Niagara Falls Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Niagara Falls, Ontario - ON, Canada)



With much of the region based around the Falls of Niagara, the city of Niagara Falls is mainly divided into two districts, the Downtown District and the Entertainment District. Downtown Niagara Falls is an important commercial area favored by locals, and the Entertainment District is specifically targeted at tourists, with a host of world-class attractions and must-see sights. Popular with honeymooners, visitors to Niagara Falls usually choose to stay in and around the Entertainment District, which contains many of the city's best hotels and is conveniently close to the Falls.

Nearby and very much associated with Niagara Falls, the village of Niagara on the Lake is a particularly scenic spot known best for containing the Historic Fort George, together with many low-key attractions. The town of Fort Erie is also within easy reach of Niagara Falls and is a popular excursion, offering many notable places worth visiting. Here are Niagara Falls' main districts, neighborhoods and locations.


Downtown District

The older commercial region of Niagara Falls is known locally as downtown and is the place where locals spend their time, away from the more touristy areas of the city. Downtown Niagara Falls is centered around Victoria Avenue and Queen Street. Although there are few attractions in this area, the downtown district is home to the bus and train stations, which can be found on the corner of Erie Avenue, close to Bridge Street. Many backpackers visiting Niagara Falls choose to stay in the nearby international hostels.

Entertainment District

The Entertainment District is a vibrant area of Niagara Falls based around Clifton Hill, Center Street, Falls Avenue and Ferry Street. This glitzy neighborhood is aimed at tourists and is home to a high concentration of attractions, hotels and restaurants. The majority of the most popular museums in Niagara Falls can be found in Clifton Hill, including Ripley's Believe It Or Not!, the Movieland Museum of Stars and the Guinness World of Records Museum, together with a multi-screen cinema and numerous shops. This district is particularly lively at night, when many tourists in Niagara Falls choose to visit the Hard Rock Club and the eye-catching Casino Niagara, which is full of gaming tables and slot machines.

Niagara on the Lake

Just a short drive from the Falls, Niagara on the Lake is a scenic village, with riverside views and many charming places to visit. Top attractions here include horse and cart rides, the Historic Fort George, bustling markets, golf courses, recreational trails and a notable museum, full of local artifacts. Niagara on the Lake is also known for its high concentration of wineries and vineyards, many of which offer guided tours and tasting events.

Fort Erie

Fort Erie is a small town standing around 20 miles / 32 km from Niagara Falls, located where the scenic Lake Erie meets the Niagara River. The Peace Bridge connects Fort Erie to the United States and leads to the nearby city of Buffalo, in the state of New York. Highlights in Fort Erie include the Railroad Museum, the Historic Fort Erie (the Old Stone Fort), Fort Erie Race Track and Crystal Beach, a small resort on the town's southern outskirts.