niagara falls with kids

Things to Do in Niagara Falls with Kids: Canada & US (2024)

If you’re heading to Niagara Falls with kids, then they are in for a treat. Not only will they be able to marvel at one of the natural wonders of the world – but in truth, Niagara Falls is like a mini Vegas for kids.

There are many things to do as a family in Niagara Falls; some activities are outdoor adventure and nature based, some are indoor, and some are high thrill (go-kart, zip-lining, the 100-foot tall ferris wheel.)

Regardless of which activities you choose to do as a family, Niagara Falls is an exciting place to spend time with kids.

niagara falls with kids

I live and grew up just a few hours away from Niagara Falls, and have visited more times than I can count – with kids, and without. If you’re going to be in Niagara Falls with a toddler – then I have special tips for that too.

Overall, I can’t wait to shed a light on all the different things you could do with kids in Niagara Falls (on both the Canadian side and the US side) as a family.

While Niagara Falls is popular for romantic getaways, and party weekends for young adults – its also very common for families to head there from around Ontario – and you’ll see why.

So, let’s dive in to Niagara Falls with kids!

Things to Do in Niagara Falls with Kids (Canadian side)

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has more to do for both kids and adults. (Sorry, Americans.) Here are the best things to do as a family in Niagara Falls, Ontario

1. Stand next to Horseshoe Falls

Best for: Any age

I always recommend that you spend some time at the edge of Horseshoe Falls, to get a close up of the thick volume of water as it plunges over the cliff.

Even though I’ve been to Niagara Falls more times than I can remember, I never go here without heading to the ramp at the end of Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls

Watching the water plunge over the cliff is something you can’t really get bored of. You can walk along the ramp, and get views and photos of it from multiple angles and viewpoints.

In the summer, it can get a bit crowded near the Horseshoe Falls area. You can also get a bit wet from the mist by standing near the edge, so just prepare for that too.

Good to Know: As you can see from my photos above, its very easy to climb the ramp, and hop over the edge. If you have young kids, just be aware of that and keep an eye on them.

2. Take a journey behind the falls

Best for: Any age

The Journey Behind the Falls is an experience that allows you to walk behind the falls, and stand right beside the falls. The two views you can expect to see are in my photos below.

journey behind the falls
journey behind the falls

It’s important to know that ‘walking behind the falls’ isn’t exactly what it sounds like. you are behind them, yes – but you’re looking at them from a small window, as shown above. I was a bit disappointed by this the first time I did the Journey Behind the Falls.

However, if it your first time in Niagara Falls, then its a cool experience because its the closer to the falls than any other activity can bring you.

Check out this this 4-hour all ages tour which includes Journey Behind the Falls, and a few other attractions

3. Take a walk up Clifton Hill

Best for: Any age

Clifton Hill is the “mini Vegas” part of Niagara Falls that I was referring to earlier. It is full of things to do with kids, or with adults who are looking for laughs.

Along Clifton Hill, you will find haunted houses, wax museums, candy stores, a raceway, ice cream, family-friendly restaurants, and a few other attractions that I’ll get into more below.

Many consider Clifton Hill to be a ‘tourist trap,’ because of the prices and the inauthentic feel to it.

Personally, I enjoy a walk up Clifton Hill. It’s eye-catching, and entertaining, and you have to do it at least once while in Niagara Falls; especially with kids.

If you want to have some family fun on Clifton Hill, you might be interested in a Clifton Hill Fun Pass, which includes six different attractions – the Skywheel, golfing, a wax museum, and some 4D and 3D rides. The pass for these six attractions is $26.95 for kids, and $39.95 for adults.

clifton hill niagara falls

4. Eat at the rainforest café

Best for: Any age

There are a number of family-friendly restaurants on Clifton Hill – but one my personal favourites to eat in Niagara Falls with kids is the Rainforest Café.

The Rainforest Café is pretty expensive for what it is – but you’re paying for the experience of eating under a (fake) dark sky dotted with stars, animatronic animals that move, jungle sounds, and the rainforest ambiance.

Rainforest Cafe Niagara Falls

Eating at the Rainforest Café is made to feel like you’re eating in the middle of a rainforest. It’s geared towards kids, and your kids will enjoy just walking around the restaurant, seeing the aquarium. There’s also a gift shop selling souvenirs.

The Rainforest Café is first come first serve (no reservations) and the line up in the summertime can be intense. The last time we went was in October, and there was no line up. But in July and August, you can expect a line, especially at popular meal times.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to eat at Rainforest Cafe, then the other option I’d recommend (especially if you’re looking for a Canadian style vibe) is Montana’s, which is right across the street. Montana’s is a Canadian chain with a cookhouse ambiance and decent menu.

