Weekend Trip to Niagara Falls: The Best 2 Day Itinerary

Weekend Trip to Niagara Falls: Day 1

It's the first day of our weekend trip to Niagara Falls, and we are going to make the most of it. This will be a pretty packed day with plenty of action.

Feel free to visit the ones that appeal to you most or hit up all of these Niagara Falls attractions. You can also move some of these to day two if you run out of time.

If you plan to visit several attractions (like all the ones on this list), I suggest picking up a Niagara Falls Pass. There are three tiers of passes based on how many attractions you intend to visit. It's more cost effective to purchase a pass than individual tickets.

Niagara Parks Botanical Garden and Butterfly Conservatory

Often overlooked by the Falls themselves, Niagara Falls is home to some beautiful gardens and conservatories. The Niagara Parks Botanical Garden spans 99 acres and recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. It's free to visit the garden.

Go for a stroll through the outdoor gardens to discover stunning blooms, meticulously manicured landscapes, and some of its vegetable gardens. Niagara Parks' horticulture team has both indoor and outdoor gardens where the harvests support the garden-to-table approach for local restaurants.

Then, check out the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory that's located on site. It's one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatories in North America and home to 2000 free flying butterflies.

This tropical habitat features lush greenery and flowering plants all around. There are also little waterfalls and immersive pathways where you'll need to be on the lookout for vibrant butterflies.

Niagara Helicopter Tour

Niagara Helicopters allows you to see Niagara Falls like you haven't before. Board a helicopter for an aerial perspective of the Falls, the Niagara River and the whirlpool rapids.

They've been in operation for over 50 years and run helicopter tours all year long, from 9am to sunset (weather dependent). No pre-booking is required, simply show up.

There's commentary available in 12 different languages, just specify which language you'd like when you pay for your ticket. The entire flight time, including boarding, is 12 minutes in length (the helicopter flight is about 8 minutes long).

Lunch at Queen Victoria Place Restaurant

Queen Victoria Place Restaurant is located inside a historic building and offers views of Niagara Falls while you dine there. The building itself was originally known as The Refectory. It was constructed in 1904 as a dining hall and administration building to serve visitors and house offices for the Niagara Parks Commission.

Nowadays, taste local cuisine through a menu designed by Executive Chef Matt Hemmingsen. Chef Matt works with Niagara producers, wineries and craft breweries to highlight what's in season.

Some of the ingredients are even harvested at Niagara Parks' own gardens and local farms! There are a number of vegan and vegetarian offerings that are clearly marked on the menu.

I tried the crispy fried cauliflower (in a gochujang sauce) and the black bean burger for my main dish. To drink, the "fauxjito" was super refreshing and tasty (raspberries, strawberries, lime and mint).

Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour

If there's one truly iconic Niagara Falls experience, it's the Niagara City Cruises Voyage to the Falls boat tour. If you want to get as close as possible to the Falls by water, this is the tour to take.

Pull that bright red rain poncho over your head and prepare to get wet! Your 20-minute boat tour will take you past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and circles past the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

While you can stay indoors, the best view is from the top deck. Gather around the front edge of the railing for the ultimate thrilling ride. While you won't go completely beneath the Horseshoe Falls (the flow of water is super intense), you get as close as possible.

In my opinion, this is an absolute must when taking a weekend trip to Niagara Falls. This is the quintessential experience that I've enjoyed numerous times and always take friends when they travel here.

Niagara Takes Flight

Niagara Takes Flight: A Soaring Adventure is the newest attraction in Niagara Falls, and it's not to be missed. This is a fully-immersive flying theatre ride where you'll fly right over Niagara Falls and beyond.

You'll experience Niagara Falls in a way that you never have before. Between the motion of the theatre, the stunning visuals, and the sensory effects (the mist of the Falls has a unique scent, which they've captured perfectly), you'll feel like you are truly flying across the landscapes.

See Niagara Falls from a unique perspective in all seasons along all 56km of the Niagara River corridor. This theatre ride left us in awe and we wanted to immediately ride it again!

Journey Behind the Falls

Journey Behind the Falls offers a truly unique way to experience this majestic waterfall, from behind the cascade itself. This self-guided tour leads you through tunnels carved more than 130 years ago.

