What do you see on a 20-minute Niagara Falls helicopter tour? — featuring nationalhelicopters (National Helicopters)

In this video: Niagara Falls Helicopter tour

nationalhelicopters · 15 years ago

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How long is the helicopter tour?

The standard Niagara Grand Tour lasts 20 minutes. If you book the private romantic version, it extends to 25 minutes and includes views of Lake Ontario's lakeshore, the Toronto skyline on clear days, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the historic forts George and Niagara.

At a glance

Length
4 min
Channel
nationalhelicopters
Video from
Feb 2011
Rating
⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
Best for
Couples, history enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone wanting a scenic helicopter tour review of Niagara Falls

What this video answers

  • How long is the helicopter tour?
  • What languages is the inflight commentary offered in?
  • Can I combine the helicopter tour with dining?
  • Is there a private tour option?
  • What should I wear for a helicopter tour?
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What to Expect on This Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour

National Helicopters offers a 20-minute aerial tour of Niagara Falls that goes well beyond a simple scenic flight. The video shows a carefully routed journey that departs from Niagara District Airport and combines three distinct elements: sweeping views of Niagara Wine Country, historically significant landmarks, and the falls themselves from angles impossible to see from the ground. This is positioned as the region's only comprehensive heli-touring company, meaning the route and commentary are designed to tell a fuller story of the area rather than just circle the waterfalls.

This experience suits couples seeking intimacy, history enthusiasts, and photographers wanting professional-grade vantage points. The tour also appeals to travelers who want efficiency—seeing multiple regions and attractions in a single flight rather than spending days exploring on foot. If you're someone who loves having context for what you're viewing, the multilingual inflight headset commentary keeps you oriented throughout the entire route.

Key Moments

Key Sights and Stops on the Niagara Grand Tour Route

  • Niagara Wine Country vineyards viewed from above as you depart the airport
  • The Brock Monument at Queenston Heights, honoring Major General Isaac Brock from the War of 1812
  • The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, the Canada–USA border crossing, and the two hydroelectric dams (Sir Adam Beck and Robert Moses) that harness the river's power
  • The Niagara Whirlpool and the Spanish Aerocar historic cable car spanning it
  • Both world-famous waterfalls circled in both directions so every passenger gets a clear view
  • The Welland Canal, an eight-stage engineering feat from the 1930s that allows ships to bypass Niagara Falls
Featured image for the guide to Niagara Falls Helicopter tour by nationalhelicopters

Before You Book Your Niagara Helicopter Flight

  • Duration: The standard Niagara Grand Tour is 20 minutes; the private romantic version extends to 25 minutes with added Lake Ontario lakeshore and Toronto skyline views (weather permitting)
  • Departure: All tours depart from Niagara District Airport
  • Equipment provided: Headsets are included for all passengers to hear the multilingual inflight commentary and communicate
  • Private tours available: Couples can book a private aircraft experience with complimentary champagne, ideal for anniversaries or proposals
  • Combo options: Niagara Grand Winery Tours combine the helicopter flight with a landing at one of three partner wineries (Peller Estates, Shady Lane, or Hillbrand) for a winery discovery tour and dinner
  • What to bring: The video emphasizes bringing your camera to capture the spectacular views

Common Questions About National Helicopters' Tours

How long is the helicopter tour?

The standard Niagara Grand Tour lasts 20 minutes. If you book the private romantic version, it extends to 25 minutes and includes views of Lake Ontario's lakeshore, the Toronto skyline on clear days, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the historic forts George and Niagara.

What languages is the inflight commentary offered in?

The video states that inflight commentary through the provided headsets is offered in several different languages, though specific languages are not listed in the tour details shown.

Can I combine the helicopter tour with dining?

Yes. National Helicopters offers the Niagara Grand Winery Tours, which include the scenic helicopter flight followed by a winery discovery tour and fine dinner at one of three partner estates: Peller Estates, Shady Lane, or Hillbrand.

Is there a private tour option?

Yes. The private Niagara Grand Tour is designed for couples who want the aircraft to themselves. It runs 25 minutes (5 minutes longer than the standard tour) and includes a complimentary bottle of champagne, making it suitable for anniversaries, proposals, or romantic getaways.

What should I wear for a helicopter tour?

The video does not specify dress code or weather-related clothing recommendations. However, it does emphasize bringing a camera, so plan on having your hands free during much of the flight for photography.

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Key Terms

Inflight commentary
Narration delivered through headsets during the flight to explain the landmarks and features you are passing over.
Queenston Heights
A historic elevated area along the Niagara River notable for the Brock Monument honoring a War of 1812 general.
Welland Canal
An eight-stage waterway and engineering system built in the 1930s that allows ships to safely bypass Niagara Falls.
Spanish Aerocar
A historic cable car suspended over the Niagara Whirlpool that remains a notable landmark visible from the air.
Niagara Whirlpool
A powerful circular current formed where the Niagara River narrows and changes direction downstream of the falls.

Sources: Inflight commentary · Queenston Heights · Welland Canal · Spanish Aerocar · Niagara Whirlpool — definitions cross-referenced with Wikipedia

Justin’s Take

This video is genuinely useful for anyone considering an aerial tour of Niagara Falls. National Helicopters has clearly structured a route that balances iconic natural scenery with regional history and infrastructure, and the commentary model ensures you're not just floating above unfamiliar terrain. The variety of tour options—standard, private romantic, and winery combo—means there's a package for different travel styles and budgets.

What I appreciated most was how thorough the route is. Rather than circling the falls once and heading home, the tour integrates wine country, War of 1812 monuments, hydro engineering, and even a historic cable car, giving you a genuinely comprehensive view of the Niagara region. If you're serious about seeing Niagara from a perspective you can't get anywhere else, this is worth booking soon.

Great video · 2 out of 2

Justin
Justin

Years on the front lines of helicopter tour coordination — not as a travel blogger, but as the person responsible for making every guest experience go right. Managed 2,000+ cruise guests weekly as Shore Excursions staff aboard the Pride of America in Hawaii Personally coordinated with helicopter tour operators to confirm age, weight, and safety requirements.

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Description

National Helicopters Amazing Tours of Niagara Falls!

Video transcript for “Niagara Falls Helicopter tour” Accessibility

A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.

[Music] National helicopters invites you to discover Niagara from an eagle's eyee perspective we are more than just a helicopter ride we are niagara's only heli touring company providing the view of only the best of Niagara Falls Niagara historical

surroundings and Niagara Wine Country [Music] National helicopters aerial tours are the most personal and most comprehensive Adventure Tours offered the Niagara Grand Tour is our 20-minute helicopter flight experience headsets are provided which enable you to share the experience as

well as providing you with an informative inflight commentary offered in several different languages taking off from the Niagara District Airport we fly over Niagara Vineyard country to the historic village of Queenston above Queenston Heights you'll see the Brock Monument dedicated to

Major General Isaac Brock one of Canada's Heroes of the War of 1812 flying over the Queenston Lewiston Bridge which is a border crossing between Canada and the USA we continue to the two Hydro dams sir Adam Beck and Robert Moses both Canada and the United States harnessed the power of the

Niagara River to produce electricity for millions of residents and businesses alike continuing over the whirlpool and the Spanish aerocar we then arrive at the highlight of our tour the two world famous waterfalls we Circle the waterfalls in both directions so that everyone gets a

fantastic View we then follow the Niagara River along the reverse [Music] route before we head back to the airport you will enjoy wonderful views

of the Wellen Canal an engineering Triumph dating back to the 1930s which allows ship safe detour around Niagara Falls over an eight-stage [Music] Waterway finally we arrive back at the Niagara District [Music] airport where our friendly staff will help you out of the [Music]

aircraft private Niagara Grand Tour is ideal for couples wishing to enjoy the aircraft of themselves our private romantic Niagara Grand Tour is extended to 25 minutes and we'll take you along the Lakeshore of Lake Ontario giving views of the skyline of Toronto on a clear day in addition to seeing the

spectacular scenery previously mentioned you'll have the added bonus of spectacular views of Niagara on the Lake historical Fort George and Fort Niagara to top it off we give you a complimentary bottle of champagne ideal for anniversaries proposals or just as a romantic interview the Niagara Grand Winery tours

will take you after the scenic view of Niagara Falls to one of niagra's fine wineries where you can enjoy a winery Discovery tour and a fine dinner choose Peller Estates [Music] Winery Shad [Music] Dean or hillbrand experience views of the

Niagara region in a way unimaginable from the ground be sure you bring your cameras to capture the spectacular [Music] views

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