Thanks to this great site, I think I've chosen what I want to see in a day, but please help me fine tune this plan. I'll be staying in Toronto in June, and have 1 Tuesday to spend in Niagara, returning to Toronto that night. I'll be driving, so how early should I start, and where should I park and take advantage of a shuttle? I want help with the order most of all, as I want to fit in as much as possible. These are on my list: Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds/Goat Island/Journey behind the Falls, the Whitewater Walk, Niagara on the Lake, Skylon Tower. Any suggestions most appreciated!

You will have a very busy day. There is lots of parking near the falls and right there you will be able to do the Maid of the Mist, journey behind the falls, trolley/bus to Goat Island and the Skylon Tower and whatever else you'd like. I'm not sure you could fit this all into one day though. NOTL (Niagara-on-the-Lake) is about a 15 minute drive from the falls and this shouldn't me missed either. Quaint shops, great pubs and restaurants, lovely architecture, wineries and fabulous friendly locals. Perhaps dinner in NOTL on the way back to Toronto? Try www.niagaraonthelake.com
or www.infoniagara.com
to get more information.
Have a great time.

I have taken quite a few visitors to Niagara and we do always manage to do everything on our list in one day. I'd leave Toronto about 8 am if you want a full day there.
Drive out past the falls and there is lots of parking. This is where you will catch the shuttle. Get off the shuttle at the brink of the falls, and do the things you want to do, as you work your way down the gorge. The Journey Behind the falls is right there at the building at the brink of the falls. You only have to walk a short way to the Maid of the Mist. But you might want to walk down and do it first. It can get really busy and you don't want to have to wait a long time and waste time.

Sorry, I don't know where Cave of the Winds is.

When you have done everything around the falls area, go back to your car, and drive downt eh Niagara Parkway, enjoying the drive to NIagara On the Lake. Park along the street and enjoy your time there.

YOu could also stop at the WElland Canal Visitor's centre if you are interested in possibley seeing a huge ship go thorugh the lock. There is quite a good visitor's centre. and good ice cream cones!

Sounds like once we get there it will be clear. Thanks for all the tips!

To help you clarify... Drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls and cross the border at the Rainbow Bridge... there will be no delay in crossing on a Tuesday AM... right off the bridge follow the signs to Goat Island (2 blocks away... park at Goat Island and proceed to Ticket Station where you can buy a discount attraction pass... use ticket one to get on the Cave of the Winds attraction... then proceed to Maid of the Mist... after looking around and using any other of the passes, head back over to Canada for another look at the Falls from the street side viewing area... then drive up Clifton Hill, turn left and head for Skylon Tower... You may want to pass on Journey behind the Falls as it is somewhat similar to Cave, but on the Canadian side... After leaving Skylon, drive up the Niagara Parkway along the Niagara River Gorge to the Whirlpool area... there you will find Whitewater walk and the Cable suspended viewing cars... after leaving there, continue north on the Niagara Parkway through a scenic route of fruit and grape orchards and into Niagara-on the-Lake... Have a walk through the village, grab a bite, and also consider capping your day with a trip on the Niagara JetBoats, possibly the best attraction at the Falls...

Consider bringing a change of clothes, as Maid, Cave, and Jetboats are wet events, or dress in easy dry shorts and tops... you will get wet!

Good Places to eat in the village include Angel Inn Pub, Zee's, and Queens Landing outdoor patio... have fun... it will be a busy day, but I have done this route several times with visitors......

Thanks! These details are just what I needed!

There might be an argument in favor of crossing the border in order to go to Goat Island, but I don't know what that argument would be.

Staying in Canada will save you a lot of time on your day.

Saving the Tower for later in the day is a good idea. You just might decide that you've seen lots of the area from other very good perspectives, and skip the tower in order to do something else.

And remember, it's an easy drive back to Toronto from Niagara on the Lake, which is full of good restaurants, so you can enjoy the afternoon, follow it up with a nice leisurely dinner, and still get back to Toronto in time for a drink before bed.

BAK

BAK... I think you are overdue for a trip to the Falls for a refresher on the benefits of the US side... the upper Niagara river and Goat Island are the source of the water flowing over the Falls... the only thing the State of NY did correctly at this park is preserve the NATURE of the Falls... therefore the argument of crossing the border is to enjoy standing right next to the Falls in a natural setting as it was meant to be... rather than on a concrete pad next to a wax museum...

The Goat Island experience also includes the Cave of the Winds tour that allows you to follow a path to a deck that leads to standing beneath the falls and experience the positive ions from the rush of the water... there is also the US dock for the Maid of the Mist... much less crowded and a time saver for those enjoying the Falls experience.... Our US side does have its drawbacks for cheesy development and the far away view of the Falls, but stop over sometime and TOUCH the water the way explorers did when they first came here....