We could feel the raw power of the Falls plunging over the rocky cliffs all around us. Multiple cave entrances give you a dramatic view of the water thundering down just feet away. It's incredible to see the immense and endless flow of water pouring over the edge.

The highlight of the tour is the outdoor observation deck at the end of the tunnel system. Standing right beside the waterfall, feeling the powerful mist and water in your face is something you'll never forget.

Thankfully, a complimentary poncho is included because you're going to need it! Journey Behind the Falls is an attraction you can experience year round and during all types of weather.

The newest experience at Journey Behind the Falls is Journey at Night. You can now visit past 10:00pm and even catch glimpses of the nightly fireworks show from the outdoor observation deck.

See Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls Lookout)

Of course, you need to see Niagara Falls from as many perspectives as possible. Niagara Falls isn't close to being the tallest waterfall in the world; it's the sheer volume of water that makes it such a sight to behold.

A whopping six million cubic feet of water plunges over the falls every single minute. It's hard to fathom how much water is flowing over the gorge, even when you see it in person.

One of the best free lookout spots is simply marked as "Horseshoe Falls Lookout" on Google Maps. Walk outside of the Table Rock Welcome Centre and you'll be right against the edge of the Horseshoe Falls.

Walk along the paved path that follows the Niagara River Parkway for numerous magnificent views of the Falls.

Dinner at Table Rock House Restaurant

Table Rock House Restaurant is just about as close as you can get to dining at the Falls. It's right in front of the Horseshoe Falls!

Not only is the view incredible, but the food is delicious, too. There's an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients for fresh meals at Table Rock House Restaurant.

Table Rock House Restaurant is Feast On certified with the Culinary Tourism Alliance. Many of the ingredients in their dishes are locally sourced from Niagara region or throughout Ontario.

The menu itself is internationally inspired. For vegans like myself, there's crispy Brussel sprouts and a Mediterranean falafel, though the menu changes throughout the seasons.

Niagara Parks Power Station at Night

Niagara Parks Power Station explores the history and engineering marvels of the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River.

Though this power station remained closed and dormant for many years, it's now an awesome experience that's equally entertaining and educational. There are many interactive and immersive exhibits that are interesting for kids and adults alike.

You can visit during the day and again at night for two different experiences. By day, don't miss the Tesla Coil demonstration. It's history, science, and spectacle, all in one. At night, Currents is a mesmerizing light and sound show that we truly loved.

Next, descend down into The Tunnel. Take the transparent elevator to descend 180 feet below the surface, while marveling at the massive gears and machinery within the depths of the power station.

Then, walk from the elevator through a 2200 foot long tunnel, learning some unique facts and stories about the power station along the way.

Finally, there's a viewing platform at ground level near the base of Niagara Falls. Enjoy the beauty of the Falls from a new perspective. At night, The Tunnel is completely illuminated by brilliant LED lights. At 10pm, you can watch the fireworks show from the platform.

For a fully guided tour, check out Niagara Underground by Walks. This small guided tour includes the opportunity to learn more about the history of hydroelectric power and Nikola Tesla, venture down to The Tunnel, and as a special bonus, travel to the top of the Skylon Tower.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls

We spent one night at the Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview Hotel. Our spacious room offered amazing views of the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. It's also connected directly to Fallsview Casino Resort.

Aside from the view and the comfortable stay, we enjoyed breakfast at one of four on-site restaurants at the top of the tower. Now, this is breakfast with a view! Our avocado toasts were delicious, too.

There are also two indoor pools, a 24-hour gym and a Starbucks in the lobby. Book your stay at the Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview Hotel.

More Places to Stay in Niagara Falls

Here's a handy map with even more accommodations in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Enter your travel dates for more accurate details. Click on each property to learn more and book your stay.

Weekend Trip to Niagara Falls: Day 2

It's day two of our weekend trip to Niagara Falls. Today, we'll visit a few popular attractions and a couple of lesser visited ones, including a hike at the gorgeous Niagara Glen.

Talk about save the best until last. While this is down the river from Niagara Falls, it's the best place to hike around the Niagara Gorge. If you love nature, it will surely be a highlight of your weekend trip to Niagara Falls.

Whirlpool Aero Car

Did you know that you can ride an antique cable car over the Niagara whirlpool rapids themselves? The Whirlpool Aero Car is an attraction that dates back to the 1800s!

The beloved Whirlpool Aero Car can be credited to a visionary Spanish engineer who designed the cable car. Since 1916, it has been gliding high above the Niagara Gorge, providing unobstructed views of the swirling whirlpool rapids from a mesmerizing vantage point.

The cable car has undergone several significant upgrades over the years, including a major restoration in the winter of 2023. Despite these modern enhancements, the original design has been carefully preserved, allowing visitors to enjoy the same classic experience that has captivated passengers for more than a century.

White Water Walk

Want to get even closer to some of the wildest rapids in Canada? The White Water Walk is a breathtaking quarter-mile boardwalk at the edge of the river. Get closer to the Niagara River than ever before.

First, you'll take an elevator down 70 meters to the base of the gorge. Walk across a wooden boardwalk that follows the rushing waters of the river. There are a couple of lookout points along the way that are even closer to the water!

Just how fast moving is the water in this river? These are class six white-water rapids, among the most intense in the world. The Niagara Whirlpool Rapids are four kilometres of three to five metre standing waves.

These rapids are not caused by rock formations at the bottom of the river bed. Instead, it's the force of the water (both volume and speed) that creates these raging rapids.

The main boardwalk is also wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. There's signage along the journey with some intriguing facts about the region. Plus, there are numerous photo opportunities to capture some amazing memories.

Floral Showhouse

The Floral Showhouse offers a brilliant display of plants and flowers inside three main greenhouses, as well as a tropical foyer. Some of the plants change with the seasons, so it could be a new experience every time you visit.

They also have an impressive collection of orchids, succulents, cacti, and other tropical plant species that you can see anytime of year.

I also adored the outdoor "Life on Display" miniature village with dozens of tiny replica homes and Ontario landmarks. There are colourful homes, treehouses, and a miniature train that winds around the property.

Lunch at Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar

Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar is the newest upscale casual restaurant with fantastic views of the Horseshoe Falls. This is the closest patio to the Falls!

The menu celebrates the local flavours of Niagara region, including a selection of Niagara VQA wines, craft beers, ciders and spirits.

Although they were out of the veggie burger that I wanted to order, I enjoyed the Niagara Sumac Fattoush Salad. Reservations aren't available, this restaurant is walk-in only.

Niagara Glen

Niagara Glen is one of the best places to go hiking in Ontario, located deep within the Niagara Gorge. This 4km trail meanders through the flourishing Carolinian forest as you descend into the gorge.

Part of the Carolinian Life Zone, this forest region across Southern Ontario supports the most productive and endangered array of flora and fauna in the country.

There are ancient rock formations, rugged cliffs, and massive boulders all around, which is why it's also a popular destination for bouldering. Continue your nature hike to the edge of the rushing blue-green waters of the Niagara River.

Now, be sure to keep to the path and don't get too close to the river (and certainly don't get into the water!). These are class six rapids and some of the fastest moving whitewater rapids in North America. Admire the river from a safe distance.

Before you begin your hike, stop by the Niagara Glen Nature Centre for visitor information, refreshments, maps or souvenirs.

Make sure you borrow a free audio device (or download the app on your phone in advance - Apple / Google) for Rekindling All Our Relations: An Indigenous Audio Tour of the Niagara Glen.

Bonus: Clifton Hill

If you find yourself with more time at the end of the day, you can go for a walk around Clifton Hill. It's a very touristy and pretty kitschy spot in town, and it won't be everyone's cup of tea.

Even though I haven't focused on it much in this itinerary, there are a couple of spots that we have thought to be pretty fun in the past: Dinosaur Adventure Golf and the Niagara SkyWheel.

I wouldn't say that any spots on Clifton Hill are necessary for your trip to the Falls, but you might want to go for a walk around the area regardless. It's also a fun place for the kids if you're visiting Niagara Falls as a family.

More Blog Posts About Niagara Falls

Want to read more about Niagara Falls? As someone who has been more times than I can count, I have numerous articles about planning a trip to the Falls.

• One Day in Niagara Falls Itinerary
• How to Visit Niagara Falls in the Fall
• How to Visit Niagara Falls in the Winter
• Experience Niagara Falls in 5 Ways
• Cycling in Niagara with Ontario By Bike