Niagara Falls with Kids: The Best Family Attractions (on both sides!)
When my daughter was a toddler, she was obsessed with waterfalls and we used to go on day-long waterfall hunts that I’d research and map out to falls all virtually Rhode Island. Years later, we went on the biggest waterfall venery of all to visit Niagara Falls, and it wasn’t just her that was enthralled. Considering while there are tons of fun family attractions and things to do in Niagara Falls with kids, this is a trip that the adults loved too!
In fact, we made this a multi-generational trip and we took withal her grandmother on a Canadian road trip with stops in Niagara Falls, Toronto, the Thousand Islands, and Montreal. Visiting Niagara Falls with kids is a pretty archetype family vacation destination and we wanted to trammels it off our bucket list.
Niagara Falls is one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, and it’s an wits that you and your family will never forget. The roar of rushing water, the spray of mist on your face, and the excitement of seeing the falls up tropical are all part of what makes Niagara Falls such an heady destination for families — in fact, my daughter plane wrote a poem well-nigh our wits (which I will share at the end!)
But with so much to see and do, where do you start? In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know well-nigh visiting Niagara Falls with kids, including how long to stay, which side to visit, the weightier things to do on both the Canadian and US sides, family-friendly hotels, and more.
How Long Should you Spend in Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is one of those destinations that offers a lot of flexibility depending on how much time you have and how many attractions you want to visit. For those visiting Niagara Falls with young kids, or those that don’t superintendency well-nigh some of the thrill-seeking attractions, you can hands hit the highlights in just one full day.
Ideally, you would stay in Niagara Falls for two days to be worldly-wise to wits increasingly that the destination has to offer (perhaps on both sides of the border). This moreover gives you a bit increasingly flexibility in specimen of bad weather or rain. I know many families visit Niagara Falls for their family vacation of five to seven days. This is definitely possible if you want to moreover spend time making some day trips to other attractions and towns nearby (Buffalo for example!) However, if you have that much time, personally I think you are largest off pairing Niagara Falls with a couple of days in Toronto or taking a full Canadian road trip.
Which Side Should you Visit: USA or Canadian?
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when planning your trip to Niagara Falls with kids is whether to visit the USA or the Canadian side. While both sides offer spectacular views of the falls, there are some differences to consider.
But the biggest consideration is whether or not everyone in your family has a current passport that doesn’t elapse within six months of your trip. When we visited Niagara Falls, we decided to stay on the Canadian side, since we were planning on standing on into Canada anyway. However, my brother and his family decided to meet us in Niagara Falls, but since they didn’t have passports, they stayed on the U.S. side and we walked wideness the Rainbow Underpass to meet them for part of the day. One other note well-nigh crossing the border: if both parents are not on the trip you will need the other parent to well-constructed a minor child travel consent form. Canadian verge security is quite strict well-nigh this. I once took my teen daughter to the Canadian Rockies on a mother-daughter trip and they scrutinizingly wouldn’t let us into the country.
If passports aren’t a problem, here are some other things to consider:
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is known for its stunning views of the Horseshoe Falls, which is the largest of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls. It moreover has a increasingly ripened tourism industry, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions within walking loftiness of the falls. The U.S. side of Niagara Falls, on the other hand, offers increasingly natural eyeful and outdoor activities, with hiking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas. There are moreover historic forts, parks, and wineries to visit nearby.
Just alimony in mind that the Canadian side of the falls is often considered to have the weightier views of the falls and I concur! I’m very happy we decided to stay on the Canadian side during our trip. From the American side, you are kind of straining your neck to see the Horseshoe Falls and you are substantially right at the top of the American Falls and can’t see them unless you are on a boat. Meanwhile, without a short walk lanugo to the falls from our hotel on the Canadian side, we were looking dead-on at the American Falls, and just lanugo the river and in full view are the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
Things to do in Niagara Falls with Kids
No matter which side of Niagara Falls you segregate to visit, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to alimony you busy. Here are some of the top things to do in Niagara Falls with kids, wrenched lanugo by side.
Canadian Side:
When you navigate Rainbow Underpass you are right near the Sheraton Fallsview and the Clinton Hill zone of Niagara Falls — think Vegas meets Times Square meets NJ Boardwalk. This zone is chock full of theme restaurants, arcades, waterparks, and other kitschy entertainment such as Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Very entertaining for kids if you are staying increasingly than one or two days.
You will want to start by viewing the Falls from Queen Victoria Park. Then start out with one of the pursuit attractions:
Voyage to the Falls Wend Tour
If you only have time to do one thing when you are in Niagara Falls with kids, make it the Voyage to the Falls wend tour by Niagara municipality cruises (from Municipality Experiences welded by Hornblower –what used to be known as the Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Maid of the Mist is on the U.S. side). This 20-minute wend ride takes you right up to the wiring of the falls, where you will need to shout to be heard over the roar of the water and expect to get wet — expressly near the falls.
On the cruise, you get to see the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and, of course, the tropical of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. They provide a souvenir recyclable mist poncho but if you really don’t want to get wet, you will need largest rain protection. Increasingly well-nigh our wits on the Maid of the Mist is below. This often runs from early May to late November, but you need to trammels the schedule on the website to find the opening dates and hours. It is weightier to purchase a timed-entry ticket in advance.
If you have thrill seekers in your family, you may want to try the open-top jet wend experience instead (note that kids need to be at least 44 inches tall.)
Journey Overdue the Falls
Journey Overdue the Falls gives you an opportunity to explore the tunnels and outdoor observation decks overdue the falls. I had heard this was an wondrous wits and I was thrilled to have a endangerment to see what it is like overdue these powerful falls. Unfortunately, I found it pretty disappointing. I think I was expecting a guided tour of sorts but really your timed-entry ticket just got you lanugo the elevator and from there you were on your own. If you are visiting both sides, the Cave of the Winds might be a largest substitution.
First, you take an elevator lanugo to the tunnels that lead to two observation decks — those were tomfool as the main viewing platform is very tropical to the falls and you can see what it is like from the side. From here we were worldly-wise to see the Maid of the Mist heading directly into a rainbow. Other than that, you just followed a tunnel to two portals, which squint out overdue the falls to a haze of water and mist. You finger the pounding percussion in your ears as you walk withal the tunnel, taking in the poster displays that explain some of the history of the falls.
There are moreover options to get a combo Voyage to the Falls wend tour plus Journey Overdue the Falls reserved access.
Niagara SkyWheel
Take a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel, which is the largest of its kind in Canada. This 175-foot-tall wheel offers wondrous views of the Falls, the Niagara River, and the town. My husband has a severe fear of heights so we had to skip this and the Skylon Tower on our visit as just the walk wideness the Rainbow Underpass gave him major uneasiness (walking wideness the underpass isn’t at all scary if you don’t have a fear of heights though.)
Skylon Tower
If you want to see some of the weightier views from above, typesetting a ticket to the Skylon Tower observation deck. You will ride a glass-enclosed elevator for a “Ride to the Top” in just seconds. The observation deck is located 775 feet whilom the falls with spanking-new views of the Horseshoe and American Falls, the Unconfined Gorge, and the Niagara River. If you want to combine the view with dinner, visit at night for a meal at the Revolving Dining Room or the Summit Suite Buffet and stay to trammels out the seasonal fireworks displays.
Zipline to the Falls
If you really want some heart-pumping fun with teens or older kids, you can moreover Zipline to the Falls. You will glide 2,200 feet from the platform wideness the falls. The minimum age is seven and all children must be accompanied by an sultana (no chickening out!). The maximum weight is 275 lbs. In wing to the Zipline to the Falls, WildPlay offers a Whirlpool Adventure Undertow featuring three levels of thrills making your way wideness tightropes, cargo nets, ziplines, rope swings, swinging logs, and wobbly bridges.
Clifton Hill
If you are looking for some family-friendly fun, throne to Clifton Hill, which is an entertainment district with safari rides, go-karting on the Niagara Speedway, arcades, Dinosaur Adventure Golf, mini-golf, bowling, restaurants, and increasingly for kids of all ages. This is where you will find the Niagara SkyWheel, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, and the Movieland Wax Museum too. This is where we gave in to our tired feet, hungry bellies, and eager child and had an expensive and unappetizing lunch at The Rainforest Cafe because hey, what else can you do when you are in Niagara with kids but make them happy?
