We visit Niagara Falls at least once a year since we live a mere 60 minutes from Canada’s most famous attraction, and we have seen all of the best Niagara Falls views. From restaurants to viewpoints, and falls view rooms to towers, there are so many ways to take in this natural wonder. If you are planning to visit Niagara Falls, make sure to add these viewpoints to your bucket list.
Top Views of Niagara Falls
Straddling the border between the state of New York and Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors each year. While the best views of Niagara Falls are from the Ontario side, we are going to round up all of the views from each side of the border to help you make the most of your stay.
Planning Your Trip To Niagara Falls Right Now?
Below are some of the top tours that give you the best views of Niagara Falls.
Top Activities and Tours in Niagara Falls:
1. Table Rock Welcome Centre (Canada)
Table Rock Center is a great place to head to first for a jaw-dropping view of Horseshoe Falls. Located right at the edge where the falls plunge into the Niagara Gorge, it will blow your mind.
From its viewing platform, you hear the thundering roar as you feel the mist and can almost reach out and touch the water. At the viewpoint, you stand right at the water’s edge.
2. Skylon Tower (Canada)
For the best view of Niagara Falls from above head over to the Skylon Tower. Standing at 775 feet high the observation deck offers a spectacular panoramic view of Horseshoe Falls, the city of Niagara, Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls.
Book a meal at the Revolving Restaurant with its revolving dining room that rotates 360 degrees. Or you can visit its observation deck offers out-of-this-world views of all three falls plus the Niagara Rapids, Goat Island, and the Niagara Gorge. This is the place for your incredible photo ops to take home with you.
You can get to the Skylon Tower via the WeGo Bus and there is parking directly at the tower.
3. Helicopter Tour
If you want an adrenaline-pumping experience for a birds-eye view of Niagara Falls, take a helicopter tour. Niagara Helicopters offer tours of the falls surrounding areas.
The tour takes you over the Whirlpool Rapids, Rainbow Bridge, and of course, the majestic Niagara Falls themselves. Get your camera ready, because this aerial view showcases the sheer scale and beauty of the falls, and it is a memory that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Book your Helicopter ride now!
4. Hornblower (Canada) or Maid of the Mist (USA)
One of the best ways to see Niagara Falls is from the water, and the Hornblower boat tour on the Canadian Side, or the Maid of the Mist boat tour on the American Side. This tour takes you through the Niagara Gorge for a scenic view of the Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls State Park, and the American and Bridal Veil Falls before heading right into the basin of Horseshoe Falls.
This is not only one of the best things to do in Niagara Falls, but it also gives you one of the most up close and personal views of Niagara Falls. Rain ponchos are provided to keep you from getting too wet in the mist as you stand on its outdoor viewing platform. But don’t worry, if you don’t want to get wet, you can stay dry inside the boat. Tours leave regularly from both sides of the border. You can book it ahead of time here.
5. Journey Behind the Falls (Canada)
For a unique view of Niagara Falls, head back to Table Rock Centre for Journey Behind the Falls. This Niagara attraction takes visitors to the heart of Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls through tunnels. As you explore the tunnels, there are viewpoints that take you behind the falls where you feel the thunderous vibration of the massive falls plunging before your eyes.
The adventure doesn’t stop there, you then continue outside to the viewing platforms at the foot of the cascade providing the best view of Niagara and its plunging cascade right in front of you. Journey Behind the Falls is an amazing opportunity to see the cascade up close. Ponchos are provided as you will get wet on this tour.
6. Queen Victoria Park (Canada)
Queen Victoria Park beautifully landscaped park is located on the Canadian Side opposite Niagara Falls Promenade. Offering great views amidst seasonal flowers and foliage, it’s a wonderful spot for a picnic. It may not be as perfect as the amazing views across the street from the main promenade, but it does give a nice break from the crowds.
7. Niagara Skywheel
Another place to visit in Niagara is the Niagara Skywheel. This climate-controlled ride is a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel that offers amazing views of the falls and the surrounding area. Each enclosed gondola can hold up to six passengers and they are climate controlled.
There is a running commentary during the revolutions and you have plenty of time to get your photos and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding scenery.
8. The Tunnel at Niagara Power Station
The tunnel is the newest attraction and is the best place to see the three falls from the water level. It is an amazing tunnel spanning, 670-meters (2,200 feet) long tunnel that leads to an observation deck at the Niagara River.
