about the incredible falls themselves and how they became a valuable source of hydroelectrical power throughout the 19^th century.

So why would you visit Niagara Falls, well that’s an easy one to answer, simply to see the majesty of the falls. This is a top item for many people’s bucket lists, with over 12 million visitors a year, and for us it was a must see on our trip to Canada. What we didn’t expect was how much fun the area was. You will find most American restaurant chains such as Margaritaville and Hard Rock, plus lots of snack places for tasty treats. There is an area called Clifton Hill which is the centre of the activities, and it has an insane number of things to do from arcades, wax museums, fun houses, go karts and even the SkyWheel. The activities are endless and there is an incredible friendly family vibe as you wander around. We felt quite safe, even at nighttime as we walked back to our accommodation.

How Long Do I Need in Niagara Falls?

We will be honest with you, after our research and realising how much there is to do in the area, we had a hard time deciding how long to spend there. It can be difficult balancing the cost of accommodation, whilst ensuring you have enough time to get everything done that you want.

In general, when we plan a city break we tend to book three or four full days, depending on how much there is to see and do. In the other cities we visited in Canada, you could easily get around the main tourist spots in a day or two; but Niagara is a little different.

If you’re heading there to purely see the falls, then a day is enough, but if you want to go all out you’ll need longer. Now this is the tricky part, because how much longer should you book? We ended up staying around Niagara for 5 days and it was enough time to get everything done, mainly because we prebooked and planned a lot in advance. If you can spare three, four or five days, then we are sure you won’t be bored, but this will depend upon the time of year you visit. Most activities will see you getting wet and we couldn’t imagine doing them in the colder months. It means that you have moments to relax and take it all in, rather than rushing from one activity to another, because Niagara Falls deserves to be admired. You also need to factor in travel time, because many of the activities on our list require transport, whether that’s the WEGO bus or your own car.

How long you stay will be a personal decision and involve a myriad of factors, including the cost of accommodation. You can find cheaper options for hotels a little further away from the falls, but again you then need to be able to travel in each day. Also consider the time of year because the peak season which is the summer months will have an influx of tourists, but to be honest we went during that time and found we could get into everything easy enough; even if there was an odd queue, here and there. Weekends and public holidays will also be busier, or attractions may shut down, so if you can be choosy then it’s wiser to visit during a weekday.

After having been to Niagara for five days, we ended up heading back for 3 days at the end of the trip; yes, we enjoyed it that much. So, as you can see there is certainly plenty to do for a week if the weather is nice and you want to enjoy all the attractions.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls?

We tend to start this section by telling you what we did, and both times we visited the Niagara area we stayed in Airbnb’s. The first place was a 10-minute walk from Clifton Hill in a residential area, which was perfect for us. But there are plenty of options available in Niagara, whether you want a hotel with views of the falls, accommodation with a kitchen, a cheap motel or something with a pool. There is something for everyone, no matter your budget and the best part is that Niagara has ensured there are bus services to help tourists get around easily.

If there isn’t a limit on your budget, then we would recommend being right in the action. Look around specific areas such as where the Skylon Tower and Fallsview Casino can be found. Clifton Hill is another great location, but it will be a little noisy in comparison to others.

There are hotels, motels and bed and Breakfasts along the Niagara Parkway, which is the main road used by the WEGO buses to take you to the top attractions in Niagara. You could also stay in the beautiful town of Niagara on the Lake, although from our research it is a little more expensive because of the quaint small-town vibe.

Unlike many other travel sites, we’re not going to recommend specific hotels because everyone’s needs are different. But we are sure you will find something to suit your requirements, especially if you book in advance.

When to Visit Niagara Falls?

For many trips, choosing the best time to visit will revolve around the weather, but that’s not always the most important thing for Niagara Falls. We visited Canada in July, which is classed as peak season, and whilst we enjoyed endless sunny days, it was also incredibly hot, at times a little unbearable. Of course, peak season brings lots of other tourists and by extension more expensive costs for accommodation.

We found it hard to decide when to visit Canada, because we were concerned that if we visited too early in the year or too late, it would be cold. Ironically, we were told by a local that they had had snow in June, which is incredibly unusual for the Niagara area. Each season in Niagara will offer visitors a different perspective and atmosphere. So, all you can do is try and pick what’s best for you and make sure you have clothing to cover all types of weather.

Having an idea about seasonal changes can give you a great place to start, because you’re probably booking this trip a few months in advance. For most people it’s difficult to travel outside of school holidays, so you may be limited on when you can travel.

One of the best times to visit is September, if you want less tourists, decent weather and the main attractions still open. The days are still warm and long, but not as humid as the peak summer months, so you can enjoy the many water-based activities. There is minimal rainfall which always makes life easier when you travel, plus you can see the beginning of fall turning the leaves into an array of colours. Accommodation prices will be cheaper too, because many people are back in work and kids back to school.

If summer months (June, July and August) are your only option, then Niagara is pretty busy, but when we visited in July it wasn’t oppressive. We could still do all the activities we had wanted; it was the temperature which made it a little unbearable, but that was helpful when you got wet. During our second visit to the area which was the end of July, the roads into Niagara were incredibly busy and it was harder for us to get accommodation.

When it comes to the latter months of the year, we were concerned that the weather would be too cold, especially October. We have read that you will enjoy a more autumnal vibe, with cooler temperatures, but they won’t be unbearable. During this time, you’ll still have access to the many outdoor activities with fewer crowds and longer days. But the best part is the beautiful fall colours along the spectacular blue water of the Niagara River gorge.

Personally, we wouldn’t even consider the winter months, although we have seen pictures of the falls with snow and ice, and it looks beautiful. But travel is difficult enough without being drenched and cold in below freezing temperatures. There are some festivities during the Christmas season such as the ‘Festival of Lights’, but the main attractions will be closed.

Normally we recommend Spring for travelling, because it’s quieter, but not for Niagara because they tend to get a lot of rain. Temperatures during April and May can be cold, which isn’t ideal for a place which has lots of water-based activities.

Another consideration is public holidays in Canada, because they can impact what is open and how busy the area will be. Aside from the usual Christmas, New Years and Easter holidays, there is pretty much one public holiday in each month, which makes it hard to work around.

Hopefully by taking all this into consideration you’ll be lucky enough to find a sweet spot, where it’s not too busy and the weather is perfect. Even though we usually shy away from peak tourist seasons, we didn’t find Niagara to be so busy it was annoying during our trip. The only difficulty we had with the summer month was the temperature, which made it a little uncomfortable. If you can be choosy then the better option is maybe September or October, with less crowds and cheaper accommodation.

If the weather isn’t on your side, then fear not because there are a number of things to do on our attractions list which are inside.

What to Pack for Niagara Falls?

We found packing for Canada was difficult, we naturally assumed that because it was Summer the weather would be nice. But knowing how interchangeable the summer weather in the UK can be, we felt it was safe to take warmer clothing with us too. How wrong we were to be concerned about bad weather, because it was blistering heat the entire three weeks we were there. As we mentioned earlier, we were told it had snowed in June, so maybe taking something warm just in case is a good idea.

What you will pack depends on the time of year you visit Niagara and what you plan to do there. Unlike many other tourist spots, the activities here will see you getting wet to some degree. So, keeping warm and waterproof is important, even though you will be given free ponchos by most of the attractions.

Our advice on the best way to tackle this is to pack layers (such as t-shirts and hoodies) in the warmer part of the year, so you can remove if you’re too hot and wrap up should the temperature drop. Canadian Autumns and more so Winters can get incredibly cold, so take a look at weather apps before you pack and that should help you gauge the best things to wear. Water activities were fine for us in the Summer because we were quick to dry in the heat, but it must be unbearable in the cooler months. Many of the outside water-based attractions are closed during the winter.

Remember to pack a few formal outfits, just in case you fancy an evening in the casino or Skylon restaurant.

The most important item to consider is what we put on our feet, because you will do a lot of walking and standing throughout the day. All of this is tiring to the feet and so you will want to take comfortable shoes with you such as trainers.

Other than clothes, the rest of your case will be the usual items you would take anywhere, such as medication and plug adaptors. You will find plenty of shops to buy bits should you forget anything, and for those of you with a car, there are supermarkets not too far away.

Getting Around Niagara Falls – Transport Options

Knowing the best transport options for a place you have never been, can feel like a nightmare. During our research of the Niagara area, we felt a little confused about the public transport options available and whether they would be needed to get around. Hopefully we can explain in enough detail, so you are better prepared than we were, because it’s all straight forward enough.

The majority of the attractions are close to the falls and as such you don’t need public transport (unless you have any physical difficulties). You can walk along the front, enjoying the views of the falls and nipping into each attraction along the way.

If you are staying in one of the hotels near the Fallsview Casino Resort or Skylon Tower, then you will find there is a slight hill between there and the falls. To get up and down you have two options, and that is to walk and take the stairs or use the Falls Incline Railway. We’ll explore the Incline Railway a little more in the things to do section of this guide, but it’s basically a funicular between the two sections.

Finally, you have the attractions which are found along the Niagara Parkway, including the White Water Walk, Butterfly Conservatory, Whirlpool Aero Car, Whirlpool Jet Boats and the Botanical Gardens. From looking at the map we assumed that they would be walkable, but we were wrong. There is quite a distance between each, especially as you head towards the Botanical Gardens and Floral Clock. This is where you will need to use public transport or more specifically the WEGO bus or your own car.

