Getting ready to experience the pure, unadulterated, all-natural awesomeness that is Niagara Falls? If so then you NEED this guide to the best Niagara Falls helicopter tours of all time.
Trust me. I have been to Niagara Falls more times than i can count. And a Niagara Falls helicopter tour is an incredible experience that you do NOT want to miss out on.
After all, it allows you to get an amazing, aerial view of the falls that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before and is one of the many reasons why people visit Niagara Falls.
However, it can be difficult to know which helicopter tours of Niagara Falls are hot and which are definitely not.
And that’s where this guide comes in mighty handy. It features expert reviews from a 30+ year local that will help you pick out the best helicopter tours Niagara Falls has to offer.
So, stop stressing and start enjoying a dream vacation to Niagara Falls now!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Book this Canada: Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride and Boat Trip since that is my personal fave. ? The price is great, the views are stunning, and the tour is super comprehensive ?
Table of Contents
Best Niagara Falls Helicopter Tours
1. Niagara Falls Small Group Tour with Helicopter Ride
Rated: 5.0/5.0 ? (9 reviews) Price: From $339 per person Tour Duration: 5 hours Flight Duration: 8 minutes Seats: Limited to 7 people Private/Shared: Shared Operator: See Sight Tours USA Details: Read more on Viator now!
For the ultimate tour of the American side of Niagara Falls, this experience is hard to beat!
You’ll start by viewing the falls from the Prospect Point Observation Tower, which is also known as the Niagara Falls Observation Tower.
This tower stands directly above the boarding site for the next stage of your Niagara Falls helicopter experience: the Maid of the Mists boat tour.
After all, this famous Niagara Falls boat cruise operates between May and November and offers fantastic views of the American side of Niagara Falls.
And watching/hearing the thunderous waters crashing down around you will give you a real sense of their power and majesty.
“The whole tour was amazing! Our tour guide, Erick, was knowledgeable and such a great guy. The small group was appreciated and skipping lines and avoiding lines and fees for parking were great!”
Gary (read more reviews now)
Depending on where you’re standing, you might even get a bit wet on the boat ride. But, a handy rain poncho will be provided!
Next, it’s off to Goat Island, Terrapin Point, and Luna Island to learn about the history of the Falls, and get close to the smaller Bridal Veil Falls.
After that, your knowledgeable tour leader will guide you around the Cave of the Winds, which brings you down 175 ft inside the Niagara Gorge.
There you’ll follow a series of walkways that lead to the ‘hurricane deck’ overlooking Bridal Veil Falls and experience the intense storm-like conditions close to the falls.
Finally, it’s the part of the day that you’ve been looking forward to most.
Because you and the rest of your small group will board a Rainbow Air helicopter and set off for an 8-minute tour of Niagara Falls.
This is the highlight of an absolutely unforgettable experience that gives you a birds-eye view of Niagara Falls from the air as well as the surrounding area as you enjoy one of the best things to do in Niagara Falls.
Just be sure to visit during the best time to go to Niagara Falls since flights sometimes won’t operate during the winter. Also pack something warm when deciding what to wear in Niagara Falls.
| Pros | Cons |
| Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides | Children under 40” are not allowed on the helicopter flight |
| All admission tickets are included in the price | Maid of the Mists boat ride not available December-April |
| Transfer available from downtown Niagara Falls hotels | |
| Experience the Falls from two different angles |
2. Canada: Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride and Boat Trip
Rated: 4.8/5.0 ? (599 reviews) Price: From $290.49 per person Tour Duration: 5 hours Flight Duration: 12 minutes Seats: Limited to 7 people Private/Shared: Shared Operator: See Sight Tours Canada Details: Read more on Get Your Guide now!
See Niagara Falls from a variety of different angles on a thrilling combination tour that lets you get close enough to feel the water’s mist on your face!
After all, viewing the falls from the Canadian side is considered by many to be the best way to enjoy the majestic beauty of both the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls.
And this fantastic combination tour gives you a complete experience of Niagara Falls from several viewpoints, combined with lunch at the Skylon Tower and a trip behind the Horseshoe Falls.
Plus, between November and May, you’ll experience the power of the Falls firsthand while aboard the Hornblower Niagara Falls cruise boat.
“Dan was absolutely amazing! We did everything on time, he was friendly and funny. He explained a number of different landmarks and made sure he kept us up to date on helicopter rides (as due to the rain they did not start early that morning). Thank you for making Niagara Falls a memorable experience.”
