Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

Niagara Falls: The Canadian Side Is Better and Here Is Why

The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and drops 57 metres at the falls. The border between Canada and the United States runs through the middle of the river. The falls are divided into three sections: the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the US side, and the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. Horseshoe Falls is where 90% of the water goes. The view from the Canadian side, looking at the curved edge of Horseshoe Falls with the American Falls visible beyond it, is the view in every photograph. The view from the American side looks at the edge of the Canadian falls from the side, which is less impressive.

If you are coming from the US, crossing at the Rainbow Bridge (CAD 4 toll one way for pedestrians) takes 15 minutes and the difference in viewing position is immediately obvious.

The falls from the Canadian side

Table Rock Centre, immediately adjacent to the Horseshoe Falls brink, is where most visitors stand. The observation terrace is free to access; Journey Behind the Falls (tunnels and viewing platforms at the base of the curtain, Niagara Parks, CAD 24 adults) requires a ticket. The tunnels are genuinely interesting - you are looking through a slot behind the full width of the falls - but the free terrace view from Table Rock gives the definitive perspective.

The Niagara Parks Boat Tour (formerly Hornblower, now Niagara City Cruises) departs from the Niagara Falls Tourism dock and takes you to the base of Horseshoe Falls. Passengers wear red ponchos. Everything gets wet. The adult fare is CAD 35 (2024 pricing). The 20-minute trip gives the scale of the falls from water level. Book online in advance in summer.

Queen Victoria Park and the illumination

The park running along the Niagara Parkway from Table Rock south is free to enter and has unobstructed falls views for over 1km. The falls are illuminated nightly in season (typically May through October) from around 21:00 to 23:00, with a fireworks display on Fridays and Sundays at 22:00 in summer. This is free to watch from anywhere along the park.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

20km north of the falls along the Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small town of heritage buildings on the Lake Ontario shoreline that was the capital of Upper Canada until 1796. It is now known for the Shaw Festival theatre season (May through November), wineries along the surrounding Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Route (Trius, Peller Estates, Inniskillin are the most established), and a main street of independent shops and hotels. The historic Fort George (Parks Canada, CAD 12 entry) interprets the War of 1812 period when the town was largely destroyed.

Getting there

Niagara Falls, Ontario is 130km from Toronto by road, about 1.5 hours by car or 2 hours by Megabus (CAD 15-25 one way). No direct train service. GO Transit runs weekend trains from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls in summer. From Buffalo, New York, the falls are 40 minutes by car across the Peace Bridge (US-Canada border crossing, passport required).

Accommodation along the falls strip ranges from large casino hotels (Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Embassy Suites) at CAD 200-400 per night to budget motels on Ferry Street from CAD 80-120. Niagara-on-the-Lake’s small hotels book weeks ahead for Shaw Festival season weekends.