Is Niagara Falls Worth Visiting if You are a Wheelchair User?
Niagara Falls is arguably the most iconic New York State waterfall as it attracts over 8 million visitors each year. Sitting on the boarder of New York and Canada, this is a popular destination for anyone in the area. But is Niagara Falls worth visiting if you are a wheelchair user? In this guide, I’ll answer that question and let you know what you can do there.
Is Niagara Falls Worth Visiting If You Are a Wheelchair user?
The short answer is, absolutely Niagara Falls is worth visiting! There are so many options for accessible things to do and beautiful scenery that you can easily spend an entire day exploring. No matter what your abilities, Niagara Falls offers something for everyone.
Niagara Falls is located in a New York State Park named after the falls. Unlike most state parks, this one is in a more urban area. It offers accessible paid parking lots and accessible restrooms. The visitor center is also fully accessible.
Niagara Falls actually consists of three waterfalls, with the most famous being Horseshoe Falls. The other two are Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls. Ramped paved pathways are throughout the park allowing visitors to see all the falls.
In addition to the overlooks, there are other accessible activities you can participate in when visiting.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to do at Niagara Falls
The New York Side
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
The Maid of the Mist is a popular boat ride that takes you past American and Bridal Veil Falls and to the base of Horseshoe Falls. A ramped gangway allows wheelchair users and those on scooters to easily access the top level of the boat.
Make sure to get there early or purchase tickets ahead of time because there is almost always a long line. The boat will be crowded, and it may be difficult to get right up to the railing, however, you will still get to see the falls no matter where you are on the boat.
Rain ponchos are provided, but despite whatever effort you take to stay dry, you will get wet! Either come prepared to cover any powered equipment or take extra ponchos to try to cover any devices you want to prevent from getting soaked (i.e. control pads on powered wheelchairs, or in my case, my ventilator).
- Cave of the Winds
Cave of the winds takes you to the base of Bridal Veil Falls where you can experience hurricane like weather. Again, ponchos are provided, but you will still get wet. They used to also provide you with sandals to wear, but have recently phased this out, so make sure you wear shoes you don’t mind getting soaked and that have good non-slip tread.
Cave of the Winds is partially wheelchair accessible. You will watch a short video before making your way to an elevator which will take you to the base of the falls. Once there, there is a paved path that turns into a boardwalk. This is where the accessibility ends, as steps are required to get to the actual base of the falls, however you still get a great view of the waterfall and the Niagara River.
Make sure to get tickets in advance as this attraction does sell out.
- Roll the Trails
There are several trails and footpaths throughout the park that allow you to get from one overlook to the next, but also allow you to see the rapids and rivers that lead up to the falls. Most of these footpaths are paved or compacted dirt and are accessible to wheelchairs and scooters. They offer great views and new ways to experience all that the park has to offer.
- Take the Trolley
A lift equipped wheelchair accessible trolley runs throughout the park and has several designated drop-off stops. The park is much bigger than you think, and the trolley can help you conserve not only battery power, but energy as well. Each of the stops is located near major lookouts and areas where you can access the trails.
- Have a Meal at the Top of the Falls Restaurant
The only restaurant located at the top of the falls offers spectacular views while you dine on American cuisine. This meal with a view doesn’t come cheap though, so be prepared to pay for the experience. Meals start at $16 for a burger. This may be a good option if you are celebrating a special occasion.
- Check Out the Fireworks!
From late May until October, there is a nightly (10 pm) fireworks show over the falls (which are illuminated at night). This free activity is the perfect way to cap off a great day of exploring. The suggested best viewing area is at Prospect Point.
- Head to the Aquarium
Whether you are travelling with kids or are just animal lovers, head over to the aquarium which is located just past the Maid of the Mist tour departure point. This interactive place features penguins, rescued sea lions and seals, sharks, and sting rays. Daily shows, feeding times and educational talks are available.
The Canadian Side
- Get a New Perspective on the Falls
Just like on the American side, the Canadian side of the falls also has accessible overlooks. Some say that the view is better on this side as you are looking straight at the falls rather than down at them. I think overlooks on both sides offer splendid views.
- Take in the Views from Skylon Tower
If you would like more of an aerial view of the falls, Skylon tower has an elevator which will take you up 764 feet to get both indoor and outdoor views of Niagara Falls. In addition to their observation deck, the tower also features two restaurants so you can dine with a view. One is a buffet style eatery while the other restaurant is a sit-down venue in a 360-degree rotating room.
- Experience How the Falls Were Created at Niagara’s Fury
This 4D like experience will educate visitors on the creation of the falls utilizing a movie screen, moving floor and water/snow coming from the ceiling. Staff are available to assist wheelchair users to enter and exit the experience. There is also a section where the floor doesn’t move and where you are mostly sheltered from any precipitation.
- Take a Journey Behind the Falls
Ever wanted to know what it was like to go behind Niagara Falls? Well, then the Journey Behind the Falls is the attraction you don’t want to miss! This mostly accessible activity begins when you board the elevator to take you down into the bedrock behind the falls.
