Niagara Falls, A Complete Guide to the Niagara Region.

Niagara Falls, A Complete Guide to the Niagara Region.

Welcome to the Niagara Region, home to Niagara Falls, one of the world's seven natural wonders, visited by over 12 million people annually. As well as the must-see town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, with its tree-lined streets, lush gardens, and boutique shopping. Just an hour south of Toronto, on the other side of Lake Ontario, the Niagara Region has so much more to offer than just Horseshoe Falls, with world-class stays & attractions, and natural beauty extending far into the region's wine country. Whether you're going for a day trip or a weekend, you'll know what to expect and have plenty of recommendations for eats and drinks during your stay. This is especially important as Niagara Falls is known for having lots of tourist traps and poor-quality establishments. ✅ The Basics - Useful travel tips & how to get around. 📍 Must-Do Attractions & Places of Interest. 👣 Recommended Tours. 🏨 Where to Stay. 🍽️ Restaurants & Cafes. 🍷 Wineries & Breweries. A lot of work went into this guide. I leave my travel knowledge open for all, so if you find this guide useful I do ask that you leave a tip. Feel free to reach out with any questions! thomas.abroadandco@gmail.com
Updated ago
8
Share

🗺️ Google Maps Version

✅ The Basics

📆 When to travel to Niagara Falls:

The best time to see the Falls is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the days are long.

However, the best off-peak time to visit is during the autumn months in September and October, when the trees start to change colour, creating a gorgeous image of red, orange, and yellow leaves throughout the escarpment and valleys.

During the winter the Falls are extremely quiet, it makes for a great day trip if you dress warm, but otherwise, it's best to visit during the peak months.

🚗 How to get around:

From Toronto, it is about an 1h:30min drive from downtown, this will give you plenty of freedom to travel around the region, and parking will be easy to find.

Without a car, the GoTrain 'Lakeshore Line West' runs multiple times a day each way during the summer, and takes about 2h:20min from Toronto's Union Station into Niagara Falls GO Station.

Niagara Falls Train Station
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

📍 Must-Do Attractions and Places of Interest

Horseshoe Falls
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
American Falls
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Rainbow International Bridge
@TbisTer
For $5 you can cross over to the American side by foot. Halfway across the bridge features phenomenal views of the falls from a vantage point you won't find anywhere else.
Add to
Details
Table Rock Welcome Centre
@TbisTer
At the heart of the falls, this is where tickets for most of the attractions such as 'Journey Behind the Falls' & 'Niagara's Fury' (which is not worth it) can be bought. The center hosts lots of shopping, souvenirs, and amenities. The Table Rock House Restaurant isn't bad either, although you do pay for the view.
Add to
Details
⭐ Journey Behind the Falls
@TbisTer
Without question the best-paid attraction to do at the Falls. Descend 125 feet and explore 100+ year-old tunnels through the bedrock below the falls. You'll get damp, and feel the thunderous rush of water overhead.
Add to
Details
Clifton Hill
@TbisTer
Talk about tacky! One of the premiere destinations at the Falls. Think dollar-store Las Vegas. While it is fun to walk, especially at night, be very cautious with people trying to sell you things, or what attractions draw you in.
Add to
Details

Both the Skywheel & Skylon Tower offer unique views of the Falls. The Skywheel is a much more to-the-point attraction, but worthwhile in its own right. The Skylon Tower features a eerily similar experience to the CN Tower in Toronto, totally worth it for the view. Opened in 1964 by then New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, you ascend 470 feet on out-side facing elevators to the observation deck, featuring 360* degree views.

Niagara SkyWheel
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Skylon Tower
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Falls Incline Railway
@TbisTer
More-or-less a mode of transportation, it is useful to get up and down the small hill, and the view from the vehicles is spectacular.
Add to
Details
⭐ Whirlpool Aero Car
@TbisTer
Located a few kilometers north of Niagara Falls, the trip above the white water whirlpools below is especially breathtaking, especially during the autumn months when the trees's change colour.
Add to
Details
White Water Walk
@TbisTer
Take a trip to the bottom of the gorge and experience the power of the white water rapids from the Niagara River.
Add to
Details
⭐ Niagara Parks Power Station
@TbisTer
Recently turned into a museum, discover the fascinating stories hidden upstream at the historic Niagara Parks Power Station. The museum is well done with lots of immersive exhibits revolving around artifacts and restored equipment. It sounds boring at first glance, but is without question one of the highlights of the Falls.
Add to
Details
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
@TbisTer
Most things on Clifton Hill are gimmicks, however, Ripley's is one of the few that are well done, especially for kids. Filled with oddities, including shrunken human heads & rare animal skeletons. If you're looking for some odd-ball fun, this is the place to go.
Add to
Details

Both the Bird Kingdom and Butterfly Conservatory are more interesting than meets the eye. Especially for kids, both are fantastic experiences.

