Contents

The best time to visit Niagara Falls: Hours and seasonal tips

Today

Open 8:30pm–2am

Niagara falls light show

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS
Monday 8:30pm–2:00am
Tuesday (Today)8:30pm–2:00am
Wednesday 8:30pm–2:00am
Thursday 8:30pm–2:00am
Friday 8:30pm–2:00am
Saturday 8:30pm–2:00am
Sunday 8:30pm–2:00am
Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Timings of Niagara Falls attractions

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Journey Behind the Falls

Location: Canada

Opens: Between 8am and 9am, depending on the month
Closes: Between 7pm and 10pm, depending on the day

Operating months: All year  

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Hornblower Cruise

Location: Canada

Opens: Between 8:30am and 10am, depending on the day
Closes: Between 4:30pm and 8:30pm, depending on the month

Operating months: May to November 

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Skylon Tower

Location: Canada

Opens: 9am
Closes: 11pm from Monday to Thursday and 12am from Friday to Sunday

Operating months: All year 

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

The Tunnel at Niagara Parks Power Station

Location: Canada

Opens: 10am
Closes: Between 5pm and 7pm, depending on the month

Operating months: All year

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Night Illumination

Location: Canada & US

Starts: Between 4:30pm and 8:30pm, depending on the month
Ends: Between 1am and 2am, depending on the month

Operating months: All year

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Maid of the Mist

Location: US

Opens: Between 9am and 10am, depending on the day
Closes: Between 5pm and 8pm, depending on the month

Operating months: April to November 

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Cave of the Winds

Location: US

Opens: 9am
Closes: Between 4pm and 9:15pm, depending on the day

Operating months: Year round except on public holidays 

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Niagara SkyWheel

Location: Canada

Opens: 9:30am
Closes: Between 1am and 2am, depending on the day

Operating months: All year

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Butterfly Conservatory

Location: Canada

Opens: Between 9am and 10am, depending on the month
Closes: Between 5pm and 7pm, depending on the season

Operating months: Year round except on public holidays 

(Hours will vary seasonally. Find the seasonal opening hours here.)

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Weekday vs Weekend

  • If you want to avoid excessive crowds, head over to Niagara Falls between Monday and Friday. Visiting on a weekday offers you shorter lines at attractions, easier parking, and a more relaxed experience overall.
  • But if you would like to watch the surrounding areas come alive, make your way to Niagara Falls on the weekend to participate in special events, activities, and watch performances.
Best time to visit Niagara Falls

Peak season vs Low season

  • During peak season (June to August), you will find all the attractions and activities open and fully operational. Many attractions have extended hours, giving you more time to explore and enjoy the Falls.
  • Hotels and flights are often cheaper during low season (November to April), allowing you to visit Niagara Falls on a smaller budget while also seeing the Falls turn into a partially frozen winter wonderland.

How long should I spend at Niagara Falls?

Keep aside a minimum of one full day for your trip to Niagara Falls. This allows you to cover the main highlights on either side of the Falls, including visiting one of the observation decks, walking through Niagara Falls State Park, enjoying the panoramic views from the Skylon Tower, and taking a boat ride on Maid of the Mist or Hornblower Niagara Cruise.

For a more relaxed visit, spread your trip over two or three days and visit both the US and Canadian sides of the Falls to get the full Niagara experience. With more time, you can also enjoy additional activities like the Whirlpool Aero Car, hiking on one of the Niagara Gorge trails, exploring Niagara-on-the-Lake, and visiting the Aquarium of Niagara.

Frequently asked questions about Niagara Falls hours

Is Niagara Falls open to the public throughout the year?

The Falls and their observation decks are open all year round, but many attractions are seasonal.

Are the boat tours operational year-round?

The boat tours at Niagara Falls are operational based on the season. The Hornblower Cruise is open from May to November, and Maid of the Mist from April to November.

Which attractions are seasonal and which ones are open throughout the year?

Indoor attractions like the Aquarium of Niagara and Skylon Tower are open throughout the year. Other attractions, like Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds, are open only during the warmer months.

Does it make sense to visit Niagara Falls during the winter months?

Visiting Niagara Falls during the winter lets you experience the Falls in a unique half-frozen state. It is a great way to see how nature takes its effect even on this majestic body of water.

Is it worth visiting Niagara Falls for an hour or two?

Yes! While spending a day or more at the Falls and its attractions is ideal, even an hour at the observation deck is an experience you must take advantage of. Being in the presence of the majestic Falls and its thundering waters is definitely worth the trip.

How can I spend half a day at Niagara Falls in Canada?

If you have only half a day to spare for your visit to Niagara Falls in Canada, spend your time on Journey Behind the Falls, Hornblower Cruise, and by visiting The Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station.

What can I do in half a day at Niagara Falls, USA?

The must-visit attractions at Niagara Falls, USA, that you can cover in half a day are the Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist boat tour, and the hiking trails at Niagara Falls State Park.

How long does it take to cross the Rainbow Bridge?

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge on a good day takes about 10-15 minutes, apart from 15 minutes of clearing customs. But if it's a busy day during peak season, expect this to take you about an hour at least because of traffic.

Are there any night-time events or attractions at Niagara Falls?

Every night, you can head over to any of the viewing points by the Niagara to watch the illumination of the falls and night-time fireworks. Apart from this, you can also take a night cruise to enjoy this spectacle from the water.

Are there specific times when the falls are illuminated?

Yes, Niagara Falls is illuminated every day. It starts in the evening and remains till midnight. However, timings can be slightly different according to season or holidays.

What time do the fireworks start, and on which days are they held?

Niagara Falls fireworks start every day at 10pm for the summer season. For the winter season, fireworks begin at 8pm.

How long does it take to go to Niagara Falls from New York by road?

Your drive from New York to Niagara Falls will take about 6.5 hours.

How long does it take to drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls?

It takes anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic, to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto.