Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is far more than a 20-minute roadside photo stop: stretching 56 kilometres from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, the Niagara River corridor combines thunderous natural power, century-old hydroelectric engineering and Ontario's premier wine region. Here are the ten experiences that define a visit.

1. Stand at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls at Table Rock Welcome Centre. Watch 2,800 cubic metres of emerald water per second curl over the lip literally an arm's length from the stone railing.
2. Ride into the cauldron aboard the Niagara City Cruises 'Voyage to the Falls' Boat. Pull on a red poncho for the 20-minute catamaran ride past the American Falls right into the roaring mist of the Horseshoe basin.
3. Walk the 670-metre subterranean tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station & Journey Behind the Falls. Descend 55 metres in a glass lift inside a 1905 hydro plant and walk out onto a river-level platform at the base of the falls.
4. Feel the roar of Class 6 rapids at the White Water Walk and ride the 1916 Whirlpool Aero Car. Stroll a cedar boardwalk inches from 48 km/h standing waves and glide high across the turquoise Niagara Whirlpool.

5. Stroll 19th-century Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort George. Drive 25 minutes north along the scenic Niagara Parkway to Ontario's prettiest heritage town, flower-lined Queen Street and the Shaw Festival theatres.
6. Cycle between Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries and taste liquid-gold Icewine. Sample cool-climate Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and sweet VQA Icewine at Peller Estates, Inniskillin and Two Sisters.
7. Walk across the Rainbow Bridge to Goat Island & Cave of the Winds (USA). Pay the small pedestrian bridge toll to stand between the American and Horseshoe Falls and climb the Hurricane Deck stairs.
8. Ride the exterior 'Yellow Bug' lifts up Skylon Tower and the Niagara SkyWheel. Look down from 236 metres above the gorge and explore neon-lit Clifton Hill.

9. Watch the Nightly Falls Illumination and Summer Fireworks. Every evening from May to October, free fireworks explode directly above the illuminated cascades.
10. Hike the ancient boulders of Niagara Glen and visit the Butterfly Conservatory. Walk among 2,000 free-flying tropical butterflies along the northern parkway.