Bird Kingdom
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Butterfly Conservatory
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Floral Clock
@TbisTer
It's a clock made of flowers, if you are driving by, make a quick stop.
Add to
Details
⭐ Fort George National Historic Site
@TbisTer
A reconstructed military outpost from the War of 1812, and located on the Niagara River across from the US boarder. It is genuinely interesting if your spending a few days in the area.
Add to
Details

🏨 Where to Stay

Relax in Niagara-on-the-Lake 💆

Pillar and Post Inn & Spa
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Prince of Wales Hotel
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Best on a Budget 💰

Travelodge by Wyndham Niagara Falls at the Falls
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Vittoria Hotel & Suites
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Best for a view 👀

⭐ Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview
@TbisTer
Niagara’s best Fallsview hotel with a spectacular view of the falls and spacious rooms.
Add to
Details
Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites
@TbisTer
54 floors with many two room suites that offer spectacular views of the Falls. Located right across from Fallsview Casino, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Add to
Details
The Tower Hotel
@TbisTer
Originally built as a restaurant and tourist attraction, it was converted into a hotel in 2005, and features floor to ceiling windows in every room.
Add to
Details
Fallsview Casino Resort
@TbisTer
Build atop a cliff, overlooking the Falls. It's Canada's largest gaming resort and one of the more popular casino-resorts in the coutnry.
Add to
Details

🍽️ Restaurants and Cafes

Food in Niagara Falls

Where to Eat:

⭐ Fat Rabbit
@TbisTer
Fat Rabbit is a Restaurant and Whole Animal Butchery that delivers fresh and local ingredients in modern and delicious dishes.
Add to
Details
$$$ AG Inspired Cuisine
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
⭐ Taco N Tequila
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Flying Saucer Restaurant
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
East Izakaya
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Micah Bistro
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Paris Crêpes Café
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Cheap Eats:

⭐ Country Fresh Donuts
@TbisTer
Wonton soup at a donut shop? Yeah!
Add to
Details
Portage Bakery Inc
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Hi-Lite Restaurant
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Sweet Treats:

BeaverTails Niagara Falls
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Fudge Factory
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Italian Ice Cream
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Sweet Jesus Niagara
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Food in Niagara-on-the-Lake

HOB NOB Restaurant
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
The Irish Harp Pub
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Gyros on the Lake
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Nina Gelateria & Pastry Shop
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Niagara Home Bakery
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Greaves Jams & Marmalades
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

🍷 Wineries and Breweries

The Niagara region is home to some of the world's best wineries. The neighboring escarpment protects the small area, creating a picturesque and unique location to grow wine-producing grapes.

It is also one of the few regions in the world with the conditions to create ice-wine. It is a sweet, dessert-like wine that is a must-try.

Brewers & Distillers

⭐ Bench Brewing Company
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
The Grist - Craft Kitchen & Brewery
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Dillon's Small Batch Distillers
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

Wineries

⭐ Fielding Estate Winery
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
⭐ Peller Estates Winery And Restaurant
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Inniskillin Wines
@TbisTer
Add to
Details
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
@TbisTer
Add to
Details

📽️ Other Resources

* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born from a passion for exploration, out of Toronto. Travel has taken me all over North America and Europe! I've gotten the opportunity to leave Canada, and live in Finland, Germany, and Poland. At the same time, having traveled to 18 countries! From those opportunities, I started crafting and sharing my maps which I feel provide a sense of exploration and recommendations that others can use to create their own memorable experiences. Each map is handcrafted, both from personal experience and local recommendations. They're a go-to way to learn what each new place you visit has to offer. Whether it's to help plan a dream trip abroad or explore more of what your own backyard has to offer, check out my collection of ready-to-go maps or let me create one for yourself. Feel free to reach out with any questions, additions, or corrections at (thomas.abroadandco@gmail.com).
Send A Tip
Support Tom Isbister’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Tom Isbister 2024 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places