Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tours

Maid of the Mist, Butterfly Conservatory, White Water Walk, and Journey Behind the Falls Pass

Maid of the Mist

Second only to the diverse majesty of Niagara Falls, the many ways to see those sights will astound you. Be it by water, by air, by bus or limousine, there is something here for everyone.

Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist Tour

• Sightseers of all ages who enjoy being on the water will enjoy the 30-minute maid of the mist tours, which offer a breathtaking view of the falls that people have been enjoying since 1846. You can't get any closer than this. The sturdy boat takes visitors to the base of the American Falls and then on to the basin of the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Expect to get at least a little wet as you appreciate the power of the falls up close.
• The renowned maid of the mist leaves every 30 minutes seven days a week during operating hours, which are generally 9:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. but vary by day of the week and the time of year. The season typically runs from April to October and depends on river conditions. Departure points are Queen Victoria Park at the foot of Clifton Hill on the Canadian side and the base of Observation Tower and Prospect Point on the American side. Put on casual clothes and don't forget to don the hooded raincoat they'll hand you on the boat. You should also make sure camera equipment is shielded from the falls' mighty mists. The tour is handicap accessible, but caution should be taken on the sometimes slippery boat deck.

Niagara Falls Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour

• If you want more than a lazy cruise, check out the supercharged aqua excursions offered by Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. There's the "Wet Jet" option if you really want to get wet, or the "Jet Dome" if you want all the speed in a drier atmosphere. Either way, you'll be treated to 18 miles of Niagara Falls beauty and a trip into the raging Whirlpool.

Niagara Falls Fly Niagara Tour

• If the view from the air is more your speed, there are 20-minute and 30-minute fully narrated tours piloted by Fly Niagara. Bypass the crowds on the ground and get one-of-a-kind views of the falls along with Niagara Wine Country, Queenston Heights, the southern shore of Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal. Tourists of all ages can relax and enjoy the view from the FAA-certified, state-of-the-art Cessna flown by commercially licensed professional pilots. There are forward-facing seats for all passengers, cameras and video cameras are welcome, and casual dress is recommended. Tours depart from Niagara District airport every 30 minutes seven days a week between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. The attraction price includes the tour, parking, all taxes and airport fees. Discounts are available for older children and children younger than 2 years old fly free.
• Fly Niagara also offers an extravagant Fly and Wine tour, which takes you to three different wineries in Niagara Wine Country via a state-of-the-art Cessna aircraft after being chauffeured to the airport in a classic convertible automobile. The highlights included in the 20-minute and 30-minute tours are also part of this tour, which lasts about two and a half hours. Passengers must be at least 21 years old and elegant casual dress is appropriate.

Niagara Falls Canadian Rainbow Tour

• If you want to see it all, the Canadian Rainbow Tour is just the thing and is appropriate for all ages. This four-hour narrated sightseeing adventure via motorcoach includes the maid of the mist tour if you go between May and October and the Niagara Falls Aviary and Winery Tour and Tasting if your trip is between October and April. Other attractions along the way include Skylon Tower, Table Rock House, Queen Victoria Park, the Niagara power plants, the Floral Clock, the churning Whirlpool and a host of others.

Niagara Falls American Adventure Bus Tour

• The American Adventure Bus Tour focuses on nature, including the Cave of the Winds, the Prospect Observation Tower, the glass elevator to the bottom of Niagara Gorge and the maid of the mist tour. Other sites include Goat Island, Luna Island, Three Sisters Islands, a movie about Niagara Falls and American, Bridal Veil and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Tours depart daily from the Hershey Store across from the falls at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. and you can park in the nearby casino parking lot during the excursion, which lasts about four or five hours. You should wear casual clothes, waterproof your cameras and make sure to put on the raincoat you'll be handed on the boat. Sightseers of all ages will enjoy the trip, but visitors to the Cave of the Winds must be at least 42 inches tall. The bus is accessible to handicapped tourists, although the wet boat ride includes slippery surfaces.

Niagara Falls Presidential Tour

• Want a little luxury while you see the sights? The Niagara Falls Presidential Tour isn't in just any run-of-the-mill motorcoach. Tourists ages 3 and up are chauffeured in a stretch limo-bus to the best the area has to offer — the maid of the mist boat ride, Cave of the Winds, Skylon Tower, the Water Boardwalk, Falls Observation Tower, the Floral Clock and a move about Niagara Falls, just to name a few. You'll have time to explore each stop on your own. Then there's gourmet dining at the Table Rock Restaurant, which has an outstanding view of the falls. Dinner, transportation and admission to attractions are included in the tour price, and you'll even get a souvenir photo of yourself and your tour guide — not that you could ever forget this trip!
• The 10-hour Presidential Tour departs from your hotel daily at noon. Be sure to bring your camera, but waterproof it for the wet portions of the tour when you get up close and personal with the Niagara's legendary mists. Dress casually and be ready to do some walking. Snack bars are located at numerous stops should you need to refuel before dinner.

Niagara Falls VIP Tour

• Also appropriate for ages 3 and up, the VIP Tour is fully narrated and features the maid of the mist, Skylon Tower's amazing view of the skyline, and a visit to Prospect Point Observation Tower. You'll finish off your day with a buffet feast at the Sheraton on the Falls penthouse restaurant. Motorcoach transportation, dinner and admission to attractions is included in the price of the 8-hour tour, which leaves daily at 2 p.m. Departures are from the Hershey Store across the street from Niagara Falls, and pickup service is also available at most downtown hotels. Cameras are welcome, but like the rest of the Niagara Falls tours, cover them and yourself up when things get wet. Dress casually, use the raincoat you'll be provided on the maid of the mist, and look forward to walking around and exploring on your own at most of the tour stops. This tour is handicap accessible, but be careful on wet surfaces.