There are many popular tours of the falls, none more so than the famous "Maid of the Mist" boat tour, which operates out of both the US and Canadian sides of the falls. The boat tour takes passengers on an unforgettable ride. The boat safely goes as close as it can to the falls so that passengers can look up and see the power and splendor of the rushing water coming down. This is a must for any visitor to Niagara falls. The boat tour also goes along the Niagara river and passengers are told about some of the sights along the way.
The Niagara Falls surrounding area is home to many tourist attractions and points of interest on both sides of the border. There are several parks and forts around the Niagara area such as Fort Erie in Canada and Old Fort Niagara in the U.S. Niagara State Park in the U.S. offers a number of attractions such as the Cave of the Winds, which allows visitors to travel under the falls and come close to the rushing waters.
In addition to guided tours, visitors may also enjoy exploring the city on their own as most attractions are within walking distance or a short drive. For those looking to unwind and relax, the Fallsview Casino is a high-end entertainment complex, with hotel, shops, bars and a popular nightclub. Other attractions range from circus-like fun houses, haunted houses, campy museums and vintage candy stores of the tourist section to the Niagara Botanical Garden and the Skylon Tower.
There are many tour operators who specialize in a wide variety of tours, ranging from jet boat tours that navigate the rapids on the Niagara river and helicopter tours to wine-tasting tours and weekend tours of the surrounding areas. One of the most popular sightseeing tours is the double-decker bus tour that takes tourists on an all-encompassing tour of the city on the Canadian side.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is located approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the falls and has been described as one of the most beautiful areas in Canada. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to many quaint shops and vineyards. There are tour operators who specialize in wine-tasting and vineyard tours. This allows visitors to sample the award-winning wines from the Niagara region. Almost every vineyard offers a tour and it is easy to stop by a vineyard for a tour at your leisure.
The American side of the falls offers a number of popular attractions such as the Aquarium of Niagara, which hosts over 1,500 different species of aquatic animals. There are also a number of world-class golf courses in the Niagara region such as the Hyde Park Golf Course, which offers two 9-hole courses and one-18 hole course. The Niagara Arts & Cultural Center covers a range of artistic expressions with 70 studios devoted to different art forms. The Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel, located a few blocks from the falls, offers a spa and entertainment centers as well as many restaurants.
