The world-famous Niagara Falls is a cluster of three magnificent waterfalls along the border of Canada and the United States on Ontario province and New York City respectively. The Horseshoe Falls also called the Canadian falls are on the Canadian side and American Waterfalls, and Bridal Veil Falls are on the US side. Of the three waterfalls, the Horseshoe Falls are the largest with a width of about 670 meters and a height of 57 meters. The American Falls's width is about 260 meters and has a height of between 21 to 34 meters. The Bridal Veil Falls has a width of about 15 meters and a height of 60 meters. When full over 700,000 gallons of water flow down Niagara Falls per second. Niagara Falls on Ontario are dubbed Canada's number one tourist attraction.
Guide to Canadian Side of Niagara Falls
On the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, there are several places tourists can visit and engage in recreational activities alone or with families.
Zipline over the Niagara Falls
A zipline experience over the misty and menacing waters of Niagara Falls is the perfect way for thrill-seekers to get an adrenaline rush. The awe-inspiring zipline slide starts at the Grand View Marketplace, and zipliners slide 670 meters towards the base of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls at over 40 miles per hour, while soaring over the American Falls. The ride concludes atop an observation deck located at the base of Horseshoe Falls. During winters zipliners get a bird's eye view of pristine snow and ice covering Niagara Falls. A single zipline ride costs CAD 59:99 and doesn't include applicable tax. To zipline, one needs to be over 7 years old. The regular days and hours of operation are as follows but can change on certain dates:
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- Sunday -11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Monday-11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday-11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday-11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday-11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday-11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Saturday-11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Visit the Butterfly Conservatory
The award-winning, glass-encased Butterfly Conservatory, has over 2000 beautiful butterflies in a tropical garden atmosphere. Built in 1996 it's the largest facility of its kind in North America, and visitors can observe a butterfly's entire lifecycle. The butterflies spend their time flying around or nestled in the lush tropical plants and beautiful blooms dotting the 180-meter pathways there. Along the pathways are blooms and food trays where butterflies gather to feed as visitors watch them up-close. There is a magnificent waterfall that creates a rainforest atmosphere. There is also a laboratory, greenhouses, video theatre, and a teaching facility for Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. Visitors over 13 years are charged CAD $17 and children aged 6 to 12 years are charged CAD $11.25, for those under 5 years, admission is free.
Operating Days and Hours can change on certain dates
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- Sunday -10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Monday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday-10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wining and Dining
Visitors relishing eclectic cuisines, finest wines, and craft beers while enjoying the scenic views of Niagara Falls are spoilt for choice. The restaurants and food outlets by the falls serve delicious fast foods or well-crafted meals and drinks. Fresh ingredients are sourced from local Ontario growers and prepared by skilled chefs well versed in Latin, French, Italian, Asian, and local cuisines. Popular fast foods like sushi, pizza, burgers, salads, and meats cooked are available. The restaurants on the Ontario side are as follows:
- Table Rock House Restaurant
- Table Rock Patio
- Table Rock Market
- Queen Victoria Place Restaurant
- Queenston Heights Restaurant
- Whirlpool Restaurant
- Legends on the Niagara Restaurant
Whirlpool Aero Car
The Whirlpool Aero Car is an antique cable car that visitors ride 3500 feet over the teal-colored, spiraling class 6 rapids of the aggressive Niagara River for a round trip lasting 10 minutes. This cable car travels two points of the Canadian shore, plus the US-Canada border and visitors don't require a passport. While riding it visitors get to see the lush greenery covering the rocky wall on either end of the Niagara gorge. The rapids' spiral effect forms after the waters hit the gorge and turn anticlockwise making the waters appear white. On the raging rapids beneath the Whirlpool Aero Car, water sports enthusiasts canoe, boat and kayak. Visitors also go on adrenaline-inducing, high-speed jet boat tours as mists and water splashes on them amidst the raging rapids. Visitors over 13 years are charged CAD $17 and children from ages 6 to 12 are charged CAD $13 to ride the Whirlpool Aero Car but it's free for children of ages 5 years and below. Rides on the Whirpool are booked online and regulated by the Niagara Parks Commission.
Visit the heritage sites and journey through history
Several heritage sites and artifacts like the iron scow around Niagara Falls give a glimpse of past Canadian history and historical events. The Old Fort Erie built-in 1764 is dubbed as Canada's bloodiest battlefield it sheds light on the War of 1812. There are uniformed "soldiers" who narrate and enact the war events to visitors. By Niagara River banks are 121 hectares of a preserved battlefield where on July 5, 1814, the Battle of Chippawa occurred, and visitors can go on self-guided tours. Around the rustic Niagara Park, there are over 100 plaques and monuments that memorialize vital historical events, people, and landmarks important to Ontario. Other sites worth visiting around Niagara Falls include:
- Mackenzie Printery
- McFarland House
- Laura Secord Homestead
Golfing Paradise
Around Niagara Falls there are five well-manicured golf courses that golf enthusiasts can tee off when visiting Niagara Falls. The scenic golf courses against the backdrop of the lush tree canopies by Niagara Falls enrich the golfing experience. The golf courses by Niagara Falls are:
- Whirlpool Golf Course
- Chippawa Executive Course
- Ussher's Creek
- Battlefield Golf Course
- Oak Hall Golf Course