(Photo by Taku Kumabe/Flickr Creative Commons)
What: Niagara SkyWheel
Price: $15 for adults, $7 for kids
Length: 12 minutes
Rundown: Perhaps the most defining monument of Niagara Falls, the SkyWheel is a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel that is coming up on 20 years in business, having debuted in 2006. The gondolas are heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer, with a capacity of eight people each. Face the Falls and get an aerial view that’s only beatable by the helicopters overhead, or face the city and see the go karts, dinosaur golf and low-rise urban skyline. It’s a pleasant ride, not too bumpy, and the ample amount of gondolas (combined with a quick 12-minute circuit) means the lineups are never egregious.
Worth It? On the one hand, it’s a fun, accessible attraction for the whole family. On the other hand, it’s more than $1 per minute. I’m inclined to say “worth it” because it’s one of the few genuinely unique attractions at Clifton Hill that will genuinely enhance your experience, giving you a literal new perspective on the city and natural beauty. But if the price feels too high for you, you can skip it. It’s just sitting in a box for 12 minutes.