When I first started researching for our family adventure, I had heard of a “Canadian side” and a “US side”. We decided to stay on the Canadian side since it offered many more opportunities for adventures and exploration. In other words, fun for the entire family. Our girls loved our adventures in Niagara Falls. Follow along to discover what we learned and our reviews of the best things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with kids!
Understanding Niagara Falls
There are tons of hotels, tours, activities, and combination passes offered — making research into Niagara Falls a little overwhelming.
Once I dove in, I was surprised to learn that Niagara Falls is actually a group of three waterfalls! The bigger and more majestic Horseshoe Falls (aka the Canadian Falls) is the iconic falls you see in postcards. Horseshoe Falls straddles the international border of Canada and the United States. The other two falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States.
How to Get There
Every travel story begins with the hopefully not to crazy travel portion. To begin our Canadian Niagara Falls vacation, we flew into Buffalo, New York. We hired Buffalo Airport Shuttle to take us from the airport to our hotel by the Falls. They were very easy to work with. We booked online, prepaid (including tip) and received immediate confirmation. A minivan was waiting for us in the limo lot outside of arrivals at the airport. The transfer took about 1.5 hours.
Room with a View
We wanted a hotel with a view — especially to take advantage of the evening fireworks with tired kids. I have a preference towards Hilton-branded hotels, so we went with the Hilton Niagara Fallsview. Upon our early arrival we were able to drop our luggage off in our 43rd floor room. Then we stood in amazement as we looked out at views of both the American and Canadian Falls!
The hotel is huge and very full of people. On the plus side, it offered everything, including an amazing location, great views, restaurants, pools, shopping. On the other side, we had to factor in elevator waiting / travel time for all the people and floors.
Are There Things to do with Kids in Niagara Falls Canada?
Well yes!! Once I started researching, I discovered a ton of things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with kids! The key was to to sort out the good from the “lame” activities to keep our adventure seekers happy.
After checking in, we walked to the Table Rock Center to pick up our Niagara Parks Adventure Passes. We pre-purchased the Adventure Plus passes. These included almost all of the best things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Niagara Parks Power Station
Venturing a little further down Niagara Parkway we started at the Niagara Parks Power Station. A power station may not sound like it should be on a list of the top things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with kids. But, it holds some secret experiences that are pretty amazing!!
Construction of the power station began in 1901. And it opened in July 1905 with 5 turbines and generators based on a design by Nikola Tesla. Water from the Niagara River would enter, and drop 180 feet. Then it would be expelled into a 2,000 foot tunnel that emptied into the lower Niagara River at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. The power station was closed in 2006, but re-opened in 2021 as a tourist site.
We explored the museum and witnessed an electrifying Tesla Coil demonstration before descending in a glass-paneled elevator to the tunnel. With our light blue ponchos on, we stepped out to experience the sheer power of the awe-inspiring Horseshoe Falls. From the observation deck, we were treated to breathtaking views right at the base of the Falls! What an unforgettable experience!
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Niagara’s Fury
You can’t have a list of things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada without getting drenched – right!?! Our first “water” activity was at the Table Rock House Center, where we watched Niagara’s Fury, a 4D movie experience. We were handed our dark blue ponchos and watched a short introduction movie before heading into the theater.
The experience transports you back in time to witness the creation of the Falls. It is complete with water splashing, waves moving, and even snowfall adding to the magic! Buttercup found a place right next to the water pool, getting a little extra wet. While the rest of us managed to stay relatively dry.
Journey Behind the Falls
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
After our 4D experience, we went downstairs to the Journey Behind the Falls. We grabbing a new yellow poncho, and took an elevator down 125 feet to a bedrock tunnel. On each end of the tunnel there is a viewing portal.
Down the other tunnel lies the entrance to the observation deck. Here you get a breathtaking new perspective of the Falls! It is higher than the Power Plant viewpoint at the base of the Falls. But it is much lower than the viewpoints from the top of the Falls.
From the Table Rock House Center, we walked down Niagara Parkway. We stopped along the way to take in the beautiful sights as we made our way to the Niagara City Cruises.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Voyage to the Falls Cruise
You can’t have a list of top things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada without a boat! Our next stop was the the iconic Voyage to the Falls (aka Hornblower) cruise to the base of the falls.
I pre-ordered our tickets, but we would have been fine walking up to purchase tickets the day of. The weather was cloudy, so there were hardly any lines. We were given our iconic red ponchos and were ushered onto the next boat. The tour takes you close to the base of all three falls. But, you spending the bulk of your time at the Horseshoe Falls. From the deck, you can feel the tremendous power of the Falls and while getting soaked by the mist.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Clifton Hill
We designated a day as “kids’ day” with activities at Clifton Hill. We pre-purchased the Fun Pass, which included a bulk of the attractions. The downside though … the attractions each open at different times. And nothing was open prior to 10:30 am — a pretty late start for our early-rising crew.
We kicked off our day with the SkyWheel and explored the area, enjoying a fantastic lunch at Kelseys Roadhouse. The 3D/4D shooting-style rides were a thrilling experience, although some were a bit rough on the back. To make the most of our day, we also took a spin around the Speedway and spent time in the arcade. Then we finished up with some much-needed retail therapy.
We ventured further down Niagara Parkway after completing the “mainstream” Niagara Falls activities. This is where we discovered some of our favorite things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada! The crowds thinned out and there was so much to be discovered!
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Bird Kingdom
We started at Bird Kingdom. Buttercup, our resident bird enthusiast, had been buzzing with excitement ever since catching sight of the colossal sign as we crossed into Canada. I must confess, I had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. As we ventured through the first rooms, we found ourselves meandering through a peculiar mix of exhibits. There was an odd mix that included a mini museum about the Falls and some seemingly random displays of aquatic creatures. But, as we ventured further we found a room filled with the chirps and squawks of beautiful parrots.
