FREE THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA FALLS CANADA
Let’s face it, Niagara Falls Canada can get expensive if you’re not careful.
While we certainly recommend visitors indulge themselves in some of the best Niagara Falls has to offer like the boat tours, it’s many wonderful restaurants and exciting attractions, we also strongly recommend making the many FREE things to do in Niagara Falls Canada a key part of your visit.
Some of these will likely turn out to inspire your favorite memories from the trip.
ENJOY GREAT VIEWS OF NIAGARA FALLS
Walking or driving by the Falls is 100% free. You do not need to pay any admission whatsoever to stand along the railing next to the Horseshoe Canadian Falls or view the Falls from many other vantage points along the parkway.
If you’re in need of parking, there will be costs for that (ranging from $5 - $35 depending on the parking lot and time of year), but otherwise this is free, including the nightly illumination!
Click here for nightly illumination schedule.
EXPLORE THE GARDENS IN NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Parks does a wonderful job of maintaining various pristine gardens to walk through and enjoy, all for free.
Oakes Garden Theatre
5825 River Rd, Niagara Falls
Queen Victoria Park
6345 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls
Floral Clock
14004 Niagara Pkwy, Queenston, L0S 1L0
There are also a couple other extra fancy gardens that cost money to access you may want to consider if this is your thing:
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
2565 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls
Floral Showhouse
7145 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls
PICNIC ON DUFFERIN ISLANDS
Whether during the summer when nature brings back the wildlife or during the winter when the Winter Festival of Lights are going on (more on that below), this is one of the best hidden gems in Niagara Falls Canada.
Click here to learn more about Dufferin Islands.
WATCH FIREWORKS OVER THE FALLS
Each summer, Niagara Falls Tourism presents nightly fireworks (weather permitting) at 10:00 pm for ALL to enjoy.
TIP: Our personal favorite spot to watch them is from the Oakes Garden Theatre. You get a great view that’s usually not as crowded as it is down closer to the falls.
HIKE ALONG THE WHIRLPOOL RAPIDS
Thanks to trails like the popular Niagara Whirlpool Loop recommended by AllTrails.com, hiking this gorgeous area is not only free, it’s incredible.
Start your hike here: 3050 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON
VISIT IN THE WINTER TO ENJOY THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
In addition to their nightly fireworks shows, another wonderful thing that Niagara Falls Tourism does to help attract visitors to Niagara Falls is host an annual Winter Festival of Lights.
These light displays are set up all over the area including the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and other spots around town including Lundy’s Lane.
It truly brings a touch of magic to the area each year between November - February.
PEOPLE WATCH ON CLIFTON HILL
It’s not quite time square, but perhaps a mini version of it?
Clifton Hill is one of the most densely packed, crowded, bright and exciting places in Canada let alone Niagara Falls, which attracts millions of visitors from all over the world making it an ideal spot for people watching (just don’t be creepy about it!)
VISIT THE NIAGARA FALLS MUSEUM
Niagara Falls Canada is home to some fascinating history.
The battle of Lundy’s lane during the war of 1812, the legendary dare Devil stories about Niagara Falls, its mind bending natural history to name a few.
You can learn about all of it (and more) at the Niagara Falls History Museum located at 5810 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls Ontario.
Looking for more ways to save?
Everyone who books our Niagara Falls Tours receives an exclusive bundle of discounts helping save money at local restaurants, gift shops and other attractions.
Walk Niagara Tours offers all-inclusive walking tours of Niagara Falls. Our tour guides lead groups 7 days a week between April and November.