A self-funded investment in its most profitable asset
Niagara Parks announced on 21 September 2026 a CAD 25 million investment, around €15 million, in Journey Behind the Falls. The sum is funded entirely from the organisation’s operating revenue. It targets its most visited and most profitable attraction, set against the Horseshoe Falls.
The project has two strands: the reopening of a century-old tunnel, closed during the Second World War, which will lead to a new year-round platform, and the complete redevelopment of the lower observation deck. The attraction will remain open throughout the works, which are scheduled for completion in summer 2028. Full details of the programme are available on the Niagara Parks Restore Journey page.
According to Niagara Parks, the redevelopment is intended to enhance the visitor experience throughout the year, while increasing capacity and supporting the site’s future growth.
More than 130 years of history beneath the falls
Journey Behind the Falls takes visitors some 38 metres underground, facing the Horseshoe Falls. The first tunnels opened in 1889. In 1903, a new scenic tunnel was excavated under an agreement with the Ontario Power Company to support hydroelectric generation.
That tunnel was closed to the public during the Second World War, then abandoned following an inspection in 1944. The same year, a new concrete tunnel with electric lighting was bored around 18 metres back from the original. It is the one visitors still use today.
The Rainbow Platform, opened in 1951, became one of the most iconic viewpoints in Niagara Falls. Two years later, the film Niagara, starring Marilyn Monroe, did much to establish the destination as the honeymoon capital of the world, and Journey Behind the Falls as one of its must-sees.
Two phases through to summer 2028
The first phase, due to open in summer 2027, will bring the original 1903 tunnel into the visitor route. Hewn rock walls and exposed timber beams will recreate the look of the structure at the turn of the 20th century. It will lead out onto a new year-round platform offering elevated panoramic views across the entire Niagara Gorge, whatever the season.
The second phase, expected in summer 2028, will see the complete redesign of the lower observation deck. Open all year round, it will feature a modernised design and improved accessibility, and will bring visitors closer to the Horseshoe Falls than ever before.
Building on the Table Rock Centre programme
The project follows on from the transformation of the Table Rock Centre, Niagara Parks’ flagship, a multi-year programme worth CAD 52 million (around €32 million). In 2023, the ticketing and queuing areas of Journey Behind the Falls were already refurbished, with a gallery dedicated to the early history of the falls.
The programme has also delivered Niagara Takes Flight in 2025, a food and beverage offer comprising Table Rock House Restaurant (2019), Table Rock Market (2022) and Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar (2023), as well as the Table Rock Shop (2019) and the renovation of the welcome areas.
Niagara Parks is also pursuing other projects across its portfolio of attractions: the conversion of the Niagara Parks Power Station and its tunnel in 2021, the redevelopment of the White Water Walk lower platform between 2024 and 2026, a new interactive space at the Butterfly Conservatory in 2026 and, by 2028, a children’s garden of around 1.6 hectares at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, delivered with the Niagara Parks Foundation.
Destination Niagara: doubling visitation
The project is aligned with the Province of Ontario’s Destination Niagara Strategy, which aims to double annual visitation to Niagara, increase the region’s economic impact, raise its international profile and attract more private investment. Niagara Parks is responding both by creating new experiences and by modernising its existing attractions, with the goal of spreading visitation across the whole year.
Our view – For hotel investors, reducing the seasonality of the tourism offer is a direct lever on off-season occupancy rates. In the first quarter of 2026, the Niagara Falls market was already showing a record pipeline of 23 projects and 6,820 rooms, as LTH noted in its analysis of the Canadian hotel pipeline in Q1 2026.
The major groups are already positioned there, as illustrated by IHG with the conversion of the future voco Niagara Falls – Fallsview, while the neighbouring wine region is attracting more boutique projects, such as The Clayfield, opened by Hyatt in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Niagara Parks redevelops Journey Behind the Falls
CAD 25m investment funded entirely from Niagara Parks’ earned revenue
Summer 2027: reopening of the original 1903 tunnel, closed during WWII, leading to a new year-round viewing platform
Summer 2028: full redevelopment of the lower observation deck with enhanced accessibility
Attraction remains open throughout construction
Aligned with Ontario’s Destination Niagara Strategy, which aims to double annual visitation
