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A comprehensive guide to planning your Niagara Falls itinerary

Niagara Falls has two sides — the Canadian side, in Ontario and the American side, in New York. While you can enjoy various tours and activities on either side, you can also tour both sides on the same day, provided you have the necessary documents.

If you want a comprehensive tour of the offerings at Niagara, either on the American or the Canadian side, you should keep about 10-11 hours at hand. But if you want to visit both sides on the same day, make a list of the attractions that spark your interest the most. Then you can finish the tour in about the same amount of time. Winter itineraries may take less time. However, it is best if you stay the night on either side and journey back home the next morning.

Itineraries for the Canadian side

Summer itinerary

Winter itinerary

Morning

Wake up early and get to the Niagara Parks complex to see the Horseshoe Falls. If you want to catch the sunrise, it can be anytime between 5:30am to 7am in the Summer months. Go to the Niagara City Cruises Main Ticket Plaza to get on a Hornblower Cruise boat that’ll give you a complete tour of the three waterfalls up close. Depending on the month, these can start between 8:30am and 10 am and go on till the evening. The boat ride lasts around 20 minutes.
Next, enter the Table Rock Center and go for the Journey Behind the Falls experience. Here, you can descend into 130-year-old tunnels with cutaways behind the Falls that let you see through the water as it crashes down. There is also a lower observation deck.

Afternoon

At around 12:30pm, grab lunch at one of the many food spots in Niagara Parks. A popular haunt is the Table Rock Market, with amazing local cuisine and stunning views. Spend a couple of hours relaxing and enjoying the food with your loved ones as there is quite a bit of journey left!
The Floral Showhouse, close to the Table Rock Market, displays a range of tropical plants all year round. Especially attractive are the floral displays and the Fragrance Garden. You can spend an hour here after lunch and go on an incredible sensory journey.

Evening

Next, drop in at the Niagara Parks Power Station, a revived power plant that is more than a century old. Here, you can explore the Tailrace Tunnel and learn all about the history of hydroelectric production at this iconic spot. This site is open till about 6pm during Summer, so you can take an hour or so to look around.
Afterward, you can head to the Skylon Tower for its stunning observation deck, which gives unparalleled views of all three waterfalls. The Tower is famous for its Revolving Dining Room where you can grab dinner and watch the illuminated Falls as dusk falls. The fireworks in the Summer start around 10pm at night, given good weather, and last about 5 minutes.

Morning

Reach Niagara Parks as early as possible and you’ll be able to catch a spectacular view — the sun rising over the nearly-frozen Horseshoe Falls. The average sunrise is around 7am to 7:30am during this time.
The Journey Behind the Falls experience is open even during the Winter. Explore the tunnels and experience the icy surroundings of the waterfall from the lower observation deck. You can easily spend an hour or two here. Around 11am, start for the Butterfly Conservatory, which will warm you right up. It is about 15 minutes away from the Table Rock Center by car and boasts 2,000 vibrantly colored butterflies, winding pathways and lush greenery.

Afternoon

Head over to the Skylon Tower at around 1pm to enjoy an elevated view of the entire Niagara Falls region. The Revolving Dining Room is also a unique spot to have lunch. Take a couple of hours to rest.
After lunch, take a glass elevator straight from the Skylon Tower to the Niagara Parks Power Station. This historic plant was revamped to give visitors a glimpse into the importance of the Niagara area in creating hydroelectricity. It has century-old tunnels, artifacts and interactive exhibits. An hour and a half here is enough to cover most bits of the experience.

Evening

If you’re visiting between mid-November and early January, you can go see the Winter Festival of Lights, a dazzling event featuring animated displays, interactive lighting and more! Queen Victoria Park and the Dufferin Islands are the best spots for this. Otherwise, you’ll still be able to see the illuminated Niagara Falls all year round and visit these spots in the evening. Keep a good 2-3 hours for this.
Around 8pm, grab some dinner at one of the local restaurants, such as the Wind, Zappi’s Pizza or the Flying Saucer Restaurant. It is best to spend a night in the city in the Winter months because it gets dark quite early.

Itineraries for the USA side

Summer itinerary

Winter itinerary

Morning

The first task on your Niagara Falls itinerary for the US side should be to get on the Maid of the Mist to start your day off with a bang! The boat tour starts near the Prospect Point Observation Tower around 9am, so you can soak in the picture-perfect views before getting up close to the Falls. The ride is about 20 minutes long.
After the boat tour, journey onto Goat Island and explore its hot spots, such as Terrapin Point, Three Sisters Island and the Nikola Tesla Monument. This should take you about an hour and a half. Spend the next hour at the Cave of the Winds experience, which is the highlight of the island. It will take you right up to the Bridal Veil Falls if you dare!

Afternoon

Get back from Goat Island at around 1pm and eat at one of the dining spots inside the State Park — Tastes of Niagara food court or the Top of the Falls Restaurant. There are also several concession snack stands throughout the State Park. Gather some energy and rest for a couple of hours while you eat.
After lunch, take a stroll along some of the hiking trails that start from the Niagara Gorge Trailhead Center. Easy trails like the Shoreline Trail or the Great Gorge Scenic Overlook Hike are great for an after-lunch activity. These trails can be between 1 to 3 hours long.

Evening

The Schoellkopf Power Plant ruins are another iconic spot at Niagara Falls. The region has a rich history of being a hydroelectric powerhouse and this is a great place to glimpse into that past. There’s also a connected hiking trail. Spend about an hour or so here exploring the ruins.
Later in the evening, use a couple of hours getting a bit of shopping done at Goat Island. You can also venture out in the city for souvenirs and grub. By this time, the Falls would be illuminated and you can even see the fireworks if you hang around till 10pm!

Morning

Head over to Goat Island and enjoy the natural beauty of Niagara Falls in the Winter. You’ll be able to see many migratory birds and other wildlife here during the Winter months. Explore the island for about an hour and a half.
The Cave of the Winds should be the next spot on your list. You may not be able to stand on the Hurricane Deck but you can warm yourself up at the Pavilion and learn more about the history and the importance of Niagara Falls. An hour here should be enough.

Afternoon

Fill up your tummy at one of the two food spots at Goat Island and head over to the Aquarium of Niagara to spend a couple of hours. Here, you will find more than 120 aquatic species and can participate in interactive activities like the touch pool, with baby sharks and stingrays that you can pet.
A little bit of shopping is a must, so you can head to the gift shops at the State Park or take a stroll around the city for local shops.

Evening

As night approaches, Niagara Falls will light up in an array of colors! Spend an hour visiting the viewing areas like Prospect Point and Terrapin Point to get the perfect snapshots. Afterward, you can either opt for a quiet dinner at one of the nearby food spots in the city, like Anchor Bar and Red Coach Inn, or treat yourself to luxury at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
In the Winter, it is best to stay the night in Niagara because of the cold and the snow. Watch the sunrise over the falls at dawn, and then leave for your next destination.

Itineraries for both sides

Summer itinerary

Winter itinerary

Morning

Start your day around 9am with a stunning view of the Horseshoe Falls, the largest among the three waterfalls at Niagara, on the Canadian side. Nearby is the Journey Behind the Falls experience inside the Table Rock Centre. This should take you a couple of hours.
After that, take a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car to journey over the beautiful waters of Niagara Whirlpool and the Class 6 rapids of the river. This historic ride gives you a bird’s eye view of the waterfalls and the river below. It usually opens around 9am, but timings may vary. The experience is about 45 minutes long. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can always opt for the Niagara Falls Zipline instead, which takes about an hour.

Afternoon

Around 12 pm, get lunch at one of the in-park culinary hot spots, such as the Queen Victoria Place restaurant, Garden Cafe, or the Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar. Then, you can walk down the Rainbow Bridge to reach the American side of Niagara Falls. It takes about 25 minutes to cross on foot, but considering pedestrian traffic, keep an hour in hand for the walk.
Head straight to Goat Island from the Rainbow Bridge to experience the Cave of the Winds. Enjoy great views of the Bridal Veil Falls and then explore Terrapin Point, the Nikola Tesla Monument and other Goat Island hot spots. You can comfortably spend a couple of hours at the island.

Evening

After Goat Island, you can ride around the Niagara Falls State Park in the Scenic Trolley. But if you’re a history buff, head over to the Schoellkopf Power Plant ruins. You can then get back to the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls via the Rainbow Bridge or even use the Whirlpool Bridge if you’re a NEXUS cardholder.
Arrive at the Canadian side by 7pm and you can take a Hornblower Illumination and Falls Fireworks Cruise which will take about half an hour long.
You now have two possible options for your Niagara Falls itinerary when you visit both the sides of the Falls in one day — stay on the Canadian side for the night and get some dinner at the Skylon Tower or go back to the US side and dine at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

Morning

Niagara Falls is beautiful in the Winters, with half-frozen waterfalls that appear to stand still, and dazzling snow everywhere. Start your Niagara Falls journey in the Winter from Goat Island, which has much to offer.
Here, you can spot several migratory species making the island home for the Winter. You should also go enjoy the usual spots — Cave of the Winds, Terrapin Point and others. Take a couple of hours for this.

Afternoon

Around noon, get some lunch at Goat Island, head out to the Rainbow Bridge and cross over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls on foot. This is a picturesque setting, and the 25-minute walk gives brilliant views of the Horseshoe Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.
Visit the Journey Behind the Falls experience as it is a must-see on the Canadian side. It is open in the Winters and has ethereal views of the half-frozen Horseshoe Falls from the observation deck. An hour here is perfect for the Winter scenery.

