Niagara Falls from the Canadian Side: The 9 Best Things to Do
The 9 Best Things to do in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, how to get here from Toronto, what to eat, where to stay, interactive map, and more!
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Niagara Falls is more than just a waterfall. It’s actually a group of three waterfalls that span across the border between Canada and the USA. Each side has a variety of exciting attractions to experience, as well as multiple viewpoints of the falls. You may be wondering which side is best to visit, or what there is to do. We’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons of both the Canadian and American sides of Niagra Falls, as well as a full list of everything to see and do on the Canadian side.
Niagara Falls Canada at a glance
Is Niagara Falls in Canada or America?
Niagara Falls actually lies on the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the U.S. While not record-breaking, Niagara Falls is famous for the sheer amount of water that thunders down the Niagara River and over its edge. Standing beside this powerhouse of a cascade is awe-inspiring and should be on your travel bucket list.
Is it better to visit Niagara Falls from the Canadian side or the American side?
Many people (including us) believe that Niagara Falls is best experienced from the Canadian side. While both sides offer different angles and viewpoints of the falls, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls gives you better panoramic views of the cascades. If you have the time, it is possible to visit both sides of the falls in one day. But if you’re wondering how to choose which side of Niagara Falls to see, we’ve listed the pros and cons of each side of Niagara Falls below.
The main Niagara Falls attractions on the Canadian side include:
- The floral clock
- A hydroelectric power plant
- Panoramic views of Bridal Veils Falls, American Falls and Horseshoe Falls
- City of Niagara Cruises boat trip to Horseshoe Falls
- Journey Behind the Falls, where you can explore the tunnels behind the Falls and stand at the foot of the Falls
- Skylon Tower, which you can ascend for a bird’s eye view
While the main attractions on the American side of Niagara Falls are:
- Terrapin Point viewpoint, which is close to Horseshoe Falls
- Close-up views of Bridal Veils Falls and American Falls
- Cave of the Winds wooden walkway below the falls
- Maid of the Mist boat trip to Horseshoe Falls
- Hiking and biking paths on Goat Island
- Niagara Falls Observation Tower
Niagara Falls State Park (the American side) allows you to get closer to Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls, but your view is obscured as you either look down at the falls, or from the side. The islands are unique to the American side and there are several hikes that allow you to explore Niagara Gorge further upriver. Both sides offer boat trips, observation towers and adventure activities. The Canadian side is more commercial with restaurants, shops, casinos, games centres and other attractions in the area too. It has more activities on offer and better panoramic views than the American side, making it most tourists’ preferred side.
What is Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is actually a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge:
Horseshoe Falls is the famous waterfall that you see in pictures of Niagara Falls. Horseshoe Falls lies on the border between Canada and the USA and channels approximately 90% of the Niagara River. It is sometimes called Canadian Falls and sits 51 metres (167 ft) tall and an impressive 820 metres (2,700 ft) wide.
American Falls is the second-largest of the three waterfalls. It lies on the American side of Niagara Falls and spans 290 metres wide (950 ft) and 34 metres (110 ft) tall.
Bridal Veil Falls also lies on the American side of Niagara Falls. Luna Island separates it from the American Falls while Goat Island separates it from Horseshoe Falls.
Where is Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is just over an hour’s drive from Toronto and sits in the Niagara Gorge. The gorge is a 6.8-mile (11km) canyon, through which the Niagara River flows. Niagara Falls marks the international border between Canada and the USA and begins at the base of Horseshoe Falls, ending downriver at the edge of the geological formation known as the Niagara Escarpment. The falls actually originated here about 12,500 years ago but have receded upstream toward Lake Erie due to erosion of the riverbed which has created Niagara Gorge.
Niagara Falls Attractions Map
How to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto?
Niagara Falls is most commonly accessed from Toronto or New York. If you’re visiting the Canadian side, there are 4 main options to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto:
1. While public transport is the cheapest of these options, it’s also the least convenient. Getting the train (which runs on a seasonal schedule) is slower than driving and the bus stops are located outside the main Niagara Falls area, so you’ll have to do a lot of walking. To get the train you’ll need to take the GO Train or the ViaRail Train from the upper-level tracks of Union Station. From the Niagara Falls station, it’s over 2 miles (3.5km) to the falls – a 45-minute walk.
2. The easiest way to get to Niagara Falls by bus is to take the Megabus. This is a fast and cheap option, however the bus stop is outside the train station, so you’ll have the same long walk to do. Alternatively, you can book a bus tour to Niagara that will take you right to the Falls.
3. Hiring a car is more expensive, but relatively easy and can be done from Toronto Airport or Downtown. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and can allow you to spend longer at Niagara. You could even stay overnight or cross the Rainbow Bridge and explore Niagara Falls from the American side too.
4. If you don’t hire a car we’d recommend booking onto a tour. There are plenty of tour companies offering day trips to Niagara Falls from Toronto with a range of tours so you can choose the one that best fits your interests and budget. Tours can also include other stops in the surrounding area, like Niagara-on-the-Lake and local wineries, and provide really informative commentary too.
What is there to do on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls?
