Things to do in  Niagara Falls & Around

The powerful border-straddling Niagara Falls is composed of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls). A riverside park offers expansive views of the bright turquoise water, and there's always a layer of mist hovering in the air, sparkling as the sun catches it. The crowds of visitors in colorful ponchos add to the vibrant atmosphere.

Located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Skylon Tower is a popular tourist attraction that’s famous for its sweeping views. Boasting a panoramic observation deck, a revolving restaurant, shops, and an entertainment center, the tower is fun for the whole family. It’s also the perfect place to access photo opps of the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, along with the wider Niagara landscape.

Niagara Falls is an incredible sight from land and by boat, but Journey Behind the Falls is all about experiencing the waterfall's power while getting up close and personal—and wet. Standing on an observation deck behind the falls, where the equivalent of more than 1 million bathtubs worth of water thunder over the edge every minute, is a truly one-of-a-kind experience of Niagara.

Table Rock Welcome Centre—beside Horseshoe Falls—is the place where most visitors start their Niagara Falls adventures. This retail and observation center provides visitor information, ticket sales for nearby attractions, and access to observation platforms that overlook the falls. You can also dine here at the Table Rock House Restaurant, visit casual dining spots at the Table Rock Market, or shop for souvenirs at the Table Rock Shop.

While Niagara Falls is justifiably famous for the force of nature that is the falls themselves, the Floral Clock is one of several other impressive attractions in the area. Comprising thousands of colorful plants and flowers, the clock blooms from spring to fall. It’s a fun photo opportunity, especially for nature lovers and avid gardeners.

At the Cave of the Winds observation decks, thrill-seeking visitors can get within 20 feet (6 meters) of the thundering Niagara Falls. This is one of the closest ways to experience the natural wonder, and feels like the inside of a tropical storm, with torrents of water and winds of up to 68 mph (109 kph). Safe to say, you should prepare to get wet.

The smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 56-foot-wide (17-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 78-foot (24-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil, hence the falls’ name.

Colorful and over-the-top, Clifton Hill overlooks Niagara Falls and the raging river below. It’s all about entertainment—find haunted houses next to joke shops, and race go-karts along an elevated track. In the evening, climb aboard the Niagara SkyWheel for views of the illuminated Falls and to watch the bustle below.

Suspended high over the Niagara River, the Whirlpool Aero Car passes directly over the Niagara Whirlpool—a swirling whitewater vortex created by conflicting currents in the river. The cable car has been on the go for more than a century, carrying passengers for a thrilling view of the Class 6 rapids below. Fun fact: While it starts and ends on Canadian shores, the cable car actually crosses the US border four times during the 10-minute ride.

Queen Victoria Park offers a quiet respite from the bustle of Niagara Falls. Take in stunning views of Horseshoe Falls and spend some time strolling among the plants and flowers that grow throughout the park. The colorful gardens and manicured lawns offer both relaxing picnic spots and great photo ops of the falls.

Arching across the Niagara River gorge, the Rainbow Bridge links Niagara Falls in New York on the US side with Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada. Built in 1940, the historic bridge serves as one of the most scenic border crossings between the two countries. Traverse it on foot, by bike, or by vehicle for dramatic views of Niagara Falls—just be sure to have your passport and valid travel documentation with you.

The family-owned Reif Estate Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Located on the banks of the Niagara River, and not far from Lake Ontario, it’s in an attractive setting, with views across the river to the United States. The estate offers wine and food tastings and events, including some more unusual wine events that mix good food, drink, and fun.

Opened in 2006, this towering Ferris wheel carries passengers up to a height of 175 feet (53 meters), far above the hubbub and neon lights of bustling Clifton Hill. From the enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas, passengers can see for miles in every direction and admire the grandeur of Horseshoe and American falls.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake—or NOTL, as the locals call it—sits at the meeting point of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. A stone’s throw from the US–Canadian border, the lakefront town is a popular destination for day trips and weekend getaways, beloved for its striking 19th-century buildings, award-winning wineries, and the Shaw Festival theater company.

At 183 feet (56 meters) tall, Brock's Monument in Queenston Heights National Historic Site is the highest of its kind in Canada. It commemorates Major General Sir Isaac Brock, a hero of the War of 1812. In Queenston, a short drive from Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the national historic site is a fun, informative place to visit while touring the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.