Niagara Falls is a place I had always wanted to go. I love waterfalls and wanted to see Niagara Falls in person to get a sense of the magnitude. Russell had not been before either so we decided to plan a weekend there. I was surprised to learn about all the things to do in Niagara Falls.
We thought a Niagara Falls helicopter ride would be the best way to see the falls and help make it a memorable weekend. Let me tell you about our experience so you can decide if it is worth the splurge.
For more helpful information to plan your trip, check out my practical tips for visiting Niagara Falls and my free printable travel planning checklist.
About Niagara Falls
There are actually three main waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls: the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and the Bridal Falls. All are impressive in their own right, but the Horseshoe Falls is by far the largest.
About 160,000 gallons of water flow through both the American and Bridals Falls while the Horseshoe Falls has 600,000 gallons per second. The Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side and gets its name from its shape.
If you plan on visiting Niagara Falls be sure to read my guide to what to pack.
Niagara Helicopters
The helicopter trips over the Falls are run by a company called Niagara Helicopters. In addition to the helicopter tour over Niagara Falls, they also offer a helicopter tour that includes a visit to Niagara on the Lake. If you want, you can even have your wedding on one of their helicopters.
Niagara Helicopters take off from a launching pad located on the Canadian side about a 10-minute drive north of the hotel area. They have plenty of free parking. After we parked, we decided to pose with one of the parked helicopters. There was another couple there, so we offered to take their picture. We learned that the girlfriend had bought her boyfriend a helicopter flight for his birthday. I thought that was thoughtful.
The day of our flight the weather was absolutely perfect! There were a few clouds but overall the sun was shining and the sky was clear and blue. The temperature was in the upper 80s. I couldn’t have asked for a better day for a Niagara Falls Helicopter tour.
Obligatory photo with the helicopter.
Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride Tickets
We went inside to get our tickets for the Classic Tour. Niagara Helicopters does not take reservations, they operate on a first come, first serve basis. You can come at any time during the business hours (9 a.m. until sunset) and get tickets for their Niagara Helicopter tours. Unfortunately, they cannot fly after dark or in low cloud conditions, so call in advance if the weather looks questionable! They can fly up to four helicopters at a time, so don’t worry the line moves pretty fast.
We were both excited to do a Niagara Falls helicopter tour. This was going to be Russell’s first helicopter ride and my second. I had enjoyed my helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon and I knew what to expect. Russell was a little anxious, but I knew he would love it. We went outside to get in the short line. I was excited for our helicopter experience for two.
Right away we could tell Niagara Helicopters was a well-organized operation. They were efficient with loading and unloading the helicopters that the line moved quickly. We got to skip a bit of the line because they were looking for a party of two to fill extra spots, so we waited less than 10 minutes. On their website, they note that they try to keep the wait time for their Niagara Falls Helicopter tours to under 15 minutes.
We were hoping to sit in the front so that we would have the best views. I asked the attendant if we could and he said it was up to the pilot. I decided I would try my best to get the front seat. Before the helicopter takes off, they take a group picture of everyone that will ride on the helicopter in front of it. When we went to take the picture, we went and stood on the left of the group. That way we would be closest to the front of the helicopter. And it worked, the crew directed us to sit in the front with the captain.
Our Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour
The staff helped us buckle in and the professional photographers took a few pictures. Then we took off. The helicopter ride was smooth. They had a taped narration of the flight that provided some interesting facts and told us about the different sites we flew over. Each passenger gets their own headset and the narration is available in multiple languages.
The first part of the flight you fly over the Niagara River downstream from the falls. It is amazing the intensity of the rapids here. The Whirlpool Rapids are designated as class 6, the most challenging in the world. I also spotted the Whirlpool Aerocar. It was crossing above these rapids. I made a mental note to check it out after we landed.
Here you can see the American Falls and the Bridal Falls plus the Hornblower Boat.
Then we headed towards the falls. First, we flew over the Rainbow Bridge, which crosses the Niagara River and is a border crossing between the US and Canada. Then, as we approached the American Falls and the Bridal Falls, we passed over Queen Victoria Park.
Next up was the Horseshoe Falls. I was a little worried I was sitting on the wrong side of the helicopter to get a good view. Well, the pilot did a figure eight maneuver to ensure that everyone got a great view of the Falls. And let me tell you everyone got a spectacular view as the helicopter was over Niagara Falls. When the helicopter turned, I felt like I was looking straight down on the falls through the large windows and it was just breathtaking.
Smooth Landing After Our Helicopter Ride Over Niagara Falls
Then the helicopter headed back. We both looked at each other in amazement at what we had seen. As we approached the launchpad we could see there was another helicopter there. We thought we might have to wait, but the helicopter took off just in time. Niagara Helicopters has this down to a science – they have been doing it for over 50 years! I wonder how many Niagara Falls helicopter rides they have given!
Here you can see the Rainbow Bridge, the American Falls, the Bridal Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls.
We exited the helicopter and the pictures they had taken were ready for us to review. Of course, they had the group photo, but they had also taken a few other candid shots as well.
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour Video
The Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride was over too quickly, but it was special and memorable. The views we had we will never forget. If I had the chance to go for another ride I would! Check out our video to get a better sense of the experience.
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour FAQs
What is the Niagara Falls helicopter tour price?
It costs (correct as of 3/13/18) $145 CAD per adult or $280 CAD for a couple to do a tour. The Niagara Falls helicopter ride price for children is $89 CAD. They do offer family and group discounts.
