Visitors heading to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side will soon be able to walk through a tunnel that has been closed since World War II. The historic tunnel is part of a major update coming to Journey Behind the Falls.
Niagara Parks is spending $25 million to update Journey Behind the Falls, its attraction beside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The project includes reopening a tunnel that was built in 1903 and adding a new viewing platform.
The tunnel was closed to visitors during World War II. After an inspection in 1944, it was abandoned and replaced with another tunnel about 18 meters (about 60 feet) behind it that is still used today.
Journey Behind the Falls will stay open while the work is underway. Niagara Parks expects to finish the full project by summer 2028.
The Tunnel Opens Again in 2027
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The old tunnel is scheduled to reopen in summer 2027. Niagara Parks plans to keep some of its original features, including the carved rock walls and exposed wooden beams.
Visitors will walk through the tunnel to a new viewing platform overlooking Niagara Falls and the Niagara Gorge. The platform will be open all year. This is the first part of the Journey Behind the Falls redevelopment.
Visitors Have Been Going Behind the Falls Since 1889
The first tunnels opened in May 1889. They stretched about 150 feet through the rock, and guides carried lanterns because there were no lights inside. Niagara Parks continued changing the attraction over the years as the edge of the falls moved farther back.
The lower observation platform opened in 1951. Journey Behind the Falls also appeared in the 1953 movie Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe. The attraction was known as the Scenic Tunnels for years before getting its current name in 1994.
The Lower Platform Is Getting Rebuilt Too
The second part of the project will focus on the existing lower observation deck. Niagara Parks plans to rebuild it completely with better accessibility and a new design that will stay open year-round.
The new platform will also bring visitors closer to the Horseshoe Falls. That part of the project is scheduled to open in summer 2028.
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