SKYLON TOWER VS. TOWER HOTEL: COMPARING THE TWO TOWERS IN NIAGARA FALLS CANADA

Posted on November 4th, 2026. Niagara Falls, Canada

Those who book our Niagara Falls tour often notice two distinctive towers rising above the Fallsview skyline: the Skylon Tower and the Tower Hotel.

While both towers offer spectacular views of Niagara Falls, they serve very different purposes and provide unique experiences for visitors.

If you're trying to decide which tower to visit during your say or simply curious about the differences, we’ve put together this detailed comparison.

EACH TOWERS LOCATION

Skylon Tower

The Skylon Tower is located at 5200 Robinson Street in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It sits slightly inland from the brink of the falls and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Its elevated location allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views of both the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel is located at 6732 Fallsview Boulevard in the heart of Niagara's Fallsview Tourist District. The tower stands closer to the edge of the Niagara Gorge and is surrounded by many of the area's major hotels, casinos, and attractions.

AGE OF THE TOWERS

Skylon Tower

Construction of the Skylon Tower began in 1964, and the tower officially opened on October 6, 1965. For more than 60 years, it has remained one of Niagara Falls' most popular attractions.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel is actually the older of the two towers. Construction began in 1961, and the tower opened in 1962. Over the years it has operated under several names, including Seagram Tower, Minolta Tower, and Konica Minolta Tower before becoming the Tower Hotel.

HOW TALL ARE THE TOWERS?

Skylon Tower

The Skylon Tower stands 520 feet (160 metres) tall from its base and reaches approximately 775 feet (236 metres) above the Niagara Gorge. It remains one of the tallest observation towers in Niagara Falls.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel rises 99 metres (325 feet) above street level and approximately 160 metres (525 feet) above the Niagara River below. While significantly shorter than the Skylon Tower, its location near the edge of the gorge creates dramatic views of the falls.

DO THE TOWERS HAVE OBSERVATION DECKS?

Skylon Tower

One of the Skylon Tower's main attractions is its observation deck. Visitors can access both an indoor observation level and an outdoor 360-degree viewing platform. The observation deck is open to the public and offers some of the most expansive views available in Niagara Falls.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel also features an observation deck. Located on the 25th floor, it provides floor-to-ceiling views of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. However, the observation area is smaller and enclosed indoors.

WHICH TOWER OFFERS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?

Skylon Tower

The Skylon Tower is not a hotel. It functions primarily as an observation tower, dining destination, entertainment complex, and tourist attraction. Visitors cannot stay overnight within the tower itself.

Tower Hotel

As its name suggests, the Tower Hotel includes hotel accommodations. The boutique-style property offers guest rooms with views of Niagara Falls and is designed primarily as a hotel experience combined with an observation tower.

DOES EITHER TOWER HAVE A RESTAURANT?

Skylon Tower

Dining is one of the Skylon Tower's biggest attractions. The tower features two restaurants:

• The world-famous Revolving Dining Room, which completes a full 360-degree rotation every hour.
• The Summit Suite Buffet dining room.

Guests dining at either restaurant receive complimentary access to the observation decks.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel features a restaurant space at the top of the tower. Over the years it has hosted several restaurants, including the award-winning Pinnacle Restaurant and later Marilyn's Bistro. Today, visitors can enjoy a meal at Sky Fallsview Steakhouse or IHOP on the 25th floor.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Skylon Tower

The Skylon Tower is designed as a major tourist attraction. In addition to its observation decks and restaurants, the complex includes gift shops, entertainment attractions, arcade games, exhibits, and family-friendly activities. Many visitors consider it a destination in itself.

Tower Hotel

The Tower Hotel provides a quieter and more intimate experience. Most visitors use the tower as part of their hotel stay rather than as a standalone attraction. The emphasis is on accommodations and falls-view rooms rather than entertainment.

WHICH TOWER OFFERS BETTER VIEWS?

Both towers offer outstanding views of Niagara Falls, but the experience differs.

The Skylon Tower provides higher elevations, outdoor viewing opportunities, and sweeping panoramic views extending well beyond the falls themselves. Visitors can see the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, Niagara River, Niagara Gorge, and even distant skylines on clear days.

The Tower Hotel offers a closer, more direct perspective of the falls, especially from falls-view guest rooms and the observation level. Many visitors appreciate feeling closer to the action, even though the tower itself is not as tall.

If you're looking for Niagara Falls' premier observation tower experience, the Skylon Tower is the winner.

Its greater height, outdoor observation deck, revolving restaurant, and dedicated tourist attractions make it one of the most iconic experiences in Niagara Falls.

However, if you're looking for a unique place to stay with excellent views of the falls, the Tower Hotel offers something the Skylon Tower cannot: overnight accommodations within the tower itself.

The good news?

Since both landmarks are located within the Fallsview district, many visitors choose to experience both during their Niagara Falls vacation.

The best news?

Guests of our Niagara Falls tours get to see and learn about both towers during the guided walking tour portion of the experience.

Those who book the Ultimate Tour of Niagara Falls package receive tickets to the Skylon Tower to enjoy anytime they wish after the tour during their stay.

Enjoy both towers! Book a room in the Tower Hotel and book a tour with Walk Niagara Tours. :)

Walk Niagara Tours offers all-inclusive walking tours of Niagara Falls. Our tour guides lead groups 7 days a week between April and November.