Educational Programs & Tours
For Student Groups of 10 or More
Niagara Parks offers many opportunities for educators looking for unique settings for student learning. Whether you want to explore Canada's historic past, or to integrate units on science with geography, our diverse nature and heritage sites can add value to the learning process and help your students develop the skills and knowledge needed to compete and succeed.
We are pleased to offer a variety of curriculum-based learning experiences that provide different approaches to instruction using local resources. Learning by doing is emphasized and hands-on activities are encouraged at many of our locations.
Advance bookings are required for groups. Please call 1-877-NIA-PARK or 905 371 0254 ext. 2 to reserve any of the following:
Niagara Falls & Great Gorge Attractions
Bring your group to visit any three of the six following attractions for only $15.99 and receive a light lunch for Free! Click here for our Pick 3 & Lunch is Free program sheet.
The sound is like thunder, the sight awe-inspiring! Water crashes around from 13-feet storeys above as you are immersed in the spray and mist of the mighty Horseshoe Falls. This exhilarating journey takes visitors down 150 feet below the heart of the Falls through tunnels that lead behind the rushing wall of water. Take in spectacular views from observation decks at the foot of the Falls where you actually feel the thunder of the crashing waters.
Travel back in time 10,000 years to experience the Creation of the Falls. Witness the power and beauty of nature in 4D as the history of Niagara is revealed - this educational and entertaining experience will make you feel like you were actually there when Niagara’s Great Gorge was formed.
Take a walk like no other, along a boardwalk at the very edge of one of the world's wildest stretches of whitewater. After travelling down 230 feet, the relentless power and beauty of nature is revealed along a 1,000 foot boardwalk beside the whitewater rapids. Experience raging whitewater as trillions of gallons of water are forced into this ancient accelerating trough.
High above the racing Niagara River, you'll be transported through the air in an antique cable car. Far below, the torrent of water abruptly changes direction and creates one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon – the Niagara Whirlpool.
For millennia man has been fascinated by the overwhelming power of the Falls. Since 1958, Sir Adam Beck 2 Generating Station has captured that potential energy in one of Ontario's largest hydroelectric facilities. It's a wonderful example of a natural, non-polluting and reliable power source that has worked in harmony with the beauty of Niagara for over four decades.
Exotic greenery and flowing water create a rainforest-like environment for over 2,000 tropical butterflies at North-America's largest glass-enclosed Conservatory. Over 40 different species of butterflies fly freely through the 1,022 sq. m. climate-controlled setting. School groups can enrich their visit to the Conservatory by taking part in one of our educational programmes. Viewing live specimens of eggs, caterpillars and pupae enrich many of these programmes.
Educational programmes available September through June.
Click to download the current Butterfly Conservatory Teaching Guide $13.51 per adult and $8.80 per student
Ontario Curriculum
Parts of a Butterfly
(Gr. K to 3)
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
(Gr. K to 3)
Colors & Patterns
(Gr. 4 to 8)
Monarch Migration
(Gr. 4 to 8)
Niagara Heritage Trail Sites
The Laura Secord Homestead offers an accurate restoration of the house in which the Secord family lived from 1803 to 1835. Knowledgeable staff in period costume assist students in exploring the story of this remarkable Canadian heroine and the intriguing story of Ontario's past. Students explore the nature of heroism and the resposibilities of citizenship. Open seasonally, May to September.
$4.73 per adult, $3.68 per student, taxes included.
Ontario Curriculum
Laura's Journey
(Gr. 3 to 8)
Laura Secord's Life & Times
(Gr. 7 & 8)
Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
Working heritage presses and typesetting facilities allow students a hands-on experience at Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum, in the restored home of "firebrand" editor William Lyon Mackenzie. While living in Queenston in 1823, Mackenzie began his crusade for political reform with the publication of his first newspaper, the Colonial Advocate.
Citing Mackenzie and his newspaper as an example of the power of the printed word, an interactive approach is taken as students "set type" and print to explore the history of printing and printing technology. Open seasonally, May to September.
$4.73 per adult, $3.68 per student (taxes included)
Ontario Cirriculum
The Printer's Apprentice
(Gr. 5 to 8)
William Lyon Mackenzie
(Gr. 7 & 8)
Old Fort Erie was the first British fort built in what is now Ontario, Canada. During the War of 1812, the site was occupied by the American forces who used this strategic location as their base of operations for the invasion of Upper Canada. It was also the site of the Siege of Fort Erie, the scene of the worst fighting in the history of Canada. Our educational programme has been developed to provide an understanding of the significance of the War of 1812 for Canadian/American relations.
Programmes offered May to October
$9.45 per adult, $5.25 per student (taxes included)
Ontario Curriculum
The Soldier's Lot
(Gr. 5 to 7)
Faces of History Curriculum Outreach Programme
Duration 60 minutes.
$75.00 within 50km (35 mile) range
$120.00 outside of range but must be within 100km
Coming to Canada explores Upper Canada’s earliest European settlers. A pioneer family will provide students the opportunity to compare settler life with their own present-day experiences.
Grade 3 - Pioneer Life
Loyalists and Patriots looks into the creation of Canada and the United States. The events of the American Revolution are broken down into the shared experience of two individuals.
Grade 7 - British North America
Why Soldier Why presents the causes of the War of 1812 and its effects on individuals. A Canadian and an American soldier explain the similarities and differences between the opposing sides.
Grade 7 - British North America
For our New York friends and neighbours, all of these outreache programmes have been performed across the mighty Niagara. They are most appropriate for Colonial History for the Fifth Grade and Life in the New Nation for the Seventh Grade.
*The in-class programmes are not available beyond 100 km / 65miles from the Niagara River.
Tips for Teachers
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your booking at all locations.
All programmes are booked through our Sales Department at 1-877-NIA-PARK (1-877-642-7275), or locally at 905 371-0254 ext. 2.
Please allow approximately 1 to 1.5 hours for your visit at each location.
Joint programming can be arranged to accommodate a variety of group sizes. Please discuss your needs with our customer service representatives.
Access for the physically challenged is limited at some locations. Please inform our customer service representatives of your special needs.
A minimum of 10 paying students are required for Group rates. (September to June)
A complimentary admission for an adult chaperone is provided with every ten (10) paid student admissions. (September to June)
Please - chaperones are responsible for the orderly behaviour of student groups at all times and in all locations.
Meals
Student-Value Menus are available at several Niagara Parks locations: Table Rock Food Court, Maid of the Mist Quick Serve, Riverview International Buffet, the Butterfly Café and Whirlpool Restaurant. Brown Bag Lunches can be accomodated at covered picnic pavilions throughout the Park.
Please call to reserve a location at 1-877-NIA-PARK or 905 371-0254 ext. 2.
Note
Programme availability subject to change without notice.
All prices quoted in Canadian dollars and include applicable taxes.
