Niagara Falls Travel Forum

So we will be spending 1 full day in Niagara Falls. What should we do ? We want to do the Maid of the Mist, but what about Hurricane Deck ? and also someone said something about a spectacular whirlpool ? And Canadian side or American side ? What is BEST !? Thanks a lot !

The best views and most of the touristy attractions are on the Canadian side. A few miles down river, basically where it empties out into Lake Ontario is a very picturesque town Niagara-On-The-Lake and is well worth a few hours. And depending on the time of year you'll be there you could also tour a few of the many wineries in the area. Hope this helps.

The whirlpool you refer to must be the Whirlpool Rapids at the bend in the Niagara River - a couple of miles along the Niagara Parkway (the road along the river) going toward Niagara-on-the-Lake. There is a cable car ride that goes across the part of gorge where the rapids are (all on the Canadian side).

The Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours may also interest you.

If you're driving toward N-o-t-L, it's worth a few minutes stop at the look out above the river at Queenston Heights.

If you're not driving, the Peoplemover transportation system will get you as far as the Rapids.

Lots of good details/info if you Google.

Here's the best Website if you're looking for things to do in Niagara Falls: http://www.niagarafallstourism.com

I'd also recommend going on the Canadian side, and once you've done The Maid of the Mist, perhaps you might want to do the Journey Behind the Falls, the White Water Walk and the Whirlpool Cable Car ride. If you can stay until late in the evening, the falls are beautiful at night when they're all lit up and you can check the fireworks schedule to see if there's a show on that day.

Hope you have a great day!

just got back from the falls monday. lots to do. one of my favorites: cave of the winds on the american side. you can practically stand right under the bridal veil fall. it was awesome!
we had done earlier in the day- journey behind the falls, on the canadian side. i found that to be a bit of a disappointment.
the jet boat ride, which takes you to the falls, we took the boat leaving from niagara on the lake. $55 dollars a person, but $5 off coupons everywhere. good fun.
whatever you do,,,DON'T do the niagara fury imax show they advertise everywhere! it is an 8 minute show for $15, and a complete rip off.
as you head from niagara falls towards niagara on the lake on the nieagara prkway, there is whitewater walk. that was cool. you walk boardwalk right along the river where there are class 6 rapids. highest category there is. being so close up, you feel and see the power of this river!
i hope you have a fun day whichever sights you do!

I agree with what most others have said. There is a pass you can get that includes 4 or 5 touristy things in the area including Maid of the Mist, Behind the Falls (which I heard was a bit of a dissappointment), Butterfly Observatory, and Rapid Walk... also included in the pass is the People Mover bus which has several stops. You can also walk around Clifton Hill, I found NF to be like a big carnival. I also recommend seeing the falls at night, it is quite beautiful. Everything I mentioned is on the Canadian side.. not so familiar with the American side but I know they have a Maid of the Mist tour that goes from that side as well.

Have fun!