Maria (read more reviews now)
Then, outside of those months, you can visit the interactive Niagara Fury exhibition and the Butterfly Conservatory instead.
Next, you’ll view the Falls and the Whirlpool rapids from the skies during an exciting 12-minute helicopter ride.
Your guide will even provide live commentary throughout the tour while treating you to amazing views of this famous landmark. It’s sure to be an experience you’ll talk about for years to come!
Your Niagara Falls helicopter tour will then be followed up by breathtaking views from the 360° observation deck at the Skylon Tower Observation Deck and a delicious meal at the Skylon Tower restaurant.
Finally, end an amazing day at Niagara Falls with an up-close look at the Horseshoe Falls.
See, ‘Journey Behind the Falls’ is a fantastic tour that allows you to travel below and behind this world-famous landmark for a unique perspective on this immortal place.
Just don’t forget to take photos at the breathtaking Brink of the Falls to remind you of your special day!
| Pros | Cons |
| View Niagara Falls from a variety of angles | The Hornblower cruise boat isn’t available all year |
| Transfers available from hotels in downtown Niagara | Commentary is only available in English |
| Lunch is included in the price of the tour | |
| Price includes admission to attractions |
3. Niagara Falls, Canada: Scenic Helicopter Flight
Rated: 4.7/5.0 ? (326 reviews) Price: From $122.66 per person Tour/Flight Duration: 12 minutes Seats: Limited to 7 people Private/Shared: Shared Operator: Niagara Helicopter Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide now!
This scenic flight over Niagara Falls, Canada, is the ideal tour to book if you don’t want to spend your whole day at the Falls.
Because during your quick flight you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Niagara Falls and Niagara Gorge from aboard an Airbus H130.
“This, is a MUST DO, when visiting the Falls! I’ve done the helicopter ride twice. And will do it again. The staff is friendly, and very accommodating. Had no problem rescheduling my ride, when they couldn’t fly on the day I booked for. A nice smooth ride over the city to the Falls. And the views, WOW!!! Amazing! I tell all my friends they have to try.”
Get Your Guide Traveler from Canada (read more reviews now)
After all, this spacious helicopter is popular with VIPs, thanks to its reputation as one of the world’s quietest helicopters. Plus, its large windows allow for great views over the Falls.
Now, your Niagara Falls helicopter tour begins at a helipad just five minutes from downtown Niagara, Canada, allowing you to start your tour when the weather is just right.
If you want you can even call the tour operators on the day of your booking to check the forecast and choose a flight time during which conditions are ideal.
Your pilot will then take you on a scenic 12-minute flight over Niagara River from the Whirlpool to Rainbow Bridge.
You’ll then glide over the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and other regional landmarks, spotting rainbows in every direction.
Plus, an informative audio commentary ensures you won’t miss any of the sights you pass during one of the best Niagara Falls helicopter tours.
And in addition to the Falls themselves, you’ll be able to see Skylon Tower, Queen Victoria Park, and the outline of Toronto in the north.
Then, once your 12-minute tour of Niagara Falls by helicopter is over, you’ll have the freedom to spend the rest of your day however you wish.
| Pros | Cons |
| Audio commentary is available in 12 languages | No other attractions included in the tour |
| Taxes, fees and parking included in the tour price | Short flight |
| Fly when the weather is best – check on the day for the best times to fly |
4. Niagara Falls Grand Helicopter Adventure
Rated: 4.5/5.0 ? (420 reviews) Price: From $197 per person Tour/Flight Duration: 20 minutes Seats: Limited to 6 people and minimum 2 people Private/Shared: Shared Operator: National Helicopters Details: Read more on Viator now!
Take in the majestic beauty of Niagara Falls from above with an exhilarating 20-minute helicopter tour during one of the best Niagara Falls helicopter tours of them all.
Now, this scenic experience begins at Niagara District Airport in the Niagara Region.
Once here, climb aboard a state-of-the-art helicopter and relax as your pilot expertly guides the aircraft over Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Chris the pilot was fantastic. The other younger gentleman behind the counter was also amazing. Made the whole experience fun and comfortable. BEAUTIFUL views! The helicopter was comfortable and was a smooth ride. Highly recommend and will come again. Thank you!!”
