Visiting and learning about the history of Niagara Falls, Ontario can make for an exciting trip especially for the daredevil in your family.  The Falls, 177 feet high or 54 meters, are called the Horseshoe Falls due to their horseshoe shape (as described in 1721).
Whether you have previously been to the Falls or this is your first visit, you will notice that there is something for everyone and more than enough to keep your entire family entertained for days.  This Visitors Guide to Niagara Falls, Ontario will point out a few highlights of the area.

Adjacent to the Falls is Queen Victoria Park. This stunning yet free of charge park offers blooming gardens and offers amazing views of the Falls especially during evening fireworks and sunset. Another free place to visit is the Floral Clock. This large, 40 foot clock is made entirely of flowers and is adjacent to the Centennial Lilac Garden which blooms best in March plus features more than 250 lilac varieties.

To really learn about Falls history, make one of your first stops the IMAX theatre. Playing many times daily is the 45 minute movie, “Niagara: Miracles, Myth and Magic.” The movie is amazing and even better is the Daredevil Exhibit featuring barrels or pieces of them that have attempted the Falls. A little off the beaten path (literally) is the White Water Walk where visitors walk right next to the foaming rapids located right next to the theatre.

Don’t miss the Journey Behind the Falls where visitors, covered in protective rain gear, step out on the observation deck which is reached by climbing through many tunnels and an elevator ride. This tour is 100% self-guided meaning that you can spend as much time as you want on the observation deck.

Another way to get a bird’s eye view of the Falls is to visit the Skylon Tower.  Standing tall at 520 feet, the tower was opened in 1964 and is the tallest structure Niagara. On clear days, you can see around 80 miles. Dine at the top of the tower or visit the arcade, food court or theatre on the lower level.

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory offers visitors a climate-controlled oasis with many different species culminating into watching the butterfly break out of the chrysalides. There is even an outdoor butterfly garden that guest can visit.

The Bird Kingdom is a unique aviary that the largest in the world. You will see more than 200 exotic birds in a free flying re-created tropical paradise. This experience is so popular that the destination has won the ‘Niagara Falls Attraction of the Year’ award three times.

Looking for some evening entertainment? Consider the Niagara Grand Dinner Theatre as actors entertain the audience in this award winning venue. The food is great and reasonably priced.  Try your luck at the entertaining Casino Niagara featuring over a hundred gaming tables and slot machines in the thousands. The Casino also features five restaurants.

Don’t forget to buy the family back home some great souvenirs. Stop by the Souvenir City Headquarters where you will be treated to live glass blowing demonstrations, an extremely large chocolate and candy store plus a store carrying the finest of Native American crafts.

Visitors all have differing opinions about what is considered the best time of year to visit. Some claim that it is the winter because of the snow and freezing land giving a whole new depth to the Falls or the “Winter Festival of Lights” featuring outdoor light displays. Other visitors like the spring for the warmer temperatures or even the heat of the summer when the falls can be seen steaming on a hot day.

Whenever you are planning a vacation or trip to Niagara Falls in Ontario, make certain to visit on a Friday near where, every night during the Summer and at various times throughout the rest of the year,  you will see a huge display of fireworks with pyrotechnics being shot out through the Falls. Have a great vacation!