Evening

If you plan your visit between mid-November and early January, you’ll be able to witness the grandeur of the Winter Festival of Lights on the Canadian side as dusk falls. Have around 2 to 3 hours in hand if you want to cover all the spots where the festival is showcased.
When you’re done exploring, visit the Skylon Tower. It is well-known for its elevated observation deck and its Revolving Dining Room.
At the end of the day, you can either stay the night in Canada to catch a beautiful sunrise at dawn or head back to the USA side via the Rainbow Bridge, which is open 24 hours.

Top Niagara Falls experiences

Plan your visit to Niagara Falls

How to get to Niagara Falls?

When you make your Niagara Falls itinerary, it is very important to look into multiple transport options and chart a path that suits your needs. Here are some transport options to get to Niagara Falls on both sides from a nearby city.

From Toronto

Car: You can take a car and reach Niagara Falls from Toronto in about 2 hours via Queen Elizabeth Way.
Bus: Take a bus from Toronto Bay St bus stop and get off at the Niagara Falls Ontario Bus Terminal. It takes about 1.5 hours.
Train: Take the Go Transit train from Exhibition GO station and you’ll reach the Niagara Falls stop about 2 hours.

From Buffalo

Car: It takes about 30 minutes to reach Niagara Falls, NY from Buffalo via I-190 N.
Bus: Get onboard the 40 Niagara Falls bus from Niagara Street Niagara Square North bus stop and you’ll reach the Rainbow Boulevard 1st Street West bus stop in about 50 minutes. From there, it is a 5 minutes walk to Niagara Falls State Park.

Getting to Niagara Falls

What are the top places to stay in Niagara Falls?

While you can make your visit to Niagara Falls a day trip, you can also stay one night at Niagara to fully experience all that the city has to offer. Some good spots that should be on your Niagara Falls itinerary are:

Canadian side:

Luxury: Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls & Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel
Mid-range: Skyline Hotel & Waterpark & Days Inn by Wyndham Fallsview
Budget: Rainbow Motor Inn & Falls Inn Near Casino Niagara By OYO

American side:

Luxury: Red Coach Inn & Sheraton Niagara Falls
Mid-range: Holiday Inn Niagara Falls State Park Entry & Fairfield Inn & Suites Niagara Falls
Budget: Quality Hotel & Suites At The Falls & Gorge View

Hotels near Niagara Falls

Frequently asked questions about Niagara Falls itineraries

How many days should I plan for when I make my Niagara Falls itinerary?

You can plan a one-day Niagara Falls itinerary and cover most of the important spots but we recommend that you stay the night to enjoy some of the evening experiences like the illuminated falls and the fireworks.

What is the most important experience on the American side of Niagara Falls?

The most popular and spectacular activity on the American side of the Niagara Falls is the Cave of the Winds tour. It takes you very close to the Bridal Veil Falls. In Summer, a number of wooden walkways will take you straight to the famous ‘Hurricane Deck’, where the water from the falls will leave you drenched.

What is a must-do when I’m visiting the Niagara Parks in Ontario, Canada?

The Journey Behind The Falls experience is arguably the most popular activity on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Here, you descend into century-old tunnels and get an opportunity to stand in front of viewing portals that open behind the sheets of falling water of the Horseshoe Falls. There is also an observation deck from where you can experience the Falls very closely.

Do I have to spend the night at Niagara Falls?

You can easily travel back to Toronto or Buffalo after a day trip to Niagara on either side of the Canada-US border but you can enjoy the mesmerizingly illuminated Niagara Falls in the evening and catch a brilliant sunrise over the waters if you stay the night.

Are there places to stay near Niagara Falls in Canada and the US?

There are plenty of budget as well as luxury stays near the Niagara Falls in both Canada and the US. Hotels with the view of the Falls tend to be more expensive.

Is any public transport available from Toronto to Niagara Falls, ON?

Yes, Niagara Falls and Toronto are very well-connected by public transport. Buses take about 1.5 hours and trains take about 2 hours to reach Niagara Falls, ON from Toronto.

Can I take a bus from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, NY?

Yes, you can take the 40 Niagara Falls bus from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, NY. You can also take FlixBus 2686. The journey takes less than an hour by bus.

How do I cross the border between Canada and the US at Niagara Falls?

You can use the Rainbow Bridge or the Whirlpool Bridge to cross the Canada-US border in Niagara if you have the proper documents. The Rainbow Bridge can be crossed on foot or in a vehicle. You can only use the Whirlpool Bridge if you’re a NEXUS cardholder.

Do I have to pay extra to cross the US-Canada border at Niagara Falls?

Yes, you’ll have to pay a small fee when you cross the US-Canada border at Niagara, whether you’re on foot or traveling by a car.