Niagara Underground Tour: Power Station and Tunnel Under Falls
Description
The powerful waters of Niagara Falls hide a truly epic story of electricity and innovation. You'll explore history firsthand as you dive deep into the Falls, in a glass elevator, as part Niagara's Tailrace Tunnel Experience. Uncover the stories of Nikola Tesla, the ‘War of the Currents’, and the daredevils who challenged the Falls while getting pre-reserved access to Niagara Parks Power Station and the Skylon Tower. Discover the dramatic history of hydropower, unraveled for you by an expert guide on this cultural walking tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your walking tour by meeting your expert guide at Skylon Tower. Along with the incredible views (and photo opportunities) you’ll be shown the Niagara Generating Stations supplying power to one-quarter of New York state along with the International Control Dam where water is diverted for use in the Station.
Before exiting Skylon Tower, you'll check out the new Daredevil Exhibit (opened in 2025) to learn about these brave characters and see the real barrels they used to confront the Falls.
The Illumination Tower is located near the base of the Niagara River. Here, every evening at dusk, Niagara Falls is transformed into a multi-colored water and light masterpiece. Learn how the light show works as well as the famous figures who have walked this path before including British Royalty.
Learn more about one of the most underappreciated inventors whose impact on the world cannot be underestimated. As you uncover his legacy, you’ll hear about his inventions that harnessed the power of water to produce hydroelectricity, how he sparked the ‘War of the Currents’ with Edison, and his oftentimes eccentric behavior.
Step on the boardwalk to look out over Horseshoe Falls, one of three waterfalls that makes up Niagara Falls. You’ll have time to breathe in the magnetic beauty, see the whirlpool beneath and truly appreciate why Tesla and others were so inspired to harness the raw power of nature on display here.
The first major power plant on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Power Station was completed in 1905 to produce hydroelectricity by using the power of the Niagara River. Today, crossing the threshold into this imposing structure is much like stepping back in time. With original machinery still housed within, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in hands-on training exercises. See the thrust deck, brake deck and turbo deck as you hear about their use and the future of hydroelectricity going forward. At this point, your guide will say goodbye and hand out audio guides so you can explore the Power Station and Tailrace Tunnel at your own pace.
What you see from the top of the power station is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll descend 180 feet through the inner workings of the power station, then walk the path the water flowed through the Tailrace Tunnel to a one-of-a-kind view from the base of Niagara Falls.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Please note: this tour is located in Canada, any guest arriving from the US will need a passport to enter Canada.
Reviews(301)
Lynn was an amazing tour guide. She gave us so many details about everything we never would have known had we visited these sites on our own.
The guide was great, very knowledgeable and informative, (she was a schoolteacher after all.) We loved seeing the falls!! Very fun experience!
Jane was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. This experience was the highlight of our trip!
Our guide never showed up. We waited a half hour and ruined our entire day and didn’t get to tour what we wanted…..never again. Oh and none of the “help” lines answered.
Awesome! Our guide Lynn Champagne was knowledgable, professional and courteous. Lynn arrived early to greet guests. She did a great job keeping our group together amidst colossal throngs of tourists. Niagra Falls are amazing. We visited the NY side previously and were repeatedly told that the Ontario side was a better view - and it surely is. There are not enough words to describe the raw awe of this tourist attraction. These are ‘must see’: Skylon Tower, the Journey Behind the Falls - which includes the museum and the underground tunnel. Be prepared to get ‘misted’ - very refreshing on hot days.
Val was an excellent guide that used her knowledge of historical facts about the Falls and the Power station. It was enjoyable as she gave her personal touches having grown up near. My son and I were on the last stop of a summer vacation, heading back to Ohio, and this was worth the cost and and time. Val took the time to answer his and everyone else’s questions. Fantastic experience!
Jane was an absolutely fantastic tour guide!!! As a Canadian, she had so much knowledge and was willing to share it with the group, which made the tour very enjoyable!!
Jane did a great job with the tour! We loved her positive energy and her knowledge of the area and history was remarkable! She provided tips on local area restaurants and other attractions and tours. Great experience and would do again! Recommend Jane!
Jane fanatic very knowledgeable
Views and knowledge of guide- Jane is a local who knew a ton about the area and the history of Niagara Falls
