When I told my Canadian friends that I was returning to Niagara Falls, this time for 3 days, they were surprised. To them, Niagara Falls is just an amusement park built around the waterfall. Having visited Niagara Falls the previous year, for one day, I knew there was so much more to it. So this time, I planned what turned out to be a perfect Niagara Falls 3 day itinerary. I chose to look beyond the touristy attractions and discover Niagara Falls Park, with all the stunning experiences it offers.
In this article, I will give you my exact itinerary, with all my tips gathered along the way. To me, Niagara Falls is all about the power of nature, and not about Cliffton Hill or the casinos. So, if you are looking for an extraordinary experience, with off-the-beaten-path tips, read on.
How to Get to Niagara Falls
Most people will come to Niagara Falls either from Toronto or from across the Rainbow Bridge, in America. I though, travelled from Hamilton. I booked a very cheap flight to Canada, with a new airline called Play, which lands in Hamilton rather than Toronto. For me, this was perfect, as Hamilton is halfway between Toronto and Niagara. I spent the night at a lovely B&B in Hamilton, and travelled to Niagara Falls by GO bus, the following day.
The bus doesn’t leave from the main stations in Hamilton, but from Burlington GO station, which is 40 minutes away. From Burlington to Niagara you can either take the bus or the train. The bus is much more frequent than the train though, and the fast service reaches Niagara Falls in just over one hour. The price of a ticket is 7 dollars.
If you are travelling from Toronto, you can take either the GO train (which is not very frequent at all) or the Megabus, which connects the two destinations in around two hours and a half. The more in advance you book the ticket, the cheaper it is. Last year, I paid $15 each way.
If you are travelling from the American side of Niagara Falls, you have to cross the Rainbow Bridge, clear customs, and you are in Canada.
The Hotel I Chose in Niagara Falls
My initial plan was to spend two nights in Niagara Falls and one night in Niagara on the Lake. However, the prices of the hotels in Niagara on the Lake were ridiculous, so I chose to stay in Niagara Falls.
I wasn’t looking to splurge on one of the expensive hotels in the Fallsview tourist area on Clifton Hill, but I wanted to be quite close to the river. I found a great deal at the Travelodge Falls View by Windham, where I paid £240 for three nights. The hotel was very quiet at this time of the year and featured a pool, jacuzzi and sauna – which I didn’t use. I booked a room with a river view, which was a bit more expensive than one without. I could even spot the American Falls from my balcony, through the Rainbow Bridge. The hotel is just across the river.
The room was large, with a queen bed, a couch, a desk area, a mini fridge and a wardrobe which hid the TV. The décor was dated, but I didn’t mind as I was out the entire day.
The hotel was a half an hour walk away from the Table Centre, where the main Horseshow Falls is.
If you want to book the same place, you can check the latest rates by clicking here, or the reviews on TripAdvisor by clicking here. Just make sure you book the correct one, Falls View, and not at the Falls. The latter is in the middle of Clifton Hill and I doubt you will have a good sleep because of the noise.
Useful Information
To make the most out of this itinerary, you will have to purchase the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass. Depending on which of the passes you go for, it will save you up to 57% on admission to the attractions around the park, plus free WEGO transport. The park is huge and you can’t just walk from one attraction to another. The bus connects them. If you choose the Adventure Pass Plus, you will also benefit from the shuttle to Niagara on the Lake, for free.
I opted for the Niagara Falls Pass because I travelled to Niagara on the Lake with a friend, so I didn’t need extra transportation on the last day as we went in her car. However, if you do plan to go to Niagara on the Lake and you rely on public transport, I highly recommend buying the Adventure Pass Plus, as it’s only 20 dollars more expensive.
You can click here to buy your pass in advance. I bought my pass in person at the Table Rock visitors centre. As I travelled in mid-April, there were no queues and I didn’t need to book any of the attractions. The pass comes with a cute passport in which you can collect stamps from all the places you are visiting along the way. It also has a booklet of discounts at the end.
About This Niagara Falls 3 Days Itinerary
This Niagara Falls 3-day itinerary follows my steps and includes the best order to visit the attractions to maximise your time in the park but not feel overwhelmed or rushed. I specifically chose to stay here for three days because I wanted to slow travel and see not just the falls but also the nature around it.
I am also going to give you some restaurant suggestions, based on my own experience, but don’t expect any memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, Niagara Falls is too touristy to find cute cafes or decent restaurants. I received some recommendations from a local, but they were all too far, and I didn’t rent a car on this trip. Breakfast, most days, was just a coffee and a Boston Cream doughnut from Tim Hortons.
Day 1:
Journey Behind the Falls
Journey Behind the Falls is the only Niagara Falls attraction that opens at 9 am. All the others open at 10, so, if you want to have it all to yourself, make sure to arrive early. I did, and there were barely any other visitors.
Journey Behind the Falls descends 125 feet into a series of 130-year-old tunnels that lead to a platform from where you can truly experience the power of Niagara Falls. Once you step out of the elevator, you are free to explore as you wish. The platform is straight ahead, whilst the tunnels which go 650 feet into the rocks, are on the right-hand side.
I put the yellow raincoat over myself, and stepped out of the tunnel, on the platform. The roars of the water falling over the edge of the rocks got louder and louder. The water comes down at such great speeds that it’s very hard to follow its journey to the ground. In fact, during the tourist season, during the daylight hours, the flow over Niagara Falls is regulated to be no less than 2,832 cubic meters per second. That is a lot!
You will get wet, even with the raincoat on, but being so close to the waterfalls is such an incredible experience.
Niagara Fury
Niagara Fury is an interactive attraction that tells the story of how the falls formed, thousands of years ago. It’s more of an attraction for kids, but, as it was included on my pass, I joined as well. The experience consists of a movie with a young beaver as a main character, who goes back in time, to the Ice Age, to learn about the geology of the area. It is very cute and I can imagine how children would be very entertained.
The second part of the experience is a short 4D movie. I stepped onto a moving platform and watched as the screen surrounding the room showed how the land changed over millennia, leading to the forming of Niagara Falls. The platform moves along with the earthquakes on the screen, and there is water splashing as well.
From my understanding, the Niagara Fury experience will only be available until next fall. If it wasn’t free, I wouldn’t do it again. It’s cute, but it’s for children rather than adults.
Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour
I booked the Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour directly on the City Cruises website, for 10 am. However, nobody checked the timing of the ticket when I arrived. By booking online, you can skip the line, which, during the peak season, can be long. Back in September, the queue was huge. Now, in April, there weren’t that many people waiting.
I highly recommend doing the boat tour and getting close to the mist. Even if it’s one of the most popular tourist activities in Niagara Falls, it’s so worth it. You will be getting wet, very wet! The raincoat is useless when the boat approaches the waterfall. The power of Niagara Falls not only sends water everywhere, but it also lifts the poncho so the mist gets underneath, soaking your clothes as well. It’s a good idea to wear waterproof shoes and a good rain jacket on this day.
As the first access to the boat is at 10 in the morning, make sure you are there for this time. And just a tip, pick a place on the left-hand side of the boat, on the top deck.
Niagara Power Station and The Tunnel
The power plant is a fascinating place to visit and it is included in the Niagara Adventure Pass, so don’t skip it. The guided tours inside the plant are led by former employees, and by joining one you get a fantastic first-hand story about how things used to work here. It was fascinating to hear personal stories, how the penstock would sometimes get blocked with debris from the river – but never on the lower levels, and what they did to unstuck it.
The tunnel sits at 180 feet below the power station and is 2,200 feet long. As I descended to the tunnel, the slow elevator passed through the hidden decks of the power plant. I highly recommend visiting the hydroelectric power station first and then descending into the tunnel, to understand the role of each part. Knowing that it’s all been dug at the beginning of the 20th century, only with rudimentary dynamite, pickaxes and shovels, this is a true engineering masterpiece.