If you plan on spending some time in Clifton Hill, I’d encourage you to purchase the Fun Pass, which includes ticket to six attractions.
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
While we are on the topic of keeping the kids happy, what kid doesn’t love a massive indoor waterpark? The Fallsview Indoor Water park is spread out over two acres and offers 16 water slides, a wave pool, and a massive play zone for kids. You can purchase a hotel package or buy individual day passes for tons of family fun.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
We didn’t visit the Botanical Gardens (we were saving this for Montreal), but the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens offers over 99 acres of landscaped gardens, including a butterfly conservatory. The Niagara Falls Butterfly Sunroom features over 2,000 butterflies from virtually the world.
Whirlpool Aero Car
Near the Botanical Gardens, you will find the Whirlpool Aero Car. This retro, reversion subscription car carries you wideness the Niagara River and the swirling waters for the Niagara Whirlpool as you travel 3,500 feet wideness the Niagara Gorge. You will unquestionably navigate the international verge four times, but no worries well-nigh a passport, it unquestionably starts and ends in Canada.
White Water Walk
If you want to see the power of the river without the crowds of the Falls, Niagara Parks moreover offers a White Water Walk (open seasonally), which offers a quarter-mile-long boardwalk withal Niagara River’s Class 6 whitewater rapids, some of the wildest in North America. There are multiple platforms to soak in the roar of the river.
Bird Kingdom
Bird Kingdom is a fun nomination for kids that love unprepossessing encounters and it is moreover perfect for cold-weather visits, when many of the other attractions are sealed for the season. Just a five-minute walk from the Falls, Bird Kingdom is the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary.You can warm up in the multi-level rainforest and discover hundreds of tropical birds including parrots and playful lorikeets.
Tip: Some of these attractions require whop ticket purchase, expressly during peak tourist season, so be sure to plan superiority and purchase your tickets online to stave long lines and potential disappointment. Also, be enlightened that some attractions may have age or height restrictions, so trammels superiority of time to make sure they’re towardly for your children. For some truly EPIC memories, try a helicopter tour over the falls!
U.S. Side:
Okay, now you see why I said that the Canadian side has it going on. There is plenty to do to fill your visit to Niagara Falls with kids. However, that is not to unbelieve the U.S. side (too much). I’m unquestionably due a return trip to explore increasingly of this side considering I finger like I don’t requite the zone unbearable credit considering there isn’t as much that is walkable from the Falls.
Maid of the Mist
Just like on the Canadian side, the Maid of the Mist wend trip to the Falls is truly a must-do. Plus, if you are only visiting the New York side, it is really your weightier way to plane see the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This was truly a highlight of our trip (see Hannah’s poem lanugo below). But let me tell you if you think the thin poncho they requite you on the wend is going to alimony you dry you are completely wrong. You get veritably soaked, expressly in the front. Also, the wind blows the mist and water into your squatter so much it is scrutinizingly nonflexible to squint directly into the falls and get some good pictures but we did capture a few. It was an wondrous wits and a well-constructed thrill. It may sound cliche and too touristy but you don’t go to Niagara to be highbrow so go and enjoy it — the Maid of the Mist is a must-do!
Cave of the Winds
The Cave of the Winds is flipside not-to-miss witchery on the U.S. side of the Falls and I really wish I had chosen this over Journey Overdue the Falls. This witchery takes you lanugo to the wiring of the falls, permitting you to finger the power of the water up close. You are first outfitted in rain gear and then transported lanugo by elevator to the wiring of Bridal Veil Falls. From there you can climb over a series of staircases right at the marrow of the falls. Just note that you will get wet despite the rain ponchos! Well-fitting, non-skid shoes are essential.
Niagara Falls State Park
Recognized as the oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls State Park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and spectacular views of the falls. The park contains the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and a portion of the Horseshoe Falls. This is moreover where you are going to find the Observation Tower, Cave of the Winds, the Aquarium, and more. It is unshut year-round and unchangingly self-ruling to walk around. In season, the Niagara Scenic Trolley moreover offers 30-minute tours through the park.
Aquarium of Niagara
This small aquarium is a rescue facility and a sanctuary for veiling seals. Visitors can moreover see Humboldt penguins, gray seals, harbor seals, sea lions, and many species of fish. Young children will expressly enjoy interacting with the shark and sting ray touch pool.
Where to Stay when Visiting Niagara Falls with Kids
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There are definitely increasingly hotel options if you segregate to stay on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for a family visit. On our trip, we stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton on Fallsview Boulevard in Niagara Falls, ON. The hotel was well located near the Fallsview Casino and just a short walk lanugo to a perfect view of both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. We enjoyed our stay, expressly considering we found a unconfined deal. If you are looking for something plane increasingly centrally located, these are moreover unconfined options. Of course, the Unconfined Wolf Lodge nearby is flipside unconfined option for a family trip:
- The Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview
- The Niagara Falls Sheraton Fallsview (has a unconfined view of the American Falls but is quite a walk yonder from the Canadian Falls.)
- Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Resort and Spa (located whilom the Canadian Falls.)
Tips for Visiting Niagara Falls with Kids
- If you are driving wideness the border, be prepared for potentially long lines at the verge crossing. It helps if you are worldly-wise to navigate at off hours. For example, we crossed at 10 pm and there was very little line compared to other verge crossings we made on that trip.
- Make sure you bring raincoats or ponchos and wear non-slip shoes, expressly when doing activities tropical to the falls. Those lightweight plastic ponchos don’t do much for keeping you dry! (But they make for cute photo mementos!)
- If you are considering day trips, I highly recommend the mannerly town of Niagara on the Lake. While it is known for its many wineries (some of which are kid-friendly), you can moreover rent bikes to ride past the vineyards or visit Fort George where kids can interact with interpreters in period costumes.
- Dufferin Islands Park is flipside nice escape from the hustle and precipitance of the main zone virtually Niagara Falls. These scenic, man-made islands are well-nigh half a mile from Horseshoe Falls and offer nature trails, bird watching, and picnic spots.
- If you visit in the winter, be sure to go during the Falls Illumination on the Canadian Side, which takes place from mid-November through mid-February. This features six-minute lighting displays, playing three times at the top of the hour, whence at 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm during the Winter Festival of Lights. There are moreover fireworks featured on weekends during the Winter Festival and over the Christmas Holidays at 8:00 pm, as well as two shows on New Year’s Eve at 8:00 pm & 12:00 am. The Niagara Falls fireworks displays can be viewed from many vantage points including outdoor spaces in Niagara Parks, upper whilom at the Skylon Tower and Niagara SkyWheel, and indoors at the many hotels and restaurants with views of the Falls.
- Niagara Falls USA moreover holds a nightly illumination show “Inspired by Nature,” which will showcase natural colors and movements, including sunrise, aurora borealis, rainbow, and sunset. The five-minute lighting exhibit will play three times on the half-hour, whence at 9:30 each evening, with spare shows at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30 a.m. You can trammels the full illumination and fireworks schedule on the website.
Maid of the Mist Poem, by Hannah Gruber
This is the poem my daughter wrote when she was nine, well-nigh her wits on the Maid of the Mist as a school writing assignment. I found it so trappy and true to life that I had to share it:
As we glide by the American Falls,
Spray hits my squatter with a smooth touch.
The droplets carried on the wind,
sparkling in the golden sunlight.
As we sail tropical to Niagara Falls,
the thundering crash grows to a roar.
As a splash of river water
like ice
sprays my face,
we slide into a whole new world
of mist.
The rushing waters
of the unconfined falls
greet us with unshut arms.
The spray,
gushing out of the falls,
makes a crashing sheet of water that seems to be
falling from the sky.
I gaze in wonder through the thick haze.
A majestic world of water,
sheet upon sheet
rushing over rocks,
leaping like a dancer
over moss and stones
as it falls to the marrow of the river.
We turn and glide out of the mist.
The white foam of the American Falls
slides over rocks
and springs from stone to stone.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
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