Directions to Niagara Parks & Niagara Falls
From Buffalo, New York
Enter Canada over the Peace Bridge. After passing through Canada Customs, take the QEW Highway towards Toronto and choose one of the options described below to exit the QEW at Niagara Falls*. Or take the scenic route! After crossing the Peace Bridge, be prepared to take the very first exit on the right to Central Avenue. Turn left on Central Avenue and drive until it ends at the Niagara River. Turn left onto the Niagara Parkway to enjoy a scenic 20-minute drive north to the Falls. As you approach the Falls you can park at the Rapidsview or Falls Parking Lots. ** See Parking below.
From Toronto, Ontario
Take the QEW Highway towards Hamilton and St. Catharines and choose one of the options described below to exit the QEW at Niagara Falls*.
* To the Falls:
At Niagara Falls, exit the QEW at McLeod Road. Turn east and follow the road to the entrance to Marineland where there is a light at Upper Rapids Blvd. Turn left onto Upper Rapids Blvd. Between May and early October, Paid Parking is available here at the Rapidsview Lot. During winter months and to park closer to the Falls, take Upper Rapids Blvd. past the parking lot and turn left onto the Niagara Parkway. Drive past Dufferin Islands and the Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse. Turn left at the first set of lights to enter the Falls Parking Lot, where you can walk across to Table Rock Welcome Centre to go to Journey Behind the Falls and Elements on the Falls Restaurant.
* Alternate Route to the Falls and north Park attractions:
At Niagara Falls, exit the QEW at Highway 420. Drive across Stanley Avenue, following 420/Roberts Street. To go to the Falls, follow the signs to the Bridge to the U.S., and remain on Falls Avenue until you reach Clifton Hill. The entrance to the Park is directly in front of you and you can drive straight through and past the Falls to go into the Falls Parking Lot. A left turn on Clifton Hill takes you to the Niagara Parkway - turn right for the Falls or turn left to reach attractions in the north Park including the White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car, Butterfly Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Queenston Heights Park and Heritage Trail sites. You can also reach the north Park by exiting Roberts Street at Victoria Avenue. A left onto Victoria takes you to the Niagara Parkway.
* To the Butterfly Conservatory and north Park attractions from Toronto:
After crossing over the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines, take the first exit on your left to Highway 405 to Queenston. Take the Stanley Avenue exit on the right and at the lights at the top of the ramp turn left onto Stanley Avenue, driving back over the 405. At the intersection of Townline Road and Portage Road turn right on Portage. At the intersection of Portage Road and Niagara Parkway, a Traffic Circle, you can: turn left to reach Queenston Heights Restaurant and Park; go straight through to follow the Niagara Parkway north to Heritage Trail sites and Niagara-on-the-Lake; or turn right and follow the Niagara Parkway to the Falls. This route will pass the Floral Clock, Sir Adam Beck Power Tours, the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory, Whirlpool Golf Course, Whirlpool Aero Car and White Water Walk before reaching Table Rock Welcome Centre at the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
From Lewiston, New York
Enter Canada over the Lewiston-Queenston International Bridge. Follow Highway 405 to the Stanley Avenue exit (on the right) towards Niagara-on-the Lake and Queenston. Turn right on Townline Road. At the corner of Townline Road and Portage Road, turn left onto Portage Road. (Read the previous paragraph for further details.)
From Niagara Falls, New York
Enter Canada over the Rainbow Bridge. Take an immediate right, then turn right again at the lights and you will see the Niagara Gorge. Turning right onto the Niagara Parkway will take you to the Falls. You will reach the entrance to the Falls Parking Lot a short distance after passing the Horseshoe Falls. Turning left onto the Niagara Parkway is a scenic drive north to the Butterfly Conservatory and other north Park attractions.
** Parking:
Rapidsview Parking Lot is open daily late May until early October. Paid parking includes a free shuttle to the Falls. Falls Parking Lot is open year-round - the entrance is just south of Table Rock Welcome Centre at the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
Travelling to Niagara from the Greater Toronto area? Find out about GO Train services here:
Click for a Map of Niagara Parks.
Click for a detailed road Map of the Niagara Falls Region.
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