Welcome to Niagara Falls Attractions
Niagara Falls offers a variety of awesome attractions.
Some attractions are directly related to the splendor of the magical falls.
Others are interesting in their own right. The Aquarium of Niagara boasts
over 200 species of aquatic animals and has tanks up to an amazing 100,000
gallons in size. The fun filled Niagara Splash Water Park with its exciting
rides is great for the whole family. One of the areas quaint small venues,
Artpark-at-the Church, features plays, musicals, and concerts. To enjoy
the full fascination of the falls, there are a couple of "must dos". One
of the oldest tourist attractions in North America, Maids of the Mist, takes
visitors by boat to the front of the falls and Cave of the Winds takes visitors
to see the bottom of the falls. Let OnlineHotels.com show you some of our
favorite places to stay and to play.
Aquarium of Niagara
The
Aquarium of Niagara has nearly 200 species of aquatic animals and more
than 50 exhibits, including Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, seals,
and Peruvian penguins. The aquarium also has sharks and freshwater fish.
Most of the animals live in 200- to 100,000-gallon tanks. The Aquarium
of Niagara, located on Whirlpool Street, is open daily from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. Admission is $6.95 for adults and $4.95 for children ages 4 through
12 and seniors older than 60. Children 3 years old and younger are admitted
free.
Artpark-at-the-Church
This is a cabaret-style theater that features plays, musicals, jazz and
other concerts. The theater has an intimate setting that is located at
the corner of Plain and Fourth streets. Artpark-at-the Church seats 150
people.
Artisans Alley
This
is one of the most famous shopping areas in Niagara Falls. Artisans Alley
is a shop and gallery that has modern and traditional art from more than
600 American craftspeople. Guests can purchase stoneware, leather, glass,
toys, games, paintings, and porcelain. Artisans Alley is located on Rainbow
Boulevard.
Castellani Art Museum
Visitors
will find the works of Jean-Michell Basquiat, Anish Kappor, and Joan Mitchell
at the Castellani Art Museum. The museum has a permanent exhibit of 20th-century
and contemporary art. It also has collections of drawings, paintings,
photographs, and pre-Columbian ceramics. Admission is free. The Castellani
Art Museum is located on Niagara University’s campus.
Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds gives visitors a close-up view of Niagara Falls. An
elevator takes tourists 175 feet through the escarpment where they can
see the bottom of the falls. Guides, who provide waterproof clothing,
lead guests to wooden walkways that are within 25 feet of the falls’
base. Visitors can tour the falls between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. from
Memorial through Labor days. Tours are given from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor
Day through October 31st. The hour-long tour is on Goat Island.
Colonel William
Bond House
www.niagara-county.org/bondhouse.html
This house was built in 1824. Its 12 rooms were restored with pre-Victorian
era furniture. Colonel William Bond House is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can also make an appointment by
calling the Niagara County Historical Society at (716)433-4795. The home
is located on Ontario Street in Lockport.
Maids of the Mist
This
is one of the oldest tourist attractions in North America. Maids of the
Mist gives guests a great view of Niagara Falls. Visitors board a boat
that passes in front of the falls. Boats depart from Prospect Point. They
leave every 15 minutes May through October. Tourists are provided with
waterproof clothing.
Martin’s Fantasy
Island
www.martinsfantasyisland.com
Martin’s
Fantasy Island is an amusement on Grand Island. It has rides for people
of all ages, including kiddy rides for children and thrill rides for those
who are older. The park also has new attractions, such as the Wildcat
Coaster and the Silver Comet, which is a classic wooden coaster. Martin’s
Fantasy Island also has live shows. Visitors can enjoy an old-fashioned
Wild West shoot-out, a children’s puppet show, or a 60s and 70s
musical review.
Niagara Factory
Outlet Mall
The
Niagara Factory Outlet Mall is located on Military Road. It has more than
150 stores, including Nike, The Gap, Bombay Company, Foot Locker, Ralph
Lauren, and Starbucks. The mall also has a large food court. Niagara Factory
Outlet Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and
from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Niagara Historic Walking Tours
This
is a unique tour. Guides in period clothing take guests on a walking tour
of Niagara Falls. The tour booth is on the landing steps of the New York
State Observation Tower in the Niagara Reservation State Park. Tours are
given from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It costs $10 for adults and $5 for children
ages 6 through 12. Children 5 and younger can take the tour for free.
Niagara Power Project Visitor Center
This
tour allows visitors to see how Niagara Falls' waters are used to
produce electricity. Guests can take a self-guided tour of more than 50
interactive exhibits, including the model of a turbine and generator.
Tourists can also see a great view of the Niagara River and Gorge. Admission
is free. The Niagara Power Project Visitor Center is open daily except
on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and
New Year's Day.
Niagara Reservation State Park
The
Niagara Reservation State Park is the oldest state park in the United
States. It opened in 1885. The park has more than 400 acres at Prospect
Point. You can see American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Goat and Luna
islands in the park. Its visitor's center has exhibits and electronic
displays about Niagara Falls.
Niagara Splash Water
Park
Niagara
Splash Water Park is a family attraction with a kids' pool, water
slides, and a wave pool. The park also has a gift shop, an arcade, and
food stands. It is open year-round. Niagara Splash Water Park is open
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park has extended hours May 15 through October
15. It is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. during those months.
Old Fort Niagara
The
French began constructing Old Fort Niagara in 1726. It also has the only
French fortified castle in the United States. Workers restored and refurnished
the fort to show how it looked in the 18th century. Guests can see drills
and ceremonies daily from July through Labor Day. There are also reenactments
held throughout the year.
Wintergarden
Wintergarden
is a glass-enclosed tropical park that has waterfalls, ponds, and more
than 7,000 trees. It is on Rainbow Boulevard in Niagara Falls. Wintergarden
is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This park is also minutes from
Prospect Point. Admission to Wintergarden is free.
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