Niagara Falls is one of the most famous and magnificent waterfalls in the world. They are located in the far northwest of New York State, along the Niagara River, which forms the US/Canadian boundary. Water from Lake Erie cascades over a nearly 200-foot drop into Lake Ontario, bringing more than 12 million tourists each year.
Bridal Veil Falls, American Falls, and Horseshoe Falls are the three waterfalls in total. The river rushes through a narrow channel in Niagara Gorge, then churns into a massive vortex downstream.
The falls may be seen in a number of ways, both from dry ground and up close in the spray. There are lots of activities to do in this picturesque upstate town, as well as just over the river in Niagara Falls, Ontario, after you’ve taken in the breathtaking falls. Our list of the best attractions and things to do in Niagara Falls will help you plan your next trip.
Niagara Skywheel
Clifton Hill, a tourist zone on the Ontario, Canada, side of the falls with family-friendly activities, offers yet another perspective of the falls. This is where the Niagara SkyWheel may be found. The Niagara SkyWheel, billed as Canada’s biggest observation wheel, has climate-controlled gondolas that revolve 175 feet above the falls.
The Horseshoe and American Falls, the Niagara River, and other local sites can all be seen from the SkyWheel. The rides take anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes. Recent tourists raved about their trip on the Niagara SkyWheel and suggested going at night to see the lighted falls. The view was regarded as “amazing” by several visitors, who thought it was well worth the entrance fee. You will see a natural wonder and incredible views, and if you go with your kids, they will have a lot of fun.
Butterfly Conservatory
Take an afternoon to immerse yourself in the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens to get away from the thundering falls and tourist hordes. The gardens are a must-see for anybody who enjoys nature. This 100-acre estate is home to dozens of perfectly kept gardens with hundreds of plant varieties, which are cared for by students at the on-campus horticultural school.
During the summer, you may take a guided horse-and-carriage trip to see the gardens in luxury. The Butterfly Conservatory, where thousands of butterflies flit and flutter amid beautifully colored blooms, is also located on the grounds. This is the best place to see some interactive exhibits and the best time to visit during are summer months.
A visit to the gardens and butterfly conservatory, according to recent visitors, offered a welcome break from the kitschy mood around the falls. The butterfly conservatory might become busy, but the grounds are calm, according to reviewers. It’s also a good idea to bring your camera since the conservatory has a lot of picture opportunities.
Whirlpool Aero Car
The aerial cable vehicle securely connects two places on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, passing across the breathtaking Whirlpool.
A one-kilometer (3,600-foot) circular journey takes roughly 10 minutes to complete. The automobile has a capacity of 35 standing people. This is one of the oldest activities in the region, as well as one of the most pleasant.
Go On Hiking Trails
Visitors suggest spending a day in the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve if you need a break from the throng around the falls. This nature park, located off the Niagara Parkway on the Canadian side of the falls, offers more than 2 miles of paths through conserved Carolinian Forest and overlooks the Niagara River and its natural whirlpool.
Hiking around the preserve is a popular activity for recent tourists, particularly in the autumn when the leaves begin to change color. The on-site nature center and its knowledgeable personnel were also praised by reviewers. Visitors may also join daily guided hikes from the center, which are accessible from May to August. Maybe you will encounter exotic animals while doing other various activities in a range of ways.
Niagara Fallsview Casino
When the sun sets, go to the Niagara Fallsview Casino, where you’ll find 150 table games and tens of thousands of slot machines to test your luck. If you’re not much of a gambler, the casino’s 225,000 square feet of retail space and the Avalon Theatre, which stages a variety of concerts and other acts throughout the year, will keep you occupied.
There’s also a spa and a golf course, as well as more than a dozen different eating options to keep you satisfied. Recent visitors commended the helpful service and praised the range of games. The hygiene of the casino and the breathtaking scenery were also mentioned by reviewers. Honorable mention here is the top of the tower hotel and observation towers with some of the best tours. From the starting point of the walking tour, you will have park features included.
Goat Island’s Cave
Try a cave of the winds tour. A trail leads from Prospect Point to Little Green Island, which is located in the center of the rapids just above the American Falls, and then to Goat Island, which is located between the American and Horseshoe Falls. The entrance to the Cave of the Winds lies on Goat Island, at the foot of the American Falls, where boardwalks go just under the falls.
Visitors to the Cave of Winds are given ponchos and souvenir sandals before descending the 175 feet into the canyon – a requirement for anybody who doesn’t want to spend the rest of the day in soaked shoes. The wooden platform, known as the “hurricane deck” because of its permanent state of stormy circumstances, is just 20 feet from the falling water of Bridal Veil Falls.
Tourists may also reach Luna Island by a gangway from Goat Island’s northern edge, and a network of walkways offers extra opportunities to observe both American and Horseshoe Falls from other angles. Other activities involve a jet boat tour if you want an adventure, wine trails as the main attraction, and theme parks which are some of the best ways to entertain your kids.
Take A Journey Behind The Falls
You’ll be able to stand close behind the roaring sheet of water and receive a behind-the-scenes look at this stunning natural phenomenon on the Journey Behind the Falls. The trip starts with a journey in an elevator to an observation platform with views of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara River. Follow the caves from there to see the thundering curtain of the falls from a different angle. Be prepared for crowds, however; Journey Behind the Falls is one of the most popular ways to experience the falls, so the tunnels may be crowded.
Even if you’ve previously taken a Maid of the Mist tour, the Journey Behind the Falls is highly recommended by recent visitors since it provides yet another unique view of the falls. Reviewers recommend arriving at the facility when it first opens at 9 a.m. to avoid crowds and enjoy the vista in solitude. Another method to escape the continual crowds is to visit the site with a guided tour group.
The caves are open every day and the Journey Behind the Falls trip starts on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Hours vary according to on the season, however, the attraction usually opens at 9 a.m. Tickets cost CA$14 (about $10.65) for adults and CA$9 (approximately $6.80) for children aged 6 to 12. Adult tickets will cost CA$15 (about $11.45) beginning January 1, 2020, while children’s tickets will cost CA$10 (around $7.60). Adult costs rise to CA$23 (about $17.50) in the summer, while children’s tickets rise to CA$15 (around $11.45).
Helicopter Tour
If you still have money to spare and want to do something different, take a helicopter tour over the Falls. There are two major advantages to doing this. First and foremost, if you have never had a helicopter flight, you must! Second, there is no better spot to enjoy a helicopter trip than Niagara Falls.
It’s without a doubt one of the most thrilling activities available, not only in Niagara but throughout the country! The views from the air are like something out of a storybook, so don’t forget to take a few photos to remember the experience! We recommend watching a short video before this tour.
Niagara Gorge Trail
The Rim Trail, which runs south to north along the gorge’s upper edge, provides a variety of breathtaking vistas. It is labeled as “easy” since it has a well-kept gravel base, although it does include numerous sets of rather steep stairs. Beginning at the Niagara Gorge Trailhead Center (near the Discovery Center) and terminating at the Robert Moses Power Plant, the path is 6.2 miles long one way.
Hikers may continue on the Artpark Gorge Trail for another 1.3 miles (easy to moderate difficulty) to reach the Artpark State Park, which is immediately north of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, at the trail’s northernmost terminus.
The River’s Edge Trail is also in this park, and it allows hikers to observe the river on its own level, as its name implies. This simple track is approximately 1.2 miles long and is ideal for individuals who may struggle on the more tougher waterside trails.
Hikers may also turn around and continue on the Robert Moses Recreation Trail (easy level), which runs through Deveaux Wood State Park, or the more difficult Devil’s Hole Trail. In the winter, the Robert Moses route is entirely paved and may be used for cycling, skating, and cross-country skiing. It runs for 3.2 miles from its intersection with the Rim Trail to the Niagara Gorge Trailhead. Weather permitting, the park provides guided excursions from May through October.
Whirlpool Rapids
The river changes course again three miles below the American Falls, generating a whirlpool in the enormous cauldron caused by geological processes, before heading northeast over the Lower Rapids and into Lake Ontario. With 100,000 cubic feet of water pouring down the tight Whirlpool Gorge every second, these rapids are among the most deadly in the world.
Visitors may descend down a set of trails and steps from the New York side of the river to an observation point that was originally a station on the Great Gorge Railway. The Whitewater Walk, which is wheelchair accessible and requires a visit to Canada’s Niagara Park in Ontario, provides a more manageable approach to experiencing the whirlpool and rapids.
The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, which spans the Niagara River between the United States and Canada, is another popular spot for viewing the falls from above. This counts as an easy trail to one of the larger islands with a long history. It has a modern feel and a good reason to visit is that it is a protected area. Honorable mentions here include prospect point observation tower and Castellani art museum of Niagara University.
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