The girls gleefully interacted with the colorful chatterboxes and engaged in lively conversations with the caretaker. Armed with our bird encounter tickets, each girl selected a parrot to perch upon their arm. It was a truly unforgettable experience, complete with heartwarming moments captured in some truly adorable photos!
Then we made our way to the main aviary, which may live up to its claim to be the world’s largest. It was huge, but well maintained. The girls spent a great deal of time wandering through the path and interacting with the different birds. At the back of the aviary is a caged area for the Lorikeet feeding.
Each of us was given a tiny metal cup to hold. The bird immediately knew food was coming and made their way over to us. A small amount of food is poured into each cup and the birds swarm it. The entire process is over in less than 5 minutes, so you needed to be pretty quick to grab any photos.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
White Water Walk
We hitched a ride on the WEGO (the local bus) to the entrance of the White Water Walk. My expectations were low for this stop, but hey, it was included in our Adventure Plus passes, so why not? I imagined just a simple walk above the river, nothing new. However, the boardwalk area blew me away!
You start by taking an elevator down through the bedrock to a viewing platform. From the platform, you follow the wooden boardwalk a quarter mile down and back. There are several informational signs and smaller viewing platforms along the path. Along the boardwalk, you get amazing views of the Class 6 rapids. Remember, Class 6 is the highest ranking for crazy, “you can’t take a boat on this” type rapids.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
The Butterfly Conservatory
From the White Water Walk, we rode the WEGO to the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. The girls are huge butterfly enthusiasts, so the gardens didn’t capture their full attention. The attraction boasts a vast indoor area where more than 2,000 butterflies fluttering amidst lush greenery.
Similar to the Bird Kingdom aviary, the Butterfly Conservatory features winding paths through the foliage. The girls enjoyed observing and patiently waiting for butterflies to land on them.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Whirlpool Aero Car
Our last stop of the day was the Whirlpool Aero Car. This was also included in Adventure Plus passes, but you need to make a timed reservation to participate.
The Whirlpool Aero Car is a giant red metal cable car suspended 200 feet above the crazy Class 6 rapids. We were surprised to learn that the system has been in use since 1916! The views were amazing and it was a pretty cool experience. But, there is only one cable car and it only holds 35 people at a time. So even with timed reservations, we still ended up waiting in line for over an hour.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Fireworks Spectacular
We wrapped up “kids’ day” with with some a relaxing swim in the hotel pool . Then pizza and a movie in the hotel room. Snuggled up in our PJs, we were treated to a spectacular view of the evening light show over the falls. Then at 10 pm the dazzling fireworks display illuminated the sky before we drifted off to sleep. A perfect way to end the day!
Niagara-on-the-Lake
We planned to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake for a morning adventure and lunch. Little did I know, embarking on this journey by bus would turn into a drawn out odyssey of public transportation! We took the WEGO to the last stop on the Niagara line (the Floral Clock). Then we waited for the elusive special shuttle that shows up just once an hour. Time seemed to stretch into eternity! Finally, we boarded the shuttle, made it to the last stop, and strolled to the historic Queen Street District.
The architecture was stunning, the flowers were blooming, and the Memorial Clock Tower was like a scene from a blockbuster movie. But, the kids weren’t feeling the charm of the town or the growing number of senior citizens. Personally, I was dreaming of exploring the wineries, but alas, that’ll have to wait for my “must return” list.
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
An absolute must for your list of things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada is the Whirlpool Jet Boat tour! I pre-booked a combined ticket that included the boat and a zip lining adventure with Zipline to the Falls. Only the boat came with a scheduled departure time. The zip line voucher could be used at any time.
We were advised to bring a complete change of clothing for after the boat ride – I can see why! You get completely soaked, but it is so worth it! Because of the size of the girls, we were seated in the middle row of the boat. The crazy people in the front got drenched with every maneuver.
The jet boats are custom made with a flat bottom and special engines to navigate through Class 5 rapids. They run multiple boat rides every day, so the entire operation runs very well. This experience was my favorite of the trip!
Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada with Kids:
Zipline Niagara Falls
After the exhilarating jet boat ride, we quickly made our way to the zipline for our final, thrilling adventure of the trip … and last “must do” on the list of things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada!
As we waited for our turn, the excitement was palpable, especially from the girls. With Spider Monkey sandwiched between Dustin and I, we were off! Once they set us free, we were zooming above the falls. With her small size, Spider Monkey trailed behind. To my surprise, she had an absolute blast! Now, she can’t stop asking when we can go zip lining again. What a thrilling experience!
The Family Verdict
Niagara Falls was the perfect combination of crazy adventure and beautiful surroundings! The commercial area surrounding the falls was very clean and well maintained. That changed once you head over towards the Clifton Hill area, but I never felt unsafe. The Canadian side has a lot to offer, and received a big thumbs up from our crew! Leave us a comment with any additional activities to add to our list of things to do with kids in Niagara Falls Canada.
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
Basics:
Outdoors:
- Pocket Binoculars
- Travel Umbrella
- Adult Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Kid’s Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Water Bladder Cleaning Tablets
- Microfiber Towels
- Women’s All Around Jacket
- Women’s Water-Resistant Hiking Pants, These and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Pants and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Women’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Women’s Hiking Socks
- Women’s Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Quick Dry Pants
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shorts
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Kid’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Kid’s Hiking Socks and These
- Kids Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Rain Pants
- Foldable Kid’s Hat
- Men’s Rain Jacket
