Travel Guide to the Niagara Falls

So beautiful is this natural wonder of our world that tourists flock to it from all corners of the Earth just to get a glimpse of its remarkable beauty and see nature at its fiercest and most beautiful. The Niagara Falls is a favourite for honeymooners as well as families and can even be visited if you want to travel solo. The entirety of the Niagara Falls attractions holds many activities for all types of people with varied interests, and let’s not forget the fantastic photo opportunities to be had. From amazing places to shop at, helicopter rides, boat cruises, delightful light shows and the opportunity to cross the border, the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls attractions are something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

If you are planning a visit to the Niagara Falls and are not sure what to do, we have put together information that you need to consider while planning out your vacation.

Heading off to the Niagara Falls is an exciting thought, but there are a few important things to consider if you really want to get the full benefits of all the Niagara Falls attractions. Since the Niagara Falls is on the border of both Canada and the United States of America, you need to figure out which side you want to see the falls from. The Niagara Falls can be seen from either Ontario, Canada or New York in the United States of America. Both places offer their own Niagara Falls attractions, so if you are making a trip solely for viewing and enjoying Niagara Falls, you may want to consider visiting both sides.

For those who are of Canadian or American nationality, crossing the border is not a difficult task. All you will need is a passport or a driving licence as your identity proof. If you have very young children, you can show their birth certificates. A toll fee will be necessary to pass into either of the two countries.

If you do not have Canadian or American nationality, it is most likely that you will need to obtain a visa for both countries if you want to visit both sides of the Niagara Falls. If you wish to only see one side, only a visa for that country is enough. You will not be able to get a visa at the Niagara Falls itself, so make sure to plan ahead and find out the visa requirements for the passport you hold.

Crossing the border can be done by foot, by way of the Rainbow Bridge, a walk that takes only about twenty minutes, or you can opt for travelling by bike or car if you prefer it.

Considering Canada is also known as the Great White North, it is easy enough to understand that the winters there are pretty cold. The best time you can visit the Niagara Falls is during the summer or spring months. To truly get the most out of the Niagara Falls attractions, the summer months between June to August is the best time to visit. An additional bonus to visiting the Niagara Falls during the summer is that you can take advantage of the Discover Niagara Shuttle, which is free of cost and only operational during the summer months. This will make travelling between the Niagara Falls attractions so much easier.

Though there are fewer tourists during the Spring and Fall seasons, there are some benefits to visiting during those times. Spring brings in warmer weather, and you will be able to truly enjoy the lush greenery that is once again coming to light. Fall is when the harvest happens at wineries so sampling the wines will be a delight to the pallets of those who have a taste for it.

Here are a few of the best Niagara Falls attractions, starting out with the ones that are directly linked to the Niagara Falls and moving on to others that are just as exciting and are located within the Niagara Falls area:

Enjoying the wonderful view of the Niagara Falls is great from the water and land, but nothing can beat the birds eye view that you will get from the sky. In Canada, you will be able to take advantage of the Helicopter rides available and get a view of the falls that you will never forget. It is one of the Niagara Falls attractions you will never forget.

If you want a behind the scenes view of the falls, the Journey Behind the Falls is exactly what you need. It is one of the few Niagara Falls attractions that gives you such a close experience with the mighty Niagara Falls. Starting with an elevator ride that goes down onto the observation deck and onto the caverns to take in the roar of the Niagara Falls from behind the cascading waters that form a thick curtain between you and the outside.

With an elevator to take you down 230, you will reach the gorge’s base. Here, you can walk along a boardwalk that extends for a quarter of a mile and enjoy the view of the Great Gorge Rapids. You will have an amazing view of the Niagara Falls from here as well, and it is one of the Niagara Falls attractions that gives you the best view of the whirlpool below.

One of the best Niagara Falls attractions is the Maid of the Mist. Operating from the 1840s, the Maid of the Mist boats give you a proper ferry ride, so you are close to the Niagara Falls. Rain gear is provided free of cost for the duration of the ferry ride since one of the most exciting parts of this particular attraction is that you get a dunk right under the falls. Make sure to dress appropriately though since the rain gear provided may not be able to keep all the water off you.

This is one of the Niagara Falls attractions you simply should not miss out on, as with the Maid of the Mist, you need to be prepared to get wet and wear proper shoes since you will be walking along slippery paths. You will first take an elevator to go straight down to the Niagara Gorge, which is 175 feet under. There are wooden walkways that you can explore and get up close and personal with the Bridal Veil Falls. Due to the storm like conditions, this is called Hurricane Deck. Getting this close to the Niagara Falls is worth the trip.

The roar of the mighty Niagara Falls can be a lot to take in for extended periods of time, so if you want a break from the wetness, you can visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. This is one of the must-see Niagara Falls attractions that are not related to the actual falls. It is a place that is great for photo opportunities since it is so gorgeous and during the summer, you can even go for a guided tour in a horse and carriage to take in all 100 acres of the gardens.

Another of the Niagara Falls attractions that takes you away from the actual Niagara Falls. Take in the relaxing air of the Niagara Glenn Nature Reserve. You will get to view the Niagara River and the natural whirlpool that is formed from here. The best time to visit this place is during May to August where you can enjoy guided hikes through the forest and learn a lot from the staff at the nature centre that is present on-site.

The region of the Niagara Falls is also known for its delicious wine. Located along the Niagara Parkway,Inniskillin Winery is situated in Niagara on the Lake and is definitely one of the Niagara Falls attractions that every wine lover will love to stop by and visit. The beauty of the place is worth a visit from you even if you are not that into drinking wine.

Head on out to Clifton Hill, a spot that has many other family-oriented Niagara Falls attractions. The Niagara SkyWheel is the biggest Canadian observation wheel and boasts of climate-controlled gondolas that are known to rotate about 175 feet above the mighty Niagara Falls. You will be able to view all three of the Niagara Falls, the Niagara River and other interesting local landmarks. The experience is thrilling and lasts for about 10 minutes.

Another amazing feature of the Niagara Falls attractions, the Skylon Tower dominates the skyline of Ontario, Canada. It is 775 feet high and gives you the most breath-taking view of the Niagara Falls. Open all year round; you will be able to catch a beautiful glimpse of the Niagara Falls no matter what part of the year you are visiting during. If you go at night,you will be able to see the Niagara Falls illuminated. The view from the top is so beautiful that many of the guided tours also make a stop here.

History lovers will enjoy a visit to one of the most historical of all the Niagara Falls attractions. The Old Fort Niagara was built in the 17th century and has seen many wars in its lifetime. It is known to be the fort that has been in operation the longest in all of North America. It has an amazing view of the Niagara River as well as Lake Ontario, situated in Canada. Upon entering, you will be able to explore the gunpowder rooms,army barracks that were once home to soldiers of the past and the centuries-old cannons. Drop into the visitor centre for a more in-depth history of this old and magnificent fort. The fort is well maintained, and the grounds are kept in pristine condition, making this walk-through time a fantastic experience when you are visiting the Niagara Falls.

There are a few places you can choose to stay in when visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Known for their beautiful hotels, you will not be disappointed when it comes to your stay in Canada.

Here you have a variety of different hotels to choose from, each boasting of their own styles. The Prince of Wales is a wonderful Victorian-style hotel that will really give you a taste of the Victorian way of life, but with the comforts of modern-day amenities. You can even savour some fashionable and traditional Victorian Afternoon Tea that will take you right back into the Victorian Era.

Queens Landing is another amazing place to stay that is made in the Georgian style, and Pillar and Post is another great Old-World option as it was once a 19^th-century factory.

For quaint and quiet lodging, you have the Oban Inn Spa and Harbour House Hotel. If you are on your honeymoon, the Shaw Club Hotel has a romantic air to it that will suit your needs perfectly. Niagara on the Lake is a wonderful option for those who do not want to be right in the centre of the busy tourists coming in for the Niagara Falls, but at the same time, it is close enough to be able to access the Niagara Falls attractions.

Niagara Falls also has some amazing stay options that will amaze you. Sterling Inn and Spa is perfect for the romantic couples that want the perfect holiday, and those wishing to have a Casino close by can stay at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino. The bigger hotels such as Sheraton and Hilton also have branches here, so you have no end of quality hotels to choose from. Since you are close to the main hub of all the Niagara Falls attractions, you will not miss a thing during your stay here.

The United States of America has some wonderful stay options to choose from that are all close to the lovely Niagara Falls attractions.

This island is situated to the south-east of the Niagara Falls and is perfect if you want to stay in a place that is quiet and relaxing. There are a variety of different motels that run along the riverfront or Route 62.

Located between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island is an excellent option if you want to enjoy the best views possible of the Niagara Falls. It is the place you need to be to get the best pictures of the Niagara Falls and is very close to some of the most interesting of the Niagara Falls attractions.

This is located within walking distance of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls attractions. There are a large number of restaurants to choose from, and it will make your stay interesting and worth while to stay here.

The Niagara Falls is a great vacation spot for the entire family and is also known for being a delightful spot to visit if you are looking for a romantic getaway. Keep in mind that though it is possible to enjoy a trip to the Niagara Falls on either the Canadian or American sides, to truly enjoy all the Niagara Falls have to offer, you should try visiting both sides. Those travelling from abroad should check the visa status for both countries when planning a trip to the Niagara Falls for the ultimate vacation.