Niagara Falls is an amazing destination for anyone looking to visit Canada. It is one of the most well known points of interest in the world and for good reason. For us, this was a dream come true.
Amongst many things, we did the Journey Behind the Falls, experienced the Hornblower Niagara Cruise and saw the Falls from above from the Skylon Tower. Read more about our experience visiting Niagara Falls on a day trip from Toronto.
Overview
Niagara Falls has long been on our travel wish list, and we finally made it happen on a day trip from Toronto.
The experience was just as captivating as we had hoped. There’s something about witnessing the power and scale of this natural wonder up close that leaves a lasting impression.
We’re excited to share our experiences and tips for making the most of it.
How to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto?
Getting to Niagara Falls from Toronto is surprisingly easy, with several options available depending on how you prefer to travel. We opted for the bus, which took around two hours and was quite comfortable.
There are several bus services to choose from, such as FlixBus and Megabus, with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $30 CAD per person. Tickets can be booked in advance online, which is recommended during peak seasons. You can also use Omio to compare prices and book online.
You can also drive if you’d prefer more flexibility with your schedule—the drive is about 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you prefer an organised tour, you can check this trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls with Boat Ride & Journey Behind the Falls.
Another option is to take the VIA Rail train, which offers a scenic route along Lake Ontario.
We took the FlixBus service from Union Station in downtown Toronto which stops you right at the Table Rock parking spot, two minutes away from the falls! This was by far the cheapest and most convenient way from our research.
Each option has its perks, and it really depends on what suits your plans best.
Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls
Timing is everything when planning a day trip to Niagara Falls. We decided to visit in late spring, which turned out to be a great choice—the weather was mild, and while there were still quite a few people, the crowds weren’t overwhelming.
The summer months are certainly busier, but it’s also when all the activities are fully open. If you’re keen on exploring without large crowds, late September or early October could be ideal.
Winter offers its own magic too, with the Falls turning into a frozen spectacle, but some attractions might be closed.
Things to do in Niagara Falls
What we found is that for some of the attractions such as the boat cruise and other things you can’t really book in advance however, there are plenty of slots available so no need to panic.
We believe one day is enough to cover most of the key attractions. It’s worth noting that Niagara Falls, the town itself, feels like a large amusement park, with plenty of attractions and activities designed to entertain and spend money, from zip lining to go-karting and more.
Card payments are widely accepted, and we found that we didn’t need any cash. We used our 0% fee cards throughout this trip to make sure we always got the better rates. Read more here about managing your finances when travelling.
1. Visit the Table Rock Centre
We started off at Table Rock Centre which is a few minutes away from the FlixBus stop. We took some time to wander around which serves as both a great viewing area and a spot to grab a quick bite or do a bit of shopping.
This is the place to buy your tickets for the Journey Behind the Falls and the Niagara’s Fury.
We booked our tickets on the spot. The tickets are for a timed entry and during our visit the queue wasn’t long. You may want to pre-book if you are vising during peak times.
It’s also a convenient place to warm up if you’re visiting during the colder months. During our visit, we took shelter in the morning as it started drizzling. Just outside the Table Rock Centre, you can enjoy some great views of the Falls.
Overall, it’s a great vantage point offering your first perspective over the Falls.
2. Experience the Journey Behind the Falls
One of the highlights of our trip was the Journey Behind the Falls. This experience lets you see the Falls from behind the curtain of water itself, offering a completely different perspective.
This is an amazing opportunity to truly feel the power of the water gushing down. It makes you feel powerless and small in front of the mighty Falls.
We also walked through tunnels and watched the water rush down just metres in front of us—whilst it was mesmerising, in the tunnels themselves you queue for 30 minutes to get your chance to take a photo. In all honesty I’d suggest you skip this as the result may be less than desired.
After the Journey Behind the Falls experience, we walked along the viewing paths to take in American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls. It’s easy to see why so many people make this trip—the views are simply amazing, and standing at the edge gives you a true sense of the Falls’ power.