5. Ripley’s Believe it Or not

Best for: Ages 2+

Ripley’s is another Clifton Hill attraction. It involves a lot of silly fun, interactive games and activities, photo ops. It’s a great thing to do, especially with kids who will likely find it thoroughly entertaining.

ripleys believe it or not niagara falls

In addition, the outside of Ripley’s looks pretty cool – it looms like a giant tilted goofy building, so kids will be excited to go in just from the look of it from the outside.

You will probably need at least an hour to get through Ripley’s. I really enjoyed reading all of the fascinating details and facts; while the kids enjoyed the interactive activities.

Pro Tip: When buying tickets to get into Ripley’s, there are deals offerd where you can buy a package that includes two atrractions – the Louis Tussaud Wax Museum, and the Ripley’s Selfie Studio. You can buy either your Ripley’s single ticket or combo tickets on their website here.

6. Ride Go-Karts on the Niagara Speedway

Best for: depends on height

The Niagara Speedway is a go-kart track that has hills – so its almost like a roller coaster with go-karting lumped into one.

The karts can drive up to 32 km/hr (19.8 miles per hour) which feels a lot faster when you’re in them, especially going over some of the cliffs which are 4-storeys high.

The Speedway is on Clifton Hill, very close to everything else. There is no age requirement to ride or drive in the Go-Karts, only a height and weight requirement.

To drive, any person needs to be 58 inches tall. Most kids do not reach 58 inches until they’re around 10-12 years of age, according to medical stats. You will have to measure your kids, but its likely they won’t be able to drive the go-kart themselves unless they’re around that age.

To ride in the Go-Kart in your lap, kids need to be at least 40″ tall, which is the average height for a 4 year old. So, be sure to measure your kids in advance so you can be sure what they’ll be permitted for so that there’s no disappointment on the day of.

Tickets are $13 for drivers, and $4 for riders for a 5 minute ride.

Pro Tip: The line ups at high season can get pretty long, especially in the summer. If you want to ride more than once, you should buy multiple tickets when your turn comes in line so that you don’t have to wait in line again.

7. Ride the Hornblower

Best for: All ages

The Hornblower Cruise is one of my favourite things to do in Niagara Falls. It’s a short ride that takes you as close as possible to the base of the falls.

Even though I’ve grown up near Niagara Falls, I didn’t do this cruise until I was 30 years old – and wow, I definitely think I missed out all those years not doing it until then.

If you think standing next to the falls is intense, you can really feel their power being on the boat.

You will definitely get wet on the Hornblower. They provide ponchos, which you can either keep or return.

Be prepared to wait in line to ride the Hornblower, especially in the summer – but don’t worry, because the line will go faster than it looks. They can fit quite a few people onto boats at once, so it didn’t take as long as we thought.

Hornblower lineup
Part of the lineup for the Hornblower

8. Test your bravery in a haunted house!

Best for: Ages 10+

Niagara Falls is famous for its haunted houses, they have become an iconic part of the Ontario side of Niagara Falls. Most of them are a bit silly, but some are genuinely scary.

The haunted houses are geared at both kids and adults, but they have different levels of ‘scare.’ All the haunted houses permit children, but you will need to determine what they can handle.

Niagara Falls with kids
At the Lobby of Castle Dracula

There are many haunted houses and its best to ask the staff if they recommend it for kids. The only haunted house in Niagara Falls that I’ve brought kids to was the Castle of Dracula; it has a family-friendly fear level on the first floor.

Nightmare’s is the scariest haunted house in Niagara Falls. Kids need to be a minimum of 6 years old to even try it out.

Personally, I wouldn’t bring a kid into Nightmares – I went through it once, and I wouldn’t recommend it for young children because of the jump scares. (It would probably be ok for ages 12 + if they like scary stuff.)

9. Visit Bird Kingdom

Best for: All ages

Bird Kingdom is a really nice, family-friendly attraction in Niagara Falls. It’s the largest aviary in the world, and the birds are free-flying.

In addition to birds, you can also see reptiles and insects. There is also a section where you can learn about Niagara Falls and its history.

The building is old, and has narrow hallways. There are stairs, and also an elevator for you to move in between the three different levels.

Overall, we loved our time here. The staff was kind, and very helpful. We went inside the parakeet enclosure during feeding time (which several several times a day) and got family photos with the parakeets when they came to us.

Bird Kingdom is about a 10 minute walk from Clifton Hill, and last time we were there, it only cost $3 to park. (A bargain, for Niagara Falls!)

Pro Tip: You can save a few dollars from booking your Bird Kingdom tickets on their website directly. When you buy a ticket, it doesn’t expire – you can drop in to use it whatever day you end up visiting and just show your ticket on your phone.