Our advice is to use a combination of them all, especially if you have bought the Niagara Pass which includes the Incline Railway and WEGO bus for a set number of days. You can always purchase individual tickets, or day passes when you are there, but we liked the simplicity of having it on our attraction pass.

Hopefully that’s a little clearer, so let’s look at each option for getting around Niagara and whether we would recommend it.

Walking

When it comes to getting around the main area of the falls, then we would recommend simply walking. What we loved about walking along the pedestrian area of the Niagara Parkway, is that it gave you differing views of the falls; each as beautiful as the last. The area is well designed for pedestrians, so walking around the falls and Clifton Hill is simple. Even better you can nip into the various tourist shops to buy something, or restaurants to grab a drink and nibble. Most of the front area by the falls and Queen Victoria Park (which is across the road from the pedestrian area) is flat, but when you head into Clifton Hill or towards the hotels then you will be met with a slope. This is fine for most of us, but if you have difficulty walking then public transport may be the better option.

Walking is always our favourite mode of transport when we travel, but we know that’s not an option for every place we visit, and Niagara was one of those places. For those heading to Niagara for the day simply to see the falls, then throw on those comfy shoes because you can walk around the main sights easily. But if you plan on a little more activity wise, then the distance is a little extreme, even for us and we enjoy long walks. This is why the WEGO bus is really handy and popular for tourists in Niagara.

Buses

During our research we felt a little confused about the buses in Niagara, but we needn’t have feared because it was straight forward. The main bus routes within the Niagara area are the WEGO (which connects the tourist attractions along the Niagara Parkway), the Niagara on the Lake Shuttle and Niagara Regional Transit. We’d be surprised if you needed the last two, but if you are planning on venturing out then you may want to check them out.

Niagara on the Lake Shuttle

If you’re staying in Niagara but fancy nipping in to see Niagara on the Lake, then you can do this by shuttle. To begin you will need to take the WEGO green line all the way to the Floral Clock. Here you will change to the orange line WEGO which only goes as far as Fort George. It is here you can take the Niagara on the Lake Shuttle, and the best part is that all day access is included with the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass Plus.

Niagara Regional Transit (NRT)

If you’re staying in accommodation away from the falls, or you want to visit any other attractions in the local area and you don’t have a car, then there is a public transit bus system called the Niagara Regional Transit (NRT). The bus systems in the area are good and run seven days a week, with reduced service on Sundays. You can purchase tickets onboard, but the driver will require the exact fare which can be a problem if you don’t know how much it will cost. For those of you who are staying in Niagara for a few days, we’d recommend choosing accommodation closer to the falls. You don’t want to spend your time sat on buses travelling into the falls, when you could simply walk in.

WEGO

As we researched Niagara, it’s attractions and the passes, we saw the term WEGO mentioned a lot. It felt a little confusing, but in reality it’s straightforward, so hopefully we can explain it a little better for you.

The WEGO is a year-round bus transportation system which connects all the Niagara Parks, including the falls to the major tourist attractions and hotels in the area. You can pick up the buses at regular spots, next to the main attractions along the parkway route, making it the perfect option for those of you without cars. The central hub of the WEGO buses is outside the Table Rock Centre, so if you’re unsure about what you’re doing then head there to start.

There are two lines that serve the area, the blue line which basically covers the hotels area and begins at the Fallsview Casino, heading down to the Table Rock centre, up to Clifton Hill and back round again. Then you have the green line which helps take you from the Rapidsview Parking, which is at the end of the parkway, through to the Table Rock Centre (next to the falls), and all the way up to the Floral Clock. The green line passes White Water Park, Whirlpool Aero Car, the Butterfly Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Once the green line reaches the Floral Clock then it will head back down again, so it’s important to look for the direction when you jump onboard (North heading up to the Floral Clock and South means heading back to the falls).

If you’re planning on heading further to the area’s heritage sites, then you can transfer from the green line to the orange line (change over at the Floral Clock). The orange line goes as far as Fort George but covers McFarlane House, Laura Secord Homestead and Mackenzie Printery.

The best part is that most of the attractions are covered by the Niagara Adventure Passes and they also include a 2- or 3-day WEGO pass.

You can pick up a map of the WEGO bus routes from any of the tourist centres. They provide a full schedule of when you can expect the next pick up from your location, which is incredibly handy if you have an action-packed day. Currently (July 2025) you can purchase a pass for 24-hours at $13.00 adult and $9.00/child, or 48-hours $17.00 adult and $13.00 child.

If you’re planning on doing the attractions and need to use the WEGO bus, then we can recommend the Niagara Pass. The best part is that you are given your pass card on a lanyard, and to access everything including the busses you simply scan. You don’t have to carry a multitude of tickets and cards for each activity, so you’re less likely to lose them.

Buying WEGO bus tickets online is another option, if you’re not thinking of buying the pass. You will receive an e-ticket via email, and this will be scanned before you board, meaning you don’t have to go somewhere and redeem a ticket beforehand. But if you decide last minute and want to purchase a bus pass when you are there, then our advice would be to head to the Table Rock Centre or any of the Welcome Centres.

Although we initially felt confused about WEGO and whether it was even something we would use, we can now see it would benefit everyone; even those of you with a car. Our advice if you’re staying within walking distance of the falls, is to leave the car parked up at your accommodation and use WEGO (especially if you have the Niagara Pass). Parking is a hassle around the attractions and the whole bus system is so easy to use and regular, that it makes sense to utilise it.

Bicycles

To cover all bases, we thought we would have a section on bicycles, even though we cannot imagine you would ever use them. We have seen people say it’s a great way to see the area, but finding a place to park them when you’re in an attraction can be a problem. If you simply want to leisurely ride, then there are some great spots such as Niagara on the Lake. But we found the Niagara Parkway to be quite busy with traffic and not the best place for cyclists. There are bike rental places in Niagara on the Lake and near the Whirlpool Aero car.

Taxis and Uber

We generally don’t recommend using taxis or Uber because of the cost, but we know that sometimes they can be handy when you’re exhausted after a long day of walking. Niagara Falls has a few taxi companies (Niagara Falls Taxi and Central Taxi), and we saw lots driving around during our time in the area. Uber is also popular in Canada and may be a cheaper option than picking up a taxi, but again buses are the most affordable form of transport, with routes along the parkway and around the hotels.

By Car

Because we were travelling around Canada during our trip, we had a hire car available to use in Niagara. It spent most of the time parked up at our Airbnb, but we did use it to get to the Whirlpool Jet Boat tour and White Water Walk.

If you’re staying in accommodation close to the falls, then in our opinion we wouldn’t bother with a car. Instead walk and use the WEGO buses, but if you’re staying a little further out to keep the hotel costs down, then you will need a car. Parking prices vary depending on proximity to the falls and security, so we recommend you do your research. There were two close to Skylon Tower and one was 10 Canadian Dollars for the day, whereas the other was 15. But we have seen hotels charge 35 dollars to non-staying guests, mainly because they are close to the action of Clifton Hill.

As we have mentioned above, the Niagara Parkway is quite long and many of the main attractions are dotted along it. If using the bus sounds hellish, then the only other viable option is driving (walking would take all day). We found that many of the attractions along the parkway had very little parking, with some of them charging on top of the entrance fee. It wasn’t a lot, but when you’re already paying for the activity, then it can all add up.

If you’re planning on renting a car when you are there, then it can be a bit pricey, but you will find a couple of rental car places near the falls area. We would recommend that you book your hire car in advance, to ensure it’s ready for pick up.

Would we rent a car for Niagara Falls? Honestly no, for the extra cost we’d use the bus system and walk. Parking could be a nightmare in some of the smaller locations, and we found that our hire car spent most of the time parked up.

Niagara Falls Tourist City Tax – Does It Have One?

Those of us who travel regularly, know that there tends to be lots of hidden costs you may not have been prepared for. More and more cities and vacation destinations are jumping on the band wagon and added tourist city taxes. It is now commonplace for many to add an additional cost per guest for each night you stay in a hotel or similar destination.

There is a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) in the Niagara area, with recent changes coming into effect on 01^st June 2025. During our research we read many bloggers state that the tax wasn’t mandatory for you to pay, and you can refuse, or stay in a hotel without the tax. We stayed in an Airbnb and were not asked for any tourist tax (although it may have been included in the initial cost and fees), so we are unsure which is correct. All we can suggest is that you ask the accommodation or hotel when you book, so you have the information you need to make a decision.

From our research the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is based on the star rating of the accommodation which includes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and vacation rental units. It will be applied to each night that you stay in the accommodation.

The current rates are (01^st June 2025).

• 5 Star Accommodation – 7 Dollars,
• 4 Star Accommodation – 6 Dollars,
• 3 Star Accommodation – 5 Dollars,
• 2 Star Accommodation – 4 Dollars,
• Unrated Properties (We assume this is the likes of Airbnb) – 5 Dollars.

Unlike many of the other tourist taxes we have seen, the one in Niagara is a flat rate applied to the room and not each guest. Compared to other taxes we have paid, this is quite cheap, so it wouldn’t dissuade us from visiting the area, especially when there is so much to see and do there.

Niagara Falls Attraction Passes

Whenever we travel, the first thing we do after we book is to look online and see if there is an attraction pass. We’re big fans of these types of passes and have used them in many cities all over the world, such as Barcelona and Boston. We have personally found that attraction passes are a great way to reduce your overall attraction costs. But we have also enjoyed a few activities that we would never normally have done, had we have been paying for each one.

The wonderful news is that you have three possible passes in the Niagara area. The first covers the main attractions, whilst the other two are connected to activities in Clifton Hill. So that we can make your decision easier, we’ll bring you what these passes cover and the current prices (as of July 2025).

Related Guides – Barcelona Travel Tips and Guide to Visiting Boston

The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass

This was the attraction pass we bought, more specifically the Adventure Pass Plus, because we felt it was a good price, and it covered everything we planned on doing. The Niagara Falls Pass offers three alternatives, and they are.

• Adventure Pass Plus for 109 Canadian Dollars (July 2025),
• Adventure Pass Classic for 69 Canadian Dollars (July 2025),
• Niagara Falls Pass for 89 Canadian Dollars (July 2025).

Adventure Pass Plus

This was the pass we opted for, it covers all the top attractions around the falls and in the Niagara area. If you’re looking at visiting the differing activities then we can highly recommend it, because the pass gives access to Journey Behind the Falls, The Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, White Water Walk, the Whirlpool Aerocar and a few others. You will also enjoy a 3-day pass on the WEGO Bus, the Falls Incline Railway and Niagara on the Lake shuttle. Bonus attractions with this pass are the four heritage sites which are Fort Erie, Mackenzie Printery, McFarland House and Laura Secord Homestead. It doesn’t include the Hornblower Boat Ride, Niagara Falls Zipline or the Whirlpool Jet Boat, so you would have to consider the additional cost of those attractions if you’re eager to do them.

If you want to visit the Niagara Parks Power Station, you can either do it in the day or at night when the 3D projection show is displayed. Sadly, you cannot do both, although we had the opportunity to, because the Floral Showhouse was closed during our visit and that was our replacement.

Adventure Pass Classic

The second option is the Adventure Pass Classic which offers far fewer activities, but you will still find the main ones. This includes Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara Takes Flight, White Water Walk, and 2 day passes on the WEGO bus and Falls Incline Railway. The bonus attraction on the pass is the park and ride to the falls, which is also available on the Pass Plus.

Niagara Falls Pass

The final option offers a little more than the Classic Pass, such as the Journey Behind the Falls, The Niagara Power Station and Tunnel, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aerocar and 2 day passes on the WEGO bus and Falls Incline Railway. The bonus attraction on the pass is the park and ride to the falls, which is also available on the other two passes.

Should I Buy the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass and How Does it Work?

We think it’s one of the best passes we have ever bought, and we have used a few. Not only does it cover the majority of attractions in the Niagara tourist area, but it also provides transport to get you back and too. Some of the attractions are about a 20-to-30-minute drive from the falls area, so having access to buses made it a lot easier. The best part is, that unlike other attraction passes there isn’t a set number of days to use the pass. Normally you are charged by the day, for example you can purchase a 2-, 3- or 4-days pass. But the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass can be used on each activity, one time until the end of the validity period, which for us was November 2025 (bear in mind we bought the pass in July 2025, so had 4 months to use it). We were staying in the area for 5 days, which meant we had plenty of time to enjoy all the activities on the pass. The only one that you are limited on is the WEGO Bus and Falls Incline Railway, because the minute you use them, they will only be valid for 2 or 3 days (depending on which pass you bought). You can pay to add more days, simply ask at the Welcome Centre and they can help you.

Sadly, the pass doesn’t include the exciting activities we were eager to try, which is the zipline, jet boat, or Hornblower Boat ride, so you would need to buy them separately.

When we bought our pass online, we were given a QR code to take to one of the welcome centres you will find near the falls. There is one close to the zipline and then you have Table Rock Welcome Centre which is closer to Horseshoe Falls. We went to get our passes by the zipline welcome centre, and it was all quite simple. You will be asked to book in dates and times for the main attractions connected to the falls, such as the Journey to the Falls, The Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, White Water Walk and the Whirlpool Aerocar. These attractions can get incredibly busy, so it’s better to ensure you are booked in before the day. The rest you can simply visit whenever you want, with no need to prebook. Everything will be added to their system, and you’ll be given a card on a lanyard to take with you, so that you can scan the barcode when you reach each attraction. At first, we thought it a little annoying having to work out an itinerary each day, but it worked out better and you can always go back and adjust times and dates with the welcome centre staff (if the attraction has availability).

The WEGO Bus and Falls Incline Railway are triggered when used for the first time, and you can use them from that point for either 2 or 3 days. So, for example, if you trigger it on the Monday and the pass is for 3 days, then you can use the transport on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s not based on the time you triggered the pass, only the full day. So, using the bus or railway for the first time in the afternoon, may be a waste of time. Just as a side note, the incline railway and buses are different, so if you use one and trigger your pass, then you haven’t triggered the other. We found the WEGO Bus to be incredibly useful to reach many of the attractions which were a distance from the falls. Although we had a car, it made sense to use the buses because parking was very hit and miss.

You can of course buy attraction tickets individually, either online or at the location, but if you are planning on doing multiple activities then the pass will provide significant savings.

Whether you choose to purchase this type of pass is a personal choice, it will depend on how long you’re around the area and the time of year you visit Niagara. We found it really handy to have the passes, not only because it was all prepaid, but the welcome centre staff did the hard work for us by booking us in to each activity and then explained how it all worked, including the buses. What seemed a little daunting at first quickly became easy and we knew when and where to head. The pass card and lanyard meant we only had one ticket to look after, which is another bonus. It can get a little complicated having to print off or store multiple tickets for the many things we had planned.

Clifton Hill Fun Pass

Clifton Hill is basically the entertainment hub in Niagara, and it is here you will find restaurants, shopping, amusements and lots more. We absolutely loved it there, because even if we didn’t want to take part, there was an electric fun atmosphere as you wandered around.

Although we didn’t find the cost of attractions in Niagara too expensive, it can easily build up because there is so much to do. This is where attraction passes come in handy, because you can do a variety of activities at one amazing price; even things you may not have considered.

There are two passes on Clifton Hill, this section is for the Fun Pass which has a huge booth near the Niagara SkyWheel. The current cost of the Fun Pass is just under 35 Canadian Dollars (July 2025) and it includes 6 of the top attractions around Clifton Hill. They are the,

• Niagara SkyWheel,
• Zombie Attack,
• Movieland Wax Museum,
• Ghostblasters Dark Ride
• Dinosaur Adventure Golf or Wizard’s Golf,
• Carnival Chaos or Toy Story 4D.

What we love about this pass is that everything is incredibly close to each other. Also, alike the Niagara Pass, the Fun Pass has a long validity period because you can use it for one full year from the date of purchase. Each attraction can only be visited once, but you don’t have to panic and cram them all into one day. Redeeming your online order is easy, simply head to the Niagara SkyWheel entrance and they will provide the pass. If you want to purchase when you are in Niagara, then don’t worry you can head to the booths and buy it there.

Although we didn’t buy the pass, we had really considered it because of the raft of attractions and the great price.

The Big Fun Value Pass

If two attraction passes in Niagara aren’t enough, then you’ll be glad to know that there is a third option available. Alike the Fun Pass above, the Big Fun Value Pass also covers attractions in the Clifton Hill area. There are 3 passes, and they include,

• 2 Pack – Includes 2 attractions – $19.25 (July 2025),
• 5 Pack – Includes 5 attractions, $5 food voucher and a $5 retail voucher – $29.25 (July 2025),
• 7 Pack – Includes 7 attractions, $5 food voucher and a $10 retail voucher – $39.25 (July 2025).

You will also find booths in Clifton Hill that sell this pass, so just make sure you know which one you want and double check as you purchase, because the names are pretty similar. We found the attractions on this pass to be a bit more varied, and more activity based. The 7 options available include,

• Big Top Maze of Mirrors,
• Big Top Maze of Lasers,
• The Haunted House,
• The Fun House,
• SkipARRR’s Pirate Putt,
• Mystery Maze,
• Bronto’s Adventure Playland.

Again, all the attractions are close to each other, so there’s no huge trek from one to the other. Whether you choose a couple, or go all out and opt for the seven, is up to you. The Big Fun Value Pass also has a validity period of one year from purchase, so there’s no rush to use in a day. If you have ordered online, simply pick up a pass from the associated booth and take to the attraction, once there they will scan and in you go. As with the other Clifton Hill pass, you can only use it once on each ride, but the variety of attractions is enough to keep you entertained.

We also looked at buying this pass, because we felt it was a little more for adults than the Fun Pass. You can always purchase the pass there or simply choose to buy at each attraction.

Our List of Attractions and Things to do in Niagara Falls, Canada

For many of you looking at guides on Niagara Falls, you are probably intrigued by what there is to do. Well, we are about to blow your minds, because the Niagara area has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline buzz, a stroll amongst the flowers or relaxing and enjoying fine dining, Niagara Falls has it all. There is a chance you won’t get to see everything you want during your trip, so the key is to prioritise your list to make sure the essentials are done.