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At the end of the tunnel, there is a viewing platform from where you can see Niagara Falls. Compared to Journey Behind the Falls, even if it’s further away from the waterfalls, here you will get much wetter. Don’t forget to grab a free raincoat before exiting the tunnel onto the platform.
Lunch at Table Rock
For lunch, I chose to eat at one of the restaurants inside the Table Rock Visitors Centre. There are quite a few of them, serving quick dishes, from pizza to burgers and chicken wings. I chose the ramen, as I felt very cold due to getting wet all morning, and I really craved something hot to warm me up. It was probably the most underwhelming ramen I have ever had, but it did its job.
Floral Showcase
In spring, the alley leading to the Floral Showcase is just like a pink dream. Large magnolia trees are leaning over the small paved road from both sides, almost touching to form a tunnel. The grass is dotted with thousands of small white flowers, making the green almost fade away.
I didn’t visit the glasshouse at the Floral Showcase but I glanced through the fence, to see their beautiful lawn planted with colourful tulips. The ticket to the Floral Showcase is not included in the 2-day Niagara Pass, but you do get a 2$ discount with the Niagara Passport.
Dufferin Islands
I learned about Dufferin Islands the morning before leaving towards Niagara Falls, from a magazine in my hotel room. It listed it as a wonderful place to spend a little bit of time in nature, as well as spot different birds. So I had to add it to my itinerary.
Dufferin Islands is a small park created after Lord Dufferin, the Governor-General of Canada between 1872-1878 insisted that there should be free land for people to enjoy. Back then, most of the land around Niagara Falls was owned by private businesses, catering to tourists, charging them. Lord Dufferin wanted some of this land to be free for public use, and this is how in 1875, the Ontario government established the Niagara Parks Commission, which went ahead and developed the Queen Victoria Park. The Dufferin Islands are part of the park and are bearing the name of the Governor, to remember his legacy.
The park is very peaceful and has a few small trails along a lake and a river. It’s a great spot for birdwatching. I spotted a woodpecker with its chicks, plenty of Blue Jays, red-wing blackbirds, different species of ducks, and American robins. I’ve also seen plenty of squirrels, as well as fallen trees and a dam built by beavers. I haven’t seen the beavers though, but a lady I met on the trail, who showed me the dam, said that during the day they like to climb the hill behind the car park.
Dinner at Chuck’s Roadhouse
After a full day, I headed to Chuck’s Roadhouse for dinner. The restaurant is located at the top of Clifton Hill and it’s huge. You can’t miss the motorcycle displayed at the entrance. I opted for a New York steak served the Canadian way, with cheese curds and a peppercorn sauce. It was served alongside fries and corn on the cob.
The food was just ok, nothing special. The steak was cooked medium rare and tender, but I felt it lacked that good taste of steak. Not a bad meal, but nothing extraordinary either. The price was on the low side, with the total bill for the steak and a beer being less than $30 + tip.
Niagara Falls Colours at Night
I ended my first evening in Niagara Falls with a stroll along the river, up the Table Rock Centre. Every evening, once it gets dark, Niagara Falls is illuminated in the most beautiful colours. Each sequence lasts for 10 to 15 minutes, and the colours can be static or move around the falls. In April, the lights were turned on at 8:30 in the evening. In summer, they are turned on later, once it’s dark. During my trip, Niagara Falls celebrated Earth Day by lighting up in bright green.
If you visit Niagara Falls in summer or during the Lights Festival, you can also see spectacular fireworks over the water, each evening at 10 pm.
Day 2:
Sunrise Over the Falls
Watching the sunrise over Niagara Falls was one of the very special moments of my trip here. In April, sunrise was at 6:20 am, with a gorgeous blue hour ahead. I walked from my hotel to Table Rock Centre, witnessing the daylight rays making their way through the darkness, spreading over the American Falls.
