There aren’t many places in North America that feel as made for spectacle as Niagara Falls. That’s part of why the legend of Harry Houdini fits so naturally here. Somewhere between history and myth, there're stories that're perfectly in line with the way he built his reputation around danger, mystery and making people believe the impossible.

The most well-known Houdini story tied to Niagara Falls dates back to 1901, when it’s said he sealed himself inside a crate, was lowered into the Niagara River and escaped unharmed downstream. The story has been passed down for generations... but historians have never found reliable evidence that it actually happened. Houdini never mentioned it in his personal records and there are no consistent eyewitness accounts to support it. Still, whether the stunt took place or not, Niagara Falls became an undeniable part of Houdini’s legend.

In the early 1920s, Houdini returned to the Niagara Region to film The Man From Beyond (1922). Scenes were shot throughout the Niagara Gorge, including the Whirlpool Rapids and nearby parkland, with Houdini performing all of his own stunts - climbing steep rocks, swimming through frigid water and filming sequences that looked chaotic and dangerous while remaining carefully controlled. The project helped push illusion-based entertainment beyond stage and travelling shows into the world of film.

From 1968 to 1995, the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame stood on Clifton Hill, becoming one of Niagara Falls’ most memorable attractions. For decades, it showcased artifacts from the world of escapology, including Houdini’s famous Water Torture Cell. The museum drew visitors from around the world until a fire destroyed the building and much of its collection.

Illusion still lives on throughout the attractions on Clifton Hill. The same elements Houdini used to build suspense - misdirection, uncertainty and the feeling of physical risk - can still be felt today through experiences like Creepy Castle and Carnival Chaos, where guests are placed right in the middle of the action instead of simply watching from the sidelines.

Whether Houdini’s most famous Niagara stories are fact or folklore, his influence here is hard to ignore. His legacy lives on not through one single moment, but through a style of entertainment built around suspense, transformation and pulling people right into the experience.

To read more about Houdini's legacy in Niagara Falls, click here.

You heard that right - live music is back at Kelseys in Niagara Falls! Join us every Thursday and Friday night from May 7th to September 25th as we showcase some of Niagara’s best local talent, including Nathan Warriner, Dave Cassibo, Jacob Stirpe and more. Grab a seat on the patio, dig into a delicious meal and enjoy the sounds of incredible live performances all summer long. 🎤

Check out our events page for more information on who's playing when!

We’re excited to announce the official opening of Creepy Castle - our brand-new interactive ride packed with spooky thrills, jump scares and plenty of friendly competition. This next-generation dark ride combines fast-paced gameplay with cinematic visuals, making it a must-try for guests of all ages. 🦇

Do you dare enter the dark domain of Lord Darkness and battle his army? Put your skills to the test inside the former Zombie Attack theatre, located across from Niagara Speedway.

Read all about it here, then grab a Fun Pass and experience the thrills for yourself!

Make sure to stop by Table Rock and check out the countdown!

Everyone knows the Falls are busy and high-energy, but it doesn’t take much to find some quiet nearby. Just a few minutes away, you’ll hit green spaces, peaceful paths and a slower pace that feels like a reset. They’re all close to the main tourist strip and easy to reach, whether you’re walking or driving. If you want a quick break from the chaos, these spots are worth checking out:

• Oakes Garden Theatre (5851 Niagara Parkway)
• Queen Victoria Park (6345 Niagara Parkway)
• Botanical Gardens (2565 Niagara Parkway)
• Floral Clock (14004 Niagara Parkway)
• Dufferin Islands (6345 Dufferin Isle Road)

To read all about these amazing spots, click here 💐

Did you know that Boston Pizza Clifton Hill has over 35 screens around the restaurant? There’s not a bad seat in the house, so you’ll never miss a play, pitch or score during all your favourite games this playoffs season 🏒⚾️🏈

Show of hands if you remember Dinosaur Park? 🦖✨

Now it’s Dinosaur Adventure Golf: same prehistoric fun, even bigger experience! Come play a round and make some new memories 🦕⛳

Niagara Falls boat tours have been a must-do for generations. They’re easily one of the best ways to experience the power of the Falls up close. These days, you’ve got two main options: Niagara City Cruises on the Canadian side and Maid of the Mist on the U.S. side. The boats may be more modern now, but the story behind these tours goes way back.

Maid Of the Mist

The Maid of the Mist launched on May 27th, 1846, but not as a tourist attraction. It was a ferry for people, cargo and mail going across the river for a small fee... at least, until the first Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1848, created a lower deck in 1854 for pedestrians and carriages.

The new Maid of the Mist launched on July 14th, 1854 as a tourist attraction. The boat was 72 feet long, featured a paddle boat engine instead of a sidewheel steam one and included an updated propulsion system that was better designed for handling. Unfortunately, the Civil War (1861-1865) caused cross-border traffic to greatly decline, leading to the boat being sold at public auction to a Montreal firm in 1861. Captain Robinson took on transporting the boat through the Great Gorge Rapids, the Whirlpool and the Lower Rapids to deliver the vessel to Lake Ontario and only lost the smoke stack!

