Things to do — Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is explored on foot along the Niagara Parkway (8 km from Table Rock south to the Whirlpool north). Typical 1-2 day itinerary:

Day 1 — Falls side: Table Rock Welcome Centre (iconic Horseshoe Falls viewpoint, free, parking CAD 25-35/day or WEGO shuttle CAD 12/day). Journey Behind the Falls (morning, CAD 24, tunnels drilled into the cliff behind the Horseshoe Falls water curtain — you see the fall from inside, ponchos provided, 30-45 min). Maid of the Mist (10-11am to avoid queues, CAD 32 adult/CAD 21 child, 20 min cruise from Canadian side on Hornblower Niagara Cruises since 2014, red ponchos provided — you'll get wet but the experience is unforgettable, sensation at the heart of the roar and mist). Niagara Parks Power Station (historic 1905 hydroelectric station opened to the public since 2021, CAD 35 adult with night show Currents, CAD 12 for simple visit). Skylon Tower (236 m, CAD 23 for observation platform, CAD 40-65 for revolving Skylon Tower restaurant — 360° panoramic view over the three falls, ideal for lunch). Afternoon Clifton Hill (Las Vegas-style shopping street with Niagara SkyWheel CAD 16, Ripley's Believe It or Not CAD 16, ghost ride, casinos — to see once for the kitsch). Evening: falls illuminations (free, from Table Rock or Skylon Tower, 5h each evening, LED projectors in colours, fireworks weekends from May to October).

Day 2 — Niagara-on-the-Lake and wine route (by car or with guided excursion CAD 100-180/person): Niagara Parkway to the north (30 min scenic drive, along the Niagara River, view of Whirlpool eddies, 1916 Whirlpool Aero Car cable car CAD 18), Niagara-on-the-Lake (perfectly preserved 19th-century historic village, one of Canada's most beautiful towns, pedestrian Queen Street with shops and restaurants). Vineyard tastings (CAD 20-40 tasting with 4-6 wines, ideally 2-3 vineyards per day): Inniskillin (Canadian icewine pioneer since 1975, world-ranked top, iconic icewine tasting at CAD 35), Peller Estates (the 10Below Wine Tasting Lounge where the cellar is at -10 °C to taste icewine, CAD 50), Konzelmann Estate Winery (German family cellar, Lake Ontario view), Trius Winery, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery. Lunch Treadwell Cuisine or Backhouse (gastronomic). Shaw Festival (theatre, April-October, plays by George Bernard Shaw and contemporaries, CAD 80-130/seat).

Optional excursions: Fort George (historic fort 1796-1815, site of the War of 1812 between English and Americans, free-CAD 12), Welland Canal (42 km canal bypassing the falls for navigation between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, locks visible at Saint Catharines), Buffalo and Niagara Falls USA (30 min by car, border crossing requires passport and US visa or ESTA — access Niagara Falls State Park, Cave of the Winds, American observation tower, interesting but secondary vs Canadian side).