This guide covers everything you need to visit the Skylon Tower: observation deck prices, revolving restaurant costs, opening hours, and what you can see from 236 metres above Niagara Falls in Ontario. I explain how it differs from other Niagara viewing platforms, whether the restaurants offer good value, and booking strategies. Here’s what first-time visitors should know.
To just book tickets, head here.
Why the Skylon Tower offers Niagara’s best overview
The Skylon Tower rises 160 metres (520 feet) with observation decks at 236 metres above Niagara Falls. The tower provides the only aerial views of both American and Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls simultaneously. You can also see the Niagara River gorge, four Great Lakes on clear days, and the Toronto skyline 65 kilometres northwest.
The tower opened in 1965 and operates independently from Niagara Parks Commission. This private ownership means it’s not included in Niagara Falls attraction passes. However, its location on the Canadian side 1 kilometre from Horseshoe Falls provides superior perspectives to closer ground-level viewing.
Observation deck prices and hours
Skylon Tower admission 2025:
- Adults: CA$20
- Children (ages 4-12): CA$10
- Children under 4: Free
Observation deck access operates daily 9am to 11pm most days, and 9am to midnight on Saturdays.
Tickets include access to both indoor and outdoor observation decks. The indoor deck features floor-to-ceiling windows with climate control. The outdoor deck provides unobstructed photography but exposes you to weather and wind.
Book online to secure your preferred timeslot.
The two revolving restaurants
The Summit Suite Buffet occupies the tower’s top level. This buffet style option has fixed price menus mains costing CA$39 to CA$59. The dining room completes one full rotation every hour, providing constantly changing views during meals.
Dinner reservations include free observation deck access for your party. This makes the restaurant surprisingly economical if you’re dining anyway. A two-person dinner with wine and tips costs roughly CA$200 to CA$250 including free observation access that would otherwise cost CA$40.
The Revolving Dining Room offers a la carte meals, with mains cost CA$52 to CA$70. The menu focuses on steaks, seafood, and classic preparations. Like the Summit Suite, dinner reservations include complimentary observation deck access.
Both restaurants require advance reservations during peak season (May to October). Window tables book first, so reserve well ahead if seating beside windows matters. The rotation means all tables eventually get window views, but corner windows provide best photography angles.
The ride to the top
Yellow external elevators called “Ride-to-the-Top” ascend the tower’s outside in 52 seconds. Glass windows provide views during ascent. The lifts travel at approximately 3 metres per second.
The external elevators create mild thrill factor, particularly for children. However, visitors uncomfortable with heights or glass elevators can request internal service elevators that ascend through the tower’s core without external views.
What you can see from the observation deck
Horseshoe Falls dominates the southwestern view. The Canadian falls span 790 metres with 2,800 cubic metres of water plunging over the edge every second. The aerial perspective shows the horseshoe curve clearly and reveals the massive plunge pool at the base.
American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls appear to the southeast. These smaller falls on the American side drop 52 metres compared to Horseshoe’s 57 metres. The viewing angle shows how Goat Island separates American and Bridal Veil Falls.
Niagara River gorge extends downstream from the falls. The river cut this 7-kilometre gorge through 10,000 years of erosion after the last ice age. The Whirlpool Rapids and Niagara Whirlpool appear clearly from above.
Rainbow Bridge connects Canada and USA immediately downstream from the falls. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic crossing the international border is visible from the observation deck.
On exceptionally clear days, you can see Lake Ontario to the north, Toronto‘s CN Tower (65 kilometres northwest), and even Lake Erie to the south. More typically, visibility extends 30 to 50 kilometres.
Comparing Skylon to other Niagara viewing options
Journey Behind the Falls costs CA$29 for adults and takes you behind Horseshoe Falls through tunnels. Provides close-up waterfall power but no overview perspective. Wet experience requiring provided ponchos.
The Niagara SkyWheel costs CA$16,95 for adults with enclosed gondola rides reaching 53 metres high. Much lower than Skylon with limited viewing time (8-12 minutes). Good for families with young children wanting gentle thrills.
Niagara City Cruises boats approach the falls’ base. The trip costs CA$35.95 for adults. It’s a completely different experience emphasizing water power rather than overview. Both Skylon and the cruise merit visits for complementary perspectives, and it’s worth investigating the myriad combo deals to save money.
Skylon provides the only true aerial overview at a fraction of helicopter tour costs (CA$150+ per person for brief flights). The stationary viewing allows unlimited time versus helicopters’ 12-minute maximum.
- Book Niagara attraction combos for better value than individual tickets.
Best times to visit
Daytime visits provide clearest falls viewing and gorge details. Morning light (before noon) creates the best photography conditions with sun illuminating the Canadian falls. However, expect crowds during summer at midday.
Sunset visits capture the falls illuminated by golden hour light before transitioning to evening illumination. The observation deck’s late hours (until midnight) allow watching both sunset and illuminated falls. Book restaurant reservations for sunset timing to combine dining with optimal viewing.
Night visits showcase Niagara Falls’ spectacular illumination. Coloured lights illuminate the falls year-round from dusk until midnight (2am during summer). Winter Festival of Lights (November to January) adds millions of lights throughout the area. Night visits sacrifice waterfall detail for dramatic lighting effects.
Fireworks timing: Niagara Falls hosts fireworks over the falls on select dates throughout the year, typically Fridays and Sundays during summer plus special holidays. The observation deck provides excellent fireworks viewing. Check schedules and arrive 30-45 minutes before scheduled shows.
Getting to Skylon Tower
The tower stands at 5200 Robinson Street on the Canadian side, 1 kilometre from Horseshoe Falls. Most Niagara Falls hotels are within 2 kilometres walking distance. The area is flat and walkable during good weather.
WEGO buses serve Skylon Tower on the Green Line. Day passes cost CA$11.50 for adults and CA$7.96 for children (ages 6-12). They’re free for under-6s. Buses run every 20 minutes connecting all major Niagara attractions.
Parking is available in Skylon’s Lot A and Lot B, with prices varying seasonally. Lot A is closer and more expensive, Lot B further away and cheaper.
From Toronto: Drive 130 kilometres via QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) taking 1.5 to 2 hours. Megabus and Casino Bus services provide economical alternatives (CA$30 to CA$40 return).
What to bring and wear
Cameras without restrictions. Photography is encouraged throughout the observation deck. The outdoor deck provides best unobstructed shots but introduces wind that can blur images. Fast shutter speeds compensate.
Jackets or layers for the outdoor deck. Wind at 236 metres altitude creates significant chill even on warm days. The indoor deck maintains comfortable temperatures year-round.
Binoculars help spot details in the gorge and distant landmarks. High-powered telescopes are provided free on the observation deck, but personal binoculars allow unlimited viewing without waiting.
Family-friendly features
The observation deck includes a 3-D/4-D Falls Theatre showing short films about Niagara Falls history and daredevils who’ve challenged the falls. Access is included with admission. Shows run continuously throughout the day.
A gaming area with arcade machines occupies one section of the indoor observation level. This provides distraction for children with short attention spans.
The tower is fully wheelchair accessible. Elevators accommodate mobility devices and wheelchairs. Both restaurants and observation decks provide barrier-free access.
Combining with other attractions
The Clifton Hill entertainment district is 200 metres from Skylon Tower. This tourist strip features wax museums, haunted houses, mini-golf, and numerous restaurants. You can walk between the Skylon Tower and Clifton Hill in 3-5 minutes.
Horseshoe Falls viewing from Table Rock is 1 kilometre south. This ground-level viewing platform provides completely different perspectives to Skylon’s aerial views. Both merit visits for comprehensive Niagara experiences.
The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is 10 kilometres north via the WEGO Green Line. It houses 2,000 free-flying butterflies in tropical environment and rovides nature-focused contrast to falls tourism.
Frequently asked questions
How long should we spend at the Skylon Tower? Observation deck visits typically last 30-60 minutes. Restaurant meals extend this to 1.5-2.5 hours. The deck has no time limits, so you can stay as long as desired.
Is it worth paying for if we’re doing the boat cruise? Yes. They offer completely different perspectives. The cruise shows water power up close. The Skylon Tower provides overview context showing how the falls fit into the gorge geography. Budget permitting, both enhance understanding.
Can we see the falls better from the Skylon Tower or ground level? Differently, not better. The Skylon Tower shows both falls simultaneously and provides geographic context. The ground level viewing at Table Rock shows Horseshoe Falls’ power and scale. Neither replaces the other.
Do restaurant reservations require minimum spending? No minimums. However, the restaurants expect proper dining, not just ordering appetizers to access free observation deck. Expect to spend CA$100+ per person for full meals with drinks.
Are there cheaper ways to see aerial views? The Niagara SkyWheel costs CA$16.95 but only reaches 53 metres versus the Skylon Tower’s 236 metres, and you’re only up for 8-12 minutes. The Skylon Tower provides far superior viewing for slightly higher cost.
What if visibility is poor? No refunds for weather conditions. However, the tower provides falls viewing even in rain or fog when ground-level viewing becomes uncomfortable. The indoor observation deck stays dry and climate-controlled.
Can children visit observation deck without adults? Children under 12 require adult supervision. Teenagers can visit independently.
Is the lift scary? The external glass elevators create mild thrill but aren’t extreme. They’re far less intense than theme park drop towers. Internal service elevators are available for anxious visitors.
- Book Skylon Tower observation deck access for Niagara Falls’ best overview.
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