Many travelers visit Niagara for a boat trip to see Niagara Falls, but with this tour, you can experience a different side of the city. Descend underground in a glass-paneled elevator to explore what’s beneath the falls. See the Skylon Tower, the Illumination Tower, the Daredevil Exhibit, and the Niagara Parks Power Station, while hearing stories of Nikola Tesla, power stations, and the wonders of hydropower.
Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Learn the stories of hydropower, innovation, and daredevils at Niagara Falls
Public transportation options are available nearby
Local English-speaking guide
Begin your walking tour by meeting your expert guide at Skylon Tower. Along with the incredible views (and photo opportunities) you’ll be shown the Niagara Generating Stations supplying power to one-quarter of New York state along with the International Control Dam where water is diverted for use in the Station.
Many travelers visit Niagara for a boat trip to see Niagara Falls, but with this tour, you can experience a different side of the city. Descend underground in a glass-paneled elevator to explore what’s beneath the falls. See the Skylon Tower, the Illumination Tower, the Daredevil Exhibit, and the Niagara Parks Power Station, while hearing stories of Nikola Tesla, power stations, and the wonders of hydropower.
Gratuities
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Before exiting Skylon Tower, you'll check out the new Daredevil Exhibit (opened in 2025) to learn about these brave characters and see the real barrels they used to confront the Falls.
Pre-reserved Skylon Tower tickets with Glass Elevator access
Avoid long ticket lines since admission is included along the way
This tour is in English.
The Illumination Tower is located near the base of the Niagara River. Here, every evening at dusk, Niagara Falls is transformed into a multi-colored water and light masterpiece. Learn how the light show works as well as the famous figures who have walked this path before including British Royalty.
Tailrace Tunnel Experience & audio guide
A guide leads the tour so you don’t get lost
Glass Elevator at the Tailrace Tunnel
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Visit the Nikola Tesla Statue and learn about his inventions
Learn more about one of the most underappreciated inventors whose impact on the world cannot be underestimated. As you uncover his legacy, you’ll hear about his inventions that harnessed the power of water to produce hydroelectricity, how he sparked the ‘War of the Currents’ with Edison, and his oftentimes eccentric behavior.
Step on the boardwalk to look out over Horseshoe Falls, one of three waterfalls that makes up Niagara Falls. You’ll have time to breathe in the magnetic beauty, see the whirlpool beneath and truly appreciate why Tesla and others were so inspired to harness the raw power of nature on display here.
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Pre-reserved Niagara Power Station tickets
The first major power plant on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Power Station was completed in 1905 to produce hydroelectricity by using the power of the Niagara River. Today, crossing the threshold into this imposing structure is much like stepping back in time. With original machinery still housed within, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in hands-on training exercises. See the thrust deck, brake deck and turbo deck as you hear about their use and the future of hydroelectricity going forward. At this point, your guide will say goodbye and hand out audio guides so you can explore the Power Station and Tailrace Tunnel at your own pace.
Daredevil Exhibit tickets
Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
What you see from the top of the power station is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll descend 180 feet through the inner workings of the power station, then walk the path the water flowed through the Tailrace Tunnel to a one-of-a-kind view from the base of Niagara Falls.
Expertly guided walking tour
Please note: this tour is located in Canada, any guest arriving from the US will need a passport to enter Canada.
Our tour guide Phil was very knowledgeable about the area and Niagara power history. Going to the top of the skyline tower and then later heading 15 stories down to the tunnel was a neat experience. The view from the tunnel platform was spectacular!
We did the power station tunnel at night. Inside the building is a really beautiful laser show. However, it is dark and it's hard to see everything inside, so you may want to also consider visiting during the day. We then went down an elevator to a tunnel, which is about half mile long. Slightly down sloping on the way there. At the end of the tunnel, you come to a platform with a beautiful view of the falls. This is not the same "behind the falls" view of the Journey attraction, but it is amazing! Rain ponchos are provided if you need them - we did not. We did not stay for the fireworks, but I believe you can. The gift shop was open when we got there, but closed when we left. Really neat way to start your vacation at Niagara Falls!
It was really awesome to share the tour with Mary she is just wonderful . Awesoms energy loved the way she guided us all the way explaining perfectly through our being that hot
We went to experience the tunnel, but got so much more. The water power station is so informative. I greatly enjoyed the displays and interactive experiences available throughout the power station. The elevator ride can be claustrophobic for some, be prepared, it's worth it! There are informational boards every few hundred feet. The walk through the tunnel very cool, it feels like being in the sewers without the smell. The tunnel is slightly under a mile one way. Wear good shoes for the walk and the conditions (wet and slippery).
We did the basic self-guided tour and we were not disappointed! We discovered extremely interesting facts about the history of the power stations utilizing Niagara Falls over the years. This was a great tour with self-guided or guided options. The listening devices made it easy to do a self-guided tour and learn at your own pace. The walk through the tunnel was at your own pace with an occasional bench to rest along the way. The view at the end of the tunnel made the walk through the tunnel well worth the time and effort.
It was very enjoyable and informative. Our guide was awesome. She really new the information and then some. Made it a great experience!
It is a bit cheeky that they don't offer a senior's rate, but it is worth paying the full price of admission. The elevator ride was neat - passing by all of the old pipes. The hike down the tunnel was a bit ho-hum but the views at the end make it worthwhile. You really get an appreciation for both the beauty and the power of the falls. I recommend making this trip through the tunnel - just take a sweater because it is chilly down there!
I give this five stars as the views from the tower and especially the base of the falls is amazing. While one can go to both places with out the guide the information about the falls and the hydroelectric power plant as well as the history we’re well worth the extra price.
The views were amazing and our tour guide Phillip was extremely knowledgeable. I would do this tour again!
We had difficulty hearing/understanding our tour guide because of the low quality speaker she was using.
180 min
Niagara Falls, Canada
4.6 / 5 (247)