Visiting Niagara Falls with your kids is so much fun! Your family will love the Maid of the Mist boat ride near the falls, Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom, and many of the other attractions for families in Niagara Falls. Read on to find out how to create a great family vacation!

 

Niagara Falls in the US vs. Niagara Falls in Canada

Located 15 minutes from Buffalo, 1 and 1/2 hours from Toronto and just over six hours from New York City, there is plenty to see and do in Niagara Falls no matter which side you land on. Located between New York State (USA) and Ontario (Canada) with the Niagara River dividing the two, there are numerous attractions on both sides of the falls.

When choosing if you should visit Niagara Falls from the US or Canada, it mainly depends on where you would like to visit first. The US side has fewer attractions and activities for kids but has a beautiful park, Cave of the Winds and the world famous Maid of the Mist boat tour, whereas you will find more kid-friendly attractions like Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, Butterfly Conservatory, and Bird Kingdom on the Canadian side.

It is a great place to break up a road trip from NYC to Toronto as well!

If you can visit both sides I think that is the best way to see the falls, but if you can only pick one, I would choose the Canadian side as the views of Niagara Falls are superior and there is way more to do!

 

Crossing the Border at Niagara Falls

Crossing the border at Niagara Falls is relatively easy and so is crossing back into the U.S., but make sure to visit the official U.S. or Canadian government websites for advice and information on any visas or travel documents that you may need for your family’s trip.

The border is small and generally not too backed up so you should be able to do it very easily.

Niagara Falls Promenade

You can see Niagara Falls on both sides of the falls from viewing platforms and promenades. The view is better on the Canadian side, and the walkway along the Falls is wider. Enjoy the view of the 3 waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

As you walk along the promenade, you will get misted on, which feels great in the summer, but not great in the winter, so be prepared for unusual weather conditions.

The falls are lit up each night to allow people to continue to view them and they choose different light colors for certain holidays and special days.

Plan on an hour.

Niagara Falls Boat Tour

If you’re looking for a popular Niagara Falls attraction, then look no further than the Maid of the Mist boat tour! The boat takes you right up to the edge of the falls where you can feel mist and spray on your face. It’s a great experience for kids because they  get very close to nature and actually feel the power of the falls.

It’s really amazing to watch the Maid of the Mist in action with all the water crashing down into an incredible fury. There’s nothing quite like being right there in all that chaos as it tumbles over some of the tallest cliffs in North America. You might even be lucky enough to see rare wildlife such as bald eagles or osprey.

Buy your Maid of the Mist tickets here.

There are other tour companies, and they all take the same route so if you are on the Canadian Side you can take the Hornblower Boat Tour and get the same experience as Maid of the Mist.

Plan on 2 hours from start to finish.

Cave of the Winds

Visit the Cave of the Winds (on the NY side), where you can walk through a gorge right next to Bridal Veil Falls! You can’t get closer to the falls than this and it is spectacular! You are provided a poncho and sandals to help you with water spray, but plan on getting as drenched as you would on a boat tour. (Also make sure you have a backpack or bag to put your shoes in.)

This attraction does require you to climb some stairs but it should be doable for most families. If you have young kids who would hate getting wet you might want to opt out, but older kids will love it. It is a must-do in Niagara Falls.

Plan on 2 hours.

The Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory (on the Canadian side) is a must-see if you’re traveling through Niagara Falls with your family. It is part of the Niagara Falls Botanical Gardens  and offers about 180 different species of butterflies from around the world. They include a rain forest that’s set up to be an exact replica of a real life rain forest which I find absolutely fascinating. Not only can you see all these butterflies zipping around happily, but there are also tons of frogs!

Viewing butterflies while they nectar on nearby flowers is quite a sight and it’s easy to get so caught up in watching them in action that you forget to admire all the other plants in bloom throughout the Conservatory. There are many varieties of orchids to enjoy as well as bird-of-paradise and other exotic flowering plants.

Get your tickets here for the Butterfly Conservatory and avoid the lines.

Plan on 2 hours.

Bird Kingdom

Bird Kingdom is another great attraction for families in Niagara Falls because it offers so many different species of birds such as harpy eagles, toucans, macaws, African grays and many other types of rare and exotic birds from around the world. It is located on the Canadian side.

Bird Kingdom is a great way to spend an afternoon with kids because there are so many different things for them to enjoy here! There are areas of Bird Kingdom where birds are free to fly around and often land on your head or shoulders. It is beautiful to see so many different types of birds in one aviary. It is also kept very clean and tidy so you don’t need to worry about your little kids here.

For a small fee you can feed birds some nectar water and it is totally worth it! A really cool experience.

 

Bird Kingdom is located just a few minutes from all the fun of Niagara Falls so it is in easy walking distance.

Plan on 2 hours.

 

Niagara Park Botanical Gardens

These highly rated gardens are within walking distance of the Falls on the Canadian side. Located at Niagara Parkway and Falls Avenue, it has acres of manicured flowerbeds and many picturesque trails to take a stroll along.

The park takes of 99 acres of land near the falls and there are plenty of trails to let your kids run and let off some steam. Don’t miss the beautiful rose gardens.

Plan on an hour or take a picnic and enjoy the sun!

 

Niagara Sky Wheel

The Niagara Sky Wheel is located right next to the Falls and has a beautiful view of the falls from 175 feet above ground. It allows you to get up close and personal with one of nature’s most magnificent creations, Niagara Falls. If you go at night you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the lit up falls. It is on the Canadian side of the Falls.

Plan on 30-40 minutes.

Special Events at Niagara Falls

There are special events at Niagara Falls throughout the year, so make sure to check before you plan your trip here.

Fireworks at Niagara Falls

If you are lucky enough to be visiting on a night when the Fireworks are at the falls, you are in for a treat! Throughout the year, there is a fireworks show at 9:45 pm. The Falls, which are already illuminated, get a little more color as enormous fireworks are set off. You can see them on both sides of the Falls and they last for 15 minutes.

For more information about fireworks, check this site.

Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights

Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is a series of light displays set up in Niagara Parks. It’s usually held annually for Christmas and goes from November 14 to December 30. This event is held on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

The festival has been running since 1982 and takes place along Niagara Parkway. Over 3 million lights add to the lights of the falls, creating a stunning display.

There will be over 20 different light displays located throughout the parks, so you can enjoy all sorts of lights while you walk around. You can drive to Niagara Parkway and look at the lights in the warmth of your car, or you can bundle up and head out for a brisk festive walk.

This was the highlight of a Thanksgiving trip to Niagara Falls that we took three years ago. (It is hard to capture good pictures of Christmas lights, but they are magnificent!) I cannot recommend it enough!

For more information about this year’s lights, check out this website.

Plan on 1 hour.

Here are some other  fun things to do with kids in Niagara Falls

• Go hiking at Queenston Heights Park. It is a beautiful park with scenic views of the falls and Lake Ontario.
• Take a helicopter tour over Niagara Falls! The sights are breathtaking, but be sure to ask for an experienced pilot who will fly low and slow so you can take in all of the natural beauty below without your stomach falling out!
• Eat at one of the many restaurants or grab something quick. Just walking around town is fun for kids on the Canadian side. There are tons of fun games and attractions.
• Walk along the falls at night when everything is lit up, and the whole city is buzzing with energy.
• Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum for a fun interactive experience that will keep kids entertained for hours.
• Visit one of the 2 wax museums and see some of your favorite celebrities in Niagara Falls.

Whether you have 1 day or 3 in Niagara Falls with kids, you will surely enjoy the beauty of the falls! If you have more time, you will also enjoy the many attractions in Niagara Falls that make for a great family destination.