Since 2006, when it was first installed, the Niagara Skywheel has become one of the most recognizable icons of Niagara Falls. Standing majestically at the heart of the bustling Clifton Hill entertainment district, the Niagara Skywheel attracts people of all ages to its long queues!!

“We wanted to create something that everyone could enjoy,” says Jonathan Fergus, the operations manager for the Niagara Skywheel. “From grandparents to toddlers, thrill-seekers to those who prefer keeping their feet near the ground—the Skywheel is accessible to almost everyone.”

But is the ride on the Niagara Skywheel, worth your time?

Isn’t it just the same as riding your county fair’s Ferris wheel? We think not!

The Niagara Skywheel Ride

As the name suggests, the Niagara Skywheel takes riders high up in the sky. 175 ft. high, in fact! The unique vantage point makes it possible to get a 360 degree view of the Niagara Falls landscape!

The majestic Falls are quite awesome from ground level, of course! But the view from the top of the Niagara Skywheel is something else, entirely!

“I’ve seen the Falls a dozen times,” says Maria Chen, a Toronto resident and Niagara Falls frequenter! “But from up here? It’s like seeing them for the first time again. The scale, the power—you really get it from this perspective.”

Everyone’s Favourite Ride

As we mentioned earlier, the makers of the Niagara Skywheel wanted to make sure that everyone felt welcome on the ride. Whether its kids or the young adults or the parents or the grandparents! They didn’t want anyone to look at the Wheel, and feel intimidated at the thought of riding it!

With that goal in mind, the designers of the Niagara Skywheel made a few deliberate choices…

A comfortable speed

For starters, this not the ride for the ones who are looking for high speed thrills! The ascend to the highest point on the Niagara Skywheel is slow. The entire duration of the ride is about 15 minutes. In that time it completes just about 4 to 5  full rotations.

This way, riding on the Niagara Skywheel becomes a pleasant experience for everyone!

Climate Controlled Gondolas

The 42 gondolas of the Niagara Skywheel are themselves an engineering marvel! Their state-of-the-art gondolas are air-conditioned during the summer and heated during the colder Fall and Winter months! Unlike a typical Ferris Wheel with its open air ride, the capsule like seating on the Niagara Skywheel, makes for an ultra-comfortable ride!

Accessible for All

Did you know that Niagara Skywheel is wheelchair accessible?

The Niagara Skywheel has 2 gondolas with portable ramps that can allow wheelchairs to get in. With some of the Niagara Falls attraction, if you want to ascend to a certain height, there is some basic physical capacities which are absolutely non-negotiable. For example, the ability to hike. On the Niagara Skywheel however, you will not find any such restrictions!

“My grandmother visited for her 92nd birthday,” shared Torontonian Sam Mercer. “She’d never seen the falls from above. I’ll never forget her expression – pure childlike wonder.”

When they say they wanted to design a ride that would be for everyone, they really meant it!

 A Year Round Attraction

Did you know that not all Niagara Falls attractions remain open all year round?

For example the Hornblower Boat Tour, operates from the spring season to late fall and is closed during the winter season. Or the Wildplay Whirlpool Adventure course, which is also is closed during the winter months.

Unlike other seasonal attractions- the Niagara Skywheel remains open all year round! Moreover, each season brings with it, its own unique views and perspectives.

The Splendor of Spring

During the Spring months, Niagara Falls is experiencing a surge in the overall flow. With the growing temperatures, causing the winter ice to melt, the rushing waters of the Falls are at their most dramatic, thunderous glory! The surrounding parklands are also awakening with fresh spring blooms and sprouting new leaves! Spring is also the season of migrating birds coming into Canada! From the high vantage point on the Niagara Skywheel, you might observe all of this!

Summer Fun & Excitement

Summertime brings extended daylight hours, which means longer operation time at the Niagara Skywheel! Hop inside the gondola for an air-conditioned break from the summer heat! Or a great view of the kaleidoscope of activities at the peak of Niagara Falls tourist season! For an unobstructed view of the summer fireworks, make sure you get to the top of the Niagara Skywheel!

Autumn Colours

Niagara Falls… or for that matter, any place is Canada is truly worth a visit during the Fall season! This might the season for the most photogenic views from the Niagara Skywheel! The foliage is an absolute explosion of colours with hues of red, orange, yellows and golds! The rich contrast of the frothy white Falls and the colours of the tree, create a postcard worthy view from the top!

Winter Wonderland

Winter, in Canada has its own unique beauty! Everything is dressed in white, creating a fairy-tale like atmosphere. The heated gondolas of the Niagara Skywheel turn into like cozy observation decks, giving you an opportunity to float above the frozen landscape.

Observe the beautiful and natural ice formations. The crystalline frost sparkles like diamonds in the winter sun! The nightly illumination of the Falls reflects off snow and ice, multiplying the colorful display. With fewer tourists, winter riders often enjoy multiple rotations, gaining extra time to appreciate the snow-dusted panorama.

More than Just a Ride!