10 Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls comprise 3 waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. The largest of them is Horseshoe Falls and it’s on the Canadian side of the border. The other 2 belong to the USA. You should make your visit to the falls early in the morning to enjoy a magical moment to yourself, before the crowds start to arrive. You can book a 20-minute tour on one of the boats that take you to the foot of Horseshoe Falls to truly feel the raw power of nature, but be ready to get wet! Hornblower Niagara Cruises and the Maid of the Mist are the most popular companies which offer this thrilling trip.

Erected at the top of Clifton Hill, 500 metres from the Niagara River, Niagara SkyWheel is a 53-metre-tall Ferris wheel which offers breathtaking views of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Niagara SkyWheel is open all year round, thanks to the air-conditioned and heated cabins. A ride lasts roughly 10 minutes – time enough to make 3 rotations. The Ferris wheel is part of the Clifton Hill amusement park. You can save money by purchasing a Clifton Hill Fun Pass, which costs around C$30 and gives you access to 7 attractions, including 2 rides on Niagara SkyWheel.

Part of the Niagara Falls Park and located 9 km north of the town centre, Niagara Falls Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory offers a splendid and peaceful environment for a stroll. The Botanical Gardens cover an area of 400,000 sqm, in which you can see many different types of gardens and learn about Canadian flowers, plants and trees. Horse-drawn carriage rides around the grounds are available, and there’s also a Butterfly Conservatory and a bar-restaurant. The access to the Botanical Gardens is free, while entrance to the Butterfly Conservatory costs C$15.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls is one of the most popular manmade attractions in town. Here, you’ll find all the items that made this chain of museums famous around the world, including genuine shrunken heads and other oddities. You also can see movies showing the often-ill-fated antics of those people brave enough (or foolish enough) to defy the Niagara Falls, like riding down them in a wooden barrel. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Niagara Falls sits on Clifton Hill, a stroll away from the Ferris wheel.

Covering an area of about 300,000 sq m, Queen Victoria Park is a beautifully landscaped park full of shade, breezes, fragrances and colours. Sat on the shore of the Niagara River and enjoy the lovely flower beds, which are thick with spring daffodils and summer roses. There’s a stunning contrast between the peacefulness of the park and the roaring of the water rushing in the falls, which are within clear view of the park. If you get hungry from all that quiet contemplation, you’ll find restaurants and coffee shops at the park’s southern tip.

Housed in a historical building – the old Stamford Town Hall, built in 1874 – Niagara Falls History Museum hosts 3 exhibition galleries and a theatre. The Gale Family War of 1812 gallery, the Community gallery and a temporary exhibition gallery retrace the history of Niagara Falls area. The artefacts from the War of 1812 are particularly captivating, while the gallery of Niagara Falls history is entertaining and filled with fun facts. The temporary exhibitions are often art expositions. The museum is found a 10-minute walk northwest of the waterfalls.

White Water Walk is a 400-metre-long boardwalk alongside whirlpool rapids in the Niagara River. A lift takes you down to the boardwalk, and it’s an easy hike, but a comfortable pair of walking shoes is still recommended, and don’t forget your camera. The power of the water at this point is designated class 6, the highest rating a rapid can have. White Water Walk can be found 4 km north of the falls.

Outlet Collection at Niagara is an outdoor shopping mall with over 100 brand-name stores. Here you’ll find Nike, Lacoste, The North Face and Tommy Hilfiger and many more first-class products sold at outlet prices. The shopping complex hosts a good choice of dining options, including international chains like McDonald’s, Subway and Starbucks. Outlet Collection at Niagara is located a 15-minute drive northwest of Downtown Niagara Falls.

You can take in breathtaking views of the Niagara Falls from the top of Skylon Tower in Queen Victoria Park. The 230-metre-high tower was built in the ‘60s and has a cool, vintage look. It’s the highest vantage point in Niagara Falls, and you can take your time enjoying that fact while you dine in the revolving restaurant in the UFO-shaped top of the tower. Whether you just go to the observation deck or decide to dine on the award-winning continental cuisine served at the restaurant, a ride to the top of Skylon Tower is a must-do in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls has no shortage of cool joints at which you can enjoy a hearty meal or simply have a cold beer after dark with friends. If you’re looking for a laid-back, local atmosphere, head to Yank's Old Niagara Bar & Grill on Centre Street. For a slightly more sophisticated décor and ambience, you can go to The Keg Steakhouse on Fallsview Boulevard. Last but not least, Wine on Third is an even more upscale venue with a lengthy wine list. It’s found on – you guessed it – 3rd Street.