The ten attractions covered here are Maid of the Mist, Niagara City Cruises, Journey Behind the Falls, the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, Niagara Falls State Park, Cave of the Winds, Skylon Tower, Clifton Hill with the Niagara SkyWheel, the Whirlpool Aero Car and the Butterfly Conservatory. Seven are in Ontario, Canada, and three are in New York, USA. You can build a full visit on either side. This guide compares prices, currencies, ticket rules and seasons so you can choose a route that fits your time and the country you can visit.
What everything costs, at a glance
Prices and seasonal details checked October 7, 2026. Canadian attractions charge in CAD and U.S. attractions in USD. These are published rates, not a booking quote; taxes, ticket types and date-specific availability can change the total. The list also includes a few useful alternatives beyond the top ten.
- Niagara City Cruises (Ontario, Canada) — Voyage to the Falls starts at $47.95 CAD before tax. Check the selected date and child ticket in the official checkout. Children 2 and under are free but still need a ticket.
- Journey Behind the Falls (Ontario, Canada) — $33.00 CAD adult 13+, $21.50 CAD child 3–12.
- Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel (Ontario, Canada) — $33.00 CAD adult, $21.50 CAD child. Admission plus the 45-minute premium guided tour is $53.00 CAD adult, $34.50 CAD child.
- Whirlpool Aero Car (Ontario, Canada) — $25.00 CAD adult, $16.50 CAD child.
- Butterfly Conservatory (Ontario, Canada) — $25.00 CAD adult, $16.50 CAD child.
- White Water Walk (Ontario, Canada) — $21.00 CAD adult, $13.50 CAD child.
- Skylon Tower observation deck (Ontario, Canada) — $18.00 CAD adult 13+, $9.00 CAD child 4–12 at the published online rate; tickets bought at the tower cost more.
- Niagara SkyWheel (Ontario, Canada) — $15.00 CAD adult, $7.00 CAD child 3–12, plus HST.
- Niagara Glen hiking (Ontario, Canada) — free.
- Maid of the Mist (New York, United States) — $30.25 USD adult, $19.75 USD child 6–12, ages 5 and under free with a paying adult.
- Cave of the Winds (New York, USA) — $23 USD adult and $19 USD youth through October 18, 2026. The off-peak schedule lists $14/$10 from October 19 through March 31, 2027, but the attraction is closed October 19–20, 2026 for maintenance. Check the visit date before buying.
- Niagara Falls State Park entry (New York, USA) — free on foot. Lots 1 and 2 cost $10 USD Monday–Thursday and $15 Friday–Sunday through October 11, 2026; $10 daily from October 12 through March 31, 2027. Lot 3 has a separate seasonal schedule.
The multi-attraction passes, and when they actually save you money
Three pass questions come up constantly. Here are the answers.
Niagara Falls Pass (Niagara Parks, Ontario, Canada)
The 2026 Niagara Falls Pass is valid April 20–November 1, with adult tiers of $89 CAD Classic, $109 Plus and $129 Premium. Classic includes Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk and the Butterfly Conservatory. Plus has a different set: Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara Takes Flight, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car and Power Station self-guided admission, day or night. Do not assume Plus includes every Classic attraction. Premium adds the Butterfly Conservatory, Floral Showhouse and heritage attractions to the broader selection; check the full tier list before purchase.
Compare only the attractions and transport you will actually use. For example, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk and the Butterfly Conservatory total $79 CAD in individual adult admission, before applicable taxes. Classic costs $89, so its transport and parking benefits need to be useful to you. Pass parking is at Rapidsview Lot C, 4555 Upper Rapids Road, not a credit for Falls Parking Lot A or every Niagara Parks lot. Classic and Plus include two days of park-and-ride parking; Premium includes three. Check the separate transport validity periods and each attraction’s operating dates. Three attractions do not automatically make a pass cheaper.
Wonder Pass (Niagara Parks, Ontario, Canada)
For a winter trip, check the current Niagara Parks packages before choosing individual tickets. The previous winter edition is not evidence of the next edition’s price, dates or inclusions. As of our October 7 check, we have not verified a complete 2026–27 Wonder Pass offer and therefore do not quote one here. Build a provisional day around the year-round attractions, then compare the package available for your dates. White Water Walk and the Whirlpool Aero Car are seasonal; boat calendars must be checked separately.
Clifton Hill Fun Pass (Ontario, Canada)
The Clifton Hill Fun Pass covers six admissions: the SkyWheel, Creepy Castle, Ghost Blasters, Movieland, a choice of Wizards’ Golf or Dinosaur Adventure Golf, and a choice of Carnival Chaos or Toy Store 4D. Niagara Speedway is separate. Official pages showed different pass prices during our October 7 check, so use the live checkout for your party rather than relying on a single quoted price here. Compare that total with individual tickets for your chosen rides; the pass does not automatically save money if you will skip several inclusions.
Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass (New York, United States)
The official Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass is no longer offered. Buy the attractions you want separately, but check each operator’s booking rules: Maid of the Mist sells tickets online as well as at its ticket office; Cave of the Winds uses timed tickets sold in person. An online Maid ticket does not reserve a particular sailing: boarding remains first come, first served. A third-party bundle is a separate product whose inclusions and cancellation terms need checking.
Getting oriented: the Canadian and American sides
The Niagara River separates two different starting points. The Canadian waterfront has wide views across the falls, with Table Rock Centre beside Horseshoe Falls. On the U.S. side, Niagara Falls State Park links Prospect Point and Goat Island, with access to Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. Admission packages are operator-specific; a Niagara Parks pass does not cover the U.S. attractions. Choose the stops on your own side first, then add a crossing only if it suits your trip.
A border crossing is optional. Requirements depend on citizenship, immigration status and travel documents, and bridge queues add time. Read our Niagara Falls passport and border guide before planning to walk or drive across. You do not need to cross the border to take a boat tour into the Horseshoe Falls basin. For accommodation planning, compare hotels overlooking Niagara Falls or the family-friendly hotel guide.
1. Maid of the Mist (Niagara Falls, New York, United States)
$30.25 USD adult, $19.75 USD for children 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and under with a paying adult. The original Niagara Falls boat tour has run from the American shore since 1846 and now uses all-electric vessels that carry you past the base of the American Falls and into the churning basin below Horseshoe Falls. Ponchos are included. Boarding is at the base of the Niagara Falls Observation Tower inside the state park, so the tower elevator ride is part of the trip.
Maid of the Mist’s published 2026 season runs April 24–November 8, subject to weather and operating conditions. Its fall schedule is 9am–5pm through October 31 and 9am–4pm November 1–8; the ticket office closes before the final departure. Buy online or in person, then allow time for first-come boarding. See the Maid of the Mist place guide and the operator’s dated schedule before setting out.
2. Niagara City Cruises (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
Voyage to the Falls starts at $47.95 CAD before tax. Check the child fare for your date; children 2 and under need a free ticket. Niagara City Cruises boards from the Canadian side, with the entrance at 5920 Niagara Parkway. The roughly 20-minute trip passes the American and Bridal Veil Falls and enters the Horseshoe Falls basin; a mist poncho and English audio commentary are included.
Use the operator’s booking calendar for available dates and times. Its page describes December sailings as weather-dependent, so neither an all-winter promise nor a fixed November closing date is reliable. A booked entry window does not guarantee the boat’s departure time when queues are busy. For the differences in boarding, access and tickets, use our impartial Niagara City Cruises vs Maid of the Mist comparison. Either operator gives visitors on its own side access to the basin.
3. Journey Behind the Falls (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
$33.00 CAD adult 13+, $21.50 CAD child 3–12; ages 2 and under are free. Journey Behind the Falls is at Table Rock beside Horseshoe Falls. An elevator leads to tunnels and viewing portals behind the water, with outdoor viewing areas beside the falls. It operates year-round, with access affected by conditions.
The official visitor page advises arriving at least an hour before closing. The lower deck has stairs and may be restricted in winter; the attraction is partially accessible, not entirely step-free. Strollers are not permitted inside. A timed ticket specifies a window for joining the queue rather than a guarantee that you will finish at a particular time. Leave space around a second reservation.
4. Niagara Parks Power Station and the Tunnel (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
$33.00 CAD adult and $21.50 CAD child for regular admission; the published admission-plus-premium-tour rates are $53.00/$34.50 CAD. Niagara Parks Power Station and the Tunnel is a year-round heritage attraction in the former generating station. The premium guided option includes a 45-minute tour; a self-guided visit gives you more control over how long to spend with the exhibits.
The glass elevator descends 180 feet to a 2,200-foot tunnel ending at an outdoor riverside platform. This is not a completely indoor visit: weather can restrict the platform or tunnel. Niagara Parks suggests about two hours for a visit that includes the Tunnel and lists accessible facilities with benches. Check the current admission options before choosing daytime, nighttime or a guided tour; do not assume a single ticket permits a return visit on another day.
5. Niagara Falls State Park (Niagara Falls, New York, United States)
Free to enter on foot and open year-round, Niagara Falls State Park makes a useful starting point for a U.S. visit. Parking and paid attractions are separate from park entry. Lots 1 and 2 charge $10 USD Monday–Thursday and $15 Friday–Sunday through October 11, 2026, followed by $10 daily October 12–March 31, 2027. Check the official parking schedule for your lot and vehicle type.
Use Lot 1 for the Maid of the Mist ticket area and Lot 2 on Goat Island for Cave of the Winds. Lot 3 has a different fee calendar, including no parking fee September 8–May 21. Walking between Prospect Point and Goat Island still takes time, so leave a gap between activities. The park’s paths and viewpoints let you build a day around scenery without buying every attraction. Seasonal route closures and conditions can affect which areas are available.
6. Cave of the Winds (Niagara Falls, New York, United States)
$23 USD adult and $19 USD youth through October 18, 2026. The posted off-peak rate is $14/$10 USD for October 19–March 31, 2027, but Cave of the Winds is closed October 19 and 20, 2026 for maintenance. Buy a timed ticket in person at the attraction on Goat Island or the park’s Welcome Center; the park does not sell these tickets online. Read the Cave of the Winds guide before combining it with another timed activity.
The summer wooden decks bring you close to Bridal Veil Falls, while the winter Gorge Trip is a different, reduced experience. Do not book in winter expecting the full Hurricane Deck. Bring shoes that can get wet: sandals are no longer supplied. The main viewing platform has accessible access, while the wooden decks involve stairs. Check the operator’s dated hours, maintenance notice and holiday closures; the last ticket time is earlier than closing.
7. Skylon Tower (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
The published online observation-deck rate is $18.00 CAD adult 13+ and $9.00 CAD child 4–12. On-site rates are higher. Skylon Tower provides indoor and outdoor viewing areas high above the gorge, reached by its exterior elevators. It is a useful option when you want an overview of the falls and the surrounding city.
The indoor observation deck is wheelchair accessible; three steps lead to the outdoor deck. Choose a clear-weather visit if the distant view matters to you, and bring a layer for the open deck. The operator includes observation access when dining at its restaurants, so check that inclusion before buying a separate ticket. A dining reservation and a standalone observation ticket are different purchases; see the deck information for the current rules.
8. Clifton Hill and the Niagara SkyWheel (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
The Niagara SkyWheel lists $15.00 CAD adult and $7.00 CAD child 3–12, plus HST. Clifton Hill combines paid rides and indoor attractions with a street you can explore without buying an admission ticket. The Fun Pass is one way to bundle selected attractions, but check the current checkout price and what each member of your party will actually use.
The SkyWheel’s enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas operate year-round. Around it are Movieland Wax Museum, indoor Wizards’ Golf, outdoor Dinosaur Adventure Golf, Creepy Castle, Carnival Chaos, Ghost Blasters, Toy Store 4D, the Great Canadian Midway and Niagara Speedway. These are separate experiences with their own age, access and operating restrictions. Use the official individual ticket list to compare a short visit with a multi-attraction pass. The Speedway is not included in the six-attraction Fun Pass.
Treat it as a rainy-afternoon or after-dinner block rather than a headline. For trip ideas that bundle lodging with these activities, browse our Niagara Falls family packages.
9. Whirlpool Aero Car (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
$25.00 CAD adult and $16.50 CAD child 3–12. The Whirlpool Aero Car operates seasonally, usually within the April–November period; check the exact date before travelling. Its open-sided cable car crosses above the Niagara Whirlpool and returns to its Canadian boarding point. It is not a transport link to the United States.
The operator’s visitor page lists seasonal hours and warns that strollers are not permitted. The attraction is not wheelchair accessible. The final car departs 20 minutes before closing, so allow time to arrive and queue. This stretch of the parkway is downstream from the falls and can be paired with White Water Walk or the Niagara Glen when their conditions and schedules suit your day.
10. Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada)
$25.00 CAD adult 13+, $16.50 CAD child 3–12; ages 2 and under are free. The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is at the Botanical Gardens on the Canadian Niagara Parkway. The warm indoor conservatory has accessible pathways through a tropical setting, making it an option for a day when you want time out of the weather.
Check the current hours and notices before you travel. A maintenance closure in January–February 2026 does not establish the dates of any 2027 closure. We have not verified 2027 maintenance dates, so do not build a winter itinerary around last year’s calendar. General admission does not require a reservation; Niagara Parks recommends arrival at least an hour before closing. Parking is paid separately unless your particular parking product covers the lot.
Five more that deserve a slot
White Water Walk (Ontario, Canada)
$21.00 CAD adult and $13.50 CAD child. White Water Walk is a seasonal boardwalk beside the gorge’s rapids. An elevator takes visitors down from the parkway, but some viewing areas have stairs; check the official accessibility and operating details. Strollers are permitted and there is paid parking on site. Allow time before the final admission, which is earlier than closing.
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve (Ontario, Canada)
The Niagara Glen offers a different kind of outing from the ticketed attractions: rugged paths, stairs and a return climb through the gorge. Wear suitable footwear, check trail conditions and plan for daylight. Access to the trails is free, while parking at the trailhead is paid. It is not a step-free alternative to the riverside promenade. If you intend to boulder or join a guided activity, check the separate requirements with Niagara Parks.
Niagara Falls Observation Tower (New York, United States)
The Niagara Falls Observation Tower offers views from the U.S. side and provides elevator access used by Maid of the Mist passengers. Check the tower’s own current admission and hours if you are visiting without a boat ticket. As of October 7, the park lists the far end of the tower as temporarily closed and the Crow’s Nest as under construction, while the remainder of the tower remains open. Check that notice along with the separate boat calendar.
Bird Kingdom (Ontario, Canada)
Bird Kingdom is an indoor, year-round aviary at 5651 River Road, Ontario. The operator recommends roughly 45–60 minutes and lists wheelchair access. Choose the adult or child variant in its official ticket shop for the applicable rate. Parking notice checked October 7: the shop currently directs visitors to Travelodge, 5599 River Road, while Bird Kingdom’s lot undergoes maintenance. Check the notice before driving over. Contact the attraction ahead of a visit involving a service animal, as its aviaries have specific arrangements.
Falls illumination and fireworks (Ontario, Canada, free)
The falls are illuminated nightly, with viewing available from the Canadian waterfront and U.S. park viewpoints. Times vary through the year, so use the official illumination schedule. Illumination and fireworks are separate: the lights do not mean a fireworks display is scheduled that evening.
The confirmed summer Niagara Falls Fireworks schedule runs nightly at 10pm from May 15 through October 12, 2026, subject to weather. The Winter Festival of Lights has its own dates and programme. Check those event pages for the relevant edition’s confirmed details; do not carry a previous winter’s fireworks nights into a new season.
What is open when
Season is the variable that ruins the most Niagara itineraries, so here it is directly.
- Year-round options: Journey Behind the Falls, Power Station, Butterfly Conservatory, Skylon Tower, SkyWheel, Bird Kingdom and Niagara Falls State Park. Year-round does not mean every deck, pool of tickets or outdoor route is always available: check maintenance, weather and daily hours.
- Seasonal outdoor attractions: White Water Walk and Whirlpool Aero Car. Their operating calendars and weather restrictions matter more than a general April–November description.
- Different winter experience: Cave of the Winds runs a reduced Gorge Trip when the full wooden decks are unavailable. Its October 19–20, 2026 maintenance closure also affects autumn plans.
- Boat tours: Maid of the Mist’s 2026 closing date is November 8. Niagara City Cruises publishes date-specific availability, with December sailing weather-dependent. Confirm the operator on the side you will be visiting.
- After dark: illumination is nightly, while fireworks follow a separate dated event schedule. Check fireworks dates and Winter Festival of Lights details before promising a particular display.
How to build the days
A day in Canada: start with Table Rock and the waterfront, then choose Journey Behind the Falls or Niagara City Cruises when available. Add Skylon Tower, an indoor attraction or time on Clifton Hill according to your interests. Finish with the illumination if the timing suits. Our Canadian-side day itinerary helps group the stops without a border crossing. Keep space for meals, walking and queues rather than treating every attraction as essential.
A day in the USA: start at Niagara Falls State Park, check Cave of the Winds ticket availability and add Maid of the Mist in season. Allow walking time between Goat Island and Prospect Point instead of booking them as adjacent entrances. Use the American-side day itinerary for a route on that side. With more time in Canada, consider the Aero Car, White Water Walk, Niagara Glen and Butterfly Conservatory downstream along the parkway, or a family hotel with time for swimming.
Check last admission as carefully as opening time, especially in autumn when hours shorten. Buy timed tickets around the pace of your group and leave room for changes in weather. A stroller, mobility device or young child may change which paths and decks work for you. For a broader selection of outings, browse things to do with kids and the current events calendar. Neither a second country nor a packed schedule is necessary for a full visit.
Practical notes
- You will get wet at the boat tours, Cave of the Winds and the lower deck of Journey Behind the Falls. Ponchos are supplied; footwear is not. Wear shoes you do not mind soaking.
- Check whether tax is included before comparing ticket totals. Keep Canadian and U.S. prices in their original currencies until you calculate your own payment cost.
- Online purchase rules differ: Maid of the Mist offers online tickets with first-come boarding; Cave of the Winds sells timed tickets in person. Canadian attraction entry windows and pass reservations have their own rules.
- Choose parking for the entrance you will use, not just the falls generally. Our Canada and USA parking guide compares lots, fees and routes; the Canadian parking overview offers further planning context.
- If crossing the border, check the official entry requirements for your citizenship and status using the links in our border guide. A short distance on a map does not account for a bridge, document checks or queues.
- Bring a layer for wind, spray and the Power Station tunnel. Check outdoor route conditions and wear footwear suited to wet surfaces and stairs.
For a room over the water, compare the area’s luxury hotels in Niagara Falls. Travelling with a dog? Our list of pet-friendly hotels near Niagara Falls covers which properties allow them and at what fee.
How we verified these prices
We checked the linked operator pages on October 7, 2026, including Niagara Parks, Maid of the Mist, Niagara Falls State Park, Skylon Tower, Clifton Hill and Bird Kingdom. Conflicting Canadian child-cruise and Clifton Hill pass prices are not presented as settled rates. Future winter package and maintenance details are left unconfirmed until the relevant edition is published. Recheck live ticket calendars before payment, especially near a seasonal closing date. If you find a discrepancy, use our corrections page.
This guide helps compare the main attractions, their seasons and ticket options. For free viewpoints, nature reserves and other categories across both sides of the border, use our complete guide to things to do in Niagara Falls.