3. Get Wet on the Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour
The iconic sight of Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls is, of course, the highlight of the visit. This 20-minute Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour took us right up to the base of the Falls and was definitely the highlight of our trip!
We bought our boat tickets on the spot but if you are certain when you are visiting, you can book these in advance for a particular time slot. The queue for tickets is simply huge, even arriving early won’t make much of a difference, it’s just something you will have to accept.
Tip: if you are not travelling alone, one of you can wait on the queue to board the boat and the other person can wait on the queue to buy tickets to save time queueing. Needless to say this is what we did and it worked perfect for us!
You get a poncho with your ticket and believe us, you need one!
Feeling the mist on our faces as we approached Horseshoe Falls was one of the most thrilling moments of the day. The Horseshoe Falls are mostly seen from the Canadian side but Americans can also see them if they take a boat cruise, which is the sister boat called Lady of the Mist.
It really makes you feel alive.
We would suggest allocating for this adventure at least two hours, so do plan accordingly your day.
Later in our trip, we also visited Montmorency Falls in Quebec, which are 30m higher than Horseshoe Falls. However, we found Horseshoe Falls to be more impressive due to their sheer length.
4. Enjoy the Views from Grand View Canadian Flag
For a quintessential photo opportunity, make sure to stop by the Grand View Canadian Flag. The viewpoint offers sweeping views of the Falls and the gorge, and it’s a spot we found perfect for capturing the grandeur of the area.
It’s also a nice place to pause and appreciate the natural beauty without any cost, which is always a plus if you’re looking for free things to do in Niagara Falls.
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5. See Niagara Falls from Above from Skylon Tower
For a bird’s eye view, we made our way up the Skylon Tower, which looks quite similar to Toronto’s CN Tower. Standing at 160 metres (520 feet) tall, the tower offers incredible views of the Falls, Niagara Gorge, and the surrounding area from its indoor and outdoor observation decks.
There was almost no queue and we managed to get to the lift in no time.
The ride up in the glass-fronted elevator took just 52 seconds, and once at the top, we could see the whole area in the far.
Watching the Falls from such a height gave us an appreciation of just how vast the whole area is.
Niagara Falls Good to Know
In addition to the above, there are a lot of other things you can do at Niagara Falls including a helicopter flight, zip line, Niagara whirpool, Sky Wheel, enjoying the fireworks and more.
Based on our experience and to make the most of your day trip to Niagara Falls, we would suggest that you do the Journey Behind the Falls, immerse yourself in the boat ride to get a close feel of the Falls and go up the Skylon Tower for amazing views of Niagara Falls.
If you prefer to have all these organised and pre-booked, below are some suggestions of what to book.
Top Places to Eat or Drink in Niagara Falls
1. Eat a Burger with the Falls in front at Grand View Restaurant
After all the walking, we were ready for a bite, and we opted for Grand View Restaurant. The menu offered a nice mix of comfort food dishes, and the views were a great accompaniment to the meal.
I had a burger and Hristina had a pepperoni pizza. The food was decent but quite overpriced. That said, the view more than made up for it.
It was a lovely spot to take a break and watch the Falls from a different perspective.
2. Have a Drink with a View at Queen Victoria Place Restaurant
We also stopped by at Queen Victoria Place Restaurant for a quick drink later in the day. The outdoor seating was just perfect for enjoying the warm afternoon sun while watching the crowds bustle about.
We found the service a bit slow, and with our return bus in mind, we had to finish our drinks more quickly than we would have liked.
Having said this, it’s a good option if you’re looking to take a break without straying too far from the main attractions.
Final Thoughts
Our day trip to Niagara Falls was a perfect mix of natural beauty, adventure, and moments of calm. We found plenty of ways to enjoy both the popular sights and non touristy things to do in Niagara Falls.
If you’re planning a visit, we recommend taking the time to explore beyond the usual spots and embrace the experience from different angles—be it the misty boat ride or the panoramic views from above.
After all, there’s a reason why Niagara Falls is called Niagara Falls, and seeing it in person brings that reason to life in the most powerful way.
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Agoda to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
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