Hopefully our list is extensive enough to give you all the information you need to plan your break. Although we didn’t manage everything, we have still added the main items to this guide so you can choose what you do or don’t want to see. We’ll begin by bringing you the favourites from our trip and then the popular options.

Obviously, the main attraction you will want to see is the falls themselves, especially the Horseshoe Falls, but we haven’t listed this because it’s pretty self-explanatory.

Niagara City Cruises

One of our must do activities was a boat cruise close to the Horseshoe Falls, so the minute we booked the trip to Canada we looked into it. Now we had heard of Maid of the Mist, but it turns out that this is the boat trip you take from the American side. When you are there, you will see boats from both America and Canada will alternate heading towards the falls.

It turns out that from the Canadian side the boat is called the Hornblower, and it is the perfect way to view the falls close up. Not only will you listen to the immense roar as the water plummets down, but then you have the endless mist which can be refreshing and overpowering at the same time.

Interestingly the first Niagara cruise tour was in 1846 and was the Maid of the Mist, which was initially a ferry service. Now the tour is an important symbol of the falls and a must do for any Niagara Falls bucket list.

Before we go through our experience, we’ll give you the basic information you need. The Niagara Cruise Tour is open daily with hours varying depending on the day of the week, because of that we would suggest checking the website. As you can imagine accessing the boat tour is seasonal because of the weather in the area. Niagara City Cruises runs from early spring (late March or April) to late fall (October or November), with dates varying depending on weather conditions and ice melt.

Currently tickets are $42.95 Canadian Dollars (July 2025) for adults and $27.95 for children, which we felt was a decent price for such an incredible experience. So that we could ensure we were booked into the cruise, we chose to prebook online. This meant that we had to pick a specific date and time for the trip, but the whole process was simple enough. We received an e-voucher which we had to present when we arrived.

Sadly, the Hornblower Cruise isn’t available on the Niagara Adventure Pass, so it is an additional cost, but we felt it was worth it. You will see the entrance of the Niagara Cruise Tour, nearby Niagara Zipline. If you haven’t prebought tickets, then you’ll find ticket machines dotted by the entrance and a booth with staff to help, should you need it. This is a hugely popular attraction so queues can be big, but if you have bought your ticket online you can skip the ticket line and head straight in and queue for the boat. Your ticket is scanned by a member of staff, and you head down steps to the boarding section where you can pick up your free blue poncho. Our advice is to take one because you will get wet from the mist, so it’s worth minimising the impact.

The boat trip is approximately 20 minutes long and they depart every 15 minutes during peak season. So, you won’t be waiting too long to board and enjoy the experience. There are two levels to the boat, but we chose the front of the lower deck. We’re not sure if that was a mistake because we got truly soaked, but it depends on what you are looking for in the experience.

As you sail off towards the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, you will hear an audio commentary about their history and interesting facts. The closer you get to the Horseshoe Falls the more you realise its majesty. Now we’re going to be honest, because the mist can get a little overwhelming and we felt that it stung our eyes. We have researched a little and it turns out that dissolved materials from the limestone riverbed can irritate your eyes. You can find corners on the boat where you can hide a little from it, but we were grateful when the boat started moving away from the mist. Would that stop us from recommending the Niagara Cruise Tour, not at all! We still loved it; we just wish that we had maybe wore glasses to protect our eyes a little.

Once you arrive back you will disembark the boat and head to a queue for lifts. Before that there is an area with toilets, food sellers and seating. We chose to sit and have a drink in the sunshine and enjoy views of the falls behind us. When you’re ready to head back out then you will enter lifts which take you back to the public walking area. The lifts come out into a shop with lots of lovely touristy bits; I mean who doesn’t love a good souvenir shop.

Did this fulfil our expectations, yes and no. We loved being so close to the falls and seeing it from a lower perspective, but we were shocked about the water stinging our eyes. It did get quite sore, but if you know about it then you can prepare a little better than we did. It felt longer than 20 minutes, so we thought the price was certainly worth the money. Because it’s such a popular activity by the falls, we would recommend that you prebook as soon as you can and slot in everything else around the cruise.

Journey Behind the Falls

One of the most popular activities in the Niagara area is Journey Behind the Falls. This attraction gives you the opportunity to descend 125 feet, to explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock of the Horseshoe Falls. You will experience the ferocious falls up close, which is truly a bucket list moment for many.

The entrance to Journey Behind the Falls is in the Table Rock Welcome Centre, towards the back by the restrooms. If you have the Niagara Adventure Pass, then you will find this attraction is on the list. Our advice is to head to a tourist centre on the parkway and prebook your date and time. You can of course purchase a ticket on the day; the current cost is 24 Canadian Dollars for an adult (July 2025). Whether you have the pass or buy a ticket, you will be given a specific time to head to the queue. We asked if we could go in 15 minutes earlier and we were told no, unlike some of the other attractions around the falls. When we joined the queue at our allotted time, we understood why, because this is a very busy and popular attraction.

Journey Behind the Falls is open daily between 9am and 8 or 9pm, but as we will recommend on many of the attractions in Niagara, this may be impacted by the off season so it’s wise to check when you book.

Once you head into the queue there is a raft of information about the falls and the construction of the tunnels, which dates back to 1832 when the first staircase was built down to the Niagara Gorge. There are illustrations showing the erosion of the Horseshoe Falls over the centuries and then how the tunnels were built, which is an unimaginable feat.

You will then reach a lift which takes you down to the tunnels, which are a little damp and cold, but also quite tight to walk through. The queue for people heading back up is also there and makes it awkward to pass. If you head straight down, being mindful of the slippery floor, then you will reach an observation deck. There are free ponchos available near the entrance of the deck, and we would recommend them because of the spray from the falls. The observation deck has two levels, and both offer a slightly different perspective of the falls, but each will leave you in awe. This view is very side on to the falls, and you will see how rapid the water rushes over the edge as it crashes down. Although you don’t get as wet as the Niagara Cruise, the spray can still be blown quite a distance.

Once you have finished taking pictures, then head back up the tunnel and you will see another one heading to the left. This is the entrance behind the falls where there are viewing portals to the sheets of water rushing down in front of you. This is a unique view, but they are quite small, and you’ll only be there a moment or two. We were told that both portals look the same, so we only walked to the first one and queued.

Once you have finished, then it’s time to queue back up for the lift and head out into the Table Rock Centre. We were astounded at the fact tunnels could be created behind the waterfall and amazed that we would walk there and see the falls up close. It’s a must do if you’re visiting Niagara for the first time, and one of the best things we did during our visit. The fact it was on the attraction pass was an added bonus and made the process of booking our time slot incredibly easy.

White Water Walk

Our visit to White Water Walk came after we had done the Whirlpool Jet Boat, so we ended up driving and parking outside. There is a charge and very few spaces, so we’d recommend using the WEGO bus because it is a distance from the main Niagara area.

This is an attraction on the Niagara Adventure Pass, but it is 20 Canadian Dollars if you prefer to pay individually. As with the other attractions this is also seasonal (April to mid-November weather permitting), but you should find it open daily between 9am and 5 or 6pm.

We arrived not really knowing what White Water Walk was, we simply visited because it was on the attraction pass. There was a large queue and most of it was out in the blistering sun, but alike many of the other activities in Niagara this attraction involves a lift, hence the wait.

Once you descend and leave the lift, there is a 73-metre tunnel down to a wooden boardwalk area. This is when you will discover the power of the Niagara River, because it’s class 6 rapids are some of the most ferocious in North America. The attraction is basically a boardwalk built along the river’s edge, so you can take in the beauty of the fast-flowing water and the incredible nature that surrounds it. Although it is a self-guided activity, you will find plenty of information boards about the falls, rapids, geology and nature; including plants and animals you may see during your visit.

We did enjoy our time walking along the boardwalk, but we’re not sure we’d have paid for it if we didn’t have the pass. It felt a short walk and was over very quickly, but if you’re looking for a simple walk in a beautiful surrounding then this should certainly be added to your Niagara activity list. The sheer relentless power is an amazing sight, especially when you consider that this is nearly 170,000 m³ per minute flowing away from Niagara Falls.

Niagara Parks Power Station – Day and Night

Niagara Falls is a natural wonder, but there is a lot of history in the area too, which you can explore during your time there. One of the most impressive attractions which brings you technological history and fascinating stories, is the Niagara Parks Power Station.

Found a relatively short walk from the Horseshoe Falls, the Power Station is on the Niagara Adventure Pass. Normally you would either book to see the station in the day or at night. But because the Floral Showhouse was closed, we were allowed to book tickets for both the day and night. Opening times will vary depending upon the season, so our advice is to check online first. If you don’t have the pass and choose to buy an individual ticket, then it costs 32 Canadian Dollars (July 2025).

Our first visit to the power station was during the day, you’re given a self-guided audio when you buy your ticket. As you wander around the power station you will see numbers, simply put them into the audio guide and you will discover its incredible story. With narratives from former employees and technical details about how the power station impacted Niagara and beyond.

The hydropower plant began generating power in 1905 and for the next 100 years, it harnessed the power of the Horseshoe Falls using turbines and converting that energy into electricity for the region. Today you can still see the same turbines and generators, with details on how they worked and the history of how they built the Niagara Power Station.