Jocelyn (read more reviews now)
Yup, your 20-minute helicopter flight over Niagara Falls will give you an entirely new perspective of these iconic waterfalls and the entire Niagara Region.
You’ll also enjoy incredible airborne panoramas from high above the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Additionally, your pilot will make two passes over the Falls, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on sights on the other side of the aircraft.
Then, in addition to the Falls, you’ll also enjoy panoramic views of the famous Niagara wine region and historical landmarks like Brock’s Monument National Historic Site.
Just make sure you pack your camera to capture all these super rad memories!
And, added bonus? Departure times are available throughout the day, which allows you to select a time that best suits your schedule.
And once you’ve completed your tour and returned to the airport, you’re free to spend the rest of the day however you like.
| Pros | Cons |
| Longer flight time than most tours | No other attractions included in the tour |
| Flight times available throughout the day | Commentary only available in 4 languages |
| Enjoy views of the entire Niagara region | Not wheelchair accessible |
Best of Niagara Falls, USA Tour and Helicopter Ride
Rated: 4.5/5.0 ? (34 reviews) Price: From $329.00 per person Tour Duration: 5 hours Flight Duration: 8-12 minutes Seats: Limited to 7 people max Private/Shared: Shared Operator: See Sight Tours Details: Read more on Viator now!
If you want to cram in as much fun as possible into your visit to Niagara Falls then this is the best Niagara Falls tour for you.
You’ll spend an action-packed day at Niagara Falls on this tour since the itinerary takes you to the bottom of the Falls, flies you high above them, and explores some other attractions in the Niagara Region.
In fact, this tour is ideal for anyone who wants to get as much as possible from their visit to Niagara Falls.
Plus, admission to all of the attractions on the itinerary is included in the price, and the small group size ensures that you get personal attention from your tour guide.
“Amazing trip, tour guide Saied was amazing, the services were on time. The experience in Niagara falls is something unique, we had the tour on boat and helicopter and both experiences are completely different one is the complement of the other one. Wonderful experience…”
Melissa (read more reviews now)
So, after being picked up from your chosen location in downtown Niagara, you’ll start your tour with the Cave of the Winds.
An elevator will whisk you deep into the Niagara Gorge, where wooden walkways bring you as close to the Falls as you can get.
Then, the next stop on your tour is another elevator ride, this time to the top of the American Observation Tower, which extends out over the Niagara Gorge.
This is the only place in the Niagara Falls region where you can view both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls at the same time.
You’ll continue your day with an hour-long voyage on the iconic Maid of the Mist boat, which will take you to the base of the Falls and close enough to actually feel the spray of water on your face!
Then, after admiring the Falls from the base, it’s time to head into the air for a thrilling Rainbow Air Niagara Falls helicopter flight.
After all, your pilot will treat you to stunning aerial views of Niagara Falls during what’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Finally, one of the best Niagara Falls helicopter tours concludes with a visit to Goat Island, with views over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, and the 4200-year-old natural whirlpools at Whirlpool State Park.
| Pros | Cons |
| Pick-up can be arranged from any downtown Niagara Falls location | Minimum height of 40 inches required for the helicopter ride |
| An action-packed itinerary | |
| Tickets to all attractions included in the tour price |
Best Niagara Falls Helicopter Tours FAQ
How much does it cost for a helicopter ride at Niagara Falls?
For a classic helicopter tour above Niagara Falls you can expect to spend around $160.00 per person for an adult and around $99.00 per person for a child.
How long is the Niagara Falls helicopter ride?
The best Niagara Falls helicopter tours can vary in length by company but most flights are anywhere between 8 minutes and 20 minutes long.
Are there helicopter rides at Niagara Falls?
Yes, there are plenty of helicopter rides at Niagara Falls that will give you stunning views of the surrounding area.
And this article on the best Niagara Falls helicopter tours will help you select the best option for you.
Are helicopter tours worth it?
Yes, helicopter tours tend to be short and quite expensive, but they are definitely worth the money.
Because if you love aerial views and enjoy seeing iconic landmarks from a totally different perspective then you need to a book a helicopter tour.
Just don’t forget your camera since the panoramas are quite literally out of this world.
Book this Canada: Niagara Falls Helicopter Ride and Boat Trip since that is my personal fave. ? The price is great, the views are stunning, and the tour is super comprehensive ?
Additional Niagara Falls Resources You’ll Love
