Planning A Trip To Niagara Falls? This Is The Complete Niagara Falls Itinerary
Summer is the perfect time to plan an epic trip to Niagara Falls with friends. With its awe-inspiring beauty and fun-filled activities, Niagara Falls is the perfect getaway. My husband and I, along with my sister and her husband, took a memorable trip to Niagara Falls followed by a trip to Toronto. Here’s a detailed account of our adventure, filled with breathtaking sights, exhilarating activities, and practical tips to help you plan your own Niagara Falls itinerary.
The powerful waterfalls of Niagara Falls provide a stunning backdrop for hikes, boat tours, and yes, those iconic rainbow photos.
The area offers adventures for every travel style. You can sip wine or take heart-pounding boat rides. As a bonus, the towns on both sides of the border have fantastic restaurants, breweries, casinos, and nightlife.
This Niagara Falls itinerary includes two days of ideas for both the Canadian and U.S. sides, which is the perfect amount of time. Combine these ideas with a trip to Toronto and you have a fun-filled summer vacation.
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Getting to Niagara Falls
We began out trip by flying into Buffalo Niagara International in Buffalo, New York and renting a car for the short drive to Niagara Falls.
Just a note of caution: Parking can be very pricey in the Niagara Falls area, so factor that into your budget.
The drive from the airport takes a little over thirty minutes to the Canadian border, where you cross into Ontario.
If you are visiting from the United States, you will need a valid U.S. Passport to cross the border.
TRIP TIP: After COVID-19, restrictions change and update. Check the current restrictions for international travel before your trip.
Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview
Our accommodation was the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel on the Canadian side. As the tallest hotel near the falls, the rooms have stunning views and the location cannot be beat.
The rooms range from basic hotel rooms to gorgeous suites directly overlooking Niagara Falls.
If a view is important, make sure to request a room overlooking the falls.
You’ll love the expansive windows and jetted tubs. It’s a luxurious touch that set the tone for the whole trip.
Niagara Falls Itinerary – Day One: The Canadian Side
We started our trip on the Canadian side because, let’s be honest, the views are better.
Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls on the U.S. side.
They are the second largest falls in the world and are a popular tourist site attracting over eight million tourists annually.
Here’s what to do in Niagara Falls and how to create the perfect visit
Niagara Falls Incline Railway
- Location: 7001 Portage Rd.
- Hours: Open year round; Sun. – Fri. 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturdays 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Cost: $2.66 (CAD) one-way; $5.31 (CAD) roundtrip
Begin your day at the Fallsview Tourist area, where most hotels are located.
Then, take The Niagara Falls Incline Railway up to the Welcome Centre.
The hills in this area are no joke, so having the enclosed car take you up to the top of the hill is appreciated.
At the top, the pedestrian crossing takes you to the Table Rock Welcome Center.
Table Rock Welcome Centre
The Table Rock Welcome Center by Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful building with information, souvenirs, a restaurant, and the Journey Behind the Falls entrance.
From the Welcome Center, you can get up close and walk directly to the Falls’ edge, where the noise is unbelievably loud. You will be mesmerized by watching the amount of water and the force with which it falls.
Can you believe someone has fallen down the falls and lived?
The first person to survive this fall was a teacher back in 1901 who went over in a barrel.
Over 5,000 people have tried this, but only sixteen have lived.
It’s actually illegal to try, and you will be fined $25,000 if you attempt it. So, just DON’T!
Journey Behind the Falls
- Location: 6650 Niagara Parkway
- Hours: Sun. – Fri. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Cost: Adult $23.50 CAD; Child $15.50 CAD
Journey Behind the Falls is an adventure that takes you through the tunnels behind the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
When you arrive, you receive a yellow poncho. Trust me; you will need it.
This is a fantastic experience, but honestly, it can feel a little claustrophobic. I would 100% do it again, but if that is an issue for you, you may want to sit this one out.
Standing on the Lower Observation deck, you feel the intensity of the falls.
The mist feels like a light shower, but the roaring sound of the falls is intense, and you truly understand how powerful the water is.
After the observation deck, follow the paths and tunnels behind the falls. As you make your way through the tunnels, make sure to stop and read the plaques along the way to learn so many interesting facts.
Whirlpool Aero Car
- Location: 3850 Niagara Scenic Parkway
- Hours: Aero Car ride is open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Cost: Aero Car ride – Adult $17; Child – $11.25
After drying off a bit, we boarded the Whirlpool Aero Car, an enclosed cable car that travels 3,500 feet over the Niagara River whirlpool.
As a fun fact, the Aero Car crosses the international border four times! Don’t worry, though, you don’t need to show your passport.
You can also visit Whirlpool State Park, where you can hike or take in the views of massive swirling rapids.
We didn’t do the Whirlpool Jet Boats, but they looked like a blast.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens & Butterfly Conservatory
- Location: 2565 Niagara Parkway
- Hours: Botanical Gardens – Mon. – Sun. 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Butterfly Conservatory – Mon. – Fri. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat. & Sun. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Cost: Botanical Gardens – FREE; Butterfly Conservatory – Adult $17 Child $11.25
One of my favorite stops was the botanical gardens, which are free to visit. There are over 99 acres of beautiful plants, herbs, and flowers to enjoy, with over 2,400 types of roses in the gardens.
That’s a lot of flowers!
The Botanical Gardens are cared for by students at the Niagara Parks’ horticultural school, which trains the best horticulturists in the country.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens is also where you will find the butterfly conservatory, one of the largest glass-enclosed conservatories in North America.
Take the self-guided tour, starting with a short video presentation and then walk among over 2,000 colorful butterflies. It is quite amazing!
Floral Clock
Next door is the floral clock, a giant 40-foot wide clock decorated totally with flowers and plants. The clock’s design, which changes twice yearly, is filled with over 16,000 plants.
While you are there, you might also hear the Westminster Chimes at the back of the floral clock that chime every quarter-hour.
Make sure you walk inside the small room at the back of the clock to see how the clock mechanisms work. The past clock designs are on display as well.
For something fun and unique, we took photos of the clock design on display during our kids’ birth years.
Maple Leaf Place Souvenir City
When you are out and about, stop at Maple Leaf Place Souvenir City at 4199 River Road.
This roadside stop reminds me of a Texas based Buc-ee’s and has over 15,000 square feet of fun.
You’ll find a food court, a selfie center with fun Canadian backdrops, everything maple, and many souvenirs.
As a visitor, it’s definitely worth a stop.
Niagara on the Lake
When planning a trip to Niagara Falls, plan to spend your afternoon exploring Niagara on the Lake, a charming heritage town just north of Niagara Falls along Niagara Parkway.
This amazing tree-lined town is on Lake Ontario with shops, restaurants, and wineries. In fact, there are over 60 wineries within minutes of Niagara on the Lake.
A small group guided wine tour through the Niagara region of wineries is a popular way to explore the many wineries and breweries in the area.
The prices are reasonable for such a unique experience in a beautiful area.
The many inns and beds and breakfasts located in Niagara on the Lake make the perfect retreat for a girl’s getaway. If you have more time in Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake is definitely a great way to spend a day.
An Evening at Fallsview Casino
Once back at the hotel, we freshened up and used the indoor walkway connecting the Hilton to the Fallsview Casino.
There are many restaurants in the area for dinner, including the Table Rock House restaurant at the Welcome Centre, but we chose to eat at the Grand Buffet in the casino.
We had walked enough to account for the extra calories, and it has a nice view of the Falls.
With over 3,000 slot machines and numerous table games, Fallsview Casino is a lively spot for entertainment. Even if gambling isn’t your forte, the resort offers dining and live performances to enjoy.
Niagara Falls Itinerary – Day Two: The U.S. Side
On day two of your Niagara Falls itinerary, explore the United States side of Niagara Falls, including a boat ride up to the falls. Start your day at the Niagara Falls USA Visitors Center in Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in America.
Did you know it was designed by the same person who designed Central Park in New York?
Just a short walk away is the first stop of the day.
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
- Location: 1 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY
- Hours: Boats operate end of April to the beginning of November; Hours vary depending on the day. For a complete list of days and times, visit Maid of the Mist online.
The Maid of the Mist boat tour was easily a highlight of the trip.
You suit up in a poncho, float right up to the base of Horseshoe Falls, and get absolutely soaked in the best way.
Over 600,000 gallons of water fall per second, making the mist super powerful. Brace yourself for an experience that will leave you utterly mesmerized and drenched.
The deafening roar of the cascading waters as the boat navigates the swirling current is something you should experience firsthand.
So don your blue poncho, hold on tight, and prepare for an adventure!
Discover Niagara Shuttle
After the boat ride, we boarded the Discover Niagara Shuttle, a FREE hop-on, hop-off shuttle that connects visitors to over twenty tourist attractions.
The first stop was Goat Island and the Goat Island Pedestrian Bridge. The island gets its name from a herd of goats once kept there. Unfortunately, you won’t find goats there anymore.
Here, you can get up close to American Falls. You can also access Three Sisters Islands, Terrapin Point, or Luna Island.
If you want a nice walk, walk the island’s perimeter for a little over a mile.
We stopped here, though, to access Cave of the Winds.
Cave of the Winds
- Location: Located on Goat Island
- Hours: Open almost everyday year round, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; limited in winter
You’ll want to add this tour to Cave of the Winds to your Niagara Falls itinerary.
This experience takes you in an elevator 175 feet into Niagara Gorge. Dressed in your yellow rain jackets and special shoes, you walk along wooden decks to the “Hurricane Deck.”
You are now just 20 feet away from Bridal Veil Falls. The noise level here is outrageous.
Have you ever stood at the base of an amusement waterpark ride, hoping to be splashed as the ride descended? Imagine that experience times 100!
A viewing deck at Cave of the Winds is handicap accessible and available to adults holding children so everyone can enjoy the attraction.
I found it very interesting that the deck was torn down at the end of the season and rebuilt the next year. I imagine with the force of the water, that is a necessity.
When you have finished, head back to the shuttle, and make your way to the next stop.
Old Fort Niagara
- Location: Fort Niagara State Park
- Hours: Hours vary based on the month of the year – See the schedule here
The last stop was a visit to Old Fort Niagara, a fort with a long history dating back to the 18th century.
France, Great Britain, and the United States occupied the fort that was used to control access to the Great Lakes. The fort was also used to train American soldiers in both World Wars.
You can tour buildings, see the oldest surviving United States flag, see interactive demonstrations, interact with costumed interpreters, and experience the fort’s living history.
When your visit to Old Fort Niagara is complete, hop back onto the shuttle and return to your car. It’s time to head back to the hotel.
RELATED POST: If you enjoy visiting Old Fort Niagara, you may also enjoy visiting Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
Falls Illumination and Fireworks
When night falls, end the evening with one last venture outside to see the Falls lit up in bright colors.
If you can hang around until 10 PM, you’ll be able to see Niagara Falls Fireworks, and your Niagara Falls itinerary will be complete.
The cascades are bathed in vibrant colors, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
On select nights, fireworks add to the enchantment, making it a perfect romantic evening.
Be sure to check the schedule in advance to catch this dazzling display.
Best Full Day Tour of Niagara Falls
There are so many fun places to visit in Niagara Falls. If you want to see the best of Niagara Falls without doing the planning, take a full-day guided tour and let someone else handle all the transportation, tickets, and details for one low price.
This Niagara Falls in 1 Day Tour lasts 6-7 hours and includes visits to the best attractions in Niagara Falls.
The highly organized tour includes hotel pick-up, a knowledgeable guide, and all entrance fees.
Niagara Falls with Kids
We were on a couples trip, but I spotted a few places kids would absolutely love.
If you are traveling with kids, check out WildPlay Niagara Falls for ziplining and other fun, Clifton Hill Amusement Park, and the Skylon Tower for additional family-friendly choices.
Sample One Day Niagara Falls Itinerary
Morning – Canada Side
- Incline Railway + Table Rock Centre
- Journey Behind the Falls
Afternoon – United States Side
- Cross the border
- Maid of the Mist
- Cave of the Winds
Evening:
- Fallsview Casino or Clifton Hill
- Falls illumination + fireworks
Sample Two Day Niagara Falls Itinerary
Day One – Canada Side
- Incline Railway
- Table Rock Welcome Centre
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Whirlpool Aero Car
- Botanical Gardens & Floral Clock
- Fallsview Casino
- Fireworks show
Day Two – United States Side
- Maid of the Mist
- Goat Island
- Cave of the Winds
- Whirlpool State Park
- Old Fort Niagara
In Conclusion
Could we have stretched our Niagara Falls itinerary into three days? Absolutely.
But we packed in so much over two days that we didn’t feel like we missed a thing.
Niagara Falls has this unique mix of natural wonder, quirky charm, and touristy fun that makes it feel like a real escape without needing a ton of planning.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat.
Just maybe with better rain jackets.
