Top Attractions: Canadian Side

Maid of the Mist The most popular attraction in Niagara Falls, this is a must-do.

Journey Behind the Falls This self-guided tour takes you right behind the Horseshoe Falls.

Nightly Falls Illumination: A must for romantics, the falls are illuminated every night in a cascade of colors. Schedule of lighting times.

Fireworks at the Falls: If your visit to Niagara Falls is on a Friday night during warm weather months, you'll get to see fireworks over the falls, a spectacular show that's free to be seen on both the American and Canadian sides. Schedule of fireworks exhibits.

Table Rock Visitors Center This visitors center is closest to the Horseshoe Falls; from here, you can literally watch the water cascade over the top of the falls. The Journey Behind the Falls departs from here. You'll also find a restaurant as well as several fast food outlets plus outdoor dining.

Top Attractions: American Side

Maid of the Mist One of North America's oldest tourist attractions, this boat ride gets you up close and personal with the falls.

Cave of the Winds You've probably seen the photos of mist-soaked vacationers walking along boardwalks: this is Cave of the Winds. To reach it, you'll travel to the base of Bridal Veil Falls then walk along wooden decks.

Niagara Falls State Park This park, the oldest state park in the US, gets vacationers close to bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. In the park, visit Cave of the winds (above), Goat Island and its Top of the Falls Restaurant, Maid of the Mist (above), and the glass Observation Tower. A trolley takes visitors to six attractions with a guided look at the history of the park. The park includes plenty of places for a romantic picnic as well.

Fireworks at the Falls: Takes place on Friday nights during the summer season as well as a few holidays. Schedule of fireworks exhibits.

Other Attractions: Canadian Side

Botanical Gardens These beautiful gardens lie about six miles north of the falls.

Butterfly Conservatory Located at the Botanical Gardens, this conservatory features free-flying butterflies.

Floral Clock With a face that changes with the season, this clock is made of living plants and flowers. Located near the Botanical Gardens on the road to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Helicopter Rides over the Falls These short--but expensive--rides take visitors over the falls for an unbeatable view. The helicopter also does in-flight weddings!

Horseback Rides The two of you can sign up for a romantic 90-minute sunset ride, a trail ride, or even a cowboy cookout. The rides take place west of Port Colborne, which is southwest of Niagara Falls.

IMAX Theatre Niagara Falls The second most-watched IMAX movie in the popular chain (beat out only by the film at the Grand Canyon), this somewhat dated movie looks at a history of the falls and the daredevils who have risked (and sometimes lost) their lives going over it. In the lobby, you'll find exhibits of some of the contraptions people have made to ride over the falls.

Skylon Tower This tower (right) has both indoor and outdoor observation platforms for a bird's eye view of the falls. Also includes a restaurant.

Whirlpool Aero Car This 10-minute ride takes travelers across the river (downstream, near the rapids) in an open-air cable car.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours If the two of you are feel a little daredevilish, you can hop aboard a jetboat tour of Niagara's whitewater.

White Water Walk Also downstream from the falls, this walk travels alongside some of the wildest rapids in the world.

Other Attractions: American Side

Flight of Angels

Above: Flight of Angels hovers above the city of Niagara Falls, New York.

The two of you can hop aboard this tethered helium balloon for a 15-minute look at the falls and surrounding countryside.

Helicopter Tours Rainbow Air offers short flights from near Rainbow Bridge.

Whirlpool State Park Located alongside the whitewater rapids that swirl downriver, this park has several levels of walks including some challenging hikes.

Fort Niagara State Park Located in Youngstown, this park is located on the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario; bring along a picnic lunch during summer visits or your cross-country skis in the winter.

Old Fort Niagara Also in Youngstown, this fort is home to the Great Lakes's oldest buildings, dating back to the 1700s.