You think you know what the sensation of flying feels like.
Being pushed back into your seat on take-off; the bounce and squeal of the wheels upon landing. You're familiar with the banks and bumps and pressure-popping in your ears and the drone of the engines as you travel through the atmosphere at 30,000 feet.
But forget everything you think you know about what it feels like to fly when it comes to going up in a helicopter.
The take-off is vertical. The banking is much quicker and more extreme. Oh, and did I mention that a helicopter only carries about 4 people?
I've been up in a helicopter once before (years ago in New Zealand), but when my partner Elliot and I decided to head to Niagara Falls for a weekend (and considering he'd never been up in a chopper before), we decided to splurge and book a short helicopter tour after talking about what to do in Niagara Falls.
We contacted Rainbow Air, the only helicopter tour company operating on the American side of Niagara Falls. Family-owned and operated, Rainbow Air boasts one of the best rides — their helipad location near the Rainbow Bridge means that you get to swoop low and close over the American Falls, and then figure-8 over Horseshoe Falls, as well.
And the ride absolutely lives up to the promise of great views. In fact, the views are INCREDIBLE.
It's one thing to see Niagara Falls from ground-level. But it's another entirely to see it from above.
The ride was of course over way too fast. And some might argue that the price tag of $105 per person for a 12-minute ride is way too expensive.
But you know what? I think it was absolutely worth it!
There are just some travel experiences that are must-dos, and I really do believe that this is one of them.
IF YOU GO…
- WHO: Rainbow Air
- WHERE: 454 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY
- WHEN: Daily May-October (weekends only March, April, November, and December),and rides are weather-dependent; they don't take reservations, so rides are first-come, first-served.
- HOW MUCH: $105 per person per ride
Would YOU want to do a tour like this at Niagara Falls?
*Note: We did receive a complimentary flight from Rainbow Air, however we showed up prepared to pay for it because it really is worth doing! As always, you can count on me to tell it like it is, no matter who's footing the bill.
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
WOW, just wow! that would be an amazing experience!
Yeah, we were both pretty much speechless the whole time!
Wow, those shots looking down into the falls are magnificent.
Thank you!
This article is awesome! I took my Mom to Niagara Falls a few years back. It had always been a dream of hers to go but “life” got in the way. I booked a trip on a Cessna for our last day there. She had no clue \what was going on and when we flew over the Falls we both almost cried! It was an awesome weekend to make someone else’s dream come true! I’m glad to see these amazing photos! They are much better quality than mine! I am also glad you got to experience this!
How cool to help your mom make a dream come true, Cristina! Sounds like a great trip.
Holy cow…those photos totally surprised me! The falls are so much more impressive than I imagined (I don’t know why exactly though, so many people visit!). What a cool experience!
A lot of people complain about how touristy Niagara Falls has become (well, the Canadian side, at least), but to be honest, the falls are SO impressive that I found it really easy to ignore all the kitsch and casinos!
Awesome! (That’s all I have to say!)
Haha, that pretty much sums it up!
I love flying everywhere I go. But that craziness started after my visit to the Niagara falls. This post makes me want to go back and experience it!
If you ever get the chance, definitely go for it!
What a view! This looks like an amazing experience. The cost doesn’t seem as high as some other places that offer short helicopter tours either. Definitely keen to give this a go one day.
Yeah, the ones on the Canadian side are slightly more expensive. And I’ve looked into helicopter tours in other countries that were waaaayyyy more expensive!
That looks so cool! What a different perspective.
Yeah, I had no clue that Horseshoe Falls looked like that from above!
Looking at the photos I was about ready to add it to my bucket list, but considering the price tag I think I’ll stick to seeing it from the ground. Sounds like a fantastic experience nonetheless!
Haha, I promise that it was worth it!
Gorgeous photos! I haven’t been to the falls since grade 9, and I only saw them from the boat! They look so impressive from high up.
I was the same way – it had been 15 years since I’d been to the Falls, and I’d never seen them at night or from above. Both are highly recommended!
Wow that’s cool. Beautiful photos.
Thanks, Zoe!
Helicopters really are the most amazing way to see a place. I have done helicopter tours over an active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii and over the Grand Canyon – incredible!
Both of those sound incredible! I definitely want to do one over the Grand Canyon someday.
Ahh! This looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to do a helicopter ride! And the views just look amazing!
It was just as awesome as it looks!
Those are some of the most incredible photos I’ve ever seen! From the ground, you truly have no idea what stuff looks like and in the fall’s case, they look all the more spectacular and just so majestic.
That is a lot for a short flight, but I agree that it would be totally worth it!
They look SO different from above! Horseshoe Falls especially.
Absolutely incredible views! looks like a massive whole in the earth
Yeah, the views were amazing! So much better than I ever expected.