The steamboat was restored and launched in June 1885 under The Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company. This version reached closer to the Horseshoe Falls than previous iterations. This is when boat tours were cemented as a must-do excursion when visiting Niagara Falls. In 1892, the fleet was expanded with another boat on the American side. These vessels were built for increased visitor demand, but only sailed until April 22, 1955 when it was destroyed in a fire after an accident on the Canadian side.

A third generation of ship was introduced to replace the destroyed vessels with steel-hulled boats, enhanced safety features and powered by diesel engines. These launched on July 28th, 1955 (Maid of the Mist) and June 1956 (Maid of the Mist II) respectively. Fun fact: Maid of the Mist II contributed to saving a 7-year-old boy, Roger Woodward, after he was sent over the Horseshoe Falls in only a life jacket on July 9th, 1960. Captain Clifford Keech maneuvered the boat so the crew could successfully rescue Roger, who luckily only sustained a minor concussion and was in the hospital for only three days. In 1983, this second vessel was sold and went on to serve as a missionary ship on the Amazon River.

More ships were added to the fleet, including:

• Maid of the Mist III (1972-1997): carried 210 passengers, was 65 feet long, weighed 65 tons and powered by two 250-horsepower diesel engines.
• Maid of the Mist IV (1976-2013): carried 300 passengers, was 72 feet long and weighed 74 tons.
• Maid of the Mist V (1983-2013): constructed entirely of steel, carried 300 passengers, was 72 feet long, weighed 74 tons and was powered by two 335-horsepower diesel engines.
• Maid of the Mist VI (1990-2020): was the largest vessel in the fleet and the first double-deck iteration, carried 600 passengers, was 80 feet long, weighed 145-tonnes, was made entirely of steel and was the 10th boat to contribute to Niagara Falls Boat Tours.
• Maid of the Mist VII (1997-2020): was similar to Maid of the Mist VI, carried 600 passengers and was 80 feet long.

On December 4th, 2012, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo visited Niagara Falls, New York to announce the agreement between his administration and the Maid of the Mist to create a winter storage dock for the two-boat fleet. On Thursday October 26th, 2013, the Maid of the Mist did its final boat tour on the Canadian side, continuing service exclusively on the American side from a dock beyond the Rainbow Bridge.

In 2019, Maid of the Mist launched the first two all-electric, zero-emission passenger vessels constructed in the United States. ABB, a pioneering technology leader in digital industries, supplied a comprehensive integrated power and propulsion solution for the newly built vessels, including lithium-ion battery packs and an onshore charging system. The boats charge for seven minutes after each trip to 80% capacity, allowing for maximum efficiency and battery life.

Niagara City Cruises (Formerly Hornblower)

The Canadian side was replaced by Hornblower Niagara Cruises, a California-based company, at the start of spring 2014. They offer two catamarans that carry approximately 700 people and a third charter reserved for private function that carries 150 passengers. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 and it officially opened the next day.

The distinct difference between the Niagara City Cruises and the Maid of the Mist is the swarm of customers wearing red (Niagara City Cruises) and blue (Maid of the Mist) ponchos. Both these Niagara Falls boat tours are anticipating another exciting season. This past winter saw far less ice form on Lake Erie, which flows into the Niagara River. Both are hoping to start running soon with an expected start of May.

This is the 12th season for Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower), and, wait for it... the 180th year for Maid of the Mist!

To learn more about Niagara Falls' Boat Tour History, check out our blog!

Mother nature is playing tricks on us, but don't let that fool you... Niagara will begin to look like this very shortly 🌸🌷🌻

Question:

What restaurants are on Clifton Hill? Are reservations needed? Are there budget-friendly options?

Answer:

Clifton Hill has a wide range of places to eat, but if you’re looking for full sit-down restaurants, your main options are Kelseys and Boston Pizza. Both are casual, family-friendly spots with big menus so they’re easy crowd-pleasers and can accommodate most allergies or dietary restrictions. In terms of reservations, Kelseys Clifton Hill operates on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations), while Boston Pizza only takes advanced reservations for larger groups (5+ children or 10+ adults). During peak times, especially weekends and evenings, waits can increase, so plan accordingly but don't worry - we have plenty of seats to accommodate you and your party. :)

If you’re looking for a quick meal, you’ll find many concession stands with classic grab-and-go items and Wendy’s for something fast and familiar. These are great if you’re on the move or just want a quick bite between attractions.

TL;DR:

Clifton Hill dining is mostly Kelseys (no reservations) and Boston Pizza (reservations for large groups only), with quick, budget-friendly options like concession stands and Wendy’s available for grab-and-go.

To see the menus, check out our restaurants page.

Weather this time of year = unpredictable ⛅

But when it’s dry… the Niagara Speedway is ON 🏎️🏁

Have you been on the Speedway recently? Or is it the top of your bucket list?