Discover Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a city in southeastern Ontario, Canada, on the Niagara River. Experiences here range from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the Niagara Gorge to gardens, hiking trails and museums. This mix makes the area appealing to travelers who want to combine dramatic nature with outdoor activity and cultural discoveries.

Waterfalls and the Niagara Gorge up close

At Journey Behind the Falls, the experience takes visitors to a lower observation platform, where they stand just a few feet from Niagara Falls. Journey Behind the Falls also dates back to 1832, when the first staircase was built into the Niagara Gorge. This brings together a view of the waterfalls and a historical connection to the gorge.

The White Water Walk is a self-guided experience along a boardwalk about a quarter of a mile long, beside Class 6 rapids. First, an elevator takes visitors 70 meters down to the base of the Niagara Gorge; the trail then follows the banks of the Niagara River. Self-guided commentary explores the geology of the gorge and the plant and animal life visitors can see in the Niagara Parks visitation area. The trail length and the sequence of elevator and boardwalk offer concrete details to help you include this experience in your day’s plans.

The scale of the river and waterfalls also leaves an impression: the Canadian Horseshoe Falls are 180 feet, or 57 meters, high. The Niagara River flows at a speed of about 35 miles per hour, or 56 kilometers per hour.

Trails, gardens and nature

Niagara Falls has many shared-use trails for hiking, jogging or cycling. Most are paved and easy to use. Some have parking, fitness areas or bicycle repair stations. If you enjoy getting around on foot or by bike, you can take into account when planning your trip that a range of trails and amenities are available; however, the features listed do not apply equally to every trail.

Recommended trails for visitors to explore include the Millennium Trail, George Bukator Park Trail and NS&T Trail. On walks along the Millennium Trail, Trail Mix accompanies visitors with audio segments by local artists. This adds a local artistic perspective to exploring the trail, without making the walk itself the sole focus.

Oakes Garden Theatre offers a different experience: in the heart of Niagara Falls are formal gardens and shady lily ponds. At the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, visitors can enjoy a tropical garden landscape with over 2,000 colorful butterflies. Gardens, trails and butterflies offer a variety of natural and scenic experiences within the destination.

Culture and special experiences

At the Niagara Falls History Museum, visitors can try on a replica of a uniform from the War of 1812 and build a bridge spanning the Niagara Gorge. The two hands-on activities offer different points of connection to the museum experience: one to the history of the War of 1812, the other to the gorge.

The Niagara Parks Power Station presents the history and architectural features of a 115-year-old hydroelectric generating station. The Tunnel experience includes panoramic views from 180 feet below ground. Those interested in engineering and architectural history will find a different way to engage with the landscape here than on the trails or at the waterfalls.

More experiences nearby

Nearby, the historic Whirlpool Aero Car offers views of the Niagara Whirlpool and the Niagara River’s Class 6 rapids. The Zipline to the Falls travels 670 meters from the edge of the Niagara Gorge toward the mist of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, reaching speeds of over 70 kilometers per hour. Also just minutes north of the waterfalls is the Whirlpool Adventure Course, a high ropes adventure course at the Niagara Gorge.

Getting there and choosing a vacation rental

VIA RAIL offers daily passenger service between Niagara Falls and Toronto. If Toronto is part of your trip, you can take this rail connection into account when planning your journey. When choosing a vacation rental, consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: waterfalls and gorge, trails and gardens, or culture and technology. The experiences described offer practical thematic guidance without assuming a particular accommodation location.

Discover more places

If you’d like to explore more places, you’ll find: Pelham, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Jordan Station, St Anns, St. Catharines, Welland, Wainfleet and Fort Erie.

For the broader travel overview: Niagara Regional Municipality.