Is Clifton Hill a Waste of Money? Here’s the Truth
I won’t sugarcoat it: Clifton Hill is a massive tourist trap.
Not only is everything insanely overpriced on this “street of fun,” but it’s also a giant eyesore.
As a local, I can’t stand this part of Niagara Falls. It’s a loud, tacky, commercialized mess of random attractions that have nothing to do with the natural wonder nearby.
That said, I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t visit Clifton Hill. If you’re travelling to Niagara Falls with kids or looking for something to do indoors on a rainy day, you’ll probably have a great time here.
I’m just letting you know exactly what to expect before you arrive so you can plan what to see—and what to skip—when you visit Niagara Falls.
I’ll also share my best advice to ensure you don’t get ripped off if you decide to go to Clifton Hill.
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What to know before you go
If you’re planning to visit Clifton Hill, here are a few things you need to know ahead of time. These tips will help you make the most of your visit—and hopefully help you save a few bucks.
Everything is expensive
Pretty much everything on Clifton Hill is overpriced, including the attractions, food, drinks, souvenirs, and parking. Be prepared to spend a lot of money if you spend time here.
it gets Very Crowded
On just about any day in the summer, you’ll find wall-to-wall crowds on Clifton Hill. This street gets absolutely jam-packed with people, especially on holiday weekends.
Parking can be pricey
There are several parking lots on or near Clifton Hill. Some charge an hourly rate, while others charge a flat rate for the day. Prices will vary depending on the day and time of year.
One of the largest parking lots in this area is behind the Niagara Skywheel at 4960 Clifton Hill. You can find more information about parking at Clifton Hill here.
Avoid restaurants on Clifton Hill
Restaurants in this area serve mediocre food and charge a premium simply because of their location. Check out my list of hidden gem restaurants in Niagara Falls to see where the locals eat.
For sweets or ice cream, skip whatever’s on Clifton Hill and head to Reg’s Candy Kitchen instead (on River Road, a 5 – 10-minute walk from the bottom of Clifton Hill).
This shop has been around for 50+ years and the owner makes delicious homemade fudge, peanut brittle, and more sweet treats.
Consider the Clifton Hill Fun Pass
If you plan to try a few activities, the Clifton Hill Fun Pass is probably worth getting.
The pass includes six attractions (including the Skywheel and dino mini-putt) and costs $35 for adults or $23 for kids, plus tax.
If you were to purchase a ticket for each of the six attractions separately, it would cost around $70 plus tax.
Or just do one or two activities
The cost of activities adds up fast, especially if you’re travelling with a bigger group.
If you don’t want to buy the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, I’d recommend choosing only one or two attractions to keep the sticker shock to a minimum.
See if your hotel has coupons
If you’re staying at a larger chain hotel, they probably have coupon booklets available in the lobby or with the concierge. Double-check before you go to Clifton Hill.
Check Groupon for deals
Search “Clifton Hill” on Groupon for any special offers when you visit. I’ve seen deals for the Niagara Falls Fun Zone (which has an arcade, lazer tag, and mirror mazes).
Always read the fine print before you purchase, though! The Niagara Falls Fun Zone, for example, charges a $10 “facility fee” per person on top of the coupon price (which is hidden in the fine print).
Buy the Clifton Hill Fun Pass at Costco
If you live in Ontario, you can buy the Clifton Hill Fun Pass for a discounted rate at Costco.
Clifton Hill reviews
Want to see what other visitors have to say about Clifton Hill?
I’ve handpicked different reviews from Niagara Falls Facebook groups and TripAdvisor that highlight the good, the bad, and the ugly.
👍 “Clifton Hill is pretty cool, kinda reminded me of the shore. It gets packed on weekends and seems to even out during the week. When we arrived at 10-11pm on a Saturday it was like Vegas and was not expecting that many people to be out in Niagara Falls.”
👎 “There is so much to do at Clifton Hill, but be prepared to bring all the money you’ve got. Everything here is very expensive. The attractions and rides don’t take very long, but they are fun.”
👍 “Very happy we purchased the pass. It was a great value for the activities that we did. I was not planning on doing the VR activities that were on the pass and I am so glad we did, because they were so much fun! The pass was easy to use.”
👎 “Fun for tweens and family, but be prepared for $, crowds and parking challenges.”
👍 “This was a fun experience. The package deal was definitely worth it. I loved the Ferris wheel and it gave great views of the falls all lit up at night. We even timed it perfectly to see the fireworks! Had a great time at the glow in the dark miniature golf!”
👎 “All the experiences take about 5 minutes and are expensive. My kids 12 & 9 enjoyed the mystery maze the most. It was nice to walk around but I wouldn’t pay the price for any of the attractions.”
👎 “Tacky and very expensive. It’s a tourist trap. No water fountains. Everything is super expensive. Unless you enjoy a super expensive mediocre carnival, give it a miss.”
Skip Clifton Hill and do this instead
Thinking about skipping Clifton Hill? Here are some attractions that are focused on nature and actually worth the money:
- Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) boat tour
- Niagara Parks Power Station
- White Water Walk
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Whirlpool Aero Car
- Butterfly Conservatory
- Hiking at the Niagara Glen (the hike is free but with paid parking)
- Spend a day at Niagara-on-the-Lake