There’s also a section dedicated to Nikola Tesla, who designed the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls. It used his alternating current (AC) system which was able to transmit electricity over long distance. The first plant opened in Buffalo America, but it was his vision which led to hydroelectricity coming to Canada and then worldwide. Tesla’s genius is displayed in an exhibit with working models of his inventions and rare artifacts such as his top hat, notes and a model of his childhood home and lab.

As you follow the guided lines along the floor, you can enjoy repurposed artifacts, interactive exhibits and installations which both educate and entertain.

For many, visiting the Niagara Parks Power Plant is for one thing only, the Tunnel. After you have bought your ticket and headed into the power plant, you’ll see people queuing up. This is the lift to the tunnel which is 180 feet below the hall of the power station. You may find there’s a bit of a queue because there are only two lifts taking people up and down, but we felt it moved quite fast.

Interestingly the lift is glass, and you’ll see lots of the old power stations machinery as you travel down. If you can, try and stand on one side as you go down and the other as you head back up, to see everything in the expansive tunnels below.

As you exit the lift you will see a 2,200-foot-long tunnel which was excavated with only lanterns, dynamite, pickaxes and shovels. It can be quite damp and a little slippery, so take your time as you wander down to the observation deck. Before heading outside you’ll see a bin with free ponchos that you can wear to keep yourself dry from the mist. The power plants observation deck isn’t as close to the actual falls as Journey Behind the Falls, but you can still witness the sheer immensity of the roaring water and feel the spray. Once you’ve taken pictures and enjoyed the views, then head inside towards the lift and back up to the surface.

If you’re heading to the Niagara Parks Power Station at night, then you’re in for an experience. Yes, the exhibits are the same, but there’s a special nighttime show which is illuminated onto the walls and floor of the building. It explores the history of the power plant and its impact on the area, through interactive multimedia storytelling, a lightshow and music. The show went on for about an hour, but it is replayed over and over again, so if you miss the beginning it will repeat straight afterwards. You can then head to the tunnel and see the falls lit up in an array of colours, ready for the nighttime fireworks.

We’re pleased that we had the opportunity to do both day and night at the Power Plant. If you must choose then we think it will depend upon what you want to do when you’re there. If you’re going for the history then we’d recommend visiting in the day, obviously nighttime if you’re interested in the show. For the Tunnel and observation deck we’d say daytime, unless you want to specifically see the falls lit up at night. We’re sure that you will take away something from the experience, even if you only have a short amount of time there.

Niagara Falls Zipline

The moment we saw this on Instagram we knew we had to book the Niagara Zipline, and we’ll preface this by saying that one of us hates heights. From the videos we saw online, we felt that this was a slower zipline and something we could easily do. This is another one of those activities which isn’t on the Niagara Adventure Pass, so we paid for this separately. Alike the Niagara Cruise Tour, we booked this before we flew to Canada, so that we could ensure we had a time slot. This is another incredibly popular activity in Niagara and although there are lots of time slots available, they will fill up fast. Interestingly we had a slot booked for 2pm, but on the day headed to the falls area around 10am. We asked if we could do it then and they said that we could, so it’s always worth asking if you’re there a little early.

The Niagara Falls Zipline is a 2,200-foot zipline just across the road from the Clifton Hill area, so it’s pretty much the first thing you see. There is a ticket office located nearby, if you prefer to book on the day, then you have to climb up a number of steps to a platform area to check in. Looking online there is an average wait time of two hours from the point you check in and we can verify that that was our experience. Thankfully because we had prebooked, we had already completed the disclaimer or liability waiver which you must sign to acknowledge the risk of the activity. For those of you who haven’t completed the online document, then you will be required to fill that in before grabbing a helmet and heading up to the top platform. Completing the disclaimer online will reduce your waiting time and it gives you longer to read over. You will be given a wrist band which connects you to the video and pictures.

The morning we did the zipline it was quite hot and sadly there isn’t much shelter as you queue, so slap on that sunscreen if it’s hot or wear a coat if it’s cold. You work around the queue and will be directed by staff into what we can only describe as a penned area. Here you are put into the zipline equipment, but don’t worry they explain what to do and you’ll have seen plenty of others put it on as you queued. Then simply wait until they tell you to head out to the zipline area.

As you head to the front, you’ll be asked to scan your wrist band and then simply follow the instructions as they hook you up to the safety equipment. You can see how they take safety seriously, something we were grateful for as the nerves started to build. There is a gate in front of you for safety and once that moves away then you’re off.

During 2025 we had done a couple of ziplines, trying to push ourselves and this in comparison was a much slower and relaxing one. The gradient wasn’t very steep, and it goes at a slower speed, which is perfect for the location. All around are spectacular views of the falls and because it doesn’t go fast, you have the time to take it all in. You cannot hold selfie sticks or mobiles in your hand; they will request that everything is placed away safely within a pouch section on the seat area of the harness. If you have something like a GoPro strapped to your body then they will probably allow it, we saw a few people with body cameras. The bit at the end where the ride comes to a stop, wasn’t as extreme as others we have experienced, and we found it pretty smooth. You’re then unhooked and directed to the back, where you can have additional pictures taken with the Horseshoe falls in the background. Then head through to the media area to look at any videos and pictures you may want to purchase. We ended up buying both videos and the pictures as a treat, but we can understand that with the cost of the zipline it can all add up.

To get back to the main pedestrian area there is a cart which will drive you up. We really enjoyed that too as the driver went at a great speed and because we were sat on the back, we could see others zipline down.

Now for some basic information, the zipline is open daily for a large part of the year. Our advice is to check their website and see if it’s open and the opening times, because they can vary.

There are a number of different tickets available, they include.

• General admission ticket which is between 12pm and 6pm daily – $79.99 Canadian Dollars,
• Early bird starts from 10am daily – $69.99 Canadian Dollars,
• Sunset experience between 6pm to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays – $69.99 Canadian Dollars,
• Beat the heat night experience at 9pm daily – $89.99 Canadian Dollars,
• Skip the line ticket – limited spots daily – $99.99 Canadian Dollars.

As you can imagine there are weight and age restrictions, so check online before you book. They will weigh you when you are there, with any baggage you are carrying.

We loved our time on the Niagara Falls Zipline, it was truly a one-off experience. Seeing the falls from this elevated position as you glide through the air is something special and we felt it was worth the cost. There is a lot of waiting around which is annoying, but isn’t that always the way whenever you’re doing an activity such as this. Even though it looked like they were churning through people, we felt like they took safety seriously and did multiple checks. But always ask questions if you are unsure about anything.

Skylon Tower

Skylon Tower is an observation deck which offers incredible views of Niagara Falls and the surrounding areas. It can be found on the higher section of the parkway, more towards the hotels. We’ll be honest after having been up the CN Tower in Toronto and many other observation towers that year, we had planned on giving it a miss. But we had spare time and felt it would add another view of the spectacular falls, so decided last minute to head over.

The Skylon Tower is 520 feet tall from ground level, but it’s 775 feet over the falls, so ideal for those perfect pictures. Its summer hours are 8am to 12am and winter hours 9am to 10pm, but there can be daily variations so we would advise that you check Skylon Tower’s website before you visit.

Most people will visit the towers observation deck, but there are two dining experiences which include a revolving dining room. To visit the observation deck only, there is a cost of 20 Canadian Dollars, but there are discount vouchers available or it’s cheaper to book online.

If you want to try the dining experience then you have two options, and they are the Revolving Dining Room and the Summit Suite Buffet. First is an a la carte restaurant available daily in the evening and you can enjoy incredible views, as the world-famous restaurant slowly rotates 360 degrees every hour. The fact you are rotating means that you have a changing panoramic view of the falls, the Niagara River, the city and sometimes all the way to Toronto. If you’re looking for something more laid back then there is the Summit Suite restaurant, which offer a variety of entrees, salads and desserts. This option is more affordable and family friendly, with amazing views of the Horseshoe Falls.

Unlike many other high-end restaurants, there isn’t a stated minimum spend but you are required to purchase a main course per person. Because the food is quite expensive there, it means that the total price can be a lot. This is where you have to decide if it’s worth the cost, when you could simply visit via the observation deck and pay. Every reservation to the restaurants includes free admission to the observatory during your visit, so essentially you are saving 20 dollars off your meal.

After paying for our ticket, we headed to the queue and entered the lift to the tower. You travel up what can only be described as a ‘yellow bug’ elevator, which has windows allowing you to see the impressive views as you go. It takes a mere 52 seconds to reach the top and then you will walk out to the most impressive views.

The observation area has both indoor and outdoor sections, so that you can have the opportunity to take lots of photos. The areas you will see include the American Falls, the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, the Great Gorge, the city of Niagara, and in the distance the skyline of Toronto. After having done the Niagara City Cruise, and Journey Behind the Falls, it was good to see the falls from a higher perspective. They look impressive whatever the angle, but we loved looking down at the ferocious water cascading over the edge of the falls.

Once you’ve looked around and taken pictures, then you can head back to the lift which takes you down again. The Skylon Tower is more than an observation tower; it’s an important part of the skyline in Niagara. But it also gives you an incredible opportunity to take in the immensity of Niagara Falls. In comparison to the many other observation towers we have been up, we felt the price was quite reasonable.

