Family Days at Niagara Falls

A family trip to Niagara Falls works best when you match each outing to your children’s ages and the weather. The sights are spread over two countries, so budget in US dollars for New York and Canadian dollars for Ontario, and bring passports for everyone, babies included.

Good for toddlers and under-fives

  • Niagara Scenic Trolley. Green trolleys loop around Niagara Falls State Park every 15 minutes with a driver who narrates. It saves carrying small children between Prospect Point, Cave of the Winds and the Three Sisters Islands. The 2026 season ends on November 29. Fares are a few dollars for adults, with lower fares for youths.
  • Butterfly Conservatory. The warm glass house holds more than 2,000 butterflies among waterfalls and rainforest paths, and children can watch new butterflies emerge. Admission is $20 CAD for adults and $13 CAD for ages 3 to 12, and parking is free with a ticket.
  • Free viewpoints. Terrapin Point and Queen Victoria Park cost nothing, and the paved paths suit strollers.

Good for school-age children

  • Great Lakes 360 and the Aquarium of Niagara. One ticket covers Great Lakes 360, which opened in July 2024 inside the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center building, and the main aquarium next door. Sturgeon, turtles and frogs share the lake exhibits, and rescued seals and sea lions live in the aquarium. Tickets are $25 USD for adults, $18 USD for ages 3 to 12, and free for ages 2 and under. It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 daily.
  • Power Station. Hands-on generators, turbines and a Tesla coil show how falling water makes electricity. Adults pay $33 CAD and children 3 to 12 pay $21.50 CAD.
  • Clifton Hill. The SkyWheel, Canada’s largest observation wheel at 53 metres, has enclosed six-seat gondolas and a gentle ride of 8 to 12 minutes, at about $15 CAD for adults and $7 CAD for children. Dinosaur Adventure Golf has two 18 hole courses beside 50 animatronic dinosaurs, at about $13 CAD for adults and $9 CAD for children.

Good for tweens and teenagers

  • Cave of the Winds. Wooden decks lead right beside Bridal Veil Falls, and you get a poncho and a thorough soaking. Tickets are $23 USD for adults and $19 USD for youths in summer, or $14 USD and $10 USD from October 19, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Buy them in person on Goat Island or at the Welcome Center.
  • Maid of the Mist. Children 6 to 12 pay $19.75 USD and under-sixes ride free.
  • Journey Behind the Falls. An elevator takes you down 125 feet to portals behind the cascade, and the visit runs all year.

Safety and comfort

The heavy spray and loud roar at the foot of the falls can upset children under six on the boats, so pack a dry change of clothes. Swimming, wading, kayaking, paddleboarding and rafting are all out of the question in the river above the falls and in the gorge, where the water is lethal. Children should stay behind every fence.

Rainy or cold days

When the weather turns, pick the aquarium, the butterfly house or the Power Station. Boats stop in early November, and Cave of the Winds runs its lower walkways only in winter.

Read more: Activities in Niagara Falls lists attractions for every age.

Official sites and booking

See Great Lakes 360 at the Aquarium of Niagara and Clifton Hill for hours and tickets. Family tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .