NIAGARA FALLS TOURS QUESTIONS
You got questions, we got answers.
Let’s get right into it.
- How much does it cost to see Niagara Falls?
- Where can I get the best view of Niagara Falls?
- What parts of Niagara Falls are in Canada?
- Which side of Niagara Falls is better?
- Are Niagara Falls attractions open all year?
- Should I do a walking tour of Niagara Falls?
- What is the Niagara Falls Tourism Tax about?
- How long is a tour of Niagara Falls?
- What's the weather like in Niagara Falls?
- Where should I stay in Niagara Falls?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEE NIAGARA FALLS?
Nadda! You and the birds pay the same amount to view Niagara Falls because there are no entry costs.
While you might have parking or transportation fees coming your way depending on how you’re planning to visit, getting to stand next to the edge of the breath taking wonder is 100% free!
Stay as long as you want, visit anytime day or night, move along the parkway wherever you want, don’t pay a cent.
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WHERE CAN I GET THE BEST VIEW OF NIAGARA FALLS?
So many options to choose from!
The free option mentioned above along the Niagara Parkway right next to the Horseshoe Falls is a popular favorite among visitors but there are other paid options for those looking for something even more special.
1\ From high above in the Skylon Tower (there is a fee to travel up the elevator - but no escalation charge if you have dinner reservations), a nearby hotel room with a Fallsview or a flyover tour from Niagara Helicopters.
2\ From below while on the Hornblower boat tour or the viewing platform as part of the Tunnel Experience.
3\ From “behind” during the Journey Behind The Falls.
Or heck, why not do several of them in one day with an all-inclusive walking tour of Niagara Falls.
Learn even more about the best Niagara Falls viewing options.
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WHAT PARTS OF NIAGARA FALLS ARE IN CANADA?
The Niagara River, of which Niagara Falls is a part of, is the border between Canada and the USA.
This means that some parts of the falls are on the American side (American Falls, Bridal Falls) while the more recognizable Horseshoe falls are on the Canadian side.
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WHICH SIDE OF NIAGARA FALLS IS BETTER?
Well “better” is subjective of course but (and sorry to our friends on the other side of the river) we feel that Canada has the superior experience of Niagara Falls.
The Canadian side has the better views and more attractions.
Are we biased? You bet, but this is an opinion held by most including MustDoCanada.com, World of Waterfalls and TheTravel.com.
This isn’t to say the American side is anything to raise your nose at! In fact some prefer it’s often quieter park like atmosphere over the Vegas-esque vibe the Canadian side can have at times.
RELATED ARTICLE: Before You Book a Niagara Falls Tour
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ARE NIAGARA FALLS ATTRACTIONS OPEN ALL YEAR?
For the most part yes, but there are a few exceptions:
RELATED ARTICLE: Niagara Falls tours in the winter.
- The boat tour closes for the winter between the end of November and the middle of May.
- The lower viewing platform of the Journey Behind The Falls sometimes closes during the winter.
- Any of the outdoor attractions could close when there is extreme weather for safety concerns.
This is partly why we only conduct our Niagara Falls tours in the warmer months.
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SHOULD I DO A WALKING TOUR OF NIAGARA FALLS?
Now we’re really going to be called biased.
It’s not for absolutely everyone but if you’re able, a walking tour of Niagara Falls is considered by many to be the best option because it allows you to see and learn about more points of interest in addition to the big attractions.
It’s also usually the cheaper and more environmentally friendly option.
RELATED ARTICLE: How much walking is required to tour Niagara Falls?
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WHAT IS THE NIAGARA FALLS TOURISM TAX?
If you’ve visited Niagara Falls during the last couple decades, you may have noticed what’s called a destination marketing fee (DMF) added to your bills.
The purpose of this added fee / tax is for businesses operating within a tourist destination to collect and pool the funds together to put towards collective marketing efforts for the area as a whole.
Since January 1st, 2019 the Niagara Falls DMF for hotels and accommodations was adjusted to be a flat $2 per room per night to help alleviate some of the confusion and complaints seen under the original system however the 3% DMF remains in place on many other types of businesses bills.
Some businesses add it to their bills while others do not (Walk Niagara Tours does not, we mean it when we say we’re all-inclusive).
Niagara Falls has not been the only city in Canada to introduce a tourism fee since provincial governments began allowing destination marketing fees in tourist areas (Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax to name a few. Ontario began allowing this in 2004).
It’s been called a “ridiculous cash grab” by some opponents of the tax but in some form or another it seems to be here to stay.
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HOW LONG IS A TOUR OF NIAGARA FALLS?
It depends on the type of tour, what attractions you’re interested in, what time you start (earlier is better if you want to beat the mid-day rush at some attractions) and what your goals are.
It’s tough to experience everything Niagara Falls has to offer in one tour of course, but if you have 4 or 5 hours to spend on one you’ll hit several of the high points!
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WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN NIAGARA FALLS?
The average daily high / low temperatures in Niagara Falls Ontario range from a cozy -1 / -8 in January to a balmy 27 / 17 in July.
Precipitation is lowest during the summer months with 7 or 8 days in June, July, August and the highest in Winter months with 11 or 12 days in December and January.
Regardless of when you tour Niagara Falls you should always check the local forecast and prepare accordingly.
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WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN NIAGARA FALLS?
Niagara Falls has plenty of options of where to stay suitable for all types of trips and budgets.
Hotels (with and without indoor water parks), motels, campgrounds, B&Bs and cottages.
To learn more visit the Niagara Falls hotels website or the accommodation listings by Niagara Falls Tourism.
If you have any questions about Niagara Falls tours not answered on this page please do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime at info@fallstour.com and we’ll be happy to steer you in the right direction.
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Walk Niagara Tours offers all-inclusive walking tours of Niagara Falls. Our tour guides lead groups 7 days a week between April and November.