Niagara Falls Tour with Skylon, Journey Behind the Falls and Boat Ride

Skylon Tower and the view of the three falls

Your tour begins at the Skylon Tower, which rises about 160 metres above the Niagara River on the Canadian side. Yellow glass elevators climb the outside of the tower in under a minute, giving a thrilling view as the ground drops away. At the top, the indoor and outdoor observation decks offer the best panorama of Niagara Falls.

From here you see all three waterfalls at once: the huge curve of the Horseshoe Falls, the straight wall of the American Falls and the narrow Bridal Veil Falls beside it, along with the gorge, the river and, on clear days, the skyline of Toronto across Lake Ontario. About 45 minutes are planned here, enough for photos and for your guide to explain the geography of the falls.

The Horseshoe Falls and the brink of the gorge

From the tower, the tour continues down to the edge of the gorge, using the short incline railway that links the clifftop with the riverside promenade. Here you stand just metres from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, where an enormous volume of water plunges more than 50 metres into the gorge, sending clouds of spray high into the air.

The Horseshoe Falls is the largest and most powerful of the three, and the border between Canada and the United States runs through it. Your guide explains how the falls were formed at the end of the last Ice Age, how erosion has moved them upstream over thousands of years, and how part of the water is diverted at night for hydroelectric power.

Journey Behind the Falls

Next you descend about 38 metres by elevator into tunnels cut through the bedrock behind the Horseshoe Falls. The tunnels lead to two portals that open directly behind the curtain of falling water, where the roar is deafening and the ground trembles beneath your feet. You will be given a poncho to protect you from the spray.

The tunnels also lead to an outdoor observation deck at the foot of the falls, where you can see the water crashing down from below, often with a rainbow in the mist. It is one of the most popular attractions on the Canadian side, and your guide helps you skip the ticket queue. Many visitors call Journey Behind the Falls the most surprising part of a Niagara Falls tour.

The boat ride to the falls

From May to December, the tour ends with a boat ride from the Canadian docks into the heart of the gorge. The boat sails past the American and Bridal Veil Falls and then heads straight into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls, where the spray is so thick you can barely see the sky. A recyclable poncho keeps you mostly dry.

The ride lasts about 20 minutes on the water and is the classic way to feel the true power of Niagara. Is the Niagara Falls boat ride worth it? For most travellers it is the highlight of the visit. From January to April, when ice closes the river to boats, the tour includes a flying-theatre ride that takes you on a virtual flight over the falls and the region.

Planning your Niagara Falls visit

The best time to visit Niagara Falls is from late spring to early autumn, when the boat ride is running, the gardens along the river are in bloom and the falls are lit in colour every night. Summer is the busiest season, so a tour with skip-the-line entry saves time. In winter, frozen mist turns the trees and railings white, creating a magical scene.

The tour includes about 2.5 kilometres of walking at an easy pace, and it is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Bring comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather. If you are travelling from the United States side, remember to bring your passport to cross the border bridge and reach your accommodation in Niagara Falls, Ontario.