- Niagara Falls is a year-round attraction. Even in the winter time, it can be spectacular to see the falls when the ice bridge forms and Lake Erie freezes over. However, certain popular attractions such as the Cave of the Winds and the famed Maid of the Mist tour only operate when the ice has melted, which means these tours run from late April and May to October.
- Both sides have excellent attractions well worth visiting. The Canadian side has three observatories allowing impressive views of both the Canadian falls and the U.S. falls. It also has a Spanish aero car on a cable which gives spectacular views of the whirlpool basin. You can cross to the other side either by car or simply by walking across. The bridge that takes you across the river to the Canadian side is just a couple of blocks long and also has scenic views. If you do decide to cross over, don't forget to bring your passport or passport card with you.
- Regardless of what other attractions you plan to see on your Niagara Falls vacation, remember to plan at least one day to view the actual falls. One of the best ways to see the falls is on the Maid of the Mist tour, a boat tour which will take you up close to both the American falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. There are also many observation towers with spectacular views of both sides of the falls. These observation towers feature restaurants and other places of interest for visitors.
- While the falls are certainly the main attraction, there are still many other local attractions on both the Canadian and American side. The U.S. side has the Cave of the Winds which takes you along wooden walkways at the base of the falls. The Canadian side has Table Rock Scenic Tunnels that take visitors down an elevator and through tunnels to scenic views of Horseshoe Falls. Nearby, also on the Canada side, stands Historic Fort Erie, a famed spot from the War of 1812 where costumed interpreters take visitors around the site. Both sides have marine attractions. The Canadian side has Marineland, home to year-round dolphin, killer whale and seal shows, while the U.S. side has the Niagara Falls aquarium featuring some 1,500 different species.
