A visit to Niagara Falls punctuates any trip to New York or Ontario. You could even plan your time there as the basis of your entire vacation. While visiting Niagara Falls is free, the surrounding attractions your kids will want to see are not.
That’s why the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass is such a great thing, especially for families on a shoestring budget who still want to plan a five-star vacation.
This article is for you if you’re unfamiliar with the Adventure Pass or know a little bit about it but want to learn more before you spring for it. I’ll explain what the Adventure Pass is, what it includes, and what it costs.
What Is the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass?
The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass (sometimes referred to as the City Pass or Wonder Pass) is an official pass offered by Niagara Parks. The pass makes it more cost-effective to see the surrounding attractions and plan your vacation efficiently.
You can select from three pass tiers to tailor-make your perfect Niagara Falls experience. Let’s go over them.
Adventure Pass Classic
The Adventure Pass Classic is the basic version. It’s the least expensive and designed for families not planning to stay in Niagara Falls long. Here’s what’s included.
WEGO Access
The pass includes two days’ access to WEGO, the local transportation system for Niagara Park visitors. WEGO can transfer you from Niagara Parks to other nearby attractions and local tourist areas.
WEGO traveling to Niagara Falls without taking your car is convenient, as you can ride three lines at Table Rock Centre and Horseshoe Falls.
A WEGO pass usually costs $10.62 for children between three and 12 and $14.16 for adults.
Niagara’s Fury
Niagara’s Fury is a 4D motion theater experience that activates all your senses. The floor will tremble, the room will get cold, and you will get misted to create the sensation of water and falling snow.
A ticket to Niagara’s Fury usually costs $11.50 for kids and $17.50 for adults.
White Water Walk
White Water Walk is a perfect complement to your day at Niagara Falls. The boardwalk takes you through class-6 rapids as you walk among platforms across a quarter mile. You can learn about the Niagara Gorge and other parts of the falls during your walk.
A ticket to White Water Walk usually costs $11.50 for kids and $17.50 for adults.
Journey Behind the Falls
See a different view of Niagara Park at Journey Behind the Falls, which takes you through tunnels more than 100 years old. You’ll see behind Horseshoe Falls from 13 stories on an observation deck. You might also get wet, so bring a poncho.
A ticket to Journey Behind the Falls usually costs $16 for children and $24 for adults.
Adventure Pass Plus
How does cutting your spending on your Niagara Falls visit in half sound? You can save 53 percent on your trip with the Adventure Pass Plus.
This upgraded pass includes Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara’s Fury, White Water Walk, and a two-day WEGO pass, but you get a lot more. Here’s what else you can expect.
Falls Incline Railway Access
The Falls Incline Railway is a new mode of transportation around Niagara Park. This railway transfers you between the Fallsview Tourist Area and Table Rock, with stops at the Fallsview Casino Resort, the Bridge of Flowers (a beautiful Niagara Parkway pedestrian crossing), and local hotels.
Riding the Falls Incline Railway costs $14.16 for riders of all ages, but you’ll get two days of free rides with the Adventure Pass Plus.
Butterfly Conservatory
The Niagara Parks’ Butterfly Conservatory is a gorgeous attraction, with more than 2,000 butterflies flying about in nearly every natural color. The area has waterfalls and greenery around every corner.
You and your family can walk through the pathways at your leisure, learning about and interacting with the elegant butterflies throughout your experience.
A ticket to the Butterfly Conservatory usually costs $11.50 for children and $17.50 for adults.
Whirlpool Aero Car
The Whirlpool Aero Car is another exceptional experience afforded to you through the Adventure Pass Plus. This ride takes you across the Niagara River and Niagara Gorge from 3,500 feet up!
The cable car has an antiquity that makes the ride an unforgettable experience. You will venture between the United States and Canada on your trip but don’t need a passport. The ride lasts 45 minutes on average.
A ticket for the Whirlpool Aero Car usually costs $11.50 for kids and $17.50 for adults.
Niagara Parks Power Station + The Tunnel
The Niagara Parks Power Station is a newer attraction in the area (although the building itself is more than 100 years old) that allows you to explore The Tunnel, which is over 2,000 feet long.