Do you need to book your helicopter over Niagara Falls in advance?
No, they operate on a first come first served basis.
Where is Niagara Helicopters located?
The address for Niagara Helicopters is 3731 Victoria Avenue (at the Niagara River Parkway) in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. it’s about a 10-minute drive from the hotel area on the Canadian side of the Falls.
How long is the Niagara Falls helicopter flight?
The ride takes 12 minutes (including boarding time).
Some things are definitely worth the splurge, especially when the experience leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime. We will always remember our helicopter ride in Niagara Falls Canada! Have you ever done a helicopter ride or splurged on a memorable experience?
-Anisa
Expert Tips for Your Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride
- Don’t worry about where you sit inside the helicopter, with the large windows, everyone will have a great view.
- You don’t need to book in advance but call ahead if the weather looks questionable to see if Niagara Helicopters are able to fly.
Disclosure: Niagara Helicopters gave us a discount on our helicopter ride. As always opinions are mine.
what an experience! I’ve never done a helicopter ride!
Tanja – It really was amazing! I hope you get the chance to ride a helicopter soon.
That looks like an amazing way to see the falls. I’m going to have to give it a try the next time I’m in the area.
Thanks Jenn. It was a great experience, so I hope you get the chance to do it.
wow, look at those views. I didn’t realise there were three waterfalls that made it up. One of my bucket list.
Angela – Yes, that was one of the things I learned on my trip. It really is an amazing place, so I hope you get the chance to visit.
I’ve always wanted to do a helicopter ride! Didn’t know they did them over Niagara. Great shots!
Emily – Thanks so much. Yes a helicopter ride is an amazing experience. I hope you get the chance to do it.
Theres no denying that it was an wonderful experience. Thanks for such an informative post.
Amrita – Thanks so much, glad you liked it.
This would be a very cool way to see the falls. I’ve done the Maiden of the Mist tour at Niagara which was super cool, but have not done a helicopter tour. Definitely putting it on the list for the next time I visit.
Melissa – Yes we did the Hornblower boat, which was great too. So many amazing ways to see Niagara Falls.
Wow! Niagara Falls is impressive from the ground. I bet it is amazing by helicopter ride! I’m a little jealous! 🙂
April – Thank you. It really was amazing. I hope you get the chance to do it.
wow! Ive been to the falls, both the NY and Canada side but you dont get this bird eye view! that pic of the horseshoe falls is incredible !I will have to keep this in mind because my kids want to go to Niagara someday!
Harmony – Yes the birds eye view is pretty impressive. Glad you liked the photo. Although Niagara is the Honeymoon Capital of the World, I was really surprised how many different things there were that kids would love to do.
This seems an awesome experience! I would love to do this soon, Anisa and Katherine!
Agness – It was such an unforgettable experience. I hope you get to do it soon too.
I didn’t realise there were all these different names for parts of the waterfall. I’ve not been there myself yet but would like to go! My grandma went when she was about 75 years old… so I have time (Im 25) haha!
Jess – I hope you do make it there at some point. Yes the American Falls and the Bridal Falls are right by each other. The Horseshoe falls are separated from the others a bit.
Wow! What amazing views! I always try to some kind of flying to every place I visit, be it a helicopter, a balloon…
Thanks Maria. I have never done a hot air balloon. That is on my bucketlist.
Wow, it is an amazing experience ! Great shot of the falls, much better view than if you’d of been on a boat.
Thanks so much! We did also go on a boat. More about that coming up on the blog soon.
The horse shoe falls looks amazing from that view! It is amazing how it all just naturally formed like that.
Jennifer – Thank you. It really is amazing.
Love! Love! Love! This!!! We did helicopter ride over Hawaii about 11 years ago and loved it, but I hadn’t thought about it for Niagara Falls! Looks like a blast. Great video.
Awe thank you, Amanda! I would love to do a helicopter ride next time I am in Hawaii, that sounds amazing.
That looks incredible! Love the horseshoe falls by the air. I’d love to take a heli tour, or just visit Niagra falls at all. I took a prop plane ride over the Grand Canyon in high school and loved it. Seeing things from the air provides such a unique perspecitve!
Staci – I really hope you get to visit Niagara. The falls are amazing and there are so many ways to experience them – more on that coming up. And yes seeing the Grand Canyon from the air is great too!
What an amazing experience!!! Helicopter is fun but over the Niagara falls wow ?
Thanks Julz. It really was incredible!
Wow what an amazing experience, and great tip about standing for the photo and getting to sit in the front with the captain! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks guys. Yes it really was a great experience. It was nice to sit in the front, but I am sure those in the back had a great view too.
Wow!!! This is such an experience! I am so afraid of heights that I don’t know if I would be able to do it!
Brenda – Russell is afraid of heights too so I was a little worried he would have a hard time. He loved it through. Its hard to explain but I think if you can get yourself in a helicopter you would really enjoy it.
What a fun adventure!! I have been to Niagra Falls and would never even think of getting a helicopter tour but it makes so much sense. It is a great way to get a good perspective of the falls as a whole. And great shots by the way. Really captures the natural beauty of this amazing place.
Thanks so much Kelly! Yes I was really surprised about all the different ways you can see the falls. More about those coming up on the blog.
Wow, the view from up there is incredible! I have never seen aerial shots of the falls. I would love to try a helicopter ride in the region!
Thanks Stephanie! Yes the few was amazing. I hope you get the chance to do one too!