Don’t just walk to Niagara Falls—make your journey even more thrilling by taking boat tours to the base of the waterfalls! Depending on your ticket of choice, you could experience the iconic Maid of the Mist on the US side or enjoy Hornblower Niagara Cruises on the Canadian side, getting up close to the roaring falls and feeling the mist on your face.
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Recommended tours:
Experience the unforgettable when you pass through cave-like tunnels that open up to the base of the majestic Canadian Horseshoe Falls spraying mist onto you as you enjoy a unique vantage point from behind the curtain of water.
Duration: 3.5 to 6.5 hours
Recommended tours:
At the US side of Niagara Falls take the opportunity to go on an exhilarating walk along wooden pathways just a few feet away from the thundering Bridal Veil Falls. Equipped with a poncho and special footwear, you’ll experience the full force of the falls on the Hurricane Deck, where the rushing water and mist create an unforgettable adventure.
Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
Recommended tours:
They say make hay while the sun shines, but we say make the most of Niagara Falls while you can! Day trips from Toronto take you to the Canadian side, letting you explore attractions like Journey Behind the Falls, the Niagara Underground Power Station, and more. Tours from New York City focus on the US side, including experiences such as Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and other must-visit spots.
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Recommended tours:
Niagara Falls comes alive at night with a stunning light show that bathes the Falls in vibrant colors. Powerful spotlights illuminate the water in shades of blue, yellow, green, and red, creating a mesmerizing display. Take guided night tours to access the best viewing points and fully appreciate this natural wonder under the stars.
Timings: Your night tours include options with durations between 4 hours and 10 hours.
Recommended tours:
Semi-private Night Tour with Fireworks cruise & Dinner
Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Hornblower Cruise, Fireworks & Optional Dinner
Semi-Private Day & Night Sightseeing Tour of Niagara (Canada) with Cruise & Dinner
Sit back and let the professionals do the work. These guided tours are specially curated to let you experience Niagara Falls in the best way possible, withsubject experts sharing fun anecdotes and fascinating facts about the falls and other attractions like the Niagara Underground Power Station and Skylon Tower.
Duration: 2.5 to 6.5 hours
Recommended tours:
For thrill-seekers, Niagara Falls offers plenty of heart-pumping experiences that put you right in the action. Feel the rush as you speed along the rapids on a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour or soar above the falls on the Niagara Falls Zipline, both offering unforgettable views and an adrenaline-packed adventure.
Duration: 30 mins to 2.5 hours
Recommended tours:
Enjoy an aerial perspective of the majestic Niagara Falls and its vicinity on helicopter or airplane tours. These tours provide a bird’s eye view of the Canadian and American Falls, the Niagara River, and the Niagara Gorge, all within minutes of air-time!
Timings: 8-12 mins of in-air time
Recommended tours:
This is the peak tourist season due to warm weather and longer daylight hours. You'll find most attractions, tours, and outdoor activities in full swing. However, it can get crowded, and prices may be higher.
Fall offers pleasant weather, beautiful foliage, and fewer crowds compared to summer. It's an excellent time for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing. The changing colors of the leaves add extra charm to the scenery.
Despite the cold weather, winter can be a magical time to go on Niagara Falls tours, especially if you enjoy winter sports or seeing the falls partially frozen. The Winter Festival of Lights adds to the festive atmosphere.
Spring brings milder weather and the awakening of nature. It's a quieter time to visit before the summer crowds arrive. However, be prepared for some attractions to have limited operating hours in early spring.
*Hours will vary seasonally. Find more Niagara Falls attraction timings here.
The most popular time to visit Niagara Falls is between mid-May and mid-September. July and August are usually the peak tourist months with visitors from around the world making their way to the city.
The weather is quite favorable from June to September, making it a great time for outdoor activities like boat tours, ziplining, and hiking. As winter creeps in, most outdoor activities come to a close, however, viewing areas remain open.
While summer is often seen as the peak season for Niagara Falls tourism, autumn is arguably the best time to experience the falls. The weather is comfortably warm, without the intense heat of summer, and the water remains refreshingly cool. Attractions are open but not overly crowded, offering shorter lines and a more relaxed atmosphere. The stunning fall foliage, coupled with numerous festivals, makes Niagara Falls an ideal destination for visitors.
Find out more about the best time to visitThe nearest airports are Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) in New York, USA, and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Ontario, Canada. Both airports offer car rentals, shuttle services, and taxis to get to the falls. You can also choose to drive to the city, with ample parking available on both sides. Suppose you'd like to use public transport, the closest train stations are Amtrak Niagara Falls Station (US) and Niagara Falls (Canada) and the closest bus stops are Pine Avenue (US) and Ferry & Stanley (Canada).
Local transportation: Once you're in Niagara Falls, you can get around using various transportation options. Taxis, ride-sharing services, and rental cars are readily available. Additionally, the WEGO bus system on the Canadian side offers convenient transportation to major attractions in the area, including the falls themselves. On the American side, you can opt for a free shuttle that takes you around the State Park.
Yes. On the Canadian side, there is the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, which is a municipality located within the Niagara Region. On the American side, there is the city of Niagara Falls, New York, which is part of Niagara County in the state of New York.
Some of the top attractions in the city include the Maid of the Mist tour, the Cave of the Winds tour, Journey Behind the Falls, the Underground Power Station & Tunnel tour, and the Illumination tour.
Those visiting between June and August should book tickets at least 3-4 weeks before your trip since it is peak season and experiences tend to get sold out faster. For the rest of the year, book your experiences a good 2 weeks ahead to be able to choose your preferred time and date.
No, many tours offer bundled tickets that include multiple attractions, such as the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and Skylon Tower, providing a comprehensive experience without the need for separate purchases.
Certain tours including Niagara Falls Small Group Guided Tour with Journey Behind the Falls & Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls Day & Night Small-Group Tour with Dinner, and day tours include round-trip transfers from select points.
Yes, the boat tours bring you approximately 100 to 150 feet from the base of the falls, providing an up-close and exhilarating experience. You can choose between Maid of the Mist on the US side or Hornblower Niagara Cruises on the Canadian side.
Yes, there are full-day tours like the Niagara Falls (Canada & USA) Full Day Tour, and Niagara Falls (Canada & USA) Full Day Tour with Lunch that cover both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls, including hotel pickup and drop-off, allowing you to experience the best of both countries.
If you're a resident of Canada or the US, all you need is your passport to cross the border. However, if you're a tourist, you will have to display a valid visa to get to either side.
The best way to get around is by walking. This way you get to soak in the splendor of the city. However, if you prefer not to, you can use the local transport options like buses and shuttles which stop at multiple points across the city.
On the US side, you can walk around the State Park, view the falls from Prospect Point and Terrapin Point, go on a hike, or visit Old Falls Street. On the Canadian side, you can find a good spot to view the Horseshoe Falls, stick around at night for the light show, visit the Niagara Parks Botanical Garden, or head to the Floral Clock.
If you'd like to spend more than a day in the city, there are plenty of hotel options for you to choose from. You can most definitely spend a few days taking your time to explore the city.
Although one day is how long most tourists usually stay for, you can consider staying for 2-3 days for a more relaxed and spread out visit.
Use the Rainbow Bridge to get from one side to the other. Keep in mind that you will have to show appropriate documentation to get across.
Both Canadian dollars (CAD) and US dollars (USD) are widely accepted on both sides of Niagara Falls. Most businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and attractions, will accept both currencies. However, it's always a good idea to check with the specific establishment to confirm their accepted payment methods and any potential exchange rates.