10 Best Things To Do in Niagara Falls
With a drop of 52 metres, it is one of the most beautiful falls on the planet and also one of the most impressive. Here is the definitive guide to get the most out of it.
Aerial shot of the waterfall | ©Cameron Venti
Niagara Falls is one of the most emblematic places in the USA and Canada and also one of the great wonders of the planet that nature has given us. If we were to turn it into a building, it would be the equivalent of a 15-storey flat, which is almost nothing!
Their beauty has made them a natural setting for the filming of movies such as 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (2007), 'Superman II' (1980) and 'Niagara' (1953), which made Marilyn Monroe a star. If you already have the necessary visa and are convinced to visit these movie waterfalls, pack your backpack, mackintosh and hiking boots and write down the top 10 things to see and do in Niagara Falls.
1. Go boating and... feel the water fall
If you're a thrill-seeker, get ready to experience a real thrill ride. One of the attractions at the Falls that impressed me the most was getting on board the Maid of the Mist boat that sails down the river and goes as deep as possible into the frothy water that falls with a lot of force.
Is this ship dangerous?
Don't worry! This electric boat, which has been in service since 1846, is very safe and its captain is an experienced professional. There is nothing to be afraid of, as it has established itself as one of the oldest operating tourist services in the world. As you read! For 175 years the company has been offering tourists a festival of sound, water and nature with lots of adrenaline.
Route taken by the boat
Niagara means "thunder of water" in the Iroquois language and it is well worth the effort to immerse yourself in the inner roar of its three famous waterfalls. The boat's journey begins at American Falls, then Bridal Veil Falls and finally into the dense mist of Horseshoe Falls, before returning to the starting point.
Famous visitors have included the British royal family (Lady Di and her two children) and Hollywood A-listers such as Marilyn Monroe, Robert Redford, Denzel Washington and Al Pacino, among others. The list of celebrities is endless. If they dared, you can too. If you don't mind taking a dip, the best place on the ship is the first floor, bow and starboard.
Which excursion to take?
If you're spending your time in New York, you can take a trip to the falls from there, how? By doing one of these plans that I suggest:
- 3-day tour: you can book this tour which includes a visit to the Falls, as well as Toronto and the 1000 Islands, both on the American side and the side bordering Canada.
- 2-day tour: if you prefer, you can book the 2-day option and see the Falls with 1 night's hotel accommodation including continental breakfast.
- 1 day tour: if you are short on time, you can opt for a 1 day tour, with a bilingual guide if you wish.
Did you know that the first Maid of the Mist was a steam ferry with twin funnels and was big enough to carry people, goods and horses? Well, some of these tours include a ride on this legendary ship - are you in?
2. Enjoy the Cave of the Winds and its free shower!
If after the boat ride you're still hungry for more adventure, and you're an intrepid like me, you'll love the Cave of the Winds, where as the name suggests you'll have an epic experience.
To get to this enclave, you'll hike along a wooden walkway that allows you to reach the base of the Bridal Veil Falls, where you'll enjoy one of the most impressive views of the force of the falls, which will fall directly on top of you. And of course, you get a free shower! As you can hear. My advice is that, even if they give you a yellow Captain Pescanova-style mackintosh, take your own. You'll avoid a good soaking and a lot of unpleasantness.
Excursion with a guide in the Cueva de los Vientos (Cave of the Winds)
In my case, I chose to do this tour with a guide so that I didn't have to buy my own ticket and avoid the long queues that form at one of the busiest places in the world. Nearly 8 million visitors come here every year - imagine the crowds!
Did you know that Niagara Falls State Park was designed by the same landscape architect who created Central Park in New York? I discovered this and other curiosities on my one-hour tour of the park with a professional guide, who explained the history, secrets and heroic rescues that have taken place here.
Nuria's Traveller Tip
Don't miss the rainbow that forms all day long around the falls, a spectacle to admire and photograph! Be careful with cameras though.
3. Climb the Skylon Tower, the highest viewpoint in the world
If you're not afraid of heights and you want to see the falls from an eagle's eye view, you should climb the Skylon Tower, the highest viewpoint in the area at 160 metres. That's three times the height of the waterfall, so the panoramic views are breathtaking.
