Don’t Leave Niagara Falls Without Doing These 10 Things

Don’t Leave Niagara Falls Without Doing These 10 Things

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is reputedly the more exciting side to explore. Take a look at some of the top activities that you might have overlooked in your itinerary.

Niagara Falls is rich in history and home to one of the most iconic geological landmarks in the world. And it can be a great family vacation destination or a romantic getaway.

No matter when you go or with whom, there’s always something exciting to do and see. So, don’t waste too much time and hit the most important sights as soon as you get there. 

Here are 10 activities unique to the area that you’ll want to experience yourself.

1. Check Out the Falls

At the top of the list of things to do in Niagara Falls is… seeing the falls, of course. 

While there, hop on a boat tour that shuttles visitors every day since the 1840s. The boats can take you to and from the base of the falls. The Maid of the Mist is among the most popular because they take you as close as possible to the splash zone.

Get ready for spectacular views, lots of noise, and a lot of water. More importantly, prepare some waterproof clothes for this tour.

2. Explore the Local Botanical Gardens

It’s fitting to start a Niagara Falls vacation by visiting the falls. But there’s so much more to do in the region.

One of the top Niagara Falls attractions after the boat tours is the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. It sits on 100 acres of land and features a variety of themed gardens. It’s also home to a horticulture school and offers horse-and-carriage tours during the summer.

Make sure to check out the Butterfly Conservatory for something truly spectacular.

3. Break Away from the Crowds

Most Niagara Falls tours are as crowded, as you can expect. That’s why if you stick to the beaten path, you may not always enjoy the atmosphere.

But there’s plenty of sightseeing to do away from busy locations. For example, you can spend an afternoon in the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve. It sits up north on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

The preserve overlooks the river and the iconic whirlpool and has around two miles’ worth of trails you can hike through a pristine forest. Autumn is probably the best time for hiking due to the changing of the leaves. 

4. Get Close to the Bridal Veil Falls

You don’t have to take a boat to get within feet of the falls. For a different experience, you’ll want to make time to go to one of the top local attractions, the Cave of the Winds.

You get there by going down 175-feet with an elevator into the Niagara Gorge. And then, you can explore many wooden walkways in some of the soggiest conditions.

It’s a different experience, and one of the best Niagara Falls activities.

5. Go Beyond the Falls

One of the best things to do in Niagara Falls is to see the falls from multiple perspectives. One tour can certainly meet these requirements and it’s called Journey Behind the Falls.

It starts with an elevator ride up to a large observation deck. From there, you can see spectacular views of the Niagara River and the Horseshoe Falls.

If you follow the cavern system, you’ll get to hear and experience the powerful curtain of the falls from a new angle.

6. Ascend the Skylon Tower

Most activities in Niagara Falls involve sightseeing. But if you travel to downtown Niagara Falls, you’ll be able to go to the Skylon Tower. It’s a popular attraction complete with a revolving restaurant. 

The building towers 775-feet above street level and dominates the Ontario skyline. Its observation deck looks out to the Horseshoe Falls, albeit from a considerable distance. 

And at night, you can admire the whole scene illuminated for yet another perspective. 

7. Learn More about the History

Going on a boat tour isn’t enough if you want to learn about Niagara Falls. And a trip to the Niagara Falls Museum will tell you a different story.

Discover how the geological marvel was created. Then, learn about the many daredevils that conquered the falls and those who unfortunately did not.

Some of the hands-on exhibitions and artifacts on display are pretty exciting, and you won’t hear much about them anywhere else.

8. Zipline Your Way to the Falls

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to zipline towards a waterfall? 

You can answer that question by experiencing it firsthand in Niagara Falls. In fact, when talking about unique things to do in Niagara Falls, this is one activity you wouldn’t want to miss.

Take your place on one of four parallel ziplines facing the Horseshoe Falls. Then, glide along the edge of the Niagara Gorge to the falls at a height of 2,200-feet and at speeds of over 40 miles per hour.

It’s an experience that will get your adrenaline pumping and offer another great perspective of the region’s prominent geological landmark.

9. Take a Nature Walk

Are you all about seeing the immense force of the rapids? Then, you can stretch your legs by going on the White Water Walk. It’s a short quarter-mile boardwalk overlooking the Great Gorge Rapids.

You’ll have to take an elevator down to the base of the gorge to start your journey. Along the way, you’ll be able to stop at a few observation areas with spectacular views of the falls and the majestic whirlpool they create.

10. Experience the Region’s Second-Most Famous Offering

You may not know this, but Niagara Falls is also famous for something else. In fact, the area’s wine is the second most important industry aside from tourism.

A tour of the Inniskillin Winery can be a great way to wrap up your vacation. Be sure to try the renowned icewine made from frozen grapes collected at around 46 degrees each winter.

So Much to Do, So Little Time

Many tourists don’t get the full Niagara Falls experience. Why is that?

It’s because they don’t know that the region has more to offer apart from the falls themselves. So, make sure to explore nature, check out the winery, and engage in some special activities during your Niagara vacation. 

Don’t stop at one thing when there’s so much more to do.