You might wonder if Niagara Falls is worth traveling to on its own. Yes, it is! There are so many fun activities and cool things to see that your whole trip will be fun from start to finish.
1. Feeling Lucky?
If you’re a gambling man (or woman), then Niagara Falls is the place to be. On the Canadian side, you’ll get to gamble in the world-class Fallsview Casino with its 130 table games, 3,000 slot machines, a 1,500-seat theater, and plentiful dining and lodging options. Plus, of course you’ll get to admire the nearby falls while you do it.
This is Canada’s largest gaming resort, and for those among us who like to try our luck, this is reason enough to visit Niagara.
2. Feel One With Nature
The Whirlpool Aero Car allows visitors to see the sometimes-overshadowed but still amazing Great Gorge in a one-of-a-kind way.
As you hang in an antique cable car, you’ll get to see the Niagara Whirlpool with the family or enjoy a romantic moment with a sensational view.
3. Spend The Day At Clifton Hill
Some people come to Niagara Falls just for Clifton Hill’s “street of fun near the falls”, and yes, it’s really that amazing.
It offers non-stop action no matter the time of day and for a variety of age groups. The 175-foot-tall Niagara Skywheel is a great way to see the city for those that aren’t afraid of heights, and the Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars will allow you to finally get a picture with your favorite celebrities.
For a throwback to childhood, check out the Great Canadian Midway arcade, a 70,000 square-foot walk down memory lane with some of the classic arcade games like Pacman and Asteroids, among others.
4. See The Falls From A Special Vantage Point
There’s a lot to do in Niagara Falls besides the Falls themselves, but we still can’t forget about them! What better way to see the great natural spectacle than from a helicopter hovering over the Falls for 12 minutes?
For a couple hundred bucks, you can share a memory that will no doubt last forever.
5. Drink Some Fine Wine
If you haven’t heard by now, there’s some great wine coming out of the Niagara region these days. Especially popular is the ice wine produced at wineries like Konzelmann Estate Winery.
There are special tour packages that include transportation, multiple winery passes, and sometimes even a meal. These are excellent ways to see lots of wineries (and get a little tipsy), or you can check out individual wineries and get a full tour for minimal cost.
These wineries are best enjoyed in the spring and summer months as parts of the tours are outdoors, although, during the winter, some wineries offer free ice skating and bonfires to entice visitors.
6. See The Butterflies
For just under $15, you can see one of the biggest collections of butterflies in the world at the Butterfly Conservatory. With upwards of 2,000 individual individuals and 45 different species, this is the place to make some delicate winged friends.
With the lush, green surroundings, peaceful environment, and an included self-guided walking tour, this is a fun way to spend a few hours.
7. Dinner In A Revolving Tower
If you can’t make it to Toronto’s CN Tower, the next best thing might be the Skylon Tower in Niagara.
At the top of the tower, couples can enjoy romantic dinners in the revolving dining room that offers some of the best views of the Falls no matter where you’re seated. Its observation deck is 775 feet above the Falls, and with drinks and dining, this might be the most comfortable place to see them.
8. Nature At Its Finest
Nature is a huge component of many of Niagara’s attractions, and The Floral Showhouse is no different. For $5, you can see a tropical paradise with an enormous variety of plants, singing birds, and rose gardens that will leave you feeling sunny no matter the season.
9. Bike Rides
In the warmer months (May through August), many visitors take advantage of bike tours to see the sights. Zoom Leisure Bikes offers a 4.5-hour tour which covers a lot of ground, but there are lots of other tours you can check out as well. Or you can take it at your own pace.
You can also go it alone and rent a bike without a tour. A trip from the Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake is about 1.5 hours, and you can recharge on either side of the trip with some fine wine and food.
10. Eat Well
There’s no shortage of big chain restaurants to choose from, but there are some high-end options as well like the Oban Inn.
The Inn primarily uses local ingredients, and Chef Jason Dobbie is considered somewhat of a rock star in the cuisine world. Visitors recommend the raw steak and greens or the vegan soba noodle dish.
Rest assured, you’ll leave Niagara feeling very satisfied! But then, whatever you do, you probably will anyway.