You’ll drop down 180 feet through a glass elevator, then cross The Tunnel to an observation deck. You can look out at the Niagara River from this great vantage point.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the area and see artifacts and exhibits. The Niagara Falls Power Station also offers a Currents light and sound show, which is not included in the Adventure Pass Plus, but you do get a coupon for $6 off the price of admission.
A ticket to the Niagara Falls Power Station and Tunnel usually costs $18.25 for kids and $28 for adults.
Bonus Attractions
As if the Adventure Pass Plus isn’t tantalizing enough, it includes access to a handful of bonus attractions and transportation options sure to make this pass even more tempting.
You can take the Niagara-on-the-Lake or NOTL Shuttle with a WEGO green line connection to Floral Clock and Queenston.
On top of that, you can see the Niagara Parks Heritage Sites for less, including the Mackenzie Printery, McFarland House, Laura Secord Homestead, and Old Fort Erie. Tickets to these sites usually cost $25.75 for kids and $39.75 for adults.
Wait, it gets even better, as the last bonus Adventure Pass Plus attraction is the Floral Showhouse. This garden near Canadian Horseshoe Falls features a miniature village collection called Life on Display, an elegant foyer, and three display houses.
Floral shows happen throughout the year, typically centered around seasons and holidays. You can always expect to see tropical species, succulents, and orchids.
A ticket to the Floral Showhouse usually costs $5 for children and $8 for adults.
Niagara Falls Pass
Your third Adventure Pass option is the Niagara Falls Pass, which includes five attractions and transportation options for planning the perfect family vacation.
Included are two days of WEGO and Falls Incline Railway access and passes to Niagara’s Fury, the Whirlpool Aero Car, the White Water Walk, the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, and Journey Behind the Falls.
How Much Does the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass Cost?
Now comes the biggest question: how much will you pay for a Niagara Falls Adventure Pass?
That depends on the pass you select.
The Adventure Pass Classic costs $59 CAD or $44.66 USD plus tax. If you add up the cost of the attractions and transportation included in the pass, you’d spend $49.62 per child and $73.16 per adult without it, so the Adventure Pass Classic pays for itself fast.
» MORE: Cost to Get into Niagara Falls State Park
The Adventure Pass Plus costs $99 CAD or $74.93 USD plus tax. You can quickly see how valuable this pass is, as doing everything included without the Adventure Pass Plus would cost you $163.41 per child and $244.16 per adult.
The Niagara Falls Pass costs $79 CAD or $59.79 USD plus tax. Skipping the pass but doing those activities would cost you $93.53 per child and $132.82 per adult.
What Are the Benefits of the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass?
The three tiers of the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass are an advantageous choice for travelers. Here are some perks of purchasing the Adventure Pass.
Versatility
The Adventure Pass is designed to accompany your trip to Niagara Falls, whether you plan to spend just a day here or extend your visit. The different pricing levels and attractions offered are tailored to your travel needs.
Cost Savings
By far, the biggest benefit of the Adventure Pass is saving money. The numbers above speak for themselves. You’d spend hundreds of dollars to visit the same attractions without the Adventure Pass.
Easy Vacation Planning
One of my favorite features of the Adventure Pass is how easy it is to plan a trip to Niagara Falls. You don’t have to worry about how you’ll get to and from attractions with railway and WEGO access, and all your activities planning is taken care of.
Should I Get the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass?
I would recommend an Adventure Pass if you’re booking a visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and plan to do anything beyond seeing the waterfalls.
The Adventure Pass helps your family see more for less money. You don’t have to be on a shoestring budget to want to save cash when planning a vacation. You can allocate the money you don’t spend on activities toward better lodging, souvenirs, or a nice dinner out for your family.
You can even use the saved funds toward your next vacation, so every dollar counts!
The calculations above of how much money you would spend without the Adventure Pass only assume you use the transportation options like WEGO or the Falls Incline Railway once. You’ll have to add an additional $12 to $15 for each ride, which can get expensive fast, especially if you spend multiple days in the area or have a big family.
Although the Adventure Pass only includes two days of Falls Incline Railway and WEGO access, that’s still two fewer days you have to pay for. That will also contribute to your overall savings.
The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass is easy to get, helps you plan a great vacation fast, and lets you save money. It’s a huge difference-maker, especially if you have a bigger family like I do.