Your guide to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls highlights
The big splash
Around 12 million tourists book hotels and flights to Niagara Falls each year for its star attraction, Horseshoe Falls. Prepare to be amazed (and to get wet!) as approximately a million bathtubs of water crash down every minute from the largest of the three falls. Get up close on a boat tour or stand right behind it on an observation deck. For a real treat, take a helicopter tour over the action.
Family fun
Family fun begins at the Falls and continues at attractions around the city. Kids of all ages get revved up for the Niagara Speedway track and Niagara Skywheel. Zip down water slides at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark (North America’s largest), or enjoy bowling and arcade games at Strike Game Zone. For epic views from above, ride the Falls Incline Railway.
First-rate food scene
The Canadian side of the Falls has enjoyed a dining revolution of late, with many of its fast food joints being phased out for chef-focused restaurants. Expect to find quality international cuisine with a local twist during your time in Niagara Falls. Seasonal ingredients, wine from Ontario vineyards and cheese produced a short drive away feature heavily on menus.
Niagara Falls: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | December - February |
Find the best time to go to Niagara Falls
Weather in Niagara Falls
March – May: Spring in Niagara Falls can still be cold, with lows ranging from –5°C to 12°C. But it doesn’t stop the region’s daffodils, tulips and magnolias from blooming.
June – August: Summers are generally warm and sunny with mostly clear skies. Book early to beat the tourist rush.
September – November: Autumn just might be the most stunning season in Niagara Falls. Leaf-peeping opportunities peak around Halloween.
December – February: Winters are cold, with average highs maxing out just above freezing. Pack your warmest winter coat and look out for the so-called ‘ice bridge’ at the bottom of the Falls.
Events in Niagara Falls
The Shaw Festival (April to December): This popular festival stages ten annual productions across three theatres. The lineup always includes plays by Bernard Shaw, the festival’s namesake, as well as new work, revivals and Christmas shows.
Grape and Wine Festival (September): The narrow strip of land between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario has ideal conditions for winemakers, and Canada’s biggest and oldest wine festival takes place in nearby St Catharines.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (November to January): Don’t miss one of Canada’s largest Christmas lights festivals. The city transforms into a stunning winter wonderland featuring millions of sparkling lights, mesmerising displays, fireworks, concerts and family-friendly activities.
The best neighbourhoods in Niagara Falls
Clifton Hill
Dubbed the ‘Street of Fun’, Clifton Hill is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Niagara Falls for families. This compact area is home to amusement arcades, themed restaurants, the Niagara SkyWheel and oddball museums like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Movieland Wax Museum. There’s even a roller coaster on the roof of a Burger King if you can’t get enough of fun fair rides.
Good for: Arcades, museums, roller coasters
Fallsview
True to its name, this is the best area to stay in Niagara Falls if you love a good view. Many of its luxury hotels and resorts offer stunning vistas of Horseshoe Falls — you can enjoy the nightly Falls Illumination and fireworks show right from your bed. Stay here for top attractions like the Skylon Tower, restaurants, a casino resort, movie theatres and nightclubs.
Good for: Waterfall views, dining, fireworks
St Catharines
This is where to stay in Niagara Falls if you prefer a bit of distance between you and the tourist areas. About a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls, St Catharines is nicknamed ‘The Garden City’ for its green spaces and hiking trails. It also boasts a sandy coastline and picturesque harbourfront a short stroll from its boutique hotels and international resorts.
Good for: Beaches, parkland, hiking
Things to do in Niagara Falls
Places to eat
The restaurants in Niagara Falls draw influence from its diverse population and the tourists that visit from across the world. You’ll find Japanese, Korean, Italian and Indian restaurants as well as steakhouses and buffets. For special occasions and the views to match, book a table in the revolving restaurant at the top of Skylon Tower.
Nightlife
With everything from craft breweries to casinos, you’re never too far from a party atmosphere in Niagara Falls. One of Ontario’s most popular brewers, Niagara Brewing Company, is located in Clifton Hill. You’ll also find sports bars, wineries and cocktail bars here. Fallsview Casino Resort offers slot machines and table games, as well as live music.
Beaches
It’s not all about the pummelling cascades here. You’ll find some great beaches near Niagara Falls to kick back on, like Lakeside Park Beach. It’s located on the south shore of Lake Ontario, where you can walk along the sandy shoreline and enjoy views of the Port Dalhousie marina and lighthouse. Head to Nickel Beach on Lake Erie for a day of windsurfing, swimming and sunbathing.
Free things to do
The most popular free thing to do in Niagara Falls is to actually watch falls themselves. You can view Horseshoe Falls from the promenade, where there is a grassy park and live music in summer months. At night, catch the light show from Queen Victoria Park. Stroll around Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens or take a scenic drive to CFX Niagara chocolate factory, which offers free tours.
Take in the culture
After you’ve done the boat tour, head to the museums in Niagara Falls to learn more about the natural wonder. Discover how the falls were formed at Niagara Falls History Museum and let the kids explore hands-on art and science exhibits at the Niagara Children's Museum. Don’t miss Niagara Falls Art Gallery for the impressive William Kurelek Collection.
Shopping
Clifton Hill is the place to go shopping in Niagara Falls if you want to browse speciality shops. Look for unique gifts at Canada Trading Company, toys at the Fun Factory and candy at the Fudge Factory. For fresh produce, artisanal goods and live music, check out the Niagara Falls Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Get ready for Niagara Falls
Budget
Exploring Niagara Falls on a budget is easy. It’s free to see the Falls in Niagara Parks, plus there are plenty of bargains to be had in the general area. You can enjoy an inexpensive restaurant meal for about 20 Canadian dollars ($). Grab a beer for less than $8 or a cappuccino for about $5. A short cab ride will cost you roughly $9.
Day trips from Niagara Falls
Grab your passport and cross the Peace Bridge into Buffalo, New York, less than half an hour away. The Buffalo AKG Art Museum boasts a top-notch collection in a newly renovated space. Be sure to order ‘drums and flats’ at the famous Anchor Bar, birthplace of the Buffalo wing. Or head west to visit any of the dozen or more wineries in the region that produces ice wine.
Getting around Niagara Falls
Once you’ve arrived in Niagara Falls, it’s a breeze to get around on foot. Most visitors enter Canada by car through the US or will hire a car to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Bus services to and from the airport can be restrictive. Amtrak rail services and a local bus connect Niagara with St Catharines and other areas.
