Niagara Falls Itinerary – How to Visit Niagara Falls in One Day

Follow this Niagara Falls itinerary if you’re short on time and want to visit Niagara Falls in one day. While it’s easy to take a day trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto, the Niagara region is really beautiful and is worthy of a longer stay. My pick is to base yourself nearby and take a Niagara Falls day trip from picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Tips for Your Day Trip to Niagara Falls Canada

Niagara Falls Itinerary Starting Point – Niagara-on-the-Lake

This Niagara Falls itinerary starts in Niagara-On-The-Lake, but can easily be travelled in reverse order starting at Niagara Falls. While you can take a Niagara Falls day trip from from Toronto, I’d encourage you to spend a couple of nights in the ridiculously gorgeous town of Niagara-On-The-Lake with its quaint old town feel and new world wineries. (Heck, it’s so cute I’d stay for a week or three).

Similarly, while it would be easy to spend an entire day simply admiring the power and beauty of Niagara Falls itself (or themselves, more accurately, since there are multiple falls), the surrounding area is pretty stunning and shouldn’t be missed during your day trip to Niagara Falls. With this Niagara Falls 1 day itinerary, the entire day is a treat as the drive takes you along the river past grand houses and pretty wineries.

Niagara Parks Pass

The best value way to visit Niagara Falls Canada is to pick up a Niagara Parks Pass. The passes can be used all season and include entry tickets to key attractions and the WEGO bus pass for getting around Niagara Falls. There are three different Niagara Parks Passes available depending on how many attractions you want to visit. 

Each of the three Niagara Parks Passes includes entry to Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara’s Fury and White Water Walk, along with a 2-day WEGO bus pass. The two more expensive passes also include entry to other attractions such as the Whirlpool Aero Car, the Floral Showhouse, the Butterfly Conservatory, heritage sites, the Falls Incline Railway and the NOTL shuttle. Too easy!

 The ever popular Niagara Falls boat tour is no longer included in the Niagara Parks Pass. The Niagara Falls boat tour runs from around May to November, with opening and closing dates subject to the weather conditions. Pick up your boat ticket from Niagara City Cruises to see the power of the incredible Horseshoe Falls up close and personal.

Niagara Falls Day Trip Transport – WEGO Bus or Self Drive

WEGO Bus: You can get between Fort George (Stop 1) the the Floral Clock (Stop 3) on the Niagara-on-the-Lake shuttle (April to October), and from the Floral Clock (Stop 3) to Niagara Falls (Stop 8) on the Niagara WEGO Bus. WEGO bus tickets are included with your Niagara Parks Pass (see above). The NOTL Shuttle is either $16 return or included with the (more expensive) Niagara Parks Pass ‘plus’ option.

Self Drive: If you prefer to drive, there’s parking lots near all the main Niagara Falls attractions. Pick up a daily parking pass when you arrive.

Niagara Falls One Day Itinerary – Canada Side

This itinerary for Niagara Falls packs a lot in in one day, and is designed to pick and choose between the Niagara Falls attractions that you want to visit the most.

During our 1 day Niagara Falls itinerary, we visited all the stops below except Stops 1 and 7. We were staying in Niagara on the Lake, so left our Fort George National Historic Site to another day.

We also visited during the low season in May, which made our Niagara Falls sightseeing faster for two reasons. First, low season = fewer tourists = no lines. Yay! Secondly, the Niagara boat tours do not run during this season (boo!), so we didn’t spend as much time at Niagara Falls themselves as we otherwise would have.

Stop 1: Fort George National Historic Site

Distance: 1km from Niagara-On-The-Lake old town

Start your Niagara Falls one day adventure with a little history lesson. Niagara-On-The-Lake is steeped in history, with significant ‘firsts’ including Canada’s first printing press and the oldest golf course in North America, and historic events including the Battle of 1812 when the Canadians gallantly held off the Americans at Fort George.

Wander around the Fort George National Historic Site yourself, or join the daily programs including the flag raising ceremony, musket shooting demonstrations and guided tours. The daily program depends on the time of year, so be sure to check out the schedule first.

While I usually prefer to be left to my own devices at tourist sites, I must admit that I got a lot more from the Fort George experience by joining the musket demonstration and guided tour. Otherwise, my wandering may have been a little aimless, as Fort George is really a large field with various old barracks and buildings!

Stop 2: Queenston Heights Park & Brock Monument

Distance: Queenston Heights Park is another 11km down the river from Fort George National Historic Site.

Next take a pleasant drive along the Niagara River (or in the NOTL shuttle) past grand estates and wineries to Queenston Heights Park.

(Public Service Announcement: This drive may take longer than expected if you get distracted by the picturesque Niagara-On-The-Lake wineries. You have been duly warned.)

Queenston Heights Park has epic views over the Niagara River and is home to the historic Brock Monument. Brock Monument is a rather colossal 50m+ high column dedicated to Major General Sir Issac Brock, a Canadian war hero who died leading the charge against the Americans at the Battle of 1812.

Stop 3: Niagara Falls Floral Clock

Distance: The Floral Clock is 2km from Queenston Heights Park.

Just a hop and a step down the river you’ll come across the Niagara Falls Floral Clock, a kinda-cool / kinda-kitch massive clock with intricate botanical designs. The floral clock’s design measures approximately 40 feet / 12 metres across, is changed twice yearly and is made with 15,000-20,000 plants.

Pop around the back of the floral clock and (if the tower door is open) duck inside to see the inner workings of the clock and photos of previous clock designs.

Stop 4: Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory

Distance: The Butterfly Conservatory is 2.5km from the Floral Clock.

I’m a sucker for a pretty butterfly, so was giddy like a child at the thought of visiting the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. Explore the indoor conservatory (pleasantly warm on a chilly spring day!) and check out an array of tropical butterflies in rainbow shades of orange, blue and yellow.

My personal favourite butterfly was the Blue Morpho. Its wings are a spectacular iridescent blue on the inside and a rather unassuming but intricately patterned beige on the outside. Old Morpho is a sneaky one, and flutters around at the speed of light, quickly closing its wings before you can snap its incredible colours.

Stop 5: Niagara Glen Nature Reserve

Distance: The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve is 1km from the Butterfly Conservatory.

The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve is a network of short beautiful trails with views down to the raging Niagara River rapids and the Niagara Whirpools. The paths are rugged and scenic, with towering trees and interesting boulder formations.

The trails are approximately 4km long, and are made up of a number of interlinking loop trails, so you can choose to do a short hike or the entire network. The trails start with views overlooking the Niagara River and rapids below, and descend all the way down to the river’s edge in places, where you can get up close and personal with the white water from the safety of the path.

The Niagara Glen Nature Reserve trails are not suitable for people with mobility issues, as the trails aren’t paved and in parts are rocky, steep and muddy when wet. If you don’t walk the paths, you can admire the views from near the carpark.

Stop 6: Niagara Whirlpool

Distance: The Niagara Whirpool is 3km from Niagara Glen Nature Reserve

The Niagara Whirlpool is a natural whirlpool phenomenon in the Niagara Gorge in the elbow bend in the Niagara River. The whirlpool naturally swirls in a clockwise direction.

You can check out views of the Niagara Whirlpool from near the Wildplay Niagara Falls Whirlpool Adventure Course. Alternatively, take the Niagara Falls Whirpool Aero Car, a rather precarious looking antique cable car that crosses the raging Niagara River above the Niagara Whirlpool. The Whirlpool Aero Car travels from Canada to Canada, but crosses the US-Canada border four times during its journey.

Stop 7: Niagara White Water Walk

Distance: The Niagara White Water Walk is another 500m from the Niagara Whirpools.

The Niagara Falls White Water Walk is a self guided tour along 300m of boardwalks with viewing platforms to witness the power of the white water rapids that are created when water gushes down the Niagara Gorge.

Depending on your tastes and how much time you have, you might want to do just some of the Niagara River attractions (Stops 5-7) and leave more time for Niagara Falls.

Stop 8: Niagara Falls

Distance: Niagara Falls are approximately 4-5km from the Niagara Whirlpool.

Last stop on your Niagara Falls itinerary is the main event. The big daddy. Quite possibly the reason you visited Niagara: to witness the thundering natural wonder of Niagara Falls.

By now, you might be just a little peckish. You might even be feeling hangry. The Keg is a good option for lunch, and is on the 9th floor with stunning views over the Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls is actually made up of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls (biggest to smallest). The Horseshoe Falls are the iconic horseshoe shaped falls (funny that) that join Canada and the US across the Niagara River, at a whooping 2200 feet / 670 metres.

Fun fact: The first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (yes, a barrel) was 63 year old Annie Taylor in 1901, two days after successfully testing the mission by sending a cat in a barrel over first.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can either simply walk along the pathway and admire Niagara Falls (and get a leeeetle wet in the process) or join some of the many Niagara Falls activities below, which are all within walking distance or a short WEGO ride away.

Niagara Falls Canada Attractions

The main Niagara Falls Canada attractions are:

Niagara City Cruises

If you want to take a boat to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, then Niagara City Cruises is what you’re after, as it’s the only boat tour operator in Niagara Falls Canada. Their 20 minute Voyage to the Falls boat tour cruises past the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls to the crown jewel Horseshoe Falls, and is included in the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass.

Niagara City Cruises only operates in the peak season (late May to October or November), so unfortunately we missed out when we visited in early May.

Journey Behind the Falls

Pop a poncho on and head underground to experience the true power of the falls from underneath and behind the falls, with Niagara’s Journey Behind the Falls. After descending over 100ft underground in the elevator, you’ll walk through short tunnels with interesting information on the history of the tunnels and the Falls.

There’s a couple of portals to see behind the falls and two observation decks. On all of these, you’ll experience the incredible natural wonder of Niagara Falls with all your senses as over 3000 tonnes of water flows over Niagara Falls every second. Yup, every second. At the Journey Behind the Falls, you can see the gushing water, feel the spray, hear the power and even smell the water.

Journey Behind the Falls is open year round and is included in the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass and Wonder Pass.

Niagara’s Fury

Niagara’s Fury is a multi-sensory theatre experience that retells the creation of Niagara Falls during the last Ice Age. Expect a 360 degree, 4D experience including temperature changes and (more!) spraying mist.

Niagara’s Fury seemed a bit theme park like and family friendly for our tastes so we gave it a miss, but I’m sure the kids would love it!

Niagara’s Fury is open year round and is included in the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass and Wonder Pass.

Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge

The Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge is an arch shaped bridge over the Niagara River that connects the towns of Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, US. Yup, you can walk (or drive!) between Canada and the US, and get some alternate views of the Falls along the way.

There’s a small toll to walk across the bridge, of US/CAD $1 (higher if driving). Don’t forget your passport!

Falls Incline Railway

I think funiculars as so cute, so was delighted to take the short furnicular ride up and down (and up and down again!)  between Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls town.

At the end of the day, you can hop back on the WEGO bus and then NOTL shuttle to get back to Niagara-on-the-Lake, or spend the night in Niagara Falls Town if you prefer.

I hope this guide helps you make the most out of your day trip to Niagara Falls Canada! 

Read More: If you’re trippin’ around Canada, spend a weekend in Vancouver, don’t miss the gorgeous mountain town of Banff in winter, get up to the far north and go northern lights hunting in Yellowknife, and visit a lesser known national park like Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan.

Like It? Pin It!