Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens: Our most recommended tours and activities

Niagara Falls, Canada: Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls

1. Niagara Falls, Canada: Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls

Enjoy a guided tour of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Experience the mighty waterfalls with stunning views of both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. See the power of Niagara Falls up close, onboard the Niagara City Tours boat ride "Voyage to the Falls". Hear about the origins of the falls and see the American and Canadian power plants that run on the Niagara River's waters. Stop to admire the beautiful Floral Clock, made up of more than 16,000 carpet bedding plants. Learn about the Niagara Glen and the Whirlpool Golf Course, and enjoy fully narrated stops at the Whirlpool Rapids Observation Deck and the Brink of the Falls. Then, ascend the Skylon Tower for panoramic aerial views and descend behind the falls as feel the Horseshoe Falls cascading above you at the Journey Behind the Falls. Cruise past the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls aboard a Hornblower Niagara cruise boat. From December to April, when the boat tour is non-operational, visit the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and Niagara's Fury attraction instead. Step inside a 4D motion theater and discover the ancient story of Niagara Falls in a multi-sensory simulation of the last Ice Age

Toronto: Day Trip to Niagara Falls with Optional Boat Cruise

2. Toronto: Day Trip to Niagara Falls with Optional Boat Cruise

Experience a guided tour of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and discover the mighty waterfalls with stunning views. Enjoy historical and behind-the-scenes commentary from your local and licensed tour guide. Your day will start with complimentary pickup from central hotels and locations across Downtown Toronto and Mississauga and arrive in Niagara Falls around 10:00 AM to enjoy 4 hours in summer or 3 hours in winter of free time to explore the falls. Add attractions to your tour package to experience the best of Niagara Falls. Take this tour in the summer and take the Hornblower Boat Cruise, the world-famous boat ride, formally called the Maid of the Mist. Get up close to the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and feel the mist of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. You can even enjoy this tour in the winter when the boat is not running. Add other famous experiences to your tour experience including the Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls, or Niagara's Fury.  Explore Clifton Hill for solo and family fun with activities like the Niagara SkyWheel, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and an arcade. Pack a lunch to have a picnic by the waterfalls or order at a local restaurant. Next, go on a scenic and narrated drive across the Niagara Parkway. Stop and take photos at iconic attractions along the way like the Niagara Whirlpool Rapids, the floral clock and the Niagara Power Station. Next, enjoy a maple syrup tour and tasting and try Canadian-inspired treats like homemade fudge, poutine, maple beer, or Niagara’s famous ice wine. Return to your original location in Toronto around 5 PM and enjoy a full evening in the city with time for dinner and time to plan an evening event for yourself.

Niagara Falls, ON: Helicopter Ride with Boat & Skylon Lunch

3. Niagara Falls, ON: Helicopter Ride with Boat & Skylon Lunch

Take a guided tour of Niagara Falls to see the mighty waterfall from several different perspectives, including from the sky with a 12-minute helicopter ride. Experience the Canadian side of the falls, considered the best side to view both the American and Horseshoe Falls.  Fly directly above the falls and the whirlpool rapids to get a bird’s-eye view during a 12-minute helicopter flight. Admire the dramatic sight of this natural beauty from the air. Then see the power of Niagara Falls up close aboard the Voyage To The Falls Boat Tour, for visitors between April to November. When the boat cruise is not operating, experience the Niagara Fury and the Butterfly Conservatory. Take in 360-degree views from the observation deck of the Skylon Tower and enjoy a spectacular lunch in the revolving dining room. End with a journey behind the iconic Horseshoe Falls. The tour concludes with your safe return to your pickup location.

Niagara Falls, Canada: Butterfly Conservatory Admission

4. Niagara Falls, Canada: Butterfly Conservatory Admission

Experience the magic of the Butterfly Conservatory, nestled on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. The Butterfly Conservatory is located a short 15-minute drive from the Canadian Horsehoe Falls and is easily accessible by the WEGO transport system. This magical attraction features over 2,000 colorful tropical butterflies floating freely amongst the winding pathways beneath the spacious, glass-enclosed conservatory. Your self-guided walking tour of the Butterfly Conservatory begins with a short, informative video presentation before you are free to explore at your own pace.   Marvel at 45 species of butterflies with some from tropical regions around the world, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the Philippines. Discover the dynamic exhibit space with educational information about butterfly life cycles, pollinators, and more. Wander paths that wind through the rainforest setting, past a pond and waterfall to the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare to take their first flight.

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What people are saying about Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 2,907 reviews

Our tour guide Joel was amazing! So knowledgeable of all the sights in Niagara Falls. Drove around bringing us to all the locations on the tour and was so very nice! We will be back and I will request him as my guide when I do!!!

Salvatore was very informative and his guidance was clear. Amazing trip and seeing the falls in winter made the trip even more special surrounded by snow and ice. Well organised and any questions the team responded to quickly.

Easy way to see the Falls, being picked up from the hotel meant there were no worries about trying to navigate around Toronto to find a pick-up point

The tour was great, the part that I didn't like was the Maple syrup tasting.

Everything are well organized. The driver / guide a.