10. Go up the Skylon Tower

The Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls is a revolving tower with an observation deck, tourist information, souvenir store and two different restaurants at the top.

skylon tower niagara falls in winter

It’s not as high as the CN Tower in Toronto, but it offers a beautiful view of the falls.

The Summit Suite Buffet is the family-friendly of the two restaurant, whereas the other one is more geared at couples or adults only. The food is a bit pricey, but admission to the tower is included in the price.

If you want to simply go up the tower and not necessarily eat there, then you can also buy tickets in advance.

11. Ride the Niagara Skywheel

The Niagara Skywheel is 175 feet tall, and like the Skylon Tower, offers great views from the top!

The gondolas seat up to 8 people, and have heating in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer.

Niagara Falls Skywheel

Each ride is 12-15 minutes long. You can find the Skywheel right off of Clifton Hill (you can’t miss it.) It’s a fun way to get a view of everything in Niagara Falls.

Grab your Skywheel Tickets in advance here

12. Zip-line towards the Falls

Best for: Ages 7+

Zip-lining is offered in Niagara Falls by Wildplay for anyone 7 years old and over. If you have kids who enjoy high-thrill activities, then this might be a fun thing to do in Niagara Falls.

The Zip-line is open year-round, but the busiest times are the middle of the day. To avoid a long lineup in the summer heat, I recommend getting there at 10 am when they open, or waiting until 5-6pm when the crowds die down.

The actual zip-lining part takes 45-60 seconds, so be sure to keep your eyes open as you sail towards Niagara Falls.

The Zipline Adventure Tour takes about 90 minutes in total (including fitting for equipment, safety brief and the actual experience. You can grab tickets in advance for it here.

13. Visit a water park

There are three different water parks on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Some of them you can just visit for the day, and others you need to be staying there as a guest in order to take advantage.

great wolf lodge

Here are your options for water parks in Niagara Falls:

14. Learn some science at the Niagara Falls Power Station

The Niagara Falls Power Station is my favourite thing to do in Niagara Falls with Kids.

The reason I love it the Power Station is because:

  • it involves a closer view of the falls which you can only see from there
  • you learn about how they’ve used the falls to generate electricity
  • it’s fairly new, so it wasn’t around when I was a kid
niagara falls powerstation
Niagara Falls

The top level has a museum that teaches you about how the falls are used for electricity, and there’s a gift shop where you can get some cool Canadian souvenirs.

After that, you take an elevator down several hundred feet. From there, you walk a tunnel to the outside, where you get a beautiful view of the falls (as pictured above.) It’s a great opportunity for some family photos.

I visited the Powerstation with a 2 year old, 3 year old and a 10 year old. Obviously the toddlers were not as interested, but it was still a fun thing to do with them. We enjoyed explaining renewable energy to my 10 year old.

Pro Tip: I recommend an extra layer of clothing, if you have one – it can get chilly down in the tunnel!

15. See the falls glow at night

Best for: All ages

The Niagara Falls are lit up every night of the year. If you stay overnight in Niagara, be sure to get views of them glowing purples and blues – its beautiful. If you stay in a hotel with a view of the falls, you can enjoy it from your hotel room.

niagara falls

In 2024, the falls will be lit up every night from 5:30pm -1:00am.

Being able to see Niagara Falls lit up is one reason why visiting in winter isn’t such a bad idea. The sun sets earlier, which means you don’t have to wait to long to see them lit up in the dark.

If you’re visiting in the summer – then you might just have to keep the kids up a little past their bedtime to see the beautiful light show.

16. Visit the Butterfly Conservatory

Best for: All ages

The Butterfly Conservatory is another family-friendly attraction in Niagara Falls. there are over 2,000 species of butterflies flying around, as well as exotic plants and flowers.

There’s a path to walk through admiring the butterflies flying around freely. It’s the largest indoor butterfly enclose in North America.

Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory with a toddler

Give yourself at least 90 minutes for the conservatory. There is a scavenger hunt for ages 4+.

Pro Tip: I have heard stories of kids (who maybe didn’t understand) almost stepping on butterflies that are on the path. Be sure to watch younger children and make sure they are not accidentally harming the butterflies.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls, Ontario with Kids

I would recommend staying at Great Wolf Lodge if you’re in Niagara Falls with kids, because of the waterpark and built-in activities. However, if you’re looking to be closer to the falls area (since GWL is a 10-minute drive away) then these are good options to suit different budgets:

  • Budget: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson  has an indoor pool, 24-hour front desk service and a complimentary breakfast 
  • Mid-Range: Hilton Family Fallsview is where many Ontario families stay to get the most spectacular view of the falls. There’s a deluxe 2-bedroom suite that is larger than other rooms
  • Luxury: Embassy Suites of all Niagara Falls hotels, has best view of the Niagara Falls. It has an indoor pool, top-notch rooms
Great Wolf Lodge Lobby
The Lobby of Great Wolf Lodge

Niagara Falls with Kids (US Side)

There is less to do on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls, with both kids and adults. So, if you are from the U.S., I recommend bringing your passport and making your way over to our side. However, if you’re staying put in the US – no worries. There are a few very worthwhile things to do.

1. Learn about the flight to freedom at the Niagara Falls Heritage Center

Best for: School age

The Niagara Falls Underground Heritage Center teaches you about slaves who fled the U.S. for Canada for their freedom during the 1600s to 1800s.

This is a good opportunity for kids to learn first-hand accounts of the bravery of these men and women, for whom Niagara Falls suspension bridge was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Pro Tip: If you’re already in the U.S., then the Underground Heritage Center is about a 10 minute drive from the falls. If you’re on the Canadian side, then it will take about 30 minutes to get to the US Heritage Center, plus time to cross the border.

2. Cave of Winds

Best for: All ages

The Cave of Winds is basically the American version of “Journey Behind the Falls” on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

The “cave” of winds is no longer a cave (it was, until it collapsed in the early 1900s – but the name stuck.) Today, the Cave of Winds is a tourist attraction where you can:

  • descend in an elevator
  • get up close and personal with Bridal Veil Falls

3. Ride the Maid of the Mist

The Maid of the Mist is the US version of the Canadian Horblower – the boat that takes passengers to the base of the falls.

In my photo above – you can see both boats; the Hornblower is red, and the Maid of the Mist is blue.

People still get confused sometimes, because the Maid of the Mist actually used to be on the Canadian side, until it was sold a few years ago to the American side. Now, there are boats on both sides of the border.

If you’re sticking to the U.S. side of the border, book a ride on the Maid of the Mist. The experiences from what I know, are virtually the same and have very similar view once you get out onto the water.

4. See sea creatures at the Aquarium of Niagara Falls

Best for: All ages

The Aquarium of Niagara Falls has been open since 1965, and has changed quite a bit over the years. Nowadays, it isn’t like other aquariums. I

ts a non-profit organization that committed to the well-being of the animals in their care, and the conservation of their populations as well as the ocean.

aquarium

It was the first aquarium I ever visited as a little girl in the early 90s. At that time, they still had dolphins. (I’m glad that they don’t have them now.)

However, they still have seals, sea lions, sea turtles and penguins. You can do special encounters with these animals. Most of them are said to be rescues who can’t safely be released back into the wild.

Visit their website to learn more about the Aquarium and if you’d like to visit while you’re in Niagara Falls with kids.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls, NY with Kids

There are definitely more accomodation option on the Ontario side of Niagara Falls, but there are a few good ones on the U.S. side too. Here are some good places to stay on the American side of Niagara Falls with kids

  • Budget: Comfort Inn The Pointe Located only 7 miles (11 km) from the falls, and has a small swimming pool and continental breakfast
  • Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Express & Suites free toiletries, heated indoor pool and a buffet breakfast
  • Luxury: Double Tree by Hilton -spacious, comfy rooms with an indoor pool and hot tub, free breakfast, and on-site restaurant

Niagara Falls with Kids FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about visiting Niagara Falls with kids

What is there for kids to do at Niagara Falls?

There is a lot to do for kids in Niagara Falls, especially on the Ontario side. There are waterparks, go-karting, a butterfly conservatory, an aviary, haunted houses, wax museums, candy stores, kid-friendly restaurants, and more.

Is Niagara on the Lake good for kids?

Niagara on the Lake is typically seen as a romantic destination, or a girl’s weekend getaway – however, Niagara on the Lake is kid friendly and there are a number of things to do there with kids as well.

Is 3 days enough for Niagara Falls?

3 days is the perfect amount of time in Niagara Falls, especially for a first-time visitor. 3 days in Niagara Falls gives you enough time for the waterfall experiences, as well as some of the entertainment and amusement things to do in town.

Final Thoughts on Niagara Falls with Kids

By now, you know all your options for things to do in Niagara Falls with kids. As you count up all the things there are to do near the falls, it almost seems like a giant amusement park. This is why we often refer to it as a “mini Vegas.”

Niagara Falls is known for its casinos and gambling, but there is so much geared to families with kids too.

Niagara Falls, NY has an international airport nearby that you can fly into. Niagara Falls, Ontario is highly accessible from Toronto, and from the American side by crossing the border.