Apart from the breathtaking falls, Niagara Falls city offers its tourist an adventure they'll never forget. Read to find some of the 'must-see' and 'must-do' things in this city.
Whether you are traveling alone, with your spouse or partner, and/or as a family, the city has a lot to offer everyone. Even though you can visit the Falls any time of the year, the best time is anywhere from mid May to mid September.
If you can't travel between these months, you can inquire or research more on the Internet for more details. In the meantime, we will just go over some fun and exciting attractions that are in store for you when you do reach Niagara Falls.
Attractions Not to Be Missed
Depending on who you're traveling with, your itinerary may or may not include certain places. However, the following attractions are a necessity no matter who you're there with, and why.
1. Maid of the Mist
How does a boat ride to the Falls sound? One of the most appealing place, that you board a double-decker boat and take a 20 minute ride to the Falls. You get the disposable ponchos to wear when you board the boat. The best time to go on the boat is from April to October.
2. Caves of the Winds
If you still want to get close to the Falls, then the Caves of the Winds is the next best attraction. First you will take the elevator about 175 feet inside the Niagara Gorge and then travel further ahead on a wooden walkway; this walkway is known as the Hurricane Deck.
You will be wearing a yellow poncho and proper footwear so that you don't slip. There's going to be a lot of water, gushing water over you, and of course, rainbows.
3. Marineland
This city has its own SeaWorld (well, sort of). Marineland is a park where you can enjoy amazing amusement rides (roller coasters), feed and touch Beluga whales, watch the killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, and walrus.
Watch these creatures perform stunts and have fun petting and feeding land animals as well. The park is open from mid May to mid October.
4. Aquarium of Niagara
This aquarium has more than 1,500 aquatic animals that include piranhas, California sea lions, sharks, Giant Pacific octopus, seals, Peruvian penguins, sea horses, and many more.
You can feed the animals, watch their special presentations, and take training sessions with the sea lions. You can visit the Aquarium of Niagara the year round.
5. Snow Park Niagara Falls
Do you love to ski and snowboard? Would you like to get away from the heat and have fun doing outdoor winter sports? Then the Snow Park Niagara Falls is just the right place for you where there are skating rink, snowzone, and a 50-foot high tubing hill.
You get to ski in fresh snow (they make sure it's fresh on a daily basis). And the best part is, you get to enjoy skiing whether it's sunny, raining, or snowy outside.
6. LaSalle Waterfront Park
This park is open from morning till evening and can be visited the year round. Whether you wish to take a gorgeous and peaceful bike ride through the trail or would just wish to walk, this park has the most amazing view of the upper Niagara River.
The bike trail goes from the Niagara River to the Niagara Falls Sate Park. You will also witness the most beautiful waterfalls along the way.
7. Niagara Adventure Theater
If you are traveling with kids, then this theater is the best place to visit. You get the IMAX's photographic technique on a 45 foot big screen so that you can experience the films to the fullest. The shows run every hour and you can also get headsets for different languages. The theater is an entertainment like no other.
8. Butterfly Conservatory
As the name suggests, this is an indoor attraction where the conservatory has been designed amidst tropical conditions. There are over 2,000 butterflies that are set free to fly wherever they wish.
With so many butterflies flying all around you, it simply is one of the most magical moments. Just remember; when you visit, wear bright colored clothes so that they butterflies get attracted to you. And since the conservatory is inside the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, you get more garden and tropical areas to wander in.
9. Whirlpool State Park
The park is open the year round but there are certain areas like the gorge trail that can be a bit risky during the rainy and snow seasons. The best time to visit the park is fall (for fishing and foliage) and summer (quiet scenic beauty and away from the crowds).
At the Whirlpool State Park, you get to witness the 125 feet deep swirling waters of the Whirlpool Rapids, the stretch of the Niagara River coming downstream from the Falls. The admission is free.
10. The Skylon Tower
Wondering what the Falls will look like from, let's say ... 775 feet? You don't have to wonder because The Skylon Tower lets you experience it firsthand. From their observation deck, you will not only get a marvelous view of the Falls but also enjoy dining.
There is a Revolving Dining Room inside The Skylon Tower for fine dining and the Summit Suite Dining Room for casual dining. Whichever dining rooms you choose, the admission to the observation deck is free.
More Attractions, More Fun
If you're planning to travel during Christmas, or around New Year's Eve time, then there is one special attraction which you and your family/friends might be interested in―Winter Festival of Lights. The festival begins from first week of November till the end of January.
You will witness 125 animated lights and about 3 million lights on trees and ground. This festival is truly an amazing and astonishing display of colors. Apart from the festival, here are a few more places you'd like to visit.
✦ Hyde Park ✦ Haunted House of Wax ✦ Daredevil Museum ✦ Hard Rock Cafe ✦ Bird Kingdom ✦ The Rapids Theatre ✦ Deveaux Woods State Park
✦ Seneca Niagara Casino ✦ Oppenheim Country Park ✦ Devil's Hole State Park ✦ Niagara Scuba Center ✦ Thunder Theater/JD Gifts ✦ Journey Behind the Falls ✦ Niagara Aerospace Museum ✦ Whirlpool Aero Car ✦ The Krow's Nest Family Fun Center ✦ Niagara's Wax Museum of History