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12 Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls, Ontario

12 Fun Things to Do in Niagara Falls, Ontario

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Niagara Falls is one of my favourite places to explore in Ontario – there’s so much to see and do, and you never get bored of visiting it!

Whether you’re into wining and dining or getting right into the action, you’ll definitely enjoy doing these fun attractions and activities in Niagara Falls.

Here are some of the best and most fun things to do in Niagara Falls, Ontario!

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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Hotels at Niagara Falls, Ontario
My room at the cozy Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
Hotels in Niagara Falls

If you do decide you want to stay overnight, book a stay at one of the best hotels in Niagara Falls:

  • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: a cozy 3-star hotel located around the corner from Clifton Hill, perfect for families and couples, with free breakfast, an indoor pool, and a gym.
  • Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview: a modern 3-star hotel located right by the Falls, with some rooms facing the Falls, as well as an indoor pool and fitness centre.
  • Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview: a contemporary 4-star hotel located right by the Falls, with some rooms facing the Falls. Also connected to a shopping centre, multiple restaurants, and an indoor pool.
Plan your Niagara Falls trip

If you’re planning a trip to the Niagara Region, you might enjoy these posts as well:

If you’re coming from Toronto, you might want to check out this Toronto to Niagara Falls day tour by bus – it includes wine tasting, scenic photo stops, and free time to explore on your own!

If you’ll already be in Niagara Falls, this fun half-day wine tasting tour by bus takes you to 2 to 4 Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, depending on the option you choose.

Though it is a little pricy, it is totally worth doing a scenic helicopter tour over Niagara Falls, especially if you’re looking to treat someone.

If you prefer something more adventurous, ziplining over the Niagara River Gorge is pretty epic!


Fun things to do in Niagara Falls


Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Go to the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint

Of course, the first thing you must do while in Niagara Falls is check out the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint.

It’s completely free to visit, but be sure to arrive early because it does get crowded with tourists throughout the day!

Also be prepared to get completely soaked if you walk too close to the gate 😛

If you’re looking for a bite afterwards, you can walk over to Queen Victoria Place Restaurant.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
The view of the falls from Queen Victoria Place Restaurant.

Honestly, the food here isn’t anything mind-blowing, but it’s the view of Niagara Falls from the patio that’s worth it.

It’s located literally right by the Falls, so it’s the easiest spot to visit if you’re looking for something super close!

Be sure to ask for an outdoor patio seat if you want the nice view of the falls.


Hornblower Niagara Cruises in Niagara Falls, Ontario
The view from the Hornblower Niagara Cruise.

Get under the falls with Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Probably my favourite experience in Niagara Falls is the Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

You get to ride a boat straight up to both Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls and (literally) soak up their incredibleness!

While you will get a complimentary poncho (which they recycle), I would wear waterproof makeup unless you want to look like a hot mess afterwards.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises in Niagara Falls, Ontario
The view from the Hornblower Niagara Funicular.

For an additional $3, you can also ride the Hornblower Niagara Funicular down to the boarding area, and get a great view of the falls.

The Funicular is solar powered, which is really cool!

LOCATION: 5920 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON


How to spend a weekend in Niagara Falls, Ontario | guide to a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side | what to do around Horseshoe Falls in autumn | best things to do around Niagara Falls during the fall | Diary of a Toronto girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog
The main viewing deck at Journey Behind the Falls.

Take a Journey Behind the Falls

While the Journey Behind the Falls is cool, it can totally be skipped if you’re on a budget or tight on time.

It’s basically some 130-year-old tunnels that allow you to see the falls from behind, and you have to take an elevator to get down to them.

How to spend a weekend in Niagara Falls, Ontario | guide to a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side | what to do around Horseshoe Falls in autumn | best things to do around Niagara Falls during the fall | Diary of a Toronto girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog
One of the two viewing portals behind the falls!

There’s a main viewing area as well as two viewing portals, and you can pretty much get as wet as you want to.

I’ve seen some pretty cool silhouette photos taken here, but it was pretty crowded when we came!

LOCATION: 6650 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON


How to spend a weekend in Niagara Falls, Ontario | guide to a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side | what to do around Horseshoe Falls in autumn | best things to do around Niagara Falls during the fall | Diary of a Toronto girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog

Fly with Niagara Helicopters

If there’s anywhere you’re going to do a scenic helicopter ride, why not Niagara Falls?

You get to fly over the Niagara Falls and capture its beauty at every angle from above.

How to spend a weekend in Niagara Falls, Ontario | guide to a weekend getaway in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side | what to do around Horseshoe Falls in autumn | best things to do around Niagara Falls during the fall | Diary of a Toronto girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog
Look at dat view.

Horseshoe Falls actually has the largest flow of water in the world, rushing down at 750,000 gallons per second!

I’d definitely recommend going bright and early in the morning, because the lines get long pretty quickly.

Each helicopter can also hold up to 6 people, if you’ve got a big group!

Though it is a little pricy, it is totally worth doing the helicopter tour over Niagara Falls, especially if you’re looking to treat someone.

LOCATION: 3731 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, ON


Sweet Jesus Ice Cream, Toronto
Sweet Jesus serves up Instagram-worthy ice cream cones.

Wander around Clifton Hill

Your weekend in Niagara Falls isn’t complete without a visit to the marvellous Clifton Hill – there’s so much to do along this fun little street!

You could spend all day here, or even just a few hours, depending on how late you arrive in Niagara Falls.

You can check out all the carnival attractions (like the mirror maze and the haunted house), and ride around the Niagara Speedway Go Karts.

There’s also a ton of food spots and cool souvenir shops, like the Hershey and Coca Cola stores.

If you’re craving something sweet, grab a cone of Instagrammable soft serve at Sweet Jesus, one of the best Toronto ice cream spots!


SkyWheel at Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, Ontario
The view from the Niagara SkyWheel.

Ride the Niagara Skywheel

You’ll also find the Niagara SkyWheel in the Clifton Hill area, and it’s one of the most fun activities to do while you’re in Niagara Falls.

It’s Canada’s largest ferris wheel, and you get to see Niagara Falls from up above – 175 feet in the air, to be exact!

You can ride it day or night, and at night you get to see the Falls illuminated in all the pretty colours.

Even if there is a line on busy days, it goes by fairly quickly.

There’s also air conditioning inside each car during the summer and heating during the winter!

You can either book your tickets online ahead of time or purchase them in-person.

LOCATION: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, ON


IHOP Niagara Falls, Ontario

Eat at American chain restaurants on the Canadian side

This is probably not so exciting for Americans or for people who frequently visit the States, but there are some American chains you’ll only find at Niagara Falls.

Here are some of the American chain restaurants you’ll find at Niagara Falls on the Canadian side:

  • IHOP
  • TGI Friday’s
  • Ruby Tuesday

Skylon Tower Restaurant in Niagara Falls, Ontario

See the revolving view from Skylon Tower

Get an overhead view of Horseshoe Falls at the top of Skylon Tower – it sits 775 feet above the Falls!

You have to purchase tickets to get to the viewing deck, but you can head up to the top for free if you eat at the restaurant.

The restaurant revolves at a full 360 degrees every hour, so you’ll have different views throughout your entire meal!

Like most touristy restaurants, the food isn’t anything to write home about, but the experience of seeing the Falls from up above is worth it.

LOCATION: 5200 Robinson St, Niagara Falls, ON


Vineyard at Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Go wine tasting at Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is right around the corner from Niagara Falls, and unless you do a bus tour, you’ll have to drive yourself to different wineries.

If you’d prefer to drive yourself, Peller Estates and Stratus Vineyards are both fantastic wineries, and this icewine and chocolate tasting at Between the Lines Winery is also fun!

Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

If you’d prefer a guided tour, this half-day wine tasting tour by bus takes you to 2 to 4 Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries, depending on the option you choose.

This 2-hour walking tour at the historic Niagara-on-the-Lake is also fun, and you get to sample wines at a local winery to end off the tour!

If you’re more of a craft beer person, this 5.5 hour craft beer tour by bus takes you to 4 different craft breweries in the Niagara Region.


Hike at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve

Niagara Glen is a gorgeous nature reserve located on the Canadian side of the Niagara Gorge, and it offers up incredible and Instagrammable views.

You can enjoy 4km of rugged trails, but definitely bring a good pair of hiking shoes if you have them!

Swimming is prohibited as the river is dangerous, but you can enjoy the turquoise waters from the shore.

If you visit during the fall, you can enjoy all the stunning fall foliage!

Parking is $2.50 an hour, and it fills up quickly.

LOCATION: 3050 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON


Watch the fireworks over the Falls

Yep, you can watch fireworks over the Niagara Falls!

Fireworks happen every weekend (Friday through Sunday) and on holidays at 10 PM each night.

Even if you’re not visiting on a weekend, you can catch the Falls illuminated in pretty colours every single night of the year.


Fun things to do in Niagara Falls:

  1. Go to the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint
  2. Get under the falls with Hornblower Niagara Cruises
  3. Take a Journey Behind the Falls
  4. Fly with Niagara Helicopters
  5. Wander around Clifton Hill
  6. Ride the Niagara Skywheel
  7. Eat at American chain restaurants on the Canadian side
  8. See the revolving view from Skylon Tower
  9. Go wine tasting at Niagara-on-the-Lake
  10. Hike at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
  11. Watch the fireworks over the Falls

These were some of the best and most fun things to do in Niagara Falls!

What are the most fun things to do in Niagara Falls in your opinion? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!

If you’re planning a trip to the Niagara Region, you might enjoy these posts as well:

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Jessica Lam | Toronto lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and travel blogger | Diary of a Toronto Girl, a Canadian lifestyle blog


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Fun things to do in Niagara Falls

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