I have lived less than an hours drive from Niagara Falls my entire life. I can proudly say that I have visited an absurd amount of times. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Niagara Falls is a Canadian city in the province of Ontario. It is known for it’s horseshoe shaped falls that have the same name as the city they are housed in. They are linked with the U.S. by the Rainbow Bridge, and I must say that they are pretty spectacular!
There are many things to see and do in Niagara Falls, and it honestly is a place that has something for everyone to enjoy. Here are 10 fun things that can be done with kids.
1. BIRD KINGDOM
Bird Kingdom is the largest free flying indoor aviary in the world. It also houses an assortment of reptiles. I am not sure exactly how many species of birds reside here, but trust me when I say there are plenty! My daughter is a HUGE fan of birds, but I think that almost anyone would enjoy wandering around this place. Tickets can be bought online at a discount, and I would suggest planning your visit for between 10 and 11am. The busiest times are from about 12 to 3pm and it will be harder for you to get good pictures or stop and feed some of the birds if it is crowded. Here are just a few of the photos I took on our visit to give you an idea of what you might see…
2. RAINFOREST CAFE
The Rainforest Cafe is the only restaurant I am aware of that you are able to experience an indoor thunderstorm once every half hour. As if that is not exciting enough on it’s own, it is accompanied by animatronic snakes, elephants and gorillas that sound just like the real thing! Be sure to pay attention during each storm. Look up to spot shooting stars and the hidden face in the starscape. This restaurant is truly one of a kind and worth a stop.
3. HORNBLOWER CRUISE
A Hornblower Cruise is a great way to experience the falls up close. My kids and I took the Voyage To The Falls Boat Tour. At first glance it may not appear to be as glamourous as a nighttime Falls Illumination Cruise, or as magical as a Falls Fireworks Cruise, however, the Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour gets you really close to the falls and is still extremely exciting.
Top tips: If you are anything like me and want to get as close to the falls as possible for a good photo opportunity, Waterproof your equipment! I totally ruined my cell phone trying to take waterfall selfies. (Yes – it’s ok for you to laugh!) The force of the falls hitting the water below is incredible and the spray is far reaching.
The powerful spray also means that standing near the edge of the boat is not a good idea if you are keen on staying dry. I got SOAKED. You can see in the photo below that I did wear the tour provided poncho, but it lost it’s effectiveness once the wind started to blow. Luckily for me the sun was shining and I managed to dry off relatively quickly. I honestly didn’t mind though. Getting soaked made the tour more memorable, and that was what the day was about anyway – making memories!
If you want a bit of a different experience, you may want to try the Journey behind the falls option, or the Zipline to the falls option. I have not done either so I am unable to offer my opinion. I will say that if you wish to try the Zipline, try to purchase your tickets early. I went to the ticket desk early afternoon and was informed that there would be a 4 hour wait for my turn to commence. We weren’t able to wait that long on that particular visit, unfortunately. Pretty disappointing, but I live close so I can always go back another time.
4. CANADIAN MIDWAY
Like to play games? Head to the Great Canadian Midway. We generally stop here every visit to Niagara as my kids really enjoy this place. They have both classic and modern arcade games. Our favourite game is the Ghost Blasters Dark Ride. You ride in a cart with your chosen partner in an interactive “black-light” adventure, shooting away at the phantoms that pop out at you using your laser gun. Scores are calculated and we always challenge one another to see who can get the highest score. The Midway is great fun!
5. WHITE WATER WALK
This photo of White Water Walk is courtesy of TripAdvisor
To start the White Water Walk, you must take an elevator 70 meters down into the gorge, then walk through a tunnel leading out to the rapids. Follow along the boardwalk while you take in the beautiful views! The walk is easy and relaxing. There is also an observation spot along the walk that is perfect for stopping and taking a few photos if you like.
6. UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE
For something that is a little quirky and unique, check out the Upside Down House. If you are pressed for time and want an attraction that is short but sweet, the upside down house will only take a few minutes to walk through. It is bright, colourful and the perfect place for the family photographer to pull out the camera and get a few creative shots!
7. GREAT WOLF LODGE
Great Wolf Lodge is a great place to stay overnight (or a few nights) with the kids. It boasts an indoor waterpark, outside pool, mini golf course, indoor arcade, a spa, a buffet style restaurant, kids bedtime story in the main lounge… and more! This place is outstanding. I have been here many times over the years with my own kids and we always have a great time. Be sure to take a look at the website for special offers and the many different events that take place daily for the kids. And you are never too old for the cub ears!!!
8. SWEET STOPS
We never go to Niagara without stopping for a few treats. Two of our favourite shops are located side by side on Falls Avenue.
Hershey’s Chocolate World has 4 floors of Chocolate and other merchandise for you to choose from. My favourite buys are the Reese’s pieces cookies, and the 1lb Reese’s peanut butter cups. I also highly recommend sampling the gourmet fudge. It is really good. This place is honestly a Chocolate lovers dream come true. Also, for a sweet calorie-free memory you can take home with you, stop and take a photograph with the Hershey’s mascot before leaving.
The Always Refreshing Soda Shop is inspired by the old diner’s of the past. 1950’s style, it is complete with barstools, vintage Coca Cola signs and licensed Coca Cola merchandise. Here you are able to order a milk shake or an ice cream soda float, sit at the counter on a barstool and feel like you have been transported to a different day and age. This place is a true gem!
9. NIAGARA SKYWHEEL
The Niagara SkyWheel is something that everyone should experience. It is a great way to take in a view of the falls and surrounding area. 175 feet up in the air is also a great vantage point to take some great photos! To ensure that you are comfortable, each gondola is equipped with heat and air conditioning. The ride runs day and night, year round. It is a big hit with my own kids and I would definitely recommend it.
10. NIAGARA SPEEDWAY
Last but definitely not least, is the Niagara Speedway. This is the newest (and arguably most exciting) attraction in Niagara. It is also the first elevated go-cart race track in all of Canada. The carts can race up to a maximum of 32km/hr and are described as evoking a feeling of ‘flying off a cliff’ at some points on the track! (Don’t be alarmed though – extensive safety features have been built into this attraction!) Unfortunately, my family has not had the pleasure of trying out this attraction to date. I think it is time we planned another trip to Niagara to check it out!
