LOCAL information

Niagara Falls, Canada offers diverse attractions, historical sites, charming villages, and vibrant community culture.  Get a sneak peak of what you will experience in June by viewing the Niagara Falls live webcam!

When it comes to leisure time, Niagara Falls offers endless options for fresh air fun: zip-lining over Niagara Falls, hiking through the Niagara Gorge, or paddle boarding on the Niagara River.

Bring your appetite!  Niagara Falls is home to one of Canada’s hottest wine and culinary scenes.  Click below for delicious info!  

Local Flavors

General Restaurant Listing

Outdoor Experiences

Niagara Falls Visitor Guide

Currency

The Canadian Dollar is the primary currency used in Niagara Falls.  The American dollar is accepted by most businesses, however you will get the best value by paying in Canadian Dollar.  It is recommended to have local currency prior to arrival.  While visiting, currency can be exchanged by most banks, Currency Exchange Centers, and casinos. More info on currency.  

Climate

Summer in Niagara offers delightfully warm temperatures with endless sunny days. June is the ideal time of year to take pleasure in Niagara Falls great outdoors and water based attractions.  During June, daily high temperatures will average 72°F to 79°F, rarely falling below 61°F or exceeding 87°F.  Lowest temperatures average from 54°F to 62°F.  

Wineries and Distilleries

Save time to stop at one of 40 wineries during your stay – located just beyond the downtown area. Niagara is famous for Ice wine – which comes from grapes that are left on the vine into the winter.  The water content of the grapes freezes when temperatures fall below -7°C (19°F). Juice yielded from these frozen grapes has a higher concentration of sugar. More info on wineries and distilleries.  

Niagara Falls - Epic Views

The majestic Niagara Falls is comprised of 3 falls - American Falls (NY), Bridal Veil Falls (NY), and Canadian Falls (Horseshoe Falls).  During your stay, we encourage you to take part in one of the many ways to view the falls:

  • Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls Canada is the main area for viewing and experiencing Niagara Falls (no fee/complimentary). Spectacular scenic panoramas of the Falls await you! From Queen Victoria Park you can access the boat rides, zipline and Journey Behind the Falls.
  • At Journey Behind the Falls, visitors descend 125 feet by elevator, where a short tunnel allows access to two outdoor observation decks.  Guests will experience over 2,800 cubic meters of water thunder over the brink every second, travelling 65 kilometers per hour!  Stop in the Table Rock Center, right next to the Falls, where its base will bring you the closest to the Falls – 3 meters away!
  • Looking to view the Falls from above? Niagara Helicopters hover 457 meters above the Falls for the perfect aerial shot of the entire city.  Their fleet of seven passenger Airbus H130 helicopters operate every day, weather permitting.  Skylon Tower towers 236 meters above the mighty Falls with indoor and outdoor observation and two amazing dining rooms with views.
  • The Falls Illumination is a must for any visitor! Every night of the year, the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls are transformed into a colorful masterpiece of water and light. LED lights shine from three different locales near the Falls to collectively provide the stunning illumination.

For the most up to date status of Niagara Falls attractions please visit “Now Open in Niagara Falls”.

Attractions and Tours

Niagara City Cruise/Hornblower: Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour
Run Time: 20 minutes
 Distance: 2.5 km/1.6 miles from NFCC
Price: $32.75 CAD + tax
Enjoy stunning views of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and come face-to-face with the famous Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Feel the thundering roar, awesome power, and amazing mist (a protective souvenir recyclable mist poncho is provided) that come along with these natural wonders.  Or ride after sunset for a light-mist experience with the illumination of the Falls. 

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
Run Time: 45 minutes
Distance: 13.4 km/8.32 miles from NFCC
Price: $74.95 CAD + tax 
Located down the river from Niagara Falls, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours will travel upriver (south) and into the Niagara Gorge.  The boat travels into the famous Niagara Whirlpool then back down through the Class V Devil’s Hole Rapids.  This roundtrip excursion offers a “Wet Jet”(white water experience) or “Jet Dome” (sheltered/dry boat) option!

WildPlay Zip Line to the Falls
Run Time: 60-90 minutes (General Admission) 20-30 minutes (Skip the Line Admission)
Distance: 2.5 km/1.6 miles from NFCC
Price: $69.99 CAD (General Admission) or $99.99 CAD (Skip the Line Admission)
For both the thrill-seekers and the hesitant, the Zipline to the Falls represents a hands-free, worry-free, and fully guided experience like no other in the world!

Niagara River Bike Tour
Run Time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 10.9 km/6.7 miles from NFCC
Price: $45 CAD
The 18 km tour follows the Niagara River with informative stops at locations such as Brock's Monument, the Power Stations, the Floral Clock, Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, the whirlpool, and the railway bridge.  On the return, stops continue to focus on the natural splendor, diversity, and historical richness of the Niagara region.  Group tours have a maximum of 8 participants. 

Niagara Water Power Station Tour
Run Time: 3 hours
Distance: 10.9 km/6.7 miles from Niagara Convention Centre/Hotel
Price: $62.41 CAD
Dive deep into the Niagara Parks Power Station to experience the unrivaled views at the Tailrace Tunnel Experience, and with your expert guide uncover the dramatic history of hydroelectric power in the process. View this mix of natural beauty and human genius from the best vantage points, with visits to the Skylon Tower, Niagara Parks Power Station, and more.

Clifton Hill Fun Pass
Run Time: 2-5 hours average stay time
Distance: 2.4 km/1.5 miles from Niagara Convention Centre/Hotel
Price: $34.95 CAD
A trip to Niagara wouldn’t be complete without spending time on Clifton Hill.  The Fun Pass includes access to the Skywheel, Zombie Attack interactive adventure, Mini Golf (Dinosaur or Wizard), Cosmic Coaster and Ghost Blaster’s Amusement Ride.  Six top attractions for 1 low price - a $30 savings! Great for families.

Outdoor Adventures - Free of Charge

Niagara Falls offers numerous outdoor activities that are free of charge. 

  • Dufferin Islands is made up of several small islands connected by bridges and footpaths. Loved by locals and visitors alike, the tranquil picnic-perfect spots and diverse wildlife make the islands a great place to spend the day.
  • Niagara Glen is a hit with hiking enthusiasts for meandering paths through a pristine pocket of Carolinian Forest. A designated nature reserve since 1992, the Glen offers well laid out trails mixed with slightly rugged terrain along the banks of the Niagara River.  View the Niagara Glen trail map.
  • The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens contain 99 acres of immaculate horticulture, including the world-famous rose garden with more than 2,400 roses.  Just 2.5 kilometers north of the Botanical Gardens sits the massive 40-foot wide Floral Clock. Built in 1950 and made of a breathtaking display of nearly 20,000 plants, the clock features new displays twice a season and is one of the largest of its kind in the world!

Entertainment

  • Clifton Hill  – also known as the “Street of Fun”, for the young and young at heart! Home to the Niagara Skywheel which towers 175 feet (53 meters) over the Niagara Falls horizon, this attraction is one of the most exciting ways to see Niagara Falls.  Check out the Fun Pass for additional savings.
  • Niagara is home to two Casinos – Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. Fallsview Casino Resort has the largest gaming floor in Canada.  With its word famous view of Horseshoe Falls, this casino houses a luxury hotel, 20 dining options, a Galleria of shops, live entertainment and full service spa.

Casino Niagara has 95,000 square feet of excitement in two action packed floors.  Want to watch a game?  Take a seat at their LEV2L Sports Bar with 50 HD plasma screens and an interactive gaming zone equipped with the ultimate games in sports!

Shopping

DECLARING PURCHASES – If you make purchases and travel between Niagara Falls Ontario and Niagara Falls New York be sure to save your receipts. When crossing the international border you will be required to declare all purchases. Certain items may be taxable, or you may qualify for tax refunds. Please visit the duty-free stores located at the bridges between the U.S. and Canada for more information.

Culture

While the geographical phenomenon Niagara Falls is more than 10,000 years old, the region’s native settlements can be traced back to the 13th century. Stop at one of the most fascinating historic sites in the area, Fort George to get insight into the lives of soldiers stationed there over 200 years ago. To further enrich the military history, locate Old Fort Erie, the scene of the United States’ declaration of war on Upper Canada (War of 1812). The Laura Secord Homestead continues to enchant visitors as guides retell stories that made Laura Secord a crucial icon in Canadian history.

At the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum, learn more about 500 years of printing technology and see one of the few original wooden presses left in the world. For all the region’s stories, explore the Niagara Falls History Museum, located steps from where the Battle of Lundy’s Lane took place. For a glimpse of early days of power generation at Niagara Falls, don’t miss the newly reopened Canadian Niagara Power Station.

Looking for old town charm?  Stop by Niagara-on-the-Lake or NOTL as known by the locals.  This 19th century village is also known as the “prettiest town in Ontario” and only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Niagara (Horseshoe) Falls – a perfect day trip.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to antique shops, bistros, and the world class theatre at Shaw Festival. The Shaw Festival offers a diverse list of plays from the past and present including quirky comedies, bold dramas and sweeping classics.

Childcare Services

The following organizations provide child care services in the Niagara Falls area.  Reach out to them directly to check availability and rates. 

Note: These are listed as potential resources only; this is not an endorsement by The Metabolomics Society and the Society is not liable for services rendered.



METABOLOMICS SOCIETY | metabolomicssociety.org