To see Niagara Falls from the American or the Canadian side, starting in Niagara Falls, two tours are listed on WizardTrip. Both are run by Over the Falls Tours and come with an English-speaking guide. One, lasting 4 hours, stays on the American side. The other, lasting 6 hours, crosses into Canada. They have 8,865 and 10,117 reviews, with ratings of 4.9 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
This article settles one question: stay on the American side, or cross into Canada for the aerial views from the Skylon Tower. It details the programs, meals, documents to bring and the effect of the season, then compares the two tours in a table.
Niagara Falls, American or Canadian side: what to know
Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest and the best known. The listing for the American-side tour gives it a width of about 800 meters and a drop of about 53 meters.
On the American side, both tours go through Niagara Falls State Park. The listing for the 4-hour tour describes this park as the oldest state park in the United States. It was created in 1885 as the Niagara Reservation.
On the Canadian side, the 6-hour tour adds the Skylon Tower, which the listing says offers aerial views. Jerry, who took this tour, wrote in October 2026 that the Canadian side “gives a broader view”.
American-side tour: Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and the state park
The American-side tour lasts 4 hours and stays in Niagara Falls, New York State. Pickup, free of charge, covers locations in Niagara Falls, New York. It is not offered from Buffalo or Toronto. The meeting points listed are a Starbucks, a Walmart parking lot reserved for RVs and the Aquarium of Niagara. If your hotel is not on the list, the operator offers a central pickup point.
The program combines the Maid of the Mist cruise (20 minutes) and the Cave of the Winds (30 minutes). In the cave, wooden walkways pass within a few meters of the cascades. The listing also mentions Luna Island, between American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Other stops follow:
- Bridal Veil Falls, Terrapin Point and Horseshoe Falls: 20 minutes each.
- Goat Island, Nikola Tesla monument and Three Sisters Islands: 10 minutes each.
- Niagara Falls State Park: 30 minutes.
The Prospect Point Observation Tower rises 282 feet, or about 86 meters, above the gorge. A visit takes 30 minutes. The listing also describes an elevator ride down into the gorge, before the climb up the tower.
The price includes admission to the cruise, the cave and the observation tower. Tips and transfers from Toronto or Buffalo are excluded. The listing mentions no meals.
The listing warns that visits last longer than usual in high season, because of the influx of visitors. Samira gives it 2 out of 5 in August 2026. She describes a 7-hour visit: “we were gone from 10 am to 5 pm”.
The 6-hour tour of both sides: boat, cave and Skylon Tower
The both-sides tour lasts 6 hours, and up to 7 hours according to the inclusions list. Pickup, free of charge, covers the falls area, on the Ontario side as well as the New York side. It is not offered from Buffalo, Toronto or New York City. The meeting points listed are the Continental Pancake House, a Home Depot and the Aquarium of Niagara, all three with parking.
The listing’s program divides the time as follows:
- One hour: Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls State Park, the falls from the Canadian side and Journey Behind the Falls.
- 30 minutes: the Skylon Tower and the Table Rock Welcome Centre.
- Without stopping: Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, Three Sisters Islands, the Niagara Scow wreck, Queen Victoria Park, the Floral Clock.
Journey Behind the Falls replaces the boat out of season. The listing specifies that the Maid of the Mist part departs from the American side.
The price includes the Skylon Tower with a return pass, the Cave of the Winds and the boat. It also covers road costs, bridge tolls and the air-conditioned vehicle. Food, drinks and tips for the guide are excluded.
The two Niagara Falls tours compared
| American side only | Both sides with Skylon | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours, longer in high season | 6 hours, advertised as 6 to 7 hours |
| Maid of the Mist boat | 20 minutes | 1 hour in the program |
| Cave of the Winds | 30 minutes | 1 hour in the program |
| Panoramic tower | Prospect Point, 30 minutes | Skylon, 30 minutes, return pass |
| Pickup | Locations in Niagara Falls, New York | Falls area, Ontario or New York side |
| Meals | No meals listed | Food and drinks not included |
| Passport | Only if you are staying on the Canadian side | Required, with any visas |
| Group and guide | 32 people, English-speaking guide | 32 people, English-speaking guide |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
| Price from | US$125 | US$190 |
Do you need a passport to visit both sides?
