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Visiting Niagara Falls

When should I visit Niagara Falls?

June to August – Summer brings the sunshine however also the crowds to Niagara Falls, but I do still believe this is the best time to visit. The spray from the waterfalls is lovely and refreshing during a hot day and it’s much more enjoyable to explore the falls and surrounding area in the glorious sunshine.
September to October – If you’re not a fan of queuing perhaps wait until after the Summer rush to visit Niagara Falls. In September and October the weather is still fairly pleasant and the crowds thin substantially. You can also get some great photographs as the foliage changes colour to a range of rustic orange and dark red shades. For wine lovers, Niagara wine festival, a celebration showcasing the fantastic local wineries, takes place in Canada during the second half of September and is definitely one not to miss; or if you’re a beer drinker head to Niagara’s Oktoberfest held on the US side of the falls.

December to January – In Winter the temperatures drop substantially, and several of the attractions at Niagara Falls are closed during this time so make sure you check ahead. If you’re lucky you might be able to witness the falls partially freezing which is quite a spectacle! During this time Niagara hosts a Winter Festival of Lights on the Canadian side which is a magical way to spend an evening.

Visiting Niagara Falls - frozen waterfalls in Winter

How do I get to Niagara Falls?

From Toronto – You can easily tag a day or two in Niagara Falls onto a trip to Toronto, one of my favourite North American cities. Instead of hiring a car, as you won’t really need one once you get to Niagara, I would recommend catching the Greyhound bus to and from Toronto. You can book your tickets in advance, the seats are fairly comfortable and the journey time is around 90 minutes. There are also trains from Toronto although these are less frequent and more expensive, unless you opt for the commuter train with GO Transit which has the disadvantage of no seat reservations. From the bus or train station at Niagara Falls catch the WEGO green line to get to the main tourist area (if you’ve got an Adventure Pass travel on the WEGO buses is included). Visiting Niagara Falls - Sunset over Niagara Falls
From the US – The nearest airport to Niagara Falls is Buffalo Niagara airport, served by domestic flights from across the US. To get to Niagara Falls from the airport take a 45 min taxi journey. A shuttle service runs from the airport to the main tourist area however this doesn’t run very frequently and stops in the early evening. From New York you can drive to Niagara Falls in around 6 hours, Greyhound buses also operate along this route.

Which side of Niagara Falls is best?

The Canadian side! Most people I know that have been to both sides of Niagara Falls would recommend the Canadian side of the falls over the American side. From the Canadian side you can get an amazing panoramic view of the three falls in all their glory, and get super close to the falls (whilst getting a good drenching) at the viewpoint beside Horseshoe Falls. Whilst both sides offer a combination ticket spanning several attractions the Canadian Adventure Pass will cover everything you want to do related to Niagara Falls, with a wide range of discounts at nearby restaurants and attractions.

Away from the falls themselves there’s a much wider choice of hotels and restaurants on the Canadian side. One thing to note though, is that the whole town has been custom made for tourists so features many fast food restaurants and tacky tourists destinations including haunted houses, wax museums and of course a towering casino which may put some people off. You can still find lovely boutique places to stay and eat hidden amongst the mainstream options.

Visiting Niagara Falls - Rainbow from the spray of the Horseshoe falls

Regardless of which side you choose to stay I would recommend walking across Rainbow Bridge during your time at Niagara  Falls so you can experience both sides, the view from the bridge is pretty great too! Remember to take your passport with you when crossing over and ensure you have the appropriate visa(s).

What activities are there to do at Niagara Falls?

Take a boat trip to get up close and personal with the falls – Experience the spray from Niagara Falls from either of the iconic boat trips: the Maid of the Mist (departing from the US side) or the Hornblower (departing from the Canadian side). Struggling to choose between the Hornblower vs Maid of the Mist cruise? Both trips take the same route visiting all three falls taking you up so close to the water that you can feel the mist on your face and hear the thundering waters. If you’re lucky you might even be able to spot a rainbow formed in the spray! Complimentary ponchos are provided with your ticket for both boats, and very necessary, especially to keep your electronics dry. As the most popular of Niagara’s attractions and without the option of timed entry I would recommend either starting or ending your day here to avoid the worst of the queues. It’s worth noting that neither boat runs during Winter with the last trips for the year scheduled in mid-late November. The Hornblower begins offering their Niagara Falls voyages again when the weather begins to heat up in March whereas the Maid of the Mist tours do not start until May. Visiting Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist or Hornblower boat tour
Journey behind the Horseshoe falls – Descend through the tunnels cut into the bedrock to visit the lower observation deck beneath Horseshoe falls, the largest and most impressive out of Niagara’s waterfalls. Don your waterproof poncho and look up, 13 storeys up, to the precipice of the waterfall to watch thousands of litres of water falling towards you!
Learn more about the story of Niagara Falls – Both Niagara Falls combination passes offer visitors a chance to understand the story of Niagara Falls through multi-sensory shows. The shows are a great escape from the rain, although the poncho given to you before you enter the Niagara’s Fury show (Canadian side) may suggest some water effects…
Watch the light show and fireworks above Niagara Falls – Finish off your day at Niagara Falls by seeing the spectacular multi-coloured illumination of Niagara Falls, and on selected dates fireworks also light up the skies above the falls. If you aren’t lucky enough to be staying in a room with a view of the iconic Niagara Falls, the Oakes Garden theatre (just outside of the Sheraton Fallsview) and the Rainbow bridge offer great views of the illuminations and fireworks. The falls are illuminated all year round starting at dusk with special illuminations to mark public holidays and charitable causes; whereas the fireworks only take place during Summer and festive occasions. Visiting Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls illuminations
Get a bird’s eye view of the falls from a spectacular helicopter ride – For the experience of a lifetime take to the skies for a helicopter ride over Niagara falls and the surrounding area. Standard flights last around 20 minutes, taking in the waterfalls, historic landmarks and vineyards. You can opt for a customised tour, and they even offer wedding ceremonies mid-air!
Ride the Skywheel – Take in views of the falls and Niagara skyline from Canada’s largest observation wheel. You’ll be able to see for miles in all directions during your 10 minute ride. Located in Clifton Hill you can purchase tickets as part of a Fun Pass giving you access to several other attractions in the area.

What else is there to see and do in Niagara apart from the waterfalls?

Try some new wines – The Niagara region has become very well known for their wines, with the area near to Niagara Falls dotted with over 25 lovely vineyards to explore. Head to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario where a collection of 20 wineries are located right next door to each other, and you can pick up a Winemakers’ Selection tasting pass for just $25 giving you a tasting glass of wine at each of the wineries! The area has been voted the best Food & Wine destination in Canada and with good reason as many of the wineries serve fine wines paired with regional cuisine, the perfect lunch spot in Summer.
Take a magical walk through Niagara’s Winter lights – Every year Niagara hosts a Winter Festival of Lights where over 2 million lights decorate Niagara Falls and the surrounding area making it look truly magical. The festival runs from November to end of January every year with no admission fee, although donations are very welcome and used to enhance the display in future years. Visiting Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Explore nature – There are lots of walking and cycling trails around the amazing landscapes of Niagara, with some of the most picturesque located on Dufferin Islands where quaint wooden footbridges connect sheltered islands. You can meander through Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens taking a moment to appreciate the famous rose garden, and if you’ve time enter the Butterfly Conservatory where over 2,000 butterflies flutter around you.
Release your inner child at Clifton Hill –Kids of all ages can have fun at the wide range of attractions available at Clifton Hill. From mini golf courses and wax museums to indoor roller coasters and ten pin bowling there’s plenty to do, especially good for any rainy days as majority are indoors.

Where should I stay when visiting Niagara Falls?

I’m not usually one to stay in large chain hotel however the views from the Sheraton at the Falls rooms are unparalleled, and not crazy expensive. With all the standard amenities you would expect from such a hotel the USP is definitely what you can see out the window. You can opt for rooms with a cityview (boring!) or views of the spectacular falls. Even better if you wish to avoid the crowds heading out to see the Niagara Falls illumination and firework display you can watch it from your room! Several other hotels also offer rooms with a view of the falls including Hilton Fallsview and Marriott on the Falls, all these hotels are situated on the Canadian side of the falls due to the better vantage point offered.

Visiting Niagara Falls - Sheraton on the Falls view from the window

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Find out more…
Niagara Falls Canada – https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/

Niagara Falls USA – https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/

Your ultimate guide to visiting Niagara Falls

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Hi, we are Laura and Rik! We currently live in London and spend all our spare time exploring home and away, slowly dining, drinking, diving and discovering all the best spots along the way. We really hope that you get as much pleasure in reading about our adventures as we have had sharing them with you!

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