By the time I reached Table Rock, the sun started to rise slowly, on the far left corner of the falls. The mist suddenly changed its colour, from white to a warm orange, as it was reflecting the colours painted on the sky. It felt magical. Even more so because I was the only person there, witnessing this spectacle of nature.
Breakfast
For breakfast I headed over to Tim Hortons in Clifton Hill, which opens at 7:30. There were a few people already waiting in front of the doors, to get their morning caffeine fix. I got a coffee and a Boston cream doughnut, which I enjoyed at one of the indoor tables.
Whirlpool Aero Car
My first attraction of the day was the Whirlpool Aero Car. I arrived here at 9 am, just as it was opening.
The Whirlpool Aero Car is a unique cable car that offers stunning views of the Niagara River and the Whirlpool Rapids. Suspended high above the river, the Aero Car travels across a section of the gorge, over the rapids section of the river. It was designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo and has been in operation since 1916.
The Aero Car can transport 40 passengers at a time, 76,2 meters above the river. It has two sides for passengers, who change halfway. The distance from the start point of the Aero Car to Thompson’s Point, across the river, is 548.6 meters. This distance is travelled at a speed of only 4.2 km/h.
As someone who is not great with heights, I was a bit on the edge about trying out this attraction. But I did it, and I don’t regret it. The Aero Car travels very smoothly, and I could barely feel it move. The protection bars are very high and I didn’t feel scared at all. In the end, it was a very fun experience.
Helicopter Ride Over Niagara Falls
The absolute highlight of my three-day Niagara Falls itinerary was the helicopter ride. I knew I wanted to do it ever since I visited Niagara the first time, last year.
The helipad is located just 10 minutes walk from the Aero Car and you don’t need to book the ride in advance. So, if you decide on the spot that you would like to do it, you can – weather depending of course.
The view from the helicopter is stunning! I wrote about my experience going on a helicopter ride above Niagara Falls here. You will find all the details there, including if it’s worth the money.
White Water Walk
The first nature adventure of the day was the White Water walk. Initially, I couldn’t believe that you actually need a ticket for this, as it’s practically just walking along the river. But yes, you do. If you have the Adventure Pass, the entrance is included.
The entrance is through the souvenir shop, where I took the old-school elevator down to the gorge. I could hear the roars of the water from before stepping out of the tunnel, on the wooden platform. The water travels in this section of the river at around 30 miles per hour, creating class 6 whitewater rapids with 3-5 meters high waves.
The walkway is not very long, and it can easily be done in about 15 minutes each way. It is entirely on a wooden walkway, with viewing platforms from place to place. Beware though, as you can get wet when you get close to the water. Due to the speed, it travels through the gorge, when the water hits the rocks near the shore, it splashes quite a bit.
Lunch at the Garden Café at Butterfly Conservatory
For lunch, I went to the café at the Butterfly Conservatory. I opted for one of their specials of the day, the mac and cheese with garlic bread. Compared to the previous day, this was a very delicious and filling lunch. Rather cheap as well, at under 10 dollars + tip. Even though the tub of mac and cheese didn’t look big, I struggled to finish it. The bread was drenched in garlic sauce, which was dripping through the bottom.
Fun fact, the herbs and spices used in the kitchen are grown in the nearby botanical gardens.
The Butterfly Conservatory
Next on my itinerary was the Butterfly Conservatory. Whilst I did enjoy the visit, I don’t think it was worth the extra 19 dollars + tax entry fee. The visit starts with a movie which explains how the butterflies are shipped to the conservatory and how they hatch.
There are thousands of butterflies inside the glasshouse and you would have to pay attention not to step on them, as sometimes they do sit on the pavement. There are feeding stations from place to place, where I could see the butterflies munching on slices of orange. One of the most fascinating places inside the Conservatory is the emergence window. Here, I could observe the pupae hanging and even witnessed a butterfly emerge and dry its wings before flying for the first time.
