Niagara Falls With Kids: 11 Best Things To Do

You probably already know what to see and do in Niagara Falls, but do you know how to adapt the visit to the little ones at home? Niagara Falls is a unique natural enclave that will delight both adults and children. There are plenty of things to do with children in the surrounding area, we tell you in detail how to plan your trip!

Both cruises sail the same route, although the Maid of the Mist departs from the U.S. side and the Hornblower from the Canadian side. You will distinguish them by the color of the raincoats that they give you when you get on and that are very practical because in the twenty minutes that the trip lasts they get so close to the falls that besides being left with your mouth open to the greatness of the spectacle, you get wet.

Children (and not so children) have a great time. Both cruises have several decks and interior spaces, so you can enjoy the show even if the weather is not good. In any case, a change of clothes to avoid colds is not superfluous.

You're going to find many places where the views of Niagara Falls will be mind-blowing, but at the bottom of the river you have a very special one: Cave of the Winds. If you book a visit, either as part of an organized tour or as self-guided access, the kids will ride an elevator to a platform that leads to one of the most breathtaking views of the falls.

Watch out! You'll have the waterfalls above you, so expect to get wet, although that will only add to the fun for the little ones, of course.

Heights have never been so close: in just fifty-two seconds, the Skylon Tower elevator will take you to the top floor, which is... at 230 meters. And that's not all, as there is a restaurant there that is located on a rotating floor so you won't miss anything while you dine. In fact, if you want to go all out and book a Niagara Falls tour with helicopter ride and lunch at Skylon Tower.

From the observation deck you can see not only the falls, but an extensive view of the United States and Canada. Especially recommended at the end of the day, when the city lights start to come on - breathtaking!

Never better said: On Fridays, Saturdays and holidays the unique setting of Niagara Falls becomes even more special thanks to the fireworks displays.

Although from the Skylon Tower the view is privileged, the fireworks can be fully enjoyed at the foot of the falls. And you can also take the opportunity to book a night tour of Niagara Falls. A treat for the senses, both for children and adults, and a perfect ending to the visit.

If your kids are the type who like to move around and do outdoor activities, this is the tour for you. Whirlpool State Park offers a breathtaking view of the falls. The climb to the top is a little steep, but it's well worth it, and at the top of the park there's room for a picnic lunch with a view of the Niagara River. Not to be missed!

There's no need to book tickets or pay extra: follow the marked trails at the pace of your little ones to picnic areas and overlooks.

Bird Kigdom is one of Niagara's most famous attractions, not surprisingly, as it is the largest free-range aviary in the world. Yes, that's right: a huge building set up for free-flying birds.

The tour includes an exhibit about Niagara Falls and birds, but the most popular part is the part where you can get up close and personal with the animals. It's very exciting! Kids are fascinated by holding parrots and macaws, or seeing other animals like snakes, turtles or even bearded dragons up close. If you do a little research before you go, you can explain to the children what animals they are seeing and the visit will become educational as well as fun.

We've all felt that adrenaline rush when we ride a zip line and stop touching the ground, right? Well, imagine that the zip line in question travels at 70 km / h. the spectacular descent to Niagara Falls. An experience like that you will never forget!

The zip line is suitable for children from seven years, but up to thirteen years must be accompanied by an adult. Are you looking forward to it? Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at the foot of Clifton Hill and the price is about 50€ per person.

Clifton Hill is known as "the most famous amusement street in the world" for a reason: it is an amusement park ten minutes from the falls. Kids will have a blast with the haunted houses, the dinosaur-themed miniature golf course or the fifty-four-meter Ferris wheel with a view that on a clear day reaches... all the way to Ontario!

Whatever your children's tastes, there is plenty to discover at Clifton Hill. For the older ones, there are also souvenir stores and museums for the curious: the Guinness World Records Museum, the Ripley's Museum and 4D theater of oddities. A complete and ideal plan if you choose the two-day Niagara Falls tour instead of the day trip.

We already know when traveling with kids that food can be a tricky subject - don't worry! Clifton Hill's food offerings are also quite varied. Although it never hurts to bring something to snack on or have your kids' favorite snack on hand, at Clifton Hill you can find everything from fast food to quality cuisine.

And if you want, in addition to eating, to take away a unique experience, visit the Rainforest Café: a themed restaurant whose doors open onto the jungle. Inside there is a tropical atmosphere with vegetation, animals, ambient sounds and the occasional thunderstorm. When it comes to dining at Niagara Falls you also have many options - check them out before you get to the park!

Nine kilometers north of Niagara Falls is the butterfly conservatory, where a multitude of species fly over forty hectares. You can observe more than two thousand butterflies of sixty different tropical species.

If you want the children to have a complete experience, I advise you to wear bright colors on that day, as the butterflies are more likely to be attracted by those tones and come to perch so that the little ones can observe them closely.

For a quiet getaway with the little ones, there is a town just north of the falls that offers a picture-perfect setting. It is called Niagara on the Lake in honor of the lake that presides over it, and which is surrounded by little houses among which it is a pleasure to get lost.

In this small town children can stroll quietly in a cultural and natural environment more relaxed than the one that has formed around Niagara Falls. The landscape of the small town is very well cared for a day of sightseeing with the family.

Plan your trip ahead of time

Coordinating the tastes of the whole family is not always easy, especially when traveling with children, but as you have seen, Niagara Falls has all kinds of attractions. It can be quite an experience to plan your trip together so that you can all choose what you like best.

Explain to them what they will see

To get the most out of your trip, you can give the children a context to enjoy their trip to the fullest, for example with movies like Pixar's "Up" or "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Get tickets in advance

The most important thing is to book the Niagara Falls excursion in advance. Also, once there, whether dining at the Skylon Tower or sailing on the Maid of the Mist cruise, it's best to book or get tickets in advance.

Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear

The visit to Niagara Falls offers a lot of activity for both children and adults, but for children it is even more important that they wear comfortable clothes that they can fully enjoy, of course, that they wear change of clothes and do not wear new sneakers during the day.