An accessible, well-lit pathway leads you to the upper overlook where you can experience the mighty force of the water coming off of the falls. The lower observation area is only accessed by stairs, so it is not accessible. A 10% discount is available to the disabled but is not combinable with any other discounts or savings.
- Walk Along the Rapids at Whitewater Walk
An elevator will take you down into the Niagara Gorge to a boardwalk where you can roll along the class 6 rapids. The boardwalk is wooden and flat, with a length of 305 meters. There are two small observation areas that are only accessed by steps, making them not accessible.
- Take a Ride with Hornblower Cruises
Similar to Maid of the Mist, but departing from the Canadian side, this short cruise will take you past American and Bridal Veil Falls to the base of the iconic Horseshoe Falls. Ramps lead down to the boarding area and staff will assist you with boarding. You can choose to sit outside (where you will get soaked) or there is also an inside area available which features large windows if you want to stay dry.
- Visit the Butterfly Conservatory
Located just north of the falls, this conservatory houses over 2,000 butterflies which you can visit by navigating the paved pathways. Just be mindful of where you are rolling so you don’t accidentally injury any of these amazing creatures. You will also get to experience tropical plants and vegetation as well as a waterfall during your visit. Accessible parking is available.
- Try Some Adapted Golfing
At Niagara Park’s Golf (located south of the falls) they have the areas only SoloRider golf cart which features a 350-degree swivel seat which elevates allowing individuals to tee off, put and navigate the course. It can even go into sand traps! There are three different courses to choose from when you visit.
Make sure to reserve this specialized cart ahead of time by contacting Niagara Parks Golf at 1-866-465- 3642 or 905-295-9595.
Pro Tip: Check into the savings passes that are available if you plan to visit multiple attractions. All the passes include transportation on the hop on hop off bus to make getting to each attraction seamless and easy.
Is It Worthwhile to Visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian Side?
Both the American and Canadian sides of the falls offer something special and unique. Personally, I like getting different vantage points of the falls and the Journey Behind the Falls experience is really cool. For those reasons, I absolutely think that it is worthwhile to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.
In addition, many people prefer the experience and views from the Canadian side. And with Rainbow Bridge making for easy access, visiting both sides of the falls is easy to do. Just make sure if you plan to visit the Canadian side you stay up to date with entry requirements and any restrictions.
Is Niagara Falls Worth Visiting if You Don’t Go to Canada?
If crossing the border has you concerned, you may be wondering if Niagara Falls is worth visiting if you don’t go to Canada. The answer is a resounding yes! Niagara Falls is beautiful and an amazing experience that many people have on their bucket lists. You will still have a great experience even if you don’t go to Canada.
How Long Will It Take to Visit the Falls?
The answer to this question depends entirely on what you want to do. If you only want to go to the overlooks so you can say you’ve seen the falls, then you could probably do that in 1-2 hours depending on how long you stay at each overlook. If, however, you’d like to participate in more of the attractions or do some hiking, you could easily spend a full day here.
When you add in a visit to the aquarium, you could spend 1 ½ – 2 days. That doesn’t even include the other things to do in the area, which I haven’t covered. Stops at Fort Niagara (which is partially accessible) and exploring the cute nearby towns can easily help you to spend a terrific weekend in the Niagara Falls area.
Is Niagara Falls Worth Visiting in the Winter?
Although summer is the most popular time to visit Niagara Falls, visiting in the winter has benefits as well. It is usually less crowded, and the falls take on a different and beautiful look. Snow may affect paths and trailways, so always check conditions at the visitor center when you arrive.
While some attractions will be closed in the winter, like the fall cruises, there are still some that will be open. On the New York side, the aquarium, cave of the winds and the overlooks are still available to visitors. On the Canadian side, the inside attractions should still be open (such as the Skylon Tower and Niagara’s Fury) as well as the Journey Behind the Falls experience.
Your experience in winter will be different, but it can still be magical. Whether you think Niagara Falls is worth visiting in winter will depend on what you hope to do and when you are available to travel. Just know that the waterfalls flow year-round.
When Should I visit Niagara Falls?
The best answer to this is, whenever you have time! Each season brings something special and a new perspective. While summer is the most popular time, it is also the most crowded. Winter will be the least crowded, but some attractions will be closed. Visiting in either Spring or Fall is a great option as it will have slightly smaller crowds, attractions will still be open, and temperatures are still fairly moderate.
In my most recent visit to the falls, I went the last weekend in September. We were having unusually warm weather and the leaves had started to turn. All the attractions were still open, and I got to experience everything I wanted to.
Driving around, I even stumbled across a local fall festival, so I decided to explore that for a bit. You never know what you may find and what hidden gems may be along the way. So, no matter when you have available to travel, it is always worthwhile to visit Niagara Falls.
I hope that I have answered any questions you may have on whether visiting Niagara Falls is worthwhile as well as provided you with a guide on visiting the falls with mobility issues. I know that using this to help plan your trip there will ensure you have a wonderful experience. It is a beautiful place!