Best Views of Niagara Falls Hotels
One of the best ways to take in the views of Niagara Falls is to book a room with a view. We have stayed at them all, and each has its own unique perspective and spectacular views. You can read our post Where to Stay in Niagara Falls for all of the best hotels with great views, but to get you started, here are our top two choices.
9. Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
This is our favorite place to stay in Niagara Falls Canada and we go back to it again and again. It has the best view of Niagara Falls being the closest to Horseshoe Falls. Many of its rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views from its luxurious falls view rooms. There’s nothing better than having the curtains open at night as you watch the light show dazzle from the comfort of your room.
The Marriott Fallsview is connected to Embassy Suites which houses the best restaurant with scenic views of Niagara Falls, the Keg Steakhouse.
10. Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
The Sheraton Fallsview is located in the Clifton Hill area and offers the best view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls. Located directly across from the river it offers guests an exceptional vantage point to admire the natural wonder from its falls view rooms with Juliet balconies. To see our complete list of the best hotels with a view, read our post Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
Best Niagara Falls Views from the American Side
While the Canadian side has the best view of Niagara Falls, there are still some great vantage points on the New York side, so let’s take a look.
11. Niagara Falls Observation Tower
Situated near Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park, this is the closest you can get to the American Falls on the U.S. side. The Observation Tower extends out over the Niagara Gorge and provides the best view from this side. It’s an especially good spot to observe the tumultuous rapids leading to the falls.
Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States and offers various viewpoints. The park features several observation areas and walking trails that offer different perspectives of the surrounding area, including Cave of the Winds.
12. Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
Located a short distance from the falls, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center provides interactive exhibits and displays that offer insights into the geological history of Niagara Falls. The center also has an outdoor observation deck that overlooks the gorge and offers partial views of the falls.
13. Terrapin Point
Located on Goat Island, Terrapin Point is one of the best spots to see the Horseshoe Falls from the American side. Feel the force of the water and capture some amazing photographs with unobstructed views.
14. Three Sisters Island
Three Sisters Islands consists of a series of small islands connected by picturesque footbridges. The islands derive their name from the legend that tells the story of three Native American sisters who bravely ventured into the swift currents of the Niagara River and were transformed into the islands to protect them from harm.
Visitors can access Three Sisters Islands from Goat Island by crossing another pedestrian bridge. Once on the islands, you can take a leisurely stroll along the well-maintained paths and wooden footbridges that wind through the lush greenery and around the picturesque Niagara rapids.
15. Luna Island
While it is not as well-known as some of the other viewpoints, Luna Island offers a unique and intimate experience as the scenic island is located in the middle of the American Falls
To access Luna Island, visitors can cross a pedestrian bridge from Goat Island, which connects the two islands. Once on Luna Island, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the falls, as the island is located right at the brink of the waterfall. The proximity to the falls offers a thrilling and immersive experience, with the rushing water cascading down just a few feet away.
Niagara Adventure Pass
When you visit Niagara Falls, we highly recommend getting the Adventure Pass to see all the top attractions with one ticket. Sold through Niagara Parks you can book the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass lets you gain discounted access to Journey Behind the Falls, Hornblower, Whitewater Walk, Niagara’s Fury, Whirlpool Aero Car, and the Butterfly Conservatory with transportation on the WeGo People Mover to each activity. See different packages and details here. For the price, it is worth it.
How to Get to Niagara Falls
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), USA is the closest US airport located about 25 miles (40 km) away. You can take a taxi, rental car, or shuttle service from the airport. To get to the Canadian Side you can either drive or walk across the Rainbow Bridge.
On the Canadian side, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is about 80 miles (130 km) from Niagara. We highly recommend renting a car.
If you are driving from within the US, you can take the I-90 (Interstate 90) if you are coming from the east or west, or the I-79 if coming from the south. Once you are close, follow the signs to Niagara Falls and the Rainbow Bridge to cross the border.
If you are coming from Toronto, you can take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) which leads directly to Niagara Falls.
Getting Around Niagara Falls
Niagara is very easy to get around. If you have the Adventure Pass you can hop on hop off the People Mover that takes you to all the top attractions.
It is also a very walkable city where you can take a stroll along the Niagara Falls Promenade which is the main promenade spanning along the Niagara Gorge from Clifton Hill. If driving, there are plenty of parking lots along the Niagara Parkway, but it can be expensive.