Things to Do in Niagara Falls

No matter when you decide to visit Niagara Falls, there is always something to do here. Summers are packed with outdoor activities: concerts, events and festivals. Falls and winters are filled with good food, wine and a lot of music.

Here is a list of some of the things you can do while in Niagara Falls:

Niagara Falls State Park

This is the place to be in order to be able to get up close and personal with the Falls. Whether you choose a tour or just want to see the Falls from a distance, you’ll find everything you need here.

Spend several hours at the Aquarium of Niagara

The aquarium is home to over 1,500 marine animals, including sharks, California sea lions, sea horses and octopuses. The aquarium is open year round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don’t miss the daily feedings (penguins at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; outdoor seal feeding 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children (age 6-12).

Get close to the Falls: Cave of the Winds

If watching the falls from the walking paths is not enough for you, then plan to get even closer. Or shall we say close enough to get soaked? Plan a tour during the night when the falls are illuminated in a rainbow of colors.
This activity is seasonal (May to October). It’s open from 9 a.m. and the closing time depends on the month. Admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children (age 6-12).

Spend a day in nature: De Veaux Woods State Park

The park comprises a playground, a hiking trail, picnic tables, grills , a forest and an ice rink (winter). It’s also possible to bike here. There’s also a footpath which connects the Whirlpool State Park and the Robert Moses Trail. Admission is free.
For a more challenging hike, choose the Devil’s Hole State Park with its many hiking trails. The Niagara Gorge Rim Trail offers some lovely views of the Falls and the rest of the area.
LaSalle Waterfront Park is the more romantic option. The walking path offers views of the river and takes you directly to the Falls.

Take the Maid of the Mist boat tour

The Maid of the Mist tour is a good choice for those who want to go beneath the falls. The tour starts at the bottom of the Observation Tower and goes to the base of the Falls. The half-hour tour operates during the warmer months (May to early October) from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Admission is $13.50 for an adult and $7.85 for a child (age 6-12).

Learn how the Falls changed at the Discovery Center

Discovery Center shows the history of Niagara Falls. You can see interactive displays of how the plant and animal life evolved, how the river formed and you can even climb a 26-foot rock wall that resembles the walls of the gorge.
It is open from May to October, from 9 a.m.
Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children (age 6-12).
Put on your hiking boots

Discovery Center is also home to the Niagara Gorge Trailhead Center. From here you can choose one of the four biking or hiking trails to explore. There are two easy trails, a moderate trail and a difficult trail.
The trails are only open during the warmer months (May to October).

Take the Niagara Wine Trail and enjoy the local wines

Just below the Falls, along the river, you’ll find the Niagara Wine Trail. The unique microclimate helps produce world class wine for any taste. Visit some of the wineries and vineyards located along the trail.
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards produces dry red wines ; the Eveningside Vineyards produce European-style wines.

Try your luck at fishing

Niagara Falls offers fishing opportunities year-round. The Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie are all close by and filled with salmon, trout and many more species. In the area above Niagara Falls you can catch warm water fish.

Photo credit : Niagara Falls ,Whirlpool State Park , Wine Trail