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens, right next to the Butterfly Conservatory, are a must-visit, and the best part is, they’re free! When I visited in April, the hyacinths were in full bloom, filling the air with their sweet scent and adding bursts of colour everywhere. In one cosy corner, a giant magnolia tree in full bloom gracefully leaned over a bench. I couldn’t help but laugh when a lady nearby joked that she just had to lie there for a while because it was so beautiful.
Niagara Glen
Niagara Glen is a nature reserve 4 kilometres north of the White Water Walk, which can be visited free of charge. It provides 2.5 miles of trails along the rapids, through a beautiful Carolinian Forest. It was a unique ecosystem that is home to more plant and animal species than any other zone in Canada. An interesting fact is that this particular ecosystem is also home to one-third of Canada’s rare and endangered species.
There are over 2,200 plant species and 70 different tree species living here, along with reptiles and amphibians, badgers, foxes, opossums, butterflies, and rare birds such as the Acadian Flycatcher and the Tufted Titmouse.
To get to the trails, I had to descend a long metal stairway. There are several trails that you can follow. I chose the longest one, the Main Loop, with a detour on the River trail. For most of the trail, I was alone, meeting only a handful of people passing in the opposite direction. I took my time to enjoy the forest, to try and identify plants and spot wildlife. Towards the end of the trail, I found some large boulders on the shore, in a little bay, where I rested for a while. The sun was shining, warming up the rocks. In the bay, a pair of ducks were teaching their ducklings how to swim. From time to time one of the ducklings was catching a current, slipping away from mama, flapping its tiny wings to get back to safety.
Dinner at Grand Central
For dinner, I headed into Niagara Falls town, away from Clifton Hill. Even if it was April, it felt that most of the places were closed, so I ended up at Grand Central. Now, this is a very local pub that serves pizza, burgers, and wings. It has pool tables and large TVs on which it shows different sports competitions.
I wasn’t that hungry, so I ordered the nachos, thinking it would be a nice, small meal. Nope. It was a massive platter of nachos topped with minced meat, melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and three different sauces. Needless to say, it defeated me and I couldn’t finish the entire dish.
Day 3:
The third day of this three-day Niagara Falls itinerary is dedicated to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This beautiful town deserves much more than just an hour’s stop – what the tours usually offer. It is such a charming place, with British Classical architecture and the largest collection of buildings in Canada from the first part of the 19th century.
Breakfast
For breakfast, I chose Tim Hortons again, from the lack of other nearby options. I guess when in Canada, it’s a must.
The Floral Clock
The Floral Clock is what the name suggests: a clock surrounded by flowers. In April, it was bare, as the flowers weren’t in bloom yet. Last year, in September, I spotted it all pretty, decorated with flowers.
Niagara Fort George
The WEGO bus will drop you off in the car park next to Fort George. This is a historic military fort that played a significant role in the War of 1812 between the United States and British forces. Constructed between 1796 and 1802, Fort George served as the headquarters for the British Army in the region and was a critical defensive stronghold during the conflict.
The site features informative displays and interactive exhibits that provide insight into the fort’s history and the daily lives of the soldiers stationed there. During the summer months, costumed interpreters and reenactors bring history to life with musket demonstrations, guided tours, and special events that recreate the atmosphere of the early 19th century.
Unfortunately, when I visited, it was closed to the public as it was out of the tourist season.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is often referred to as the prettiest town in Canada, and no wonder, as it’s gorgeous. Queen Street in the historic old town is lined with independent shops, cute cafes and restaurants, set against a backdrop of beautifully maintained buildings.
Strolling away from the main street, I ended up on the lake shore, where there was a small beach. From here you can see Old Fort Niagara on the American side of the Niagara River, as well as Toronto, on a clear day.
Lunch at The Olde Angel Inn
The Olde Angel Inn was highly recommended to me by a couple of locals I met while walking in the natural parks around Niagara Falls. It is a famous pub, known as the most haunted place in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is believed that if the British flag is not kept flying above the entrance door, strange things start to happen. The legend says that a British captain was killed in the cellar of this building by the American troops, when they stormed Niagara-on-the-Lake for a brief time, during the 1812 war. As a response, the British troops set on fire the White House, in Washington D.C. Yes, that White House!
I chose the lunch special, the chicken breast with Swiss cheese toastie. I surely did not expect the amount of food that arrived at the table: a massive burger with grilled chicken drenched in melted cheese, roast mushrooms, crispy bacon, tomatoes, and a mountain of fries. Under all of these, there was a toasted bun as well. Again, I was defeated by the size of the Canadian restaurant dishes and I couldn’t finish the entire meal, even if it was absolutely delicious.
Wine Tasting at Jackson Triggs
Next on my to-do list in Niagara-on-the-Lake was a wine tour and tasting at Jackson Triggs. I tried to find the closest vineyard to the town, easily reachable by foot. And Jackson Triggs was the winner.
The vineyard is located 30 minutes walk away from Niagara-on-the-Lake, and they offer tours as well as tastings. I booked a tasting tour (you don’t have to, you can just show up and join the next one) which included a walk through the vineyard and a sampling of 4 wines. I really enjoyed their special sparkling Merlot made with Ice wine. It has such a lovely flavour, with a sweet aftertaste.
I loved their Ice Wine – which I felt was quite dangerous and it didn’t taste like alcohol at all. But, at 10,5%, there was definitely alcohol in there.
Wine Tasting at Stratus
Stratus is the next vineyard after Jackson Triggs. They sustainably produce organic wines on their 55-acre vineyard. They have two signature wines, the Stratus White and the Stratus Red, but have 16 different grape varieties which they experiment with in small quantities.
As me and my friend were the only guests at that time, we had a great chat with the sommelier, about how they produce their wine and about grape varieties in general. Their Ice Wine was different – not as sweet as the one I tried at Jackson Triggs, and with an alcohol percentage of 13,5%.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my 3 days in Niagara Falls itinerary. I planned it to the smallest detail and perfected it after returning from my trip, with tips from my own experience. I had an amazing time and I am so glad I chose to slow travel and spend time in Niagara Falls, to discover the destination beyond the tourist attractions. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below if you have followed the same itinerary, or if you have other suggestions – especially if you’ve found a great place for breakfast or good coffee. Because let’s face it, Tim Hortons is not exactly good coffee.
For more articles about Niagara Falls, check out my recommendations below:
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While Niagara Falls is super touristy, it is also so much fun! We visited for a few days and had fun exploring and doing all the things!
I never knew about the tunnel! I’ve been many times and will need to do this when I go. I’ve also heard great things about Niagara-On-The-Lake… need to make it there. Thanks for the reminder! This is fantastic and really helpful.
Love this! We spent a day in Niagara (I LOVED the Journey Behind the Falls) but it looks even more fun to stay for longer and seeing things like the falls be lit up at night. Fab post!!
Wow this is such an insightful post. You got to see so much. I will definitely take your advice and get the adventure pass with all that it includes and the discounts on the flower showcase. I would be most excited about going behind the falls and on the boat trip. I would definitely include a stop at the botanical gardens if there is time.
Yes, Niagara Falls is a must-visit for all! We did this visit many, many years ago – both the American falls and the Canadian falls. I loved the boat ride that takes you closer to the falls and you get all the spray and mist. We missed the Niagara Power station and the tunnel and also the Dufferin island! That means I have to do a second visit? maybe. The best part of my visit was to sit in that restaurant (don’t remember the name) and sip a cup of coffee while feasting my eyes with the awesome view of the Niagara falls through the huge glass window!
I had no idea that they offer an adventure pass. and will keep it in mind to get one since we plan to just commute and take public transport. Thank you for the tip!
I am so looking forward to seeing the falls at night! The colors are so beautiful. Appreciate this super-detailed post. Very helpful for someone who plays to DIY their tour/visit.