The funny thing is that in less than 1 minute you'll be on its 360-degree rooftop. In fact, the exterior transparent glass lifts take just 52 seconds, so you won't even have time to blink! From the top you can see the Niagara wine region and the silhouettes of Buffalo, New York and Toronto on the horizon - a unique experience!
If you're visiting the Falls as a family, it's the perfect place to take the kids because there are plenty of activities inside for them to have fun. Here are some other things you can do with the kids at Niagara- read on!
Skylon Tower Attractions
Discover the main activities you can do at Skylon Tower:
- Family Fun Center: an interactive play area where kids and teens will have a blast.
- Battle of Titans: an exhibition of dinosaurs with fossils.
- Watch the film 'Legends of Niagara Falls' in 3D.
- Angelo Rossi Galleria & Studio: a large gallery of the artist's glass works.
- Skylon Tower shopping centre where you can buy a souvenir.
4. Dine and toast on the heights with the falls in the background
If you're visiting Niagara Falls in winter, a great way to enjoy the views without getting cold is to sit at the Skylon Tower for dinner or lunch with a magnificent view of the Falls from above. Don't forget to toast!
The Skylon Tower offers two excellent dining options to suit all budgets and palates. Those who want an exclusive experience can dine in its internationally renowned revolving restaurant and savour its modern continental cuisine. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the scenery at a good price, the Summit Suite Buffet dining room offers more affordable menus for travellers and families, both at an altitude of 236 metres above the falls!
Restaurant opening hours:
-Lunch (11:30 am - 3:00 pm) -Dinner (4:30 pm - 9:30 pm)
And if after the day's adventure you're left with an appetite or prefer other options, take note of the best restaurants near Niagara Falls. Enjoy your meal over water!
Nuria's Traveller Tip
If you dine at one of the restaurants at the Skylon Tower, you won't have to pay the entrance fee to go up to the observation deck - the views at night are romantic!
5. Take a cable car across the Niagara.... invented by a Spaniard!
One of the most iconic activities you can do in Niagara is to ride the Whirlpool Aero Car cable car, which opened more than 100 years ago at the falls. Did you know that the attraction was invented by a Spanish genius? Cantabrian engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo. It seems that the brain drain was already going on back then.
Why should you take this cable car? Because you will experience a unique moment where, in addition to the beautiful views of the waterfalls, you will feel the adrenaline rush of travelling over the river. You will feel your hair stand on end!
Is it safe? I asked myself this question too. But don't worry, because since its inauguration in 1916, it has transported more than ten million tourists without a single accident. You won't have the first one! What's more, cable cars all over the world still use this century-old technology today.
Nuria's Traveller Tip
Check the fireworks calendar on the official Niagara Falls website to coincide with your trip. Seeing the waterfalls in dozens of colours is priceless!
6. Fly in a helicopter over the Niagara skyline
Can you imagine crossing the Niagara Falls sky in a helicopter? Well, it's possible. If you have vertigo, maybe this plan is not on your holiday agenda, but contemplating the immensity of this waterfall from the air is one of the experiences you should have at least once in your life. You'll feel like Jesús Calleja.
This is a highly recommended experience, without a doubt, and one of the ones I enjoyed the most on my trip to the waterfalls. If you want to know more about the flights, take a look at the article about flying in a helicopter over Niagara Falls where you will discover all the details to enjoy this unique activity on your trip.
7. Marvel at the Winter Light Show
If you are lucky enough to visit Niagara Falls in winter you will experience one of the most magical shows I have ever seen, comparable only to going to the Lion King musical on Broadway!
The OPG Winter Festival of Light is a unique experience at Niagara Falls that you won't find anywhere else. The decorations and lights transport you to a dream world. It's jaw-dropping.
What's so special about it? The event transforms Niagara Falls into a wonderland with millions of lights and displays both inside the park and in the city's main tourist districts. Find out here the best time to visit the falls, including Christmas.
