Things to do in Niagara Falls, Canada: The Best Specialty Museums

The Museum is housed within the old Stamford Town Hall built in 1874. The Lundy's Lane Historical Society was given the building in 1971, becoming the Lundy's Lane Historical Museum. On January 1st, 2010, the City of Niagara Falls took direct operation of the museum and it became Niagara Falls History Museum. Housing a vast collection of Niagara Falls history, the Museum provides a showcase for the unique past of the famous city. The Museum's recent $12M renovation and expansion creates a dynamic space to examine and explore our diverse history. It re-opened to the public on July 21, 2012. The renovation and expansion was designed by Toronto architecture firm Moriyama and Teshima, and now features three remarkable galleries telling the most compelling Niagara Falls stories with engaging hands-on exhibitions. The Museum is located within steps of the Drummond Hill Cemetery, the focal point of the Battle of Lundy's Lane, considered the "bloodiest battle" of the War of 1812. The starting point for any trip to this battlefield will be a visit to the Museum.Besure to also check out the Battle Ground Hotel Museum and Willoughby Historical Museum.The Niagara Falls Museums are a municipally-run trio of sites dedicated to preserving the history of the City of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area. Using both artifacts and text, they highlight the large and small things that made up daily life in the area's rich history. The Niagara Falls History Museum looks at early Black history, the War of 1812, notables like Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord, and even historic souvenirs. The Battle Ground Hotel Museum focuses on early tourism, from a time when tourists came to see not just the falls but also the 1812 battlefield. And Willoughby Historical Museum looks at everyday rural life, as well as commemorating the Battle of Chippawa. All three sites offer extensive collections, as well as programs and activities for schools and the public. The History Museum and the Willoughby Museum also offer research opportunities.

Located in the heart of Niagara Falls on Clifton Hill since 1963, the always growing Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum still holds on to the reputation as Niagara’s best museum. Authentic shrunken heads, the world’s rarest egg and two-headed animals are only the beginning here. Housing an impressive collection of the odd, strange and unbelievable from around the world, the museum showcases over 700 mind boggling exhibits, oddities, curiosities and illusions throughout their extraordinarily themed galleries. Several videos and displays allow for an interactive experience leaving you to decide whether you believe it or not!Take a stroll through what is perhaps the most humorous of cemeteries, containing various gravestones engravings that will make you giggle with disbelief. Among the museum’s strange and unbelievable artifacts is the Niagara Theatre. It is the only one of its kind in Niagara Falls! Guests are invited to sit down, relax and get blown away by the museum’s film showcasing those daredevils brave enough to face the wrath of the falling water, and those who accidentally took a trip over the falls. Plenty of photo-ops are also scattered around the museum from an 18th Century Spanish Public Humiliation Stock to the world’s tallest man’s Chippendale Chair. Kids of all ages (as well as adults!) love to engage themselves in Ripley’s Wacky Explorative Room where they are challenged with various curiosities and interactive displays such as the very popular shadow wall.Spend anywhere from an hour to an entire day exploring the first class entertainment that Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum has to offer. For years, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum has shocked and amazed tourists from all over the world as well as residents from the Niagara Region. No matter the reason for your visit to Niagara Falls, Ripley’s Believe It or Not should be a “must see” on your itinerary!

The Niagara Daredevil Exhibit is conveniently located next to the Niagara IMAX Theatre. Enter and see and touch the actual barrels that challenged the Falls!

Check out the most phenomenal Niagara Falls wax museum! A walk through Movieland is a like a walk through entertainment history. Snap a selfie next to your favourite Stars! Here, you'll see wax sculptures of celebrities from classic films like Indiana Jones and the Terminator, to current hits like Jumanji and Ironman.

Locomoland – The only high-tech, remote-controlled miniature railway system in the world! At Locomoland, you will be able to conduct and play with model trains. We offer various types of model trains, including but not limited to, high speed bullets capable of achieving stunning Scale speeds of 260 mph. What’s more, we provide over 2000 square feet of self-built magnificent miniature