Guide to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls: The 10 Best Ways to View the Falls

Each year 30 million people flock to Niagara Falls to view the awesome power of 3160 tons of water per second (75,750 gallons per second over the American and Bridal Veil Falls and 681,750 gallons per second over the Horseshoe Falls) rushing down the Niagara River and plunging more than 165 feet from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. A popular destination for honeymooners, the romance of the Falls, particularly at night, cannot be denied. Visitors can view the Falls a number of ways, both from the American side and the Canadian side. 

Read our Niagara Falls travel tips to find
the best ways to view the Falls!

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Growing up in Northwest Pennsylvania, I had several opportunities to visit Niagara Falls as a child and as a teen. Marvin, however, had never experienced the majestic views of the Falls until this road trip through the US and Canada. Seeing it through his eyes reminded me of how impressive Niagara Falls is when you see it for the first time. And, although I had visited the Falls numerous times, I had missed out on many of the best ways to get up close and personal with the Falls. So when we planned this trip, we vowed to see the majesty of Niagara Falls as many ways as we possibly could during our three days in the area.

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The Maid of the Mist

1. Maid of the Mist (New York)

Maid of the Mist from the Top of the Skylon Tower

My first close encounter with Niagara Falls was on the beloved Maid of the Mist, the main attraction of United States' side of the Falls, when I was just a kid. This time was perhaps my third time taking the boat tour, and Marvin's first. The ride starts off fairly quietly and smoothly, but soon, especially for those on the top deck, turns into a fury of wind and water as she rides fiercely into the raging waters at the base of the Horseshoe Falls.

Watch for video footage coming soon on our YouTube channel!

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Cave of the Winds Tickets

2. Cave of the Winds (New York)

Cave of the Winds was a first for both of us and is a truly incredible way to see the Falls. An elevator brings you down to the base of the American Falls, where you don your yellow poncho and walk along a series of wooden walkways, up the stairs to the viewing platform on Hurricane Deck. On the lower levels of the boardwalk, you can stretch your arm out and touch the Falls. On Hurricane Deck, you will feel the incredible power of the Falls as the water crashes down around you.

Video footage from the Cave of the Winds will be available in our YouTube video as well!

Tip: Wear shorts. Anything hanging out below the poncho WILL be drenched.

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Niagara Falls Pedestrian Promenade

3. Pedestrian Promenade (New York)

The pedestrian promenade on the American side of the Falls offers immediate scenic views of the Niagara River, as well as close sideways shots of the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The sound of the water reaches your ears long before you can actually see the Falls. Enjoy a stroll along the Promenade, taking a moment to stop at a viewing area and appreciate the river as it gains momentum as it nears the edge.

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View from the Rainbow Bridge

4. The Bridge (New York to Ontario, or vice versa)

The border between Canada and the USA

Passport in hand, amble across the Rainbow Bridge pedestrian walkway that spans the river between Canada and the United States. This bridge offers great views of both of the Falls, as well as spectacular skyline views of the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Take a moment to stop and get your picture taken with one foot in Canada and one in the USA.

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Fireworks from the Rainbow Bridge

5. Fireworks over the Falls (New York or Ontario)

10 pm Fireworks

At night, both the American and Canadian Falls are illuminated by colorful lights that change every few seconds. At precisely 10:00 pm every night, the Falls are also alight with a short fireworks show. Though the fireworks over the Falls can be seen from both the Ontario side and certain places on the New York side, we found that the best place to see the fireworks was from the pedestrian bridge between New York and Ontario, closer to the Ontario side, as it had the best vantage point and was the least populated area.

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Best Ways to View Niagara Falls

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The Niagara SkyWheel

6. SkyWheel (Ontario)

Tickets to the Niagara SkyWheel

This was also a new experience for me. Opened in 2006, the Niagara SkyWheel rises 175 feet in the air and offers riders views of the Niagara River, the Falls, and the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Located on Clifton Hill, the popular strip full of restaurants and other attractions, the SkyWheel is a fun, relaxing way to view Niagara Falls from your enclosed gondola. It offers panoramic views and is sure to be a hit on your family vacation.

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The Hornblower

7. Hornblower (Ontario)

Ontario's version of the Maid of the Mist, the Hornblower also brings travelers into the rush of wind and water of the Horseshoe Falls. This 20-minute boat ride is a must for your Niagara Falls vacation. The vest view of Niagara Falls is from the base of it!

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View from the Top of the Skylon Tower

8. Skylon Tower (Ontario)

The Mighty Niagara Falls

One of our favorite experiences in Niagara Falls turned out to be our time on the Skylon Tower Observation Deck. Unlike other observation decks, like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, for instance, the Skylon Tower Observation Deck is not glassed in, so taking photos from the top is a piece of cake, void of those awful reflections in the glass. The breezes are magnificent, the views are terrific, and the general peacefulness, even with a couple dozen other observation deck guests, gave the place a great ambience.

Tip: We opted for the buffet dinner that included the walk up one more flight of stairs to the observation deck. However, the buffet left a lot to be desired - both in quality and in quantity. Skip the over-priced meal and just buy the tickets to the observation deck. You'll get better views from there anyway.

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Falls Incline

9. Falls Incline

View from inside the Falls Incline

Tickets to the Falls Incline

Though not a traditional way to see the Falls, the Falls Incline is a nice short (inexpensive) ride, with views of the Horseshoe Falls from the top. Take it from the bottom to the top and walk along the road, ride it from the  top to the bottom and walk along the Promenade, or purchase a roundtrip ticket, ride the Incline down, take some pictures, and ride it back up to avoid the crowds.

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Top 10 Best Ways to View Niagara Falls

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10. Journey Behind the Falls

Although similar to the Cave of the Winds on the New York side, we planned to participate in the Journey Behind the Falls from the Canadian side as well. Unfortunately, we could not work it into our schedule, but the people we met who had taken part in it said it was well worth it!

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Though the falls can be viewed from both the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls and the US side, the Canadian side offers much more than just the Falls themselves. Clifton Hill features many Niagara Falls attractions, from fantastic eateries and wax museums to haunted houses and sweet treats. Visit Marineland for rides and shows, take a helicopter ride, or play miniature golf among the dinosaurs!

Remember to watch for video footage of the Falls on the exquisitEXPLORATIONS YouTube channel!

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