Experience Christmas at the Falls
This festival is held from November to February. Make a note in your diary, you have 101 nights to see the festival lighting. An annual tradition that for many Canadians and tourists is the perfect getaway to get into the Christmas spirit. In winter, the frozen falls are even more beautiful with this night-time illumination - the beauty of the site is well worth the extreme cold!
Nuria's Traveller Tip
Visiting Niagara Falls at Christmas is an ideal plan. There are music shows, storytellers and over a hundred illuminated trees and reindeer - it will be unforgettable!
8. Hike the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
Niagara Falls is a tourist attraction at any time of the day, where it is a constant sight to see people with their mackintoshes everywhere. That's why discovering little treasures such as the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, which is not normally listed in travel guides, is always a joy.
This stunning place is full of greenery and has a great variety of flora and fauna. My advice is to take a morning walk or bike ride to get in touch with nature and take a break from the tourist attractions - and it's free!
9. Explore the colourful village of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Around the falls and Niagara River Gorge you'll find incredible views, lush gardens, over 24 kilometres of trails and historic sites. One of my favourite discoveries, just 20 minutes from the Falls, was the cute little village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, located at the corner of the mouth of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. You can book your visit to the Falls now to make sure you don't miss out on this amazing trip.
This town, famous for its vineyards and wineries, is full of quaint, colourful 19th-century wooden houses, tasteful shops, flower-filled gardens and thoughtful architecture. The best thing to do is to wander through its streets full of historical heritage and let them surprise you. Nearby, you can also find a clock made of flowers.
Don't miss the Shaw Theatre Festival
Also, if you plan to visit the Falls between April and October and then tour Niagara-on-the-Lake, you can enjoy one of the most important theatre festivals in North America, the Shaw Festival, which has been held for 60 years.
Nuria's Traveller Tip
On Saturday mornings from May to October in Niagara-on-the-Lake, head to the Market At The Village where local farmers and producers gather to sell their handcrafted goods.
10. Enjoy a good wine tasting
Are you a wine lover? Although France and Italy (especially the Tuscany region) are some of the best known places in the world for their vineyards, Niagara is also a little paradise for this drink. The region is home to more than 80 wineries!
Would you like to visit one of them and discover the perfect pairings? My advice is to take advantage of your visit to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, TripAdvisor's number 1 wine and food destination in Canada, and visit one of the 30 wineries in the town. Just don't drive afterwards.
Try a glass of ice wine
Specifically, if you're visiting a winery, I recommend you try a glass of ice wine, which is a unique and highly original wine made from grapes ripened in their first freezing processes, hence the name. It has a very sweet taste and is delicious!
A festival for wine lovers
The area is also famous not only for its theatre show, as I mentioned, but also for hosting the Icewine Festival from 6-23 January 2022, an annual two-week event where you can sample the Canadian drink and enjoy the area's icy scenery.
Other useful information for your visit to Niagara Falls
You already have a complete list of things to see and do that will make your visit to Niagara Falls an experience, but you still have a few details to tie up, don't you? Pay attention to these points and round off your visit.
How to get there by bus from the Big Apple
In my case, I chose to go by bus because it seemed the cheapest option. I guarantee that this trip was not as uncomfortable as you might imagine. However, check out the best bus tours to Niagara Falls from New York.
You'll appreciate this tour even more if you're travelling from the Big Apple and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the 'city that never sleeps'. Here's a guide on how to get to Niagara Falls from New York. Also check out the best one or two day trips from the Big Apple to Niagara- it'll be worth the effort!
Tips for surviving Niagara Falls
If you have time, don't miss some of my tips for visiting Niagara Falls from the Big Apple! I'm sure they'll help you start planning your trip.
Lastly, if I may give you another tip, stay on the Canadian side as this is where the best views are and you'll be able to see all three falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls on the American side and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. However, take note of the tours on the American side of the falls.
Ah! I also recommend that you stay overnight on the road by the river in one of the old manor houses that have been converted into charming bed and breakfasts. Waking up to these views in the middle of nature is priceless. And now, bon voyage!