You might be in Toronto because you live there or because you’re visiting. It doesn’t matter what the reason is – Niagara Falls is close by, so being in Toronto is a great time to visit Niagara Falls, too.
Going from Toronto to Niagara Falls (or Niagara Falls to Toronto) is only a short hour-and-a-half drive, on average. The cities are around 72 miles/110km apart, so there’s easy access.
You can even make a Niagara Falls trip from Toronto and head back the same day. Here’s how to plan a trip visiting Niagara Falls from Toronto.
How to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto
If you have access to a car or rent one, you can hop on the QEW highway that connects Toronto to Niagara Falls. It’s typically fast and direct.
If you’re craving a more scenic option, you can take Highway 81 from around St. Catharines. As you drive, take in views of countryside and wine country. Just make sure not to drink and drive if you stop and sip. Always have a designated driver, especially when the wines along this route are as tasty as they are!
You can also hop on the Go Transit public transit to take a train/bus route between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Or, check out a shuttle bus at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Since lots of Niagara Falls visitors fly in to this airport, there are plenty of transportation options to Niagara Falls here.
If you have time to stop on your journey between Toronto and Niagara Falls, here are some places to consider.
- Burlington is a stop on the QEW and is about an hour away from Toronto. You can check out the Royal Botanical Gardens here that span 400 acres.
- Hamilton is the halfway point between Niagara Falls to Toronto. You can find waterside steel factories, visit an art gallery or check out some heritage museums.
- If you want to check out the Niagara wine region, head to towns like Grimsby, Beamsville, Jordan and Vineland. They’re all accessible via Highway 81.
In addition to getting there yourself or via public transport, there are also various companies offering day tours from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Talk with a Niagara Falls hotels concierge about ones they’d recommend.
What to Do on a Quick Trip to Niagara Falls
Ideal things to do in Niagara Falls will depend on several factors – like if you’ve ever been there before, how much time you have and who you’re traveling with. Here are some ideas.
If It’s Your First Time in Niagara Falls
If this is your first time, make the actual Niagara Falls a priority. Check out the Journey Behind the Falls tour to check out observation decks right by the falls.
You could also take a trip on Hornblower Niagara Cruises, which sail within the Niagara Great Gorge and get trip-takers super-close to the water. It’s a breathtaking sight, for sure.
If You’re a Nature Lover
Getting close to nature is easy in the Niagara Falls area. Head to the Botanical Garden Niagara Parks to walk through 40 hectares (99 acres) of gorgeous gardens. There’s even a world-famous rose garden, which has more than 2,400 roses to stop, sniff and enjoy!
You should also visit the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, which has more than 2,000 butterflies moving through a climate-controlled conservatory.
If the Whole Family Is Here
Niagara Falls has so many family-friendly activities to check out. Research this list to see what would make your family the happiest to check out.
- Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
- Adventure City
- Hershey’s Chocolate World Niagara Falls
- The Fun Factory Niagara Falls
- The Great Canadian Midway
These are many more ways to have an all-ages blast in Niagara Falls. You could also go to the White Water Walk, which is an easy walk for all ages and skill levels and gets you close to Niagara Falls nature and the Niagara River.
If You’ve Already Done the Niagara Falls Tourist Thing
If you’ve been to Niagara Falls plenty and want to explore something a little different, try some off-the-beaten path Niagara Falls spots.
- White Meadows Farms: See how maple syrup is made, and taste it on site.
- La Grande Hermine: Check out this historical replica of a pirate ship.
- Village of Chippawa: This close-knit village has unique local shopping options and community events.
Everywhere you turn in Niagara Falls, there’s always something new to discover. If you are close by, there’s a reason to come from Toronto to Niagara Falls on every trip.
Plan a Niagara Falls Day – or Several – Now
One visit to Niagara Falls is never enough. If your Niagara Falls trip ends up being so much fun, you want to add on extra days, that’s never a problem. There are plenty of Niagara Falls hotels to choose from that offer comfortable rooms and great service.