We go to Niagara two to three times a year—sometimes more. We go there when we have guests and we go there for family excursions. A day trip to Niagara would suffice for the top attractions. Staying overnight, however, is a different experience altogether. There are a multitude of things to do and see that each return visit can offer something new. For first-time Niagara goers, here are my top recommendations for must-see or must-do attractions:
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| American Falls |
1. Maid of the Mist—this is the seasonal boat ride that has brought millions of visitors close to the Falls since the mid-1800’s! Surely it is not the same set of boats! From the docks, the ride takes you to the base of the American Falls. You will be given a raincoat as you are bound to get slightly wet when you get up close the Horseshoe Falls. It might sound silly, but some people do ask if the boat goes under the Falls. The answer is no. I have gone under a waterfall about one-fiftieth the size of the Horseshoe Falls and it hurt! I would not dare go under this majestic sheet of water!
2. Journey behind the Falls—this is quite an interesting experience which allows you to see the Falls from a different perspective. You take an elevator 150 feet down to get to tunnels carved out of the bedrock behind the falls. You can also go out the deck at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls for a fantastic view. As with the Maid of the Mist ride, you are provided with a biodegradable poncho to keep you dry.
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| Horseshoe Falls |
These attractions take about 30 minutes each. Be prepared for long line-ups, especially during the summer peak season.
You can also check out the Whirpool Aero car—this is a cable car ride over the Niagara whirlpool. I went on this one many, many years ago. While this was nice, I feel it can be skipped if you are pressed for time. This is quite far from the main area of the other attractions.
If you are staying overnight, Clifton hill would be the place to go if you have kids or if you are out with your friends. There are many haunted/horror attractions, mazes, rides, movies, arcades and everything fun for the kids. There you will also find the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum, the Movieland wax museum, and the Niagara sky wheel (a giant ferris wheel). You can also go to the MGM store (which has its own rides and shows), have some dinner at Rainforest Café, and go to the Hershey’s store on Falls Avenue. 
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At night, the Falls are illuminated with spotlights that change colors, making the scene so much more spectacular and so much more romantic (Niagara is a favorite honeymoon destination). In the summer, they would have fireworks as well (be sure to check the fireworks schedule to better plan out your itinerary). You can also catch a show at the hotels or hit the “arcade for adults”—more commonly known as casinos. Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino will surely keep the more senior guests entertained.
If you have more time or have a chance to go back, the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark will definitely be a hit with kids. There are hotels connected to the Waterpark and various packages which include park passes and accommodations are available. When the kids (and most likely the adults) get tired of water fun, there are many other attractions to check out in the area. You can also go to the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. The gardens are lovely and great for photo ops—that is if you have not had enough pictures of the grand Niagara Falls.
There are many more attractions we have yet to see in Niagara. As for those we’ve already seen, there are simply too many to cover in depth in one blog. I hope I have captured the highlights. Almost each time we go back, we are able to check out something different.
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