They answer different questions. Journey Behind the Falls (~$24/adult, year-round; confirm on the official site) takes you down through the rock to portals BEHIND the curtain — you feel the thunder in your chest. Skylon Tower (~$20/adult) gives you the aerial geometry: the whole Horseshoe, the river, and on clear days the Toronto skyline. If you must choose: Journey in high-water spring/summer, Skylon at dusk. On a 9-hour tour, doing both is comfortable.
Journey Behind the Falls
Allow ~45 minutes. The lower observation deck stands at the waterline beside the curtain — the loudest place in Niagara. Ponchos provided; strollers manageable; queues shortest before noon.
Skylon
Allow ~40 minutes including the ride up. Time it for golden hour if the day allows — the indoor/outdoor decks both face the Falls, and the light show begins at dusk.
Sequencing
Our usual order: Table Rock → boat → lunch → (wine country) → Skylon at dusk on the way out. Your chauffeur re-orders around queues and weather in real time.
