Helicopter Ride Niagara Falls

Visiting Niagara Falls from the sky aboard a helicopter is something that doesn't happen every day. You have different flight options for you to choose the one that best suits your preferences and your planning.

The most popular is a short flight over the most spectacular border of the USA and Canada in which you will see the most photogenic waterfalls. If you also want a second perspective from the heights, a flight with lunch in the Skylon tower at 236 meters above the falls is for you. And for the most exclusive, nothing better than a private flight to enjoy the scenery with a glass of wine in hand.

If you come to Niagara Falls after being in New York, you may have done the activity of flying over Manhattan by helicopter. If so, you'll know that it's not exactly cheap, and the same goes for the falls. However, don't worry because you have different options to enjoy the experience of flying over a magnificent landscape without mortgaging the rest of your North American vacation.

Short flights

The most economical options consist of a helicopter flight of about 12 minutes in which you will see the natural monuments of the area, including the Whirlpool Rapids and the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls, as well as a fantastic panoramic view. If what you want is to live the experience and observe from the air this natural place this is your option. It is available for approximately 140 euros.

Long flights

Long flights, about 20 minutes, are more expensive and can be around 280 euros. In Niagara Falls there are tours that offer flights of **up to forty minutes in total that include a lunch at the Skylon Tower that will allow you to enjoy from two different perspectives of the river landscape. The helicopter flight will take you over Whirlpool Rapids and Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls. To this you will add a second experience from the Skylon Tower. There you will enjoy a lunch with typical products. I recommend that you ask about the wines that are produced there.

If you plan to eat in the quiet area: the Skylon tower is not your only option. Here are some more recommendations of where to have lunch in Niagara Falls.

The guide, an added value to the excursion

All flights have a specialized guide to not miss any detail. Surely the feeling you will have when you are up there will be so intense that you will not know what you are seeing. The guide that accompanies you will specify it and in this way, once down in the park, you will relate the main attractions of Niagara Falls with the wonder you saw from the heights.

You have already seen that depending on your budget you will have different alternatives when it comes to visiting Niagara Falls from the helicopter, but you may still be hesitating. Here is a comparison of the two main tours:

Easy: one of the most spectacular natural borders between two countries. The United States and Canada place their geographic boundary in this area of the Great Lakes at the Niagara River, which connects Lakes Ontario and Erie.

The Falls

Niagara Falls consists mainly of three waterfall areas. The largest is the Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, which separates the two countries. The other two, somewhat smaller, are the American Falls and the Bridal Veil. The latter two are located in the state of New York and are separated by Luna Island. Goat Island divides the Bridal Veil from the Horseshoe and you will also see the Whirlpool Rapids.

Niagara Falls is the largest and most powerful waterfall in North America. In fact, at their peak they move 168,000 m3 of water, a natural beauty worth visiting.

Beyond the water

In addition, the helicopter ride will allow you to see the city of Toronto in the distance and Niagara-on-the-Lake much closer. Yes, that's the name of the Canadian city closest to the Falls, also famous for its vineyards. And if that's not enough, you can soak up the history of the North American continent by seeing Fort George, a military building built by the British in the 1790s.

Between you and me, how many times in your life are you going to visit Niagara Falls? You'll be lucky if you repeat, but if your list of destinations is endless like mine, you'll have to make the most of your trip to the Niagara River. And I can't think of a better way than to do it from the air if your savings allow.

Enjoying the grandeur of Niagara Falls is unparalleled. If you limit yourself to viewing them from the ground or aboard a ferry, you'll see only a tiny part of the entire landscape. And the perspective will not be the same as from a bird's eye view. You will move up and down the waterfalls and appreciate their 50-meter drops in a unique way. A trip like this deserves the perfect cherry on top.

Here are some other tours you can do on the US side of the falls.

Helicopter flights over Niagara Falls are available all year round, but each season offers different characteristics that you should take into account.

The best time of the year

Summer is undoubtedly the best time of the year to fly over Niagara Falls. June through August is high season, with all that entails, higher prices and more visitors, but temperatures are ideal and all points of interest will be open. In spring the botanical gardens bloom and in autumn the grapes are harvested and temperatures are still pleasant. In winter, with sub-zero thermometers, only the most daring will take the helicopter flight, but beware! visiting Niagara Falls in winter can be quite an experience; do not discard it.

Here is a link with all the details about the weather in the area throughout the year and another with an article about the best time to visit Niagara Falls Park.

What is the best time to visit

Any time of day is a good time to visit Niagara Falls by helicopter if the sun is shining. However, the evening light gives the landscape a special charm. The clouds and the horizon take on an orange color that will look amazing in the photos you are able to take.

The Niagara Falls helicopter flight is an activity open to everyone and is completely safe. Children over two years old will not have any inconvenience in carrying out the activity, but for babies and pregnant women it is not recommended. However, my advice is that if you are planning to do the flight with children, choose another option among the many activities that can be done with children in Niagara Falls because it is possible that the little ones are scared and do not enjoy the trip one hundred percent.

Safety

Niagara Falls helicopter tours are completely safe. They have been conducted for several decades with experienced pilots and helicopters in perfect condition. Before boarding, you will receive a short training to make your flight as comfortable as possible and to avoid any risky situation.

Helicopter model

The helicopters used to fly over Niagara Falls are state-of-the-art. Two of the models used are the BELL 206 LONGRANGER and the BELL 206 JETRANGER.

Get your camera ready for the best photos

Your social media feeds will be smoking when you post the photos you take aboard the helicopter. Whether it's a cell phone with a good camera or a more professional device, make sure it's in the best condition to get the perfect snapshot. But just don't spend the trip looking at the scenery through a lens, enjoy the experience as time is money.

Check the weather forecast

The activity cannot be carried out in case of rain or poor visibility conditions. Therefore, you should check the weather forecast to make sure the sun is shining and enjoy the flight in the best weather conditions.

Wear warm clothes

Keep in mind that the temperature on board the helicopter will be lower than on the ground, so it is a good idea to pack warm clothes in your suitcase. The time of the year will also determine what to include in your luggage.

Think ahead and be prepared

A helicopter ride over Niagara Falls is probably something you will do only once in a lifetime. So leave your nerves behind and focus on the experience. Even if you've never flown in a helicopter before, the instructors will make you feel comfortable so you can overcome any obstacles. If you are prone to dizziness or vertigo, consult a doctor or specialist to be prepared for the activity. Backing out would be a real shame.