Penguins

A mid-size aquarium a short walk from the falls, and the obvious move when the mist and wind make the gorge unbearable with kids. Humboldt penguins, harbour seals and California sea lions get daily feeding and training sessions that are the highlight for most children. There are Great Lakes tanks, a shark and ray touch pool, and a small rainforest area. It takes about ninety minutes which fits neatly into a Niagara day. Combining it with the state park makes a rainy Niagara trip actually work.

Three glass pyramids on the Galveston waterfront, each a separate attraction, and together the best bad-weather backup on the Texas coast. The Aquarium Pyramid holds penguins, seals, sharks and a Humboldt penguin colony behind floor-to-ceiling glass. The Rainforest Pyramid is a genuine indoor jungle with free-flying birds, monkeys, sloths and a bat cave. A 3D theater and a ropes course fill out the rest. Day passes cover multiple pyramids and are the sensible buy if the beach plan has fallen apart.