Millions of Visitors Come to Niagara Falls Each Year
Niagara Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world. Over 20 million tourists visit Niagara Falls each year. In this post, we break down the number of visitors on the American and Canadian sides of the border and discuss the difficulty of accurately counting how many tourists visit Niagara Falls each year.
For the year 2022, the number of visitors has begun to rebound from the international border crossing closures that affected tourism all around the world.
Accurately counting the number of visitors to Niagara Falls can be challenging, as the falls are split between the United States and Canada, and there are no gates or ticket sales to measure the total number of visitors accurately.
In 2022, according to Niagara Falls Tourism Association (Niagara Falls, Ontario, hosts approximately 13 million visitors per year) and New York State Parks (Niagara Falls State Park in New York received over 9 million visitors), the total combined international visitor count for Niagara Falls is over 22 million.
With over 125 million people living within a day’s drive of Niagara Falls, it is no wonder that one of the world’s natural wonders receives so many visitors.
Canada's Most Famous Natural Attraction
According to Niagara Economic Development, the Niagara Region—home to attractions such as Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Shaw Festival, the Niagara Wine Route, and Canada’s largest casino—consistently draws many tourists. Each year, more than 13 million visitors contribute to the region’s annual tourism revenue of $2 billion. This income plays a crucial role in the local economy, with an indirect output of $69 million resulting from every $100 million increase in direct tourism revenue.
According to the Niagara Economic Development webpage, the trip motivators for the approximately 13 million annual visitors to Ontario’s Niagara Region are as follows:
| Reason for travel | Number of visitors to Niagara Region |
|---|---|
| Pleasure | 7,710,000 |
| Visiting friends and relatives | 3,500,000 |
| Shopping | 316,000 |
| Business | 475,000 |
| Personal | 870,000 |
Of the 13 million visitors to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, 3 million are estimated to come from the U.S. side, and 1 million are arriving from overseas.
An aerial view of the American Falls and Niagara Falls USA Niagara Falls State Park, New York
Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States.
As America’s first state park, established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park fuses tourism with conservation. Designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this 400-acre park encapsulates the majesty of Niagara Falls—the international, border-straddling waterfalls. Attractions include the Cave of the Winds, Prospect Point Park Observation Tower, and the embarkation point for the iconic Maid of the Mist.
New York State Parks Commission estimates almost 9.5 million annual visitors.
New York State Park Visitation for 2022 - Niagara Region
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WorldAtlas: Most Popular Destinations
WorldAtlas lists Niagara Falls as the 5th most popular attraction in the world. (source: worldAtlas.com)WorldAtlas, one of the world’s most regarded authorities on geography, lists Niagara Falls as number 5 in the ranking of the World’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions.
According to WorldAtlas, the world’s top tourist attractions often share many characteristics:
- -Universal Appeal
- -Suitable For All Ages
- -Accessibility
- -Located Near Large Populations
- -Availability of Hotels, Restaurants, and Airports
Niagara Falls Takes 4th Place in 2024 as America's Most Famous Tourist Attraction:
Accoring to YouGov.com
Niagara Falls places 4th in the United States in most popular tourist Attractions. (source: YouGov.com)According to ongoing surveys of respondents in the United States, YouGov.com has listed Niagara Falls as the 4th Most Famous Tourist Attraction.
Fame is defined by the percentage of people who have heard of a tourist attraction.
The results are from survey data that is updated quarterly.
YouGov.UK Lists Niagara Falls as the UK's #1 Most Famous Tourist Attraction
As an undisputed natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls has universal name recognition.
Survey participants in the United Kingdom had a very favorable view of Niagara Falls.
YouGov UK lists Niagara Falls in 3rd place in a field of 238 Famous Tourist Attractions. As you can see below, Niagara Falls holds its position year after year as a popular and famous tourist attraction.
Niagara Falls has been Ranked as a popular and famous tourist attraction over the past three years. Source: (YouGov.UK)What Draws People to Niagara Falls
The American Side of the Border:
Niagara Falls State Park
Starting with the American side of the Falls, one can find Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the United States, located just feet from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
A recommended activity is to ride the Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes visitors to the base of the falls, providing an unforgettable experience.
For those seeking thrills, the Cave of the Winds is a popular attraction that takes visitors to the bottom of the Niagara Gorge to feel the immense power of the water.
To enjoy panoramic views of the falls and the surrounding area, visitors can head to the Observation Tower at Prospect Point.
Aquarium of Niagara
On the American side, visitors can also visit the Aquarium of Niagara to explore the underwater world and see the famous Peruvian Humboldt penguins.
Hotels and Restaurants
The American side of Niagara Falls offers many affordable hotels and traditional restaurants in an older industrial city setting. Unfortunately, hotels on this side cannot offer the views found on the Canadian side of the border.
Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
You cannot miss the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, located just a few blocks from the entrance to Niagara Falls State Park. The casino has 604 hotel rooms and several dining options for guests. For evening fun, it offers live entertainment along with casino gaming.
Every night, Niagara Falls is illuminated with a serene light show. On many evenings during the tourism season, a fireworks display over the falls caps off a day of sightseeing.
Some Question New York State Parks 9-Million Visitor Number
These multi-million visitor numbers are subject to some controversy in Niagara Falls, NY.
The Buffalo News interviewed local stakeholders who believe that many businesses are not convinced by the figures produced by New York State Parks.
Some residents of Niagara Falls, NY, point out that a 9+ million annual visitor number would mean that on any given day, the city should see thousands of visitors and hotel stays. They note that Niagara Falls State Park can have a very modest number of visitors during the off-season, especially in winter.
Niagara Falls, Canada, and the Horseshoe FallsThe Canadian Side of the Border
Queen Victoria Park
Crossing over the Niagara River to the Canadian side, visitors can witness spectacular views of Niagara Falls. The number one destination is Queen Victoria Park, which offers full panoramic views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls as the mist cascades continuously.
Table Rock and the New Tunnel
Nearby is the famous Table Rock House Restaurant and the newest attraction, "The Tunnel", which allows visitors to tour a historic power generation plant.
Skylon Tower
Another famous attraction on the Canadian side is the Skylon Tower, which offers 360-degree views of the falls and surrounding landscape. For a unique experience, visitors can dine at the top of the tower while the restaurant slowly rotates, providing views of Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto.
Casinos
For those feeling lucky, both the Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara offer world-class dining and entertainment.
Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill is a short walk from the falls. It features a bustling street filled with shops, restaurants, and various tourist attractions—from haunted houses and wax museums to arcades, dinosaur mini-golf, and a multi-level go-cart track.
Hotels and Restaurants
On the Canadian side, visitors will find many hotels and top-class restaurants. Many hotel rooms even offer panoramic views of the falls.
As you head north on the Niagara River Parkway, there are plenty of interesting spots along the Niagara Gorge.
Niagara on the Lake
Finally, as you travel past some of Niagara’s finest orchards and vineyards, you arrive in the town of Niagara on the Lake—a picture-perfect historic town with quaint shops, restaurants, pubs, and a selection of bed and breakfasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people visit Niagara Falls each year, and has tourism increased or decreased in recent years?
| What percentage of visitors are international tourists, and which countries do they come from?
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What are the peak and off-peak seasons for Niagara Falls tourism?
| What are the economic impacts of Niagara Falls tourism?
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How does tourism at Niagara Falls compare to other major North American landmarks?
| What are the biggest challenges facing Niagara Falls tourism?
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