Skylon Tower

Skylon Tower is an observation deck in Niagara Falls, standing at 520 ft. (160m) above street level and 775 ft. (236m) above the base of the Falls. Talk about a bird’s eye view, eh?! To get to the top, guests will ride in their iconic “yellow bug” glass elevators to take in a view of the Falls while heading up the tower.

From the tower’s Observation Deck, you’ll be able to get outstanding views of the Falls, admire the beautiful cityscape around the Niagara Gorge as well as take in the picturesque skyline. The tower also features world-famous restaurants, observation decks, gift shops, souvenir photo ops, and even has an arcade in the basement. 

If you want to take a tour of this stunning attraction, consider booking a tower that will feature the nearby attractions as well so you can get the most out of your visit! 

If you choose one of the tours that provide lunch at the Skylon, during the winter months you’ll enjoy a meal at the Summit Suite Buffet, and during the summer months, you’ll enjoy a meal in the Revolving Dining Room Restaurant. Both experiences offer a variety of delicious food options and a spectacular view of the Falls while you dine!

What to Know

The Skylon Tower is a popular tourist destination located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Standing at 775 feet tall, the tower offers stunning views of Niagara Falls, the Niagara River, and the surrounding area. The tower features 3 observation decks (including special indoor/outdoor observation decks), 2 dining areas, and 12 specialty gift shops. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower to enjoy the panoramic views from the observation deck, which is enclosed in glass to protect against the elements.

The tower also has a rotating dining area called the Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room, which offers a variety of delicious dishes and a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The Skylon Tower is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Niagara Falls.

How to Get There

The Skylon Tower is nestled at 5200 Robinson Street in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The drive through Niagara Falls station to this tower takes about 10 minutes so you won't have any difficulty reaching there. This observation deck is located near some famous tourist spots such as Journey Behind the Falls, Cave of the Winds, Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara SkyWheel, Horseshoe Falls, Niagara City Cruises, and more! If you want to visit this attraction, the best way to do so is by booking a tour that features other attractions as well so you can get the most out of your trip! 

Best Time to Visit

The major attraction in the Skylon Tower is a glorious vista spread out before you as you look down at the city and the Falls, so it should come as no surprise that the best time to visit this tower is on a warm, dry day, preferably in summer. But people flock to this attraction year-round to enjoy all kinds of views in all kinds of weather, so it's up to you when you feel like visiting this spot!

Highlights

The Skylon Tower in Niagara is a must-visit to enjoy the incredible views of Niagara Falls, the Great Gorge, the cityscape, and the beautiful skyline. Ride to the top in the glass-enclosed "Yellow Bug" elevators, and enjoy the spectacular views spread out before you. Dine in deluxe dining areas with a vista of the Falls — the Skylon Tower Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room and the Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room. Amuse yourself in Niagara's biggest amusement center — Skylon Fun Center. Shop until you drop in the 12 premium gift shops, and do so much more!

Features

If you want to enjoy spectacular views of Niagara Falls, there's no other place that fits the bill more than the staggeringly tall Skylon Tower. Offering a stunning vista of American Falls from the American side and an equally breathtaking view of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side of the Niagara River, this observation deck is one you won't forget! 

Ride to the top through the top-class Yellow Bug elevators and see panoramic views of the city in three observation decks. Take in the gorgeous city skylines of New York, Buffalo, and Toronto, and marvel at the scenery of the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, the Great Gorge, and the Niagara Wine District. There's an indoor/outdoor observation deck as well! 

Have great family fun at the popular Family Fun Center and watch the 3D/4D movie "Legends of Niagara Falls" afterward! Shop in one of the 12 gift stores and bring home the souvenirs of your trip! After your trip, you'll be starving, but worry not, as the tower offers lots of dining options with the tourists' favorite being Early Dinner specials that provide the best dining value! 

There's a famous revolving restaurant featuring a 360° view from a constantly changing vantage point — the Revolving Dining Room Restaurant with savory continental cuisine! If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room restaurant is a good place to relish steak, salmon, chicken chops, crab legs, shrimp, ice cream, and more in a classic buffet dinner. All in all, Skylon Tower has something for everyone!

History and Fun Facts

May 1964 saw the construction of an observation tower that stands tall today at 520 feet above street level offering a glorious vista of the cityscape, the Niagara skyline, and the picturesque Falls from the vantage point. The Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls officially opened on October 6, 1965, and entices tourists to its three observation decks, two deluxe dining areas, and one observation deck for indoors and outdoors. The construction of this monumental tower was certainly not cheap — it cost Niagara about 7 million dollars and was sponsored by the Hershey Company shareholders. 

If you're wondering why the tower cost 7 million dollars, we'll give you a clue. Aside from its gorgeous structure, and world-class amenities, its concrete itself would've cost so many dollars alone, as it weighed around 48,000,000 Ibs. The observation tower's famous externally-mounted, glass-enclosed "Yellow Bug" elevators were the very first of their kind and quickly became as famous as the tower itself. The Tower stands tall at a staggering height of 775 feet above the famous Niagara River, but you can reach the top in just 52 seconds with its 3 elevators. If you're brave enough, climb to the top of the tower with the two stairways that feature 662 steps! 

The world-famous Revolving Dining Room restaurant which features award-winning continental cuisine can seat up to 276 people and completes a rotation in one hour. From the vantage point of the tower, you can see as far as 80 miles on a sunny day! Another dining room, the Skylon Tower Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room, offers a buffet dinner with lots of seafood options to choose from! Today this attraction also features a shopping center with 12 gift shops, an amusement center for family fun, and a 3D/4D movie theater.