Niagara Falls Sights

Sights in Niagara Falls

  1. A

    Butterfly Conservatory

    Inside the botanical gardens, the conservatory has more than 50 species of butterflies (some as big as birds) flitting around 130 species of flowers and plants. This is also a breeding facility where you can see young butterflies released.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Queenston Heights Park

    In Queenston village, a snoozy historic throwback north of the falls near the Lewiston Bridge to the US, is Queenston Heights Park, a national historic site. Here, the commanding Brock Monument honors Major General Sir Isaac Brock, ‘Savior of Upper Canada.’ The tower stairwell was closed for repairs during research, but might open by the time you visit. Self-guided walking tours of the hillside recount the 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights, a British victory that helped Canada resist becoming part of the USA.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Niagara Glen Nature Reserve

    About 8km north of the falls is this exceptional reserve, where you can get a sense of what the area was like pre-Europeans. There are 4km of walking trails winding down into a gorge, past huge boulders, cold caves, wildflowers and woods. The Niagara Parks Commission offers guided nature walks daily during the summer season for a nominal fee. Bring something to drink – the water in the Niagara River is far from clean.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Daredevil Gallery

    The most engaging thing around here is the Daredevil Gallery attached to IMAX Niagara. Scratch your head in amazement at the battered collection of barrels and padded bubbles in which people have ridden over the falls (not all of them successfully). There’s also a history of falls ‘funambulism’ (tightrope walking) here.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Floral Showhouse

    Around 1km south of Horseshoe Falls, the showhouse offers year-round floral displays and some warm respite on a chilly day. Opposite, lodged on rocks in the rapids, the Old Scow is a rusty steel barge that’s been waiting to be washed over the falls since 1918 – a teetering symbol of Western imperialism, perhaps?

    reviewed

  6. F

    Laura Secord Homestead

    The demure Laura Secord Homestead celebrates a Canadian heroine who lived here during the War of 1812. She’s famous for booting it nearly 30km to warn the British soldiers of impending attack by the USA – even though she was a US citizen. The rose garden out front was planted by Laura herself.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa

    If the tourist bustle is messing with your yang, find tranquility at the totally out-of-context Buddhist temple Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa. Visitors are welcome to wander the serene complex and view the various sculptures, bells and artworks.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Konica Minolta Tower

    Leering over the falls, the Minolta Tower is a bodacious vantage point, with indoor and outdoor observation galleries. On a clear day the view extends from Toronto to Buffalo, New York. There’s a restaurant and hotel here, too.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Bird Kingdom

    The jungly Bird Kingdom claims to be the world’s largest indoor aviary, with 400 species of free-flying tropical birds from around the globe. You can also buddy-up with a boa constrictor in the Reptile Encounter Zone.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum

    This ivy-covered museum was where the esteemed William Lyon Mackenzieonce edited the hell-raising Colonial Advocate. Enthusiastic young staff conduct tours every half-hour.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Skylon Tower

    The Skylon Tower is a 158m spire with yellow elevators crawling like bugs up the exterior. The views are real eye-poppers, and the revolving restaurant is worth a spin or two.

    reviewed

  13. RiverBrink Gallery

    This gallery houses the Samuel E Weir Collection of Canadian art, which includes early landscapes of the Niagara Peninsula and works by the Group of Seven.

    reviewed

  14. Botanical Gardens

    Almost opposite Niagara Glen are the neatly pruned botanical gardens with 40 hectares of herbs, vegetables and trees – a quiet spot to chill.

    reviewed

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