9 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do When Visiting The Niagara Falls - Updated 2024

Anaanya
Anaanya 
Updated
| 3 min read

Who hasn’t heard of the most famous waterfalls in Canada – the Niagara Falls? Niagara Falls is probably one of the most famous tourist attractions all across the globe. This is the place to go to enjoy some breathtaking scenery, feel the mist blowing across your face, and get to look at the beautiful fireworks that sometimes take place above the waterfalls. But, what next? Unless you’re going to see the Niagara Falls just for a few hours, there are other things you need to do to spend the rest of your days in Canada. So, here is a list of non-touristy things to do when visiting the Niagara Falls.

1. Enjoy 360 degree views on top of the Niagara SkyWheel (from USD 12.0)

The Niagra skywheel is a very popular Ferris wheel which is 175 feet (53.34 metres) tall! The ride goes on for around eight to twelve minutes, but the views are so spectacular that you will want to go around even when the ride is finished. We recommend going in the day so you can really take in all the beautiful views–a 360-degree view at that, too!

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Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket

Duration: 8 to 10 minutes

373 reviews

2. Learn all about making maple syrup at the White Meadows Farms

The Sugar Bush Trek starts today! What a day for a walk in our forest. #maplesyrup #tours

Posted by White Meadows Farms on Saturday, 3 March 2018

The White Meadows Farms is a really fun place to go especially if you’re travelling with kids. Or if you like maple syrup. Because at the White Meadows Farms, you can go for the maple tour and learn exactly how maple syrup is made. You can also enjoy the sugar brush trek which will take you to the heart of the sugarbush and its workings. And finally, head to the sweet shop and go crazy shopping!

White Meadows Farms

Address: 2519 Effingham St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P7, Canada

Website: White Meadows Farms

Opening hours: 5am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 15 USD

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3. Enjoy some exquisite wine at the Inniskillin Winery

Inniskillin Winery
Source: Pexels

This one is for all the wine lovers out there! Is there anything better than going to a winery and tasting some delicious freshly made wine? I think not. And because of that, this is probably my favourite thing on the list of non tourisy things to do in Niagra Falls. This place also serves ice wine, which you definitely have to try!

Inniskillin Winery

Address: 1499 Line 3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada

Website: Inniskillin Winery

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 3 USD

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4. Try your luck at the Niagara Fallsview Casino

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort - Facade - At Sundown
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bernard B. ILarde used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Niagara Fallsview Casino is literally right next to the Niagra falls. So if you’re feeling lucky, why not head over tot eh casino? Again, it is very important to gamble responsibility because you do not want to blow up your vacation budget at the casino. This casino has over 3000 slot machines, so maybe you can just go take a look around if nothing else.

Niagara Fallsview Casino

Address: 6380 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7X5, Canada

Website: Niagara Fallsview Casino

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free admission

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5. Get a little spooked at the screaming tunnel

Screaming Tunnel - panoramio
Source: Photo by user saychinqua1 used under CC BY 3.0

The screaming tunnel is actually just a limestone tunnel which is right under the area that the Grand Trunk Railway lines ran. Apparently, this dark tunnel is haunted by the screams of a dead girl since the past 100 years. Is it an urban legend or a reality? Why not go and find out for yourself?

Screaming tunnel

Address: Warner Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L0S 1J0, Canada

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free admission

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6. Pet animals at Happy Rolph’s petting zoo

Happy Rolph’s
Source: Pixabay

If you’re an animal lover then this has to be on your list of non-touristy things to do in Niagara Falls! Children and adults will love this place alike, so you must come here. Happy Rolph’s is basically a bird sanctuary and a petting farm. You can also come here to enjoy a nice cosy picnic or maybe take a walk along the beautiful nature trail.

Happy Rolph’s

Address: 650 Read Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7K6, Canada

Website: Happy Rolph’s

Opening hours: 10am – 8:30pm (daily)

Price: 1 USD

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7. Enjoy free ice skating at the Gale Centre Arena

Posted by Gale Centre on Thursday, 25 October 2012

There is an ice skating rink in the Niagara falls called the Gale Centre Arena where you can go ice skating absolutely free! If you have never been ice skating before, then I definitely recommend taking up this opportunity. It is also a great place to take your kids because it will keep them happy and occupied.

Gale Centre Arena

Address: 5152 Thorold Stone Road, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 0A2, Canada

Website: Gale Centre Arena

Opening hours: Free skating from 6pm - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free admission

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8. Enjoy a nature walk at the Heartland Forest


The Heartland Forest is one of the most frequently visited places by locals and tourists alike in the Niagara Falls. Think of the Heartland Forest as a nature adventure! You can go to the Heartland Forest to enjoy a picnic with family or friends, you can go for a walk to take in the beauty of nature, or you can even celebrate your kids’ birthday there!

Heartland Forest

Address: 8215 Heartland Forest Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 0L5, Canada

Website: Heartland Forest

Opening hours: 9am – 4pm (daily)

Price: Free admission

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9. Take a biking tour to see all the waterfalls (from USD 40.0)

non touristy things to do in niagara falls | take a biking tour to see all the waterfalls
Source: www.viator.com

Want to get a little exercise while enjoying the views of Canada? Why not opt for this fun bike tour? This is approximately a two-hour bike tour which takes you to see the Bridal Veil Falls, the American Falls, as well as the Horseshoe Falls. You also get to ride to various hidden islands like the Upper Rapids and the Niagara Gorge. Isn’t that a fun thing to do on your visit to Niagara Falls?

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Bike Tour 2:00pm

Ready your Niagara Falls to-do list

See, there are so many non-touristy things to do in the Niagara Falls other than actually looking at the Niagara Falls. Keep this list in mind the next time you are visiting this splendid sight and have an enjoyable time ahead.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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A freelance content writer by profession, Anaanya is an avid traveller whose main goal in life is to visit as many new places as possible. Anaanya enjoys travelling, not just because of her love...Read more

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