Whether you're into nature or adventure, Niagara Falls is the perfect backdrop for a family trip. There is a lot to see, so we have selected the best options for you – have fun!
Visit Niagara Falls | © VV Nincic
You probably already know what to see and do in Niagara Falls, but do you know how to make your visit work for the little ones? Niagara Falls is a unique natural setting. If adults are fascinated by them, children are not far behind, and it is not uncommon to see them under the spell of falling water.
In addition, various attractions and recreation centers have been built around the falls to make a visit to this natural park an unforgettable experience. Of course, many of these attractions are specifically for children and teens: we detail them for you so you can plan your trip.
Whatever vacation you're planning with your kids, get ready for an unforgettable getaway.
1. Sail with the cruise ship Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower and you will be thrilled.
Both cruises follow the same route, with the Maid of the Mist departing from the American side and the Hornblower from the Canadian side. These are very handy, because in the twenty minutes it takes to get so close to the falls that you not only stand open-mouthed in front of the grandiose spectacle, but also get wet.
Kids (and not so kids) have a great time. Both cruises have multiple decks and indoor spaces, so you can enjoy the show even if the weather is bad. In any case, it's not a bad idea to change clothes to avoid catching a cold.
2. Take the kids to the Cave of the Winds and let them marvel at the elevator
There are many places where the view of Niagara Falls is breathtaking, but at the bottom of the river there is one in particular: the Cave of the Winds. If you book this tour, either as part of an organized tour or on your own, kids will ride an elevator to a platform that offers one of the most breathtaking views of the falls.
Be warned: the waterfalls are above you, so you will get wet – but of course that will only add to the fun for the little ones.
3. Take one of the state park hikes to enjoy the breathtaking scenery
If your kids love being in nature, this is the tour for you. Whirlpool State Park offers a breathtaking view of the falls. The climb to the top is a bit strenuous, but worth it, and there's room at the top of the park for a picnic overlooking the Niagara River – not to be missed!
No need to book tickets or pay an extra fee – just follow the marked trails at your little ones' pace to picnic areas and viewpoints.
4. In Bird Kingdom, a bird paradise, they can learn through play.
Bird Kigdom is one of the most famous attractions in Niagara, which is not surprising, since it is the largest free-flying aviary in the world. Yes, that's right: a huge building set up for free-flying birds.
The visit includes an exhibit about Niagara Falls and birds, but the most popular part is the part where you can get up close to the animals – it's very exciting! Kids love holding parrots and macaws or seeing other animals up close like snakes, turtles or even bearded dragons. If you do a little research beforehand, you can explain to the kids what animals they'll see, and the visit will not only be entertaining, but educational as well.
5. Who said anything about fear? For the bravest: the zip line!
We've all felt that adrenaline rush of riding a zipline and not touching the ground, haven't we? Imagine the zipline going down the spectacular descent to Niagara Falls at 70 mph – an experience you won't forget!
The zipline is suitable for children over the age of seven, but they must be accompanied by an adult until the age of thirteen. Look forward to it? Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth at the base of Clifton Hill and cost about €50 per person.
6. Walk together along Clifton Hill, a unique street
Clifton Hill is not for nothing called "the most famous amusement street in the world" known for: It's an amusement park just ten minutes from the falls. Kids will have a blast with the haunted houses, dinosaur-themed miniature golf course, and the fifty-four-foot Ferris wheel, from which you can see all the way to Ontario on a clear day!
Whatever your little ones like, there's plenty to explore at Clifton Hill. For the adults, there are also gift stores and museums for the curious: the Guinness World Records Museum, Ripley's Museum and the 4D Theatre of Oddities. A complete and ideal plan if you choose the two-day Niagara Falls tour instead of a day trip.
7. Take them to lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, which is popular with the little ones
We all know that food can be a tricky business when traveling with kids, but don't worry, there's a very diverse dining scene in Clifton Hill too. While it never hurts to bring a snack or have your kids' favorite snack on hand, there's everything from fast food to fine dining in Clifton Hill.
And if you want to experience something as well as eat, visit the Rainforest Cafe: a themed restaurant whose doors open up to the rainforest. Inside, there is a tropical atmosphere with vegetation, animals, ambient sounds and occasional thunderstorms. You also have plenty of options when it comes to dining in Niagara Falls – check them out before you visit the park!
8. Make sure they take a souvenir of the view home with them
Heights have never been this close: in just fifty-two seconds, the Skylon Tower's elevator will take you to the top floor, which. 230 meters high is. And that's not all, because there's a restaurant on a revolving floor, so you won't miss a thing while you dine. If you want to book a helicopter tour of Niagara Falls, you can even include lunch in the tower.
From the observation deck, you can see not only the falls, but also sweeping views of the United States and Canada. Highly recommended at the end of the day when the city lights begin to glow – breathtaking!
9. If butterflies are your thing. you will love it!
Nine kilometers north of Niagara Falls is the Butterfly Conservatory, where a variety of species fly on forty acres. You can observe over two thousand butterflies from sixty different tropical species.
If you want the kids to have the full experience, I recommend dressing in bright colors on this day, as the butterflies tend to be attracted to these colors and will perch on the poles so the little ones can observe them close up.
10. walk through Niagara on the Lake: the pearl of the region
For a quiet getaway with the little ones, there's a town just north of the falls that provides the perfect backdrop. It's called Niagara on the Lake, after the lake that overlooks it, and is surrounded by houses that are a joy to wander through.
In this small town, kids can run around in a more relaxed cultural and natural environment than the one that has formed around Niagara Falls. The landscape of the small town is perfect for a trip with the family.
11. Enjoy fireworks at the end of the day
It goes without saying: On Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, the unique backdrop of Niagara Falls is made even more special with a fireworks display.
Even if the view from Skylon Tower is privileged, you can fully enjoy the fireworks at the foot of the falls. A treat for the senses, for kids and adults alike, and a perfect way to end the visit.
Tips for organizing your trip to the falls with kids
Plan your trip in advance
It's not always easy to coordinate the preferences of the whole family, especially if you're traveling with kids, but as you've seen, Niagara Falls offers a wealth of attractions. It can be quite an experience to prepare the trip together, so the little ones can be involved in the preparations and enjoy it in advance. This way you can all choose what you like best and you won't miss anything that interests you. If you plan the trip together with the children, you will make the most of it!
Explain what you will see
To make the most of it, you can give the kids a framework to make the most of their trip. You could z. B. Watch the Pixar movie Up and get their excitement about Niagara Falls (even though Pixar didn't base the movie on Niagara Falls, it's a good introduction for them) or, if your kids are a little older, you could use Pirates of the Caribbean.
Buy tickets in advance
The most important thing is to book your Niagara Falls tour in advance from New York or elsewhere. And if you're already there, whether it's for dinner at Skylon Tower or a cruise on the Maid of the Mist, it's best to book or get tickets in advance: that way you'll avoid queues or being left on the spot without a plan and having to improvise, which can be very frustrating, especially if the little ones have already made up their minds. A lot of fun!
Make sure they wear appropriate clothing and shoes
A visit to Niagara Falls offers a lot of variety for both children and adults, but for children it is even more important to wear comfortable clothes so that they can fully enjoy themselves.
It can contribute to a memorable experience to equip the little ones so that they have something dry in case they get wet at the falls (bring an extra pair of socks), and that when you go to the parks they can walk comfortably (no new shoes during the day so they don't get chafed on the walk).
The best guide to Niagara Falls
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