Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Night Light Show and Boat or Dinner Options

This 10 to 11 hour trip leaves Toronto from one of several pickup points and drives about two hours to Niagara Falls. Depending on the season, one or two stops come on the way: Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara Whirlpool, a maple syrup tasting venue, the Floral Clock or the Niagara Power Station. Which ones vary by day. At the falls a guided walk visits several viewpoints, explains how much water goes over and points out where to take photos. The Canadian side shows Horseshoe Falls, with Bridal Veil Falls across the border, and the guide explains the origin of its name. Clifton Hill, the entertainment area on the Canadian side, comes next, followed by 4 hours of free time. After dark the falls light up in changing colours. From May 17 to October 14 there are fireworks, and from November 16 to January 5 the Winter Festival of Lights runs. The group regroups at Clifton Hill and is back in Toronto around midnight. Three options are sold. The tour without attractions keeps the 4 hours free. The boat ride and Journey Behind the Falls adds a 20 minute Hornblower cruise, typically May 15 to December 1 and weather permitting, with Skylon Tower as the fallback, plus the 130-year-old tunnels. The all-inclusive tour adds a three-course dinner with a view at the Queen Victoria or Table Rock restaurant, depending on the season, and entry to the Illumination Tower to control the colours of the falls for a few minutes. Pickup locations include the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown, the Chelsea Hotel, Sankofa Square, Dineen Coffee Co., the Starbucks at 300 Front St W and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Mississauga.