Whirlpool Aero Car

We’re not the biggest fans of heights, but that’s something we had to get over with Niagara, and this activity was one of the reasons why. This attraction is also on the Niagara Adventure Pass and is prebook able. Alike many of the other activities such as White Water Walk and the Butterfly Conservatory, the Aero Car is a distance from the falls and as such you will need to drive or use the WEGO bus which stops right outside. Parking is free and there is a nice café, shop and toilets if you want a refreshment break. The attraction is open seasonally from April to November, every day between 9am and 5 to 6pm, but as with all the places we have mentioned this may change so check online.

So, what is the Whirlpool Aero Car? It is a cable car which transports people 3,500 feet across a section of the Niagara River, which is known as the Niagara Whirlpool. There is only one car which carries 35 standing passengers across the river and back using suspended steel cables, which takes about 10 minutes. Most people think that the rock face opposite is America, but it is in fact another part of Canada. During your trip it will cross the Canadian and American border four times.

We arrived early to the entrance of the Aero Car and was told that we had to wait until the exact time on our ticket. Although we didn’t understand this at first, once we joined the queue it was obvious why. There is very little shade from the weather as you wait, and the queue is incredibly slow. Remember there is one car, and it only holds 35 people so you will have a wait. There are steps down and then you will enter the Aero Car, which has passengers circled around the outside of the basket. The ride over is slow and quite smooth, then when you’re halfway through you will move around to the other side so you have the opposite view when you head back. From the Aero Car you will see Whirlpool State Park, with its rushing class 6 rapids and swirls of bright blue water below.

You’ll have plenty of time to take it all in and enjoy the views around you and below. Once you’re back then it’s a simple walk off and back through the shop, onto the next adventure. Even if we didn’t have the pass, we would still have paid to do this activity. It’s about 20 Canadian Dollars each for an adult, but when you consider how thrilling it is to be suspended over such rushing beautiful waters, it’s certainly worth it.

Niagara on the Lake

For those of you who love the TV show Gilmore Girls, we have a town 30 minutes from Niagara Falls which epitomises that old town charm. The drive in was picturesque, with lots of beautiful homes and parks. We parked in the public car park (charges apply) behind the Prince of Wales Hotel, and even found free public toilets close by. From there it was a short walk to the most beautiful main street, lined with 19^th century buildings, boutique small businesses and bold beautiful flowers in borders and hanging baskets.

Niagara on the Lake sits on the Niagara Peninsula, where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. We walked along the street down to the water and back along the golf course by Fort Mississauga. Both times we visited Niagara on the Lake we ended up stopping for a coffee and cake in one of the quaint cafes. We had one of the best apple strudels we have ever tasted there.

As you would expect, to stay in the area is expensive, so it may be better to simply travel in and out using public transport. Niagara on the Lake is perfect for those who want to slow down and enjoy a little shopping and great food. There is a perfect blend of history, natural beauty and entertainment, which is why we recommend Niagara on the Lake if you have the time. There are various festivals through the year and close by lots of wineries where you can tour the vineyards. Make sure you take a walk through their local park to enjoy the small-town vibe at its finest.

Nikola Tesla Statue

We love to throw in a few free items on our bucket list, which are interesting to see and add something enjoyable to your trip. One item we loved was the Nikola Tesla Statue, which is in Queen Victoria Park and overlooks the Horseshoe Falls. This statue is a reminder of the genius of Tesla, who designed the first hydroelectric power plant in 1895 at Niagara Falls in New York. The power plant saw the beginning of the electrification of the United States, which has now impacted the rest of the world. It was also an important moment which saw the Alternating Current of Tesla, have victory over Thomas Edison’s Direct Current, with AC now powering the world.

The beautifully ornate bronze statue of Tesla is as he might have appeared in 1896. He is standing on top of an AC motor which is the symbol of his inventions and the genius which contributed to the birth of hydroelectricity. As the statue is within the park area, it is surrounded by beautiful flowers, making it even more impressive. It was unveiled on Tesla’s 150^th birthday which was the 9^th July 2006.

Because of how close the Nikola Tesla Statue is to all the main attractions; this is a great one which wouldn’t take up a lot of your time. It also provides you with an opportunity to stroll in the quieter side of the Niagara Parkway and through Queen Victoria Park.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours

We’ll start this section by saying that the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour was our favourite thing to do in the Niagara area. It’s an exhilarating experience and something we debated about doing again during our trip.

If you’re unsure about what a jet boat is, then it’s a boat propelled by a waterjet system which creates high speed thrust. Having the combination of speed in such natural beauty, makes the ideal experience. During the tour the boat crew will highlight the history, scenery and geography of the Niagara River, as well as adding some cheeky humour when you hit the rapid area.

When you are looking to book the jet boat experience, you will see that there are two main types of tours. There is a Wet Jet tour, which means that you will get completely soaked from the rapids. You also have the Jet Dome Tour, where you can choose the enclosed section of the boat and remain completely dry, or the front of the covered boat which is open to the elements and by that we mean lots of water.

• Wet Jet Tour – No matter where you sit, you will be completely soaked, so it is advised that you leave all possessions behind in the lockers provided and only take waterproof cameras. The cost for an adult is currently $76.95 and $44.95 Canadian Dollars for a child under 12 (July 2025).
• Freedom Jet Dry Tour – This is the ideal option for those who want to see the beauty of the Niagara Gorge, River and Whirlpool, without getting drenched. The dome cover prevents water getting into most of the boat. Because of that you can take phones and cameras, plus a small bag onboard. The cost for an adult is currently $76.95 and $44.95 Canadian Dollars for a child under 12 (July 2025).
• Freedom Jet Wet Tour – Although you are on the jet boat which is covered, there are front rows which are open to the elements called Power Rows. You will get wet and as such the same rules apply in regard to possessions on the Wet Jet Tour. They only sell adult tickets for these seats as there are certain weight requirements to keep the boat safe. The cost for an adult is currently $86.95 Canadian Dollars (July 2025).

The Whirlpool Niagara Tour is open daily from April through to October, from 10 am to 5pm. At the point you book your tickets online, as well as asking for the preferred date, you will also be asked for a specific time slot.

We found the booking process to be easy and chose the Wet Jet Tour. We were sent a participation agreement or disclaimer which we completed online, but you can wait until you reach the venue. On the day we really messed up and didn’t properly think about what we took with us. We had read that you would get completely soaked but we’ll be honest, we thought they meant a little wet; silly I know. So, we didn’t take a change of clothes or shoes with us, big mistake!

So, let’s start by recommending what you should take, if you’re planning on getting wet. Because possessions will get wet and may get thrown overboard, it is recommended that you either leave them at the hotel/car or use the free lockers provided by Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. We removed watches, glasses and everything we didn’t want to lose, but obviously that meant we couldn’t take pictures or film the experience.

Bring a change of clothes and footwear, because both will be soaked even if you wear the free poncho. We felt ok about our clothes getting wet because it was a lovely sunny day and we could always head back to the Airbnb and get changed. What we failed to think about was our trainers, let’s just say we’re glad we brought spares. They recommend that on chilly days you layer up and wear splash gear or sweaters.

Unlike the other attractions close to the falls and along the Niagara Parkway, the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour is a little difficult to get to. We chose to drive, but from our research the best option is to grab a taxi or Uber. The WEGO bus doesn’t get close enough for it to be an option, although you could go to the Floral Clock and get an Uber from there to make it cheaper.

They recommend that you arrive 45 minutes early, so that you can check in and register, complete the participation agreement if you haven’t online and then attend the mandatory safety briefing before boarding the jet boat. If you are late then you may not be able to board, and it will result in you losing your money.

We arrived the recommend 45 minutes early and headed over to the check in booth, where we were given wrist bands. The member of staff informed us about the free lockers and recommended leaving everything behind that we didn’t want damaged or lost. There is a shop there which sells t-shirts and water shoes, which may have been a good idea for us. This is also the place you should head to if you’re considering viewing and buying any photos and videos.

Downstairs below the shop there are toilets and changing rooms for men and women. This is why it’s a great idea to bring a change of clothes, so that you can go there and put on something more comfortable. We hung around the shop until we were called over for the mandatory safety briefing, which basically goes through putting on the lifejacket and the dos and don’ts of the tour. There is auditorium style seating, so you won’t be on your feet for too long.

You will see dotted around there are bins with free ponchos and we are sure that we saw trouser covers. The staff told us that the ponchos were pointless and that we would be getting wet, but we decided to try them anyway (we were the only ones who did). You are then given a life jacket and will head onto the boat, which is where the difficult decision needs to be made. That decision is where you will sit, is it the back where you may miss a bulk of the waves, the middle where there’s a chance of staying dry or the front where you know you’re in for a soaking. We opted for the middle and hoped that we got the best of both worlds, but sadly we were wrong.

The tour is around 45 minutes to an hour long, which gives you lots of time to enjoy sailing on the river, as well as the thrilling bits. As the boat takes off you will notice how smooth the ride is and that’s because it’s a flat-bottomed boat. The staff member will explain what will happen and you start off with a 360-degree spin, just to get the party started and then head down the river towards the Devil’s Hole Class 5 rapids.

At this point we have on our ponchos which are pulled tightly around our faces and legs, so we’re feeling pretty confident we will be fine. Even after the big spin, we felt slightly smug that everyone was a little wet, but we sat there ok. Along the journey down to the rapids we were told interesting facts of the sights we were seeing. It’s then you see the swirling waters of the rapids and realise that this is where you are heading.

You firstly head into class 4 rapids where the boat will bounce over the waves, then drop and it’s at this point you will be met with a wave of water. Again, we felt ok, not too wet but still with the thrill of being thrown around. You then spin around to another section of the river which is class 5, and this is where it all changed. The process is the same but as the boat drops slightly, a huge wall of water envelopes the boat. Our feet were absolutely drenched, water slid in every gap of the poncho, and we felt our bums get slightly wet; let’s just say there was a breach. Everyone else around us looked like drowned rats, but we were all having such an incredible time it didn’t matter. After navigating the class 4 and 5 rapids a couple of times, you will then head down river to the Whirlpool State Parkway. Here you will discover more about the area and spin around in the whirlpool, as you watch the Aero Car pass above you.

It’s then back up to the class 4 and 5 rapids for more waves of water. The best part is that the last couple of drops into the larger rapids will bring even more waves, as the boat is slowed down during the drop. You try and keep your eyes open for as long as possible, but the wall of water which hits is insane.

Did we get wet? Yes, even with ponchos on, our trainers and shorts were drenched, but we’re still glad we used the ponchos. Everyone else around us was soaked, but we arrived back at the jetty full of high spirits and laughter.

As we mentioned above there is an option of purchasing videos and pictures, but it takes 10 minutes for them to be done, and we didn’t want to wait. We have read that people didn’t feel it was worth the cost, but it might be worth just taking a look and seeing what you think.

Overall, we have a new addiction to jet boats and will do them whenever we have the opportunity. The whole process was easy and made the experience enjoyable, especially the amazing team they have who added lots of humour to the day. We personally think this is a must do for any visit to Niagara and felt that the price was decent for everything it involved.

Clifton Hill

We had heard about Clifton Hill and read during our research that it wasn’t the greatest place to be. It was a little tacky and too touristy, but in our opinion, we loved it and felt it was incredibly family friendly, which you don’t find in other places such as this.

Clifton Hill can be found close to the Niagara Parkway; in fact, it’s across the road from the area of the Zipline. It’s known as the ‘street of fun’ and has a raft of attractions such as amusements, arcades, crazy golf, go karts, fun houses, wax museums, themed restaurants and tourist shops. One of the most popular attractions is the Niagara SkyWheel, which is similar to the London Eye and provides views of the falls and surrounding area. But the Speedway which is a racing track looked so much fun and it’s open most of the day.

There’s a great vibe in the area with lots of loud noises from the amusements, neon lights, endless activities and fun. Everything is walkable in a small area, but most of it is on a steep hill which can be troublesome after a long day of attractions. We had to walk past Clifton Hill each night to get back to our accommodation and although we loved the atmosphere, it was pretty tiring.

As we mentioned in the attraction pass section there are two passes which relate to Clifton Hill. They give you access to a number of attractions in the area at a set price and are perfect for those of you wanting to enjoy a day of fun. We’ll be honest we didn’t do many of the amusements within Clifton Hill, but would certainly recommend it if you have the time. Looking at the individual prices of the attractions, we didn’t find them to be too expensive but could imagine that it would add up quickly if you wanted to do a few things, so that is where the pass comes in handy.

Butterfly Conservatory

Within the grounds of the botanical gardens, you will find a large building which is the Butterfly Conservatory. If you have never been to a butterfly conservatory then you are in for a treat, because it is a magical experience. There is something majestic about these beautiful insects as they float freely amongst the lush greenery and flowers. The Niagara Butterfly Conservatory has over 2,000 butterflies in an array of colours.

For those of you considering buying the Adventure Pass, this is one of the attractions on there. In reality it’s the only reason we went, but we are glad that we did. The WEGO line stops right near the gardens and conservatory, then you have a short walk, but the building is clearly signposted. If you don’t want to purchase any passes, then the current admission ticket for an adult is 20 Canadian Dollars. The opening hours are daily from 9am to 5pm, but many attractions are seasonal so just check online in case that changes.

After we got our ticket, we walked through a set of double doors which are there to help keep the butterflies safe and from escaping. You then enter a warm conservatory which replicates a lush tropical forest. There are plants, beautiful colourful flowers and trees everywhere with winding paths around and a waterfall in the centre. Unlike many of the other conservatories we have visited, this one did feel a little compact and overcrowded. But we still managed to make our way around and enjoy seeing an array of butterflies, large and small, dark and colourful. There was fruit placed in different spots so you will see butterflies feeding on pieces of orange.

We did feel that people saw them as an attraction and not the incredible animals that they are. Many were reaching out, trying to touch the butterflies. You are not allowed to touch the butterflies’ wings and there are staff walking around, but you can let them land on you. To attract the butterflies, wear bright clothes, move slowly and wear perfume or cologne. Once you have finished, there is an exit door which leads to a gift shop and toilets.

Even though we only went because of the Adventure Pass, it’s a lovely place to visit. Especially if you have never been in a butterfly conservatory before, because the sheer number and variety is impressive. We had one land on our shoulder, and it was a truly memorable moment for us.

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens

We walked through a section of the botanical gardens, during our visit to the butterfly conservatory. But due to time constraints we decided not to do the whole thing. The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens is open all year round from 6am to 12am and admission is free. It felt like you were walking through a local park more than a botanical garden, but as we said we only saw a small section as we headed to the conservatory. Opened in 1936, the gardens are 99 acres of designed landscapes which display lush greenery and vibrant flowers such as the rose garden with over 2,000 roses.

The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens can be found along the Niagara Parkway, and you can access it via the WEGO bus or drive and park there. If you’re heading in that area to visit other attractions, more specifically the butterfly conservatory and you have the time, then why not take a stroll around. But if you’re going specifically for the gardens, then we didn’t see much to be impressed with, but again we only visited a small section. Niagara is a busy trip if you want it to be, so unless you’re deeply into horticulture, then this might not be the best use of your time.

Floral Clock

Another freebie attraction on our list is the Niagara Floral Clock, which is the final stop on the WEGO bus green line north bound. The clock was constructed in 1950 and has an intricate design created by 15 to 20 thousand bedding plants, which are changed twice a year. The face of the clock is 40 foot wide, and the hands weigh over 500 pounds and are 14 feet long. This makes it one of the largest floral clocks in the world, which is why it is such a prominent tourist spot in Niagara. There is a tower at the back of the clock, which houses the Westminster chimes that you can hear every 15 minutes. If the tower is open then you will be able to see the controlling mechanism, which is interesting to see.

Across from the Floral Clock is the Niagara Parks Centennial Lilac Garden, which has parking, washrooms and a small gift shop.

Table Rock Welcome Centre

You may think it unusual that we have put a welcome centre down as an attraction, but it’s a little more than tourist information. Table Rock is the hub of the Niagara Falls area, where you can get help with Adventure Passes and book attractions, enjoy souvenir shopping in the large shop, or grab a coffee, ice cream or hot meals. Table Rock is also the entrance to Journey Behind the Falls, so if you feel you need a moment to rest, with great views of the falls then this is the ideal spot. The best part is that it’s open all day and if you’re anything like us and you need a toilet break, then they have free public toilets.

Falls Incline Railway

Technically this is a mode of transport between the Fallsview tourist area and Table Rock Welcome Centre. But we thought we’d add it to the list of attractions, because it was a fun activity. It is open all year round from 8am to 11pm and costs 7 Canadian Dollars. The climate-controlled vehicle will rise and descend on an inclined track, between the two areas which are split by a large slope.

Many visitors use it to access the hotel area of Niagara, but we chose to ride the Falls Incline Railway because it was included in the Niagara Adventure Pass. Would we have paid? Probably not, especially because it is a very short distance and not worth the cost in our opinion.

Additional Attractions in Niagara Falls

Above is the list of attractions in Niagara Falls that we visited, but there are still others we didn’t make it to. To give you a comprehensive guide here are the attractions that you may wish to visit. During our time we sadly didn’t have the opportunity, but hopefully we will in the future.

• Niagara SkyWheel – The 175-foot-tall Ferris Wheel can be found in Clifton Hill and offers amazing views of the falls and surround area. Costing 15 Canadian Dollars for an adult and open between 10am and 1 or 2 am daily.
• Wax Works – There are two in Niagara, Louis Tussauds and Movieland Wax Museum. Both have figures of celebrities and can be found on Clifton Hill.
• Niagara Aerospace Museum – Close to the Niagara Falls International Airport, this museum seems to be closed most of the week, so check online to make sure it’s open. It has a small collection of planes from the early 1900’s and World War Two, plus rocket engines and helicopters.
• Niagara Helicopter Tour – During your time in Niagara, you will have the opportunity to witness the falls from a variety of perspectives. So why not make it really special and take a bird’s eye view right over these magnificent natural wonders. Contact them for prices, but they are open daily from 9am to 8pm.
• Bird Kingdom – Not far from Rainbow Bridge is Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest free flying indoor aviary. It’s a multi-level rainforest with hundreds of tropical birds and some animals such as owls and bats. It’s open daily, all year round from 9.30am to 5pm and the price of an adult ticket is 15.95 Canadian Dollars.
• Niagara Falls History Museum – Houses a vast collection of Niagara Falls history, including artifacts from the War of 1812. It is open daily between 10am and 5pm and is the ideal way to learn about the many historic events which happened in the area.
• McFarland House – Built at the turn of the 19^th century by Scotsman John McFarland, this luxurious home was used as a military hospital during the war of 1812 by the Americans and British. You can tour the house today at a cost of 7.75 Canadian Dollars, or it’s included in the Adventure Pass. The tour by costumed interpreters will give you an insight into the historic home.
• Laura Secord Homestead – This is another heritage site which is included in the Adventure Pass, but you can also buy tickets for 10.25 Canadian Dollars. The homestead is open daily between 10am and 4pm, but as we’ve said before check online. The home is a historic place because Laura Secord was a heroine in an unsettled country, with the impending attack by Americans in the War of 1812. She walked 20 miles on a treacherous journey to warn Canadians that Americans were on their way. As a result, the native forces won, and after her death she was designated a Person of National Significance. You can discover about her life and home during a tour by authentically costumed guides.
• Mackenzie Printery – Another attraction found on the Adventure Pass or 7.75 Canadian Dollars, check online for opening hours and days. You can learn about 500 years of printing technology inside the home of publisher William Lyon Mackenzie. Inside is a rare Louis Roy Press, which is the oldest printing press in Canada and one of the few remaining in the world.
• Floral Showhouse – We got a little confused as to whether the Floral Showhouse was the same as the botanical gardens, but it is different and can be found close to the falls. It can be found on the Niagara Adventure Pass, but sadly when we visited it was closed. Instead, we were given access to the Niagara Power Station twice, so we could go in the day and for the nighttime show. If you have the opportunity to visit, then you can use the pass or pay individually at a cost of 8 Canadian Dollars for an adult. The Floral Showhouse is open between 10am and 5pm (although this may change seasonally) and has three display main houses, a tropical foyer and seasonal shows. It’s a garden oasis with ponds and collections of succulents, tropical plants and orchids, alongside floral shows which reflect the changing seasons.

Our Niagara Falls Top Tips

• Wearing comfortable shoes is a must – Niagara has amazing public transport, but that doesn’t stop you from clocking up those steps. Simply walking along the pedestrian area of the falls is quite a distance, so comfort is your top priority. We’ve already said we wouldn’t recommend walking along the parkway to each of the attractions, instead use the WEGO bus or drive. But even if you’re using public transport there is an awful lot of standing around throughout the day, as you’re enjoying each of the attractions. Add in the hike up Clifton Hill or to the hotels and those feet will be burning, so grab those trusty trainers or whatever shoes you prefer. Sore feet can really dampen your enjoyment of the day, which would be a shame in such an incredible place as Niagara. Another thing to consider is the material of your shoes, because if you’re doing anything near the falls then the likelihood is you will get wet. Our trainers got wet a number of times, which was fine for hot days in the summer. But we can imagine it’s not as fun in the cooler autumn and spring months.
• Think about the weather – We’ve mentioned this already, but preparing for weather in the place you’re visiting is essential to make it comfortable and enjoyable. We struggled with Canada because we had no idea what to expect, and even though it was July we took warmer clothes for the just in case. It was incredibly hot the entire time we were there, so no layers were needed. No matter the time of year we’d still recommend preparing for all weather conditions, and by that we mean something for if it rains but also hats and sunglasses in the warmer months. Checking the weather apps will provide a better idea of what you should pack, but an extra tip from us, make sure you look at the temperature as well as the type of weather. It may say that it’s cloudy, but some of the days in Niagara were very humid and we were grateful of the spray from the falls.
• Try something maple – You’re in Canada the land of maple syrup, so make sure at some point you have something sweetened by this sugary delight. We chose to treat ourselves to maple popcorn, which you can purchase near the Table Rock Centre. Just double check and make sure it’s definitely maple flavoured, because the first time we got some it was salted. Maple popcorn is absolutely delicious and worth the cost, so it’s one to add to your bucket list. But you will see all sorts of items in the shops to try, whether it’s maple chocolate, biscuits, tea, coffee or even the actual syrup.
• Work out your priority attraction wise – Aside from seeing the majesty of Niagara Falls, the most exciting part of your trip will be the endless number of activities they have within the area. As you will see from our things to do list, there’s something for everyone. But if you’re like us and you want to see it all, then you may have to work out your priorities beforehand. The popular attractions book up fast and as such you need to ensure you prebook, whether that’s online or at the welcome centres. We loved the Niagara Adventure Pass because it included pretty much everything we wanted to do there, and by visiting a welcome centre it was booked in for us by a member of staff. If we wanted to change the date or time (and there were slots available), then the member of staff in the welcome centre could easily adjust our booking. Most activities are relatively short, for example the Hornblower Cruise is about 20 minutes and walking along the White Water Walk took us 15 minutes. This means you can fit a lot into one day, obviously this will depend on the length of the queues. Our advice is to work out what you really want to do and focus on ensuring you have that booked in. Everything else can slot around these activities, but if your trip is anything like ours then we know you’ll get way more done than you expect. Bear in mind that if you visit out of season, some attractions may not be open (especially in the winter), or they could have closed early. Most of you will only have booked a few days in Niagara, so it’s important to prioritise what you want to do.
• Give yourself time to relax – There’s so much to do in Niagara, that the thought of relaxing isn’t on your radar. But firstly, you will be doing a lot of walking and standing in queues, so those feet will hurt. Secondly and most importantly you are at Niagara Falls, the most incredible water fall on the planet. It’s important that you spend some time and take it all in, whether you relax in Queen Victoria Park, stop in one of the cafes for a drink or spend a little more and book into Skylon Tower. Niagara is an incredibly beautiful spot and as such it should be appreciated. We promise it won’t feel like wasted time; in fact, it will probably be one of the wonderful moments you remember from your trip.
• Buy the attraction passes – We say this to those of you who plan on doing a lot of the attractions. For us, the Niagara Adventure Pass made everything much easier, even getting around the area with the WEGO bus and Falls Incline Railway. The cost overall was cheaper with the pass than if we had paid individually. But it was having the option of heading to the welcome centre and someone there booking it all in for us, which added to its value. Many of the attractions can book up fast, especially in the peak season, so it was good to know that we had a time slot for everything we wanted to do. The staff at the centre were so knowledgeable on everything and gave us advice we didn’t even know we needed. As to whether you want to purchase the fun passes on Clifton Hill, will depend on whether you are thinking of doing any of the activities. Again, they can save you money and queuing time, so really consider them if you’re spending the day there.
• Research car parks beforehand – If you have to drive in, then don’t worry about parking because there is plenty around. Strangely the prices can vary quite drastically, with car parks closer to Clifton Hill and the Niagara Parkway being the most expensive. But cost shouldn’t be your only consideration, because you want your car to be safe. This is why we would recommend that you check Google reviews for car parks around the falls before you visit.
• Niagara at Night – The Fireworks – As the sun goes down the atmosphere in Niagara changes a little and becomes quite serene. The walk along the front is just as pleasant, but you have the added joy that the falls will be illuminated. At first, they are simply lit up and then you will see the colours change periodically, red, green, blue, yellow and over again. From mid-May to mid-October, they have daily fireworks at 10pm, so if you are anywhere along the parkway then you will see them. The fireworks are closer to Rainbow Bridge and the American Falls, than Horseshoe Falls. But we stood just outside Table Rock Welcome Centre and had a great view, as we munched on maple syrup popcorn.

Should I Visit Niagara Falls?

Of course you should, after all it is the most famous waterfall in the world and a sight to behold. We absolutely loved our time in Niagara; in fact, it was our favourite place during our three-week trip in Canada.

Not only did we enjoy the falls themselves, but also the vast number of activities and attractions around the area. We must admit our favourites were the zipline and jet boat, mainly because they were so much fun. But each attraction gave you a differing perspective of the falls themselves and the Niagara River Gorge. Basically, there is something for everyone, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, prefer a nice stroll through quaint gardens or you’re after a bit of history.

We had been told that Niagara was tacky, but we didn’t find that at all. Yes, there are arcades and amusement areas, but the whole vibe of Clifton Hill was very family orientated, even later in the evening. It felt safe walking around when it was darker and we didn’t see any issues with people drinking etc.

Even though we visited Niagara during the peak season, we didn’t find it too overbearing with people. The temperature was a little too warm for our liking, but it helped that we spent a lot of time there getting wet via spray from the falls or drenched by rapids.

Because we had enjoyed ourselves so much the first time, we decided to end our trip to Canada by going back and we’re glad that we did. Make sure you check out the historic locations in the area and we highly recommend purchasing one of the Niagara Falls Passes. Not only did we end up doing more than we had intended, but with each attraction it made the pass better value for money.

Also, Niagara on the Lake is perfect if you want somewhere with a small-town atmosphere. We loved to wander in the shops and stop in a café for a coffee and apple strudel.

There is so much to see within the area that you could easily fill a week of fun activities, shopping and memory making. If you do end up visiting Niagara Falls or Niagara on the Lake, then make sure you tag us on Instagram, because we love to see what you’re up to as you tick off your bucket lists.