Day Trips from Niagara Falls

Four good day trips start from Niagara Falls: Niagara-on-the-Lake and its wineries, Old Fort Niagara, Buffalo, and Toronto. The first and fourth are in Canada, and the other two are in New York. Anything that takes you across the border needs a passport and clearance at both ends, so check US CBP and Canadian IRCC rules for your nationality before you travel.

Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario)

The town is about 20 km north along the Niagara River Parkway, roughly 25 minutes by car. It was the first capital of Upper Canada in 1792, and its centre has kept its 19th century streets, shops and horse-drawn carriages. Allow half a day to a full day.

  • Fort George, at 51 Queen’s Parade, was the British headquarters in the War of 1812. It has restored blockhouses and cannon demonstrations. Adult entry is about $13.25 CAD.
  • Shaw Festival stages plays across several theatres from April to December, with tickets from about $40 to $140 CAD.
  • Wineries make the area famous for icewine, a dessert wine from grapes picked frozen on the vine. Inniskillin tastings cost about $25 to $40 CAD. Peller Estates has an icewine lounge kept below freezing, and Two Sisters and Stratus make red wines.

Old Fort Niagara (New York)

The fort is at Youngstown, about 25 km north of the falls and a 20 minute drive on the Niagara Scenic Parkway. The French Castle there dates from 1726. Visitors see living history demonstrations, an 18th century powder magazine and cannon firings, plus views across Lake Ontario. Entry is about $20 USD for adults and $13 USD for children 6 to 12, and the fort opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00.

Buffalo (New York)

Buffalo is about 32 km south by I-190, a drive of roughly 30 minutes.

  • The Martin House Complex at 125 Jewett Parkway is a Frank Lloyd Wright house from 1903 to 1905. Guided tours run from about $25 to $45 USD.
  • The Buffalo AKG Art Museum at 1285 Elmwood Avenue reopened after a major expansion and holds works by Pollock, Rothko, Warhol and Picasso. Adult entry is about $18 USD.
  • Buffalo wings began at the Anchor Bar, 1047 Main Street. Gabriel’s Gate in Allentown is another favourite, where an order costs about $18 to $24 USD.

Toronto (Ontario)

Toronto is about 130 km northwest, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours. On weekends the GO Transit train runs from Niagara Falls station to Union Station, with round trips around $25 to $30 CAD. Plan on the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Distillery District.

Tips

  • Book a wine tasting with a driver or tour so nobody has to drive between cellars.
  • Leave early for the border if you cross by car, since summer weekend waits can reach 45 to 60 minutes.
  • The nearest big airports are Buffalo Niagara (BUF) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ).

Read more: Multi-day trips in Niagara Falls shows how to combine these stops over several days.

Booking and official sites

Opening times and tickets are on the Old Fort Niagara and Shaw Festival sites. Wine and region tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .