5 THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA FALLS (THAT AREN’T THE FALLS THEMSELVES)

After you’ve seen the crashing waters of the falls, don’t think for a second that it’s time to pack up and go. There are a ton of great things to see and do while you’re exploring the area. Here at Expedia Canada we’re exploring Niagara Falls. We’ve already showed you the 5 best ways to see Niagara Falls, now we’re going off the beaten path with Attractions Ontario to present you five things to do in Niagara Falls (that aren’t the falls).

1. Nightmares Fear Factory

There aren’t many attractions that proudly display how many people were too scared to complete a tour, but not many places are the Nightmares Fear Factory. As the legend goes, the haunted house was once a coffin factory run by Abraham Mortimer. One day Mortimer got into a scuffle with a band of ruffians and was crushed under a pile of caskets. Later—or so the story goes—his unearthed coffin was found empty. Today, the house is open to visitors who must navigate through the disorienting maze and meet eerie surprises along the way. Over 133,000 visitors have been too scared to make it to the end, earning them a place on the infamous “Chicken List.”

2. Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks

There’s something quintessential about visiting a wax museum on a family vacation. Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks is no exception. Where else can you see legendary movie stars, comic book heroes, and Canadian thrill seekers all in one place? There are over 100 wax figures in the museum, waiting to pose in your photos. The wax museum is a part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not®, which was established in 1918. The space is home to over to over 800 exhibits, with everything from shrunken heads to punk art. You better believe it it’s a wacky site to visit.

3. Bird Kingdom®

When you visit Niagara Falls, you expect to see flying mist, but what about flying parrots? Visit Bird Kingdom®, the largest indoor free-flying aviary in the world. Start in the Explorer’s Base Camp section, where you can hold parrots and other winged animals on your arms. After that, venture into the Night Jungle, where you can spot a variety of nocturnal animals like owls, bats, and snakes. Save the Discover the Kingdom section for the grand finale, as it includes a 12 m waterfall, jungle floor, and dozens of colourful birds flying overheard in the expansive space. You can say it’s a hoot.

4. Niagara Falls History Museum

Once you’ve seen the falls, learn more about their history with a stop at the Niagara Falls History Museum. The centre is located in the old Stamford Township Hall, which was built in 1874. While it’s primarily filled with artifacts, there’s also a good number of interactive exhibits. Try on replica uniforms of soldiers from the War of 1812, hold an antique musket, and try tightrope walking like daredevils have done over the real falls. If you stumble, it’s a much, much shorter distance at the Niagara Falls History Museum.

5. Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre

After your day exploring the Niagara Falls region, it’s only right to sit back and enjoy a show with a side of steak. Since it opened in 1994, the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre has remained the top dinner show of the area. Enjoy a good meal as a team of performers dressed up as hockey players, Mounties, and even Anne of Green Gables sing and dance throughout the evening. It’s a show you won’t see anywhere else.

When you’re visiting Niagara Falls, come for the water but stay for the extra attractions. Trust us, they’re well worth it!

– Expedia Canada Staff Writer