Arguably the most popular walking tour of Niagara Falls, Journey Behind the Falls provides tourists with an up-close view of the iconic falls. Journey Behind the Falls gives visitors the opportunity to explore an intricate network of tunnels located, as the name implies, directly behind Niagara Falls. While making your way through the tunnels, you’ll get a first-class view of the falls from the conveniently-placed viewing platforms. Photographers are sure to appreciate the unbeatable photo opportunities these platforms provide. Best of all, guests can take in the natural beauty of the falls at their own leisure as they follow along with the audio tour.
Due to the harsh winters the area experiences, many outdoor tours of the falls are strictly seasonal. However, Journey Behind the Falls is an indoor tour and is open to the public year-round. So no matter what time of year you wish to visit, you can book a premier hotel and immerse yourself in Journey Behind the Falls.
Niagara Falls Whirlpool Aero Car
You can experience the indescribable beauty of Niagara Falls from high above with a Whirlpool Aero Car tour. This exceptionally sturdy cable car was designed by renowned engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo and has guided thousands of visitors across both the American and Canadian sides of the falls for nearly a century. Operational from March to November, the Whirlpool Aero Car is easily accessible to spring, summer and fall tourists. Due to ice concerns and the delicate nature of antique cable cars, this tour is closed during the winter.
Aero Car tours also give nature lovers a spectacular view of the lush forestland surrounding the falls — an area often overlooked by tour services. After experiencing the magic of Niagara Falls from a bird’s-eye view, you’ll be dying to ride the Aero Car again and again. It’s no wonder this tour has been delighting visitors since 1916.
Niagara Falls Whirlpool Jet Boat
Guests can cruise across the Niagara River at lightning-fast speeds on a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour. Getting an up-close view of the falls is just one of the advantages of a Jet Boat tour; the exciting ride is the real crowd pleaser. Thrill-seekers and amusement park junkies are sure to love the bumps and tumbles the boat frequently experiences. You will get wet, so wearing a poncho or rain slicker is a smart move. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider taking a Jet Boat tour of the Niagara River’s Devil’s Hole Rapids.
While fun for most tourists, anyone with an aversion to bumpiness or a propensity for seasickness may want to sit this one out. You don’t need to worry about your safety, though; Jet Boat engineers have successfully guided over one million visitors across the Niagara River, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Hornblower Niagara Cruises
As the official tour boat company of Niagara Falls, Hornblower Cruises lives up to its title. Departing every 15 minutes, Hornblower’s roomy 700-passenger catamaran boats guide thousands of visitors across the falls each day. Though brief, these tours pack a good deal of sightseeing and education into only 15 minutes.
In addition to boasting two 700-passenger tour boats that are open to the public, Hornblower rents out 150-passenger boats to private parties. These private boats are ideal for large family gatherings and business outings. Visitors without children should consider hopping aboard Hornblower’s 30-minute Sunset Cocktail Cruise. This leisurely cruise across the fall lasts twice as long as a standard tour and features a well-stocked bar. As patrons will find, a good cocktail makes the perfect complement to the natural beauty of Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls Sky Wheel
Thought not officially a tour, the famous Niagara Falls Sky Wheel offers visitors a fantastic view of the falls — particularly when they reach the top. As one of the world’s most well-known Ferris wheels, the Sky Wheel is a popular spot for couples visiting the falls. Open year-round, the Sky Wheel ensures you can take in a great view with your special someone no matter when you visit.
The plethora of tour options found in Niagara Falls enables visitors to experience the falls in a number of different ways. Or, if a tour is not for you, you can also stay in a hotel with an amazing view of Niagara Falls. Each tour serves as the gateway to a fascinating array of new discoveries, making multiple tours the perfect option for curious travelers.