You're visiting Toronto and know that you are close to Niagara Falls. You want to take a ride on the infamous Hornblower. If you are here during the summer that works out perfectly. But what do you do when the Maid of the Mist gets docked for the winter? Between October 25th to a vague April/May date (all dependent on the condition of the water, ice, etc.), the historic and most famous tourist attraction of Niagara Falls is unfortunately closed.
Thankfully, there is plenty to do in Niagara Falls during the winter. The Niagara IMAX Theatre on Fallsview Blvd offers a movie, Legends and Daredevils, that is both historic and entertaining. The movie starts by showcasing the lives of the First Nations people who originally lived there worshipping the thunder spirits. It then goes on to highlight the story of Annie Taylor, a grade school teacher who survived going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. It probably didn't stop her from assigning her students homework before the plunge, though!
There is also the SkyWheel, which stretches 175 feet above the ground and provides a 360 degree view of the area during a 10 minute ride. It provides a great view of the city no matter what time of day you visit.
To get the truly iconic view of the Niagara Falls, however, a visit to the Skylon Tower should be on everyone's itinerary. As you enter Niagara Falls, the Skylon Tower is hard to miss. Because of numerous similarities, you may be thinking, "Wait, is that the CN Tower?" Well, unless Toronto suddenly slid across Lake Ontario, it definitely isn't! Standing 236 metres (775 feet) above the ground, it provides a wonderful view of the Falls and the surrounding area. You can eat lunch at its Revolving Dining Room, or just take in the wonderful view of the landscape surrounding Niagara Falls from the observation deck. I would recommend going up the Skylon at night, when the Falls are lit up with colourful lights. For more in depth information, check out this post on the Skylon Tower.
Last but not least, there are the Falls themselves! They're definitely hard to miss, and provide a great excuse to get that iconic picture of the family. The best thing about the Falls is that it is the one thing in the city you CAN'T be charged for! It's hard to hide one of the world's natural wonders behind a black curtain to charge a head fee per picture! Whether part of the Falls are frozen over with ice, or the water is endlessly plummeting into the gorge, it always provides a great photo opportunity.