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Attractions covered:
Inclusions
Inclusions
Inclusions
Attractions Covered:
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Inclusions
Take this historic boat tour across the Niagara River and get up close to the Niagara Falls,into the basin of Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist is one of the oldest attractions in Niagara Falls and has been operating since 1846.
Recommended tours:
Small Group Tour with Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds
Maid of the Mist Boat Ride, Cave of the Winds & Full-Day Trolley Pass
Sail away on the Maid of the MistIf thrill is what you’re after, the Cave of the Winds is an attraction you must not skip. Equipped with a poncho, you will descend 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge via elevator where your escapade will begin. You will walk a series of wooden walkways to the Hurricane Deck, just 20 feet away from the thundering Bridal Veil Falls. Here is where you’ll really feel the force of the water crashing down.
Recommended tours:
Cave of the Winds Skip-the-Line Guided Tour Small Group Tour with Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds
Maid of the Mist Boat Ride, Cave of the Winds & Full-Day Trolley Pass
Get your adventure on todayEstablished in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States of America, spanning 400 acres. Originallydesigned to protect the natural beauty of the falls and surrounding landscapes, you’ll probably go here to hop onto you boat for the e Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist tour. There aer also hiking trails and various viewpoints.
Recommended tours:
Maid of the Mist Boat Ride, Cave of the Winds & Full-Day Trolley Pass
Explore the wonders of this state parkYour nighttime experience at Niagara Falls will be incomplete without the fireworks and illumination that takes place after dark. You can view the illumination of the Falls every night after sunset, but the fireworks are seasonal and are usually scheduled between May and October. From Prospect Point Park, watch as the cascading waters are immersed in vibrant colors creating a dramatic backdrop for the fireworks show above.
Brighten your trip with the Niagara fireworksAt 282 feet tall, the Prospect Point Observation Tower is a great place to get views of both the American and Canadian waterfalls. The tower extends over the Niagara Gorge and this is from where you will take the elevator to board the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Birdwatching and photography are popular activities at the observation deck.
There is a trail for every skill level in the Niagara Gorge Take the Rim Trail for an easier route to spectacular views, or hike through rugged terrain alongside the powerful Niagara River on the Whirlpool Rapids Trail for a bit of a challenge.
Niagara Falls and its surrounding landscape make for a picture perfect sight from the skies as you fly past the Falls on a state of the art helicopter. Your scenic flight will last for about 8 minutes but will fill you with memories for a lifetime!
Recommended tours:
Niagara Falls Small-Group Guided Tour with Helicopter Ride
Let your Niagara Falls experience be a little more intimate with a small group of up to 10 people ensuring a more personalized way of exploring the Falls. Your English-speaking local guide will be able to give you more attention on your tour of the US side of Niagara Falls where you will see Goat Island and Luna Island apart from the Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist experiences.
Recommended tours:
Small Group Tour with Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds
Time zone: The American side of Niagara Falls, located in the state of New York, runs on the