Horseshoe Falls Walk to the far southern end of Table Rock at sunrise for equally stunning views with a fraction of the crowd.

White Water Walk Visit on weekday mornings in October when fall colors frame the white rapids and you can actually hear the water over the reduced crowd noise.

Niagara Glen Nature Reserve Take the right fork at the bottom of the stairs toward the river shore where you’ll find fossils embedded in the limestone rocks that most hikers miss.

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens Enter through the back gate near the Butterfly Conservatory parking lot to start in the less-visited arboretum section where benches overlook peaceful ponds.

Floral Clock Visit at the top of each hour when the Westminster chimes play and the gardeners are usually nearby to explain how they change all 16,000 plants twice per season.

Whirlpool Aero Car Request the operator let you ride twice in a row during slow periods—they often agree and you’ll get double the time photographing the whirlpool from different angles.

Queenston Heights Park Climb Brock’s Monument in late afternoon when the setting sun lights up the Niagara River valley and the American shore across the gorge.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Historic District Park on side streets two blocks from Queen Street to avoid parking fees and discover the Victorian homes locals consider more architecturally significant than the tourist shops.

Butterfly Conservatory Arrive right at opening before buses arrive and sit on the bench near the passion flower vines where the blue morpho butterflies congregate in morning light.

Journey Behind the Falls Go during the last entry slot before closing when tour groups have left and the tunnels echo with just the sound of falling water above you.