Niagara Falls Holidays
Niagara Falls
Holidays
57 metres of thundering water, 2,400 cubic metres per second, the Maid of the Mist taking you right to the base and the finest wine region in Canada just 15 minutes away — Niagara Falls is more than you expect
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Flight Time
8–9h to Toronto; then 90 minutes by car or bus to Niagara Falls
Best Time
May–October for warm weather and all attractions open; winter for the Ice Wine Festival
Country
Canada
Suppliers
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Niagara Falls Holiday Guide
Niagara Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world — three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls) straddling the border between Canada (Ontario) and the USA (New York State), with a combined flow rate of approximately 2,400 cubic metres per second — the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world.
Horseshoe Falls (on the Canadian side) is the largest and most impressive of the three falls — 57m high and 670m wide, with a flow rate of approximately 2,271 cubic metres per second. The mist and thunder of the falls are extraordinary — the spray rises 100m into the air and can be seen from kilometres away. The Canadian side offers the best views of all three falls; the Niagara Parkway (a scenic road along the Canadian bank of the Niagara River) provides multiple viewpoints.
The Maid of the Mist boat tour (operating since 1846 — one of the oldest tourist attractions in North America) takes visitors to the base of Horseshoe Falls in a small boat, providing an extraordinary close-up experience of the falls. The Journey Behind the Falls (a series of tunnels cut through the rock behind Horseshoe Falls) allows visitors to stand directly behind the curtain of water.
Niagara-on-the-Lake (15km north of the falls) is one of the most charming towns in Ontario — a beautifully preserved 19th century town on the shores of Lake Ontario, famous for the Shaw Festival (one of the finest theatre festivals in North America), the Niagara wine region (the finest wine-producing region in Canada) and its Victorian architecture.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
-5°C
Feb
-4°C
Mar
2°C
Apr
10°C
May
17°C
Jun
22°C
Jul
26°C
Aug
25°C
Sep
20°C
Oct
13°C
Nov
6°C
Dec
-1°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Niagara Falls
The boat tours, tunnel walks, illuminations, wine tastings and Victorian charm that make Niagara Falls far more than just a waterfall.
Horseshoe Falls — The Most Powerful Waterfall in North America
Horseshoe Falls is the largest and most impressive of the three Niagara waterfalls — 57m high and 670m wide, with a flow rate of approximately 2,271 cubic metres per second (the highest of any waterfall in North America). The falls are named for their horseshoe shape (a 90-degree curve in the Niagara River). The mist and thunder are extraordinary — the spray rises 100m into the air and the roar of the water can be heard from kilometres away. The Table Rock Welcome Centre (at the very edge of the falls on the Canadian side) provides the closest viewpoint — you can stand within metres of the edge of the falls.
Maid of the Mist — The World's Most Famous Boat Tour
The Maid of the Mist is one of the oldest tourist attractions in North America — a boat tour that has been operating since 1846, taking visitors from the base of the American Falls to the heart of the Horseshoe Falls. The experience is extraordinary — the boat enters the mist and thunder of the falls, with the 57m wall of water towering above and the spray soaking everything (blue ponchos are provided). The tour operates from April to November; boats depart every 15 minutes from the Maid of the Mist Plaza at the base of the Observation Deck. Book in advance in summer — the tour is extremely popular.
Journey Behind the Falls — Through the Rock
The Journey Behind the Falls is one of the most extraordinary experiences at Niagara — a series of tunnels cut through the dolomite rock behind Horseshoe Falls, allowing visitors to stand directly behind the curtain of water. The tunnels (accessible from the Table Rock Welcome Centre) lead to two outdoor observation decks at the base of the falls and two portals cut through the rock directly behind the falls — the roar of the water is deafening and the spray is intense. The experience is completely different from viewing the falls from above — the scale and power of the water are overwhelming at close range.
Niagara Falls Illuminations — The Falls After Dark
The Niagara Falls Illuminations are one of the great free spectacles in Canada — the falls are lit in colour every evening from dusk to midnight, with the colours changing every few minutes. The illuminations have been operating since 1860 (originally by gas lamps, now by LED lights) and are one of the most popular attractions at Niagara. The best viewing points for the illuminations are the Niagara Parkway (the Canadian bank of the river), the Skylon Tower observation deck and the Fallsview Casino terrace. Fireworks are set off over the falls on Friday and Sunday evenings (May–September) and daily in summer.
Niagara-on-the-Lake — Canada's Finest Wine Region
Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of the most charming towns in Ontario — a beautifully preserved 19th century town on the shores of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River, 15km north of the falls. The town is famous for the Shaw Festival (one of the finest theatre festivals in North America — 10 plays performed April–October in four theatres), the Niagara wine region (the finest in Canada — over 100 wineries producing excellent Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the famous Icewine) and its Victorian architecture (the main street, Queen Street, is one of the most beautiful in Ontario).
Niagara SkyWheel — Views from 53 Metres
The Niagara SkyWheel is a 53m observation wheel on Clifton Hill (the entertainment district of Niagara Falls) — one of the tallest Ferris wheels in Canada, with enclosed gondolas offering panoramic views of the falls, the Niagara River and the surrounding area. The wheel operates year-round (including in winter, when the falls are partially frozen — an extraordinary sight). Clifton Hill itself is the entertainment hub of Niagara Falls — a street of attractions, restaurants, arcades and hotels that is unashamedly touristy but entertaining, particularly for families.
Skylon Tower — The Best Views of the Falls
The Skylon Tower (236m) is the best viewpoint for the falls — a tower on the Canadian side with an indoor and outdoor observation deck at 160m, offering panoramic views of all three falls, the Niagara River gorge and, on a clear day, the Toronto skyline 90km to the north. The Revolving Dining Room (at 162m) revolves once every hour — a full rotation during a meal provides views of the falls, the river and the surrounding area. The tower is open year-round; the best time to visit is at dusk, when the illuminations begin and the falls are lit in colour.
Niagara Icewine — Canada's Liquid Gold
Niagara Icewine is one of the great wine experiences in the world — a dessert wine made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine (at -8°C or below), concentrating the sugars and flavours to produce an intensely sweet, complex wine with flavours of honey, apricot, peach and tropical fruit. Canada is the world's largest producer of Icewine; the Niagara Peninsula produces the finest. The Niagara Icewine Festival (held every January in Niagara-on-the-Lake) is one of the most popular wine festivals in Canada. Most Niagara wineries offer Icewine tastings year-round; the best producers include Inniskillin, Peller Estates and Jackson-Triggs.
Explore Niagara Falls on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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