Top 10 Niagara Falls Attractions | Niagara Falls & Buffalo Border Crossings | Getting to Niagara Falls from Toronto
Niagara Falls, Canada, is home to the Horseshoe Falls, the most powerful waterfall in North America and possibly the best-known in the world.Niagara Falls is historically famous as a honeymoon destination - these days more in a campy, Las Vegas kinda way - but also attracts a range of visitors, especially families.
With the addition of a new casino resort in 2004, finer hotels and restaurants have followed, adding an iota of sophistication; however Niagara Falls is primarily touristy in character.
Location - Where is Niagara Falls
Canada's Niagara Falls is just across the water from Niagara Falls, New York. It is 15 or 20 minutes from Buffalo and an hour and a half to two hour drive from Toronto.
Niagara Falls Weather & Climate - When to Go to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls' climate is about the same as that of Buffalo or Toronto.Winters are bitterly cold with abundant snowfall and summers are hot and humid.
Although winters are cold in Niagara Falls, travel during the winter months offers plenty of savings. Visitors in winter can always take advantage of indoor activities, such as the Niagara Fallsview Casino, Butterfly Conservatory, or the Great Wolf Lodge. The Falls light up from November to January during the annual Winter Festival of Lights.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Niagara Falls and see the sights. The Maid of the Mist, one of the area's top attractions, only operates between April and October. Hotel prices reflect this season's demand.
Niagara Falls Attractions
Photo © Embassy Hotel & Suites
Niagara Falls caters full-on to tourists by offering up a plethora of splashy attractions that thrill, excite and amaze, such as the famous and longstanding Maid of the Mist, the Whirlpool Aerocar or IMAX movie theatre.
If you plan to visit several Niagara Falls attractions, consider buying a pass, such as the Niagara Falls & Great Gorge Adventure Pass, or for those visiting both U.S. and Canadian Niagara Falls attractions, the The Niagara Falls Power Pass may be your best buy.
Where to Eat in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is pure tourist town and full of mediocre, overpriced restaurants. Plenty of chain restaurants, including Tony Roma's or The Keg are decent, but most true foodies will leave the heart of town and venture down to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where the selection is more diverse and sophisticated.One fine dining option right in Niagara Falls is Casa Mia, a cosy, authentic Italian restaurant that has a free shuttle service to local hotels. The Niagara Fallsview Casino has at least a dozen restaurants, from casual to fine dining.
Where to Stay
Niagara Falls has many big-name hotels, such as Doubletree, Sheraton, Courtyard Marriott and more.When booking your hotel, consider are how close to the Falls you want to be. For some visitors, only a Fallsview room will do. Other hotels are closer to outlet shopping, and you can take a short shuttle to the Falls.
If romance is the priority, many hotels offer in-suite jazuzzi tubs and "theme" rooms (will your loved one don a Tarzan costume and swing from the rafters?)
Compare Rates on Cheap Niagara Falls Hotels.
Bed & Breakfasts in Niagara Falls
Compare Niagara Falls hotel rates.
Shopping in Niagara Falls
Aside from an abundance of trinket shops, Niagara Falls has outlet shopping on both sides of the border. Typically, the American side has better deals, but shoppers must consider personal allowances and the possibility of paying duty if shopping in the U.S. and returning to Canada (or vice versa).Niagara Falls, NY, has Walden Galleria and Fashion Outlets Niagara amongst others, that offer the likes of Ralph Lauren, Guess, Coach and Pottery Barn at up to 75% off regular prices.
Niagara Falls Events & Festivals
- The Niagara Falls Festival of Lights is a light show that includes an illuminated 5-km route of displays, fireworks over the falls and more.
- Niagara Wine Festivals take place about 15 minutes away at various wineries in the Niagara wine region.
Getting to Niagara Falls
By Car: Niagara Falls is about 90 minutes from Toronto and a half hour from Buffalo. The Fallsview Casino provides driving directions from a variety of locations.By Plane: Several airports are convenient for visiting Niagara Falls.
- Lester B. Pearson (Toronto International Airport)
- Toronto Island Airport
- Hamilton International Airport
- The Greater Buffalo International Airport
- Niagara Falls International Airport
The Great Outdoors
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- Fishing - Niagara Falls has a system of rivers and waterways where you can fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, salmon, lake trout, musky and small mouth bass
- Golf - Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake are big golf destinations with many scenic, some waterside, courses.
- Rent a Bike - The Niagara region is perfect for bike riding, especially the extensive and picturesque bike path system of the Niagara Parkway and the Niagara wine region, where cyclists can stop for tastings along the way.
- Hike - A series of Niagara Parks trails wind through woodland and conservation area.