Yes, for the both-sides tour. The listing requires a valid passport or another accepted border-crossing document on the date of travel. It adds that a visa or an ESTA and an I-94 may be required for non-US citizens entering the United States.
The listing also requires you to reconfirm these requirements with the operator at least 24 hours before the tour. Without that call, the booking may be canceled without a refund. On the day itself, the guide checks each passenger’s documents before boarding.
The American-side tour stays in Niagara Falls, New York. Its listing asks for a valid passport only if you are staying on the Canadian side.
What happens in winter or in bad weather?
According to the listings, neither tour is canceled because of bad weather. Itineraries and times may still change, and the operator reserves the right to replace one attraction with another of equal value. It accepts no responsibility for delays at the border, in traffic or in the parks.
The season matters more. In the both-sides listing, the Maid of the Mist runs from late April to November in the inclusions list. The program gives mid-May to October. The Cave of the Winds runs from mid-May to early November. The listing specifies that these dates are approximate and depend on ice conditions.
Out of season, Journey Behind the Falls replaces the boat. The trip into the gorge, with the World Changed Here pavilion, replaces the Cave of the Winds.
The American-side listing gives the boat from late April to early November in its description. Its program gives May to November. Out of season, the NYPA Power Vista replaces the cruise. The listing does not say what replaces the Cave of the Winds.
With children, a stroller or a wheelchair?
Both listings name families among their audience and say the tour suits all fitness levels. Infants and young children can travel in a stroller. The both-sides listing adds that specialized infant seats are available.
According to the both-sides listing, the operator’s vehicles are not accessible to people with disabilities. Passengers must be able to get on and off on their own or with help from a member of their group. A personal wheelchair must be foldable. Otherwise, the operator provides one at no charge, subject to availability. You must request it in advance. The American-side listing says nothing about wheelchairs.
Service animals are allowed on the both-sides tour, with their service vest and a certification document. Vaccination records may be requested at the border.
Which one to choose?
- You have half a day and are staying on the American side: the 4-hour tour, with no border crossing.
- You want the aerial views from the Skylon Tower and the Canadian side: the 6-hour both-sides tour, passport in hand.
- You travel with a foldable wheelchair: the both-sides listing details the procedure, to be requested in advance.
- You are going out of season: first read the replacements planned, Journey Behind the Falls or NYPA Power Vista, in the listing you choose.
For the rest of your stay, the city’s tours, cruises and day trips are gathered on the Things to do in Niagara Falls page. The country’s other activities are on the United States page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Niagara Falls tour last?
The American-side listing says 4 hours. The both-sides listing says 6 hours, and up to 7 hours in its inclusions list. In high season, the operator warns that visits can run longer because of the crowds.
Do you need a passport to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side?
Yes. The both-sides tour requires a valid passport or another accepted border-crossing document. A visa or an ESTA and an I-94 may also be required for non-US citizens. The guide checks documents before boarding.
Does the Maid of the Mist boat run all year?
No. The listings give it from late April or May until November. The both-sides listing specifies that these dates are approximate and depend on ice. Out of season, Journey Behind the Falls or the NYPA Power Vista replaces it, depending on the tour.
Are meals included on a Niagara Falls tour?
No. On the both-sides tour, food and drinks are not included. The American-side listing mentions no meals. Tips for the guide are excluded from both tours.
Can you cancel a Niagara Falls tour?
Yes, with a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, for both tours. On the both-sides tour, a booking whose border documents have not been reconfirmed may be canceled without a refund.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, on both tours, but not from Buffalo or Toronto. The American-side tour covers locations in Niagara Falls, New York. The both-sides tour covers the falls area, on the Ontario side as well as the New York side. The exact time is confirmed after booking.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Niagara Falls, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Niagara Falls