There is so much to do on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls it can be tricky to squeeze everything into one day. We’ve listed all the main attractions on Niagara Falls’ Canadian side, from North to South, as you enter the park from Toronto to the showstopping Horseshoe Falls.
1. The Floral Clock
Niagara Falls lies across Lake Ontario from Toronto, but the drive requires circumnavigating the shoreline past Hamilton. On the lake’s shore, you’ll find the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is worth a visit itself. From here, you can follow the Niagara River south towards the gorge. The first attraction as you enter the Niagara Parks is a 12-metre (40 ft) wide clock. Featuring a face of colourful flowers, this floral clock marks the entrance to Niagara Falls. The design changes annually but the letters often spell out NIAGARA PARKS as the twelve points on the clock face. Thousands of carpet bedding plants are changed twice each year to maintain the intricate design and the mechanism is powered by Ontario Power Generation.
2. Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant
The Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station sits on the banks of the Niagara River. It works by diverting the water from the Niagara River, which spins turbines that power generators in the power plant, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. It is the largest power generator in New York State, with a capacity of 2.4 million kilowatts.
3. Niagara Whirlpools
As you follow the Niagara Parkway up the river the falls eventually come into view. There are a lot of attractions on this stretch, including a Butterfly Conservatory and Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. The WildPlay Niagara Falls Whirlpool Adventure Course can also be found here, which features an exciting high ropes course over the world-famous and violently turbulent Niagara whirlpools.
Around the next river bend, you’ll find Niagara Helicopter Tours. Offering panoramic bird’s-eye views of Niagara Falls and Gorge, flying aboard one of the world’s quietest helicopters is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You have the flexibility to fly when the weather is best, giving you great photo opportunities and you’ll receive informative audio commentary from your pilot too.
The train station is situated along this stretch of the river and will be your arrival spot if you choose to brave the public transport route from Toronto. We’d recommend stopping off at a few activities as you navigate along Niagara Parkway to really make the most of your visit.
4. Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge is an official international border crossing between Canada and the USA. You can cross by car or foot for tourism purposes, allowing you to explore the American side of Niagara too. If you only have a day to explore we wouldn’t recommend you cross the bridge as, although the crossing only takes 5 minutes, getting through customs can take much longer.
By Rainbow Bridge, you’ll find the Niagara SkyWheel. As Canada’s largest observation wheel, the SkyWheel stands 23 metres (175 ft) tall and gives riders spectacular aerial views from enclosed gondolas with audio commentary.
Nearby you’ll find the Zipline to The Falls, a thrilling zipline experience which allows you to soar 67 metres (220 ft) high above the Niagara River Gorge. Adrenaline junkies can glide 670 metres (2200 ft) past the American Falls to the base of the thundering Horseshoe Falls, enjoying unique birds-eye views of Niagara Falls.
5. Niagara City Cruises Boat Tour
Previously known as the Maid of the Mist tour, Niagara City Cruises boats take you up close to the power of the falls. You’ll cruise past American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls before being enveloped by a plume of mist at the foot of Horseshoe Falls. Waterproof plastic ponchos are provided as you’ll get so close you’ll definitely get wet, although there is an indoor section for anyone adverse to water.
6. Horseshoe Falls
Approximately 3,160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second – 75,750 gallons over the American and Bridal Veil Falls and 681,750 gallons over Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the pièce de résistance of Niagara Falls. You can feel the power of the waterfall at the brink of the cascade by the Table Rock Welcome Centre.
7. Journey Behind the Falls
The Table Rock Welcome Centre houses the entrance to Journey Behind the Falls. In this experience, you descend 38 metres (125 ft) in a lift to the 130-year-old tunnels below, which extend 46 metres (151 ft) behind the waterfall. You can walk through the bedrock and read the history of the tunnels on informative boards along the walls. Look out for the viewing portals, which are cut straight through the rock and offer a once-in-a-lifetime view of the back of Horseshoe Falls.
Descend further to the stand on the Lower Observation Deck and look up at the falls from below – an impressive vantage point and a great photo opportunity! You’ll be able to feel the vibrations of the water thundering down a 13-storey drop and may get a little wet, but fetching yellow ponchos are provided on entry.
8. Skylon Tower
From the bottom to the top, it’s worth marching up to the Skylon Tower, which offers sweeping 360° views of Niagara Falls city. On a clear day, visibility is up to 80 miles so you can see Toronto, as well as across to the USA. The tower also features an arcade and a revolving restaurant with 2 levels of fine dining, both 236 metres (775 ft) above the falls.
9. Niagara Falls Night-time Light Show
Perhaps the most impressive way to experience the falls, the night-time light show gives you the opportunity to experience Niagara Falls in a way few other tourists do. At night the falls are lit up in a dazzling illumination display, with frequent firework displays. On a Niagara Falls Night Tour, you get the opportunity to cruise the river, dine in the iconic Table Rock Restaurant and visit the Illumination Tower, where you can even control the lights that appear on the falls!
There’s a lot to explore in the surrounding area of Niagara, which you can discover in our article: There’s more to Niagara than the Falls. And if you need transport back to Toronto Airport, you can book a Toronto Airport Private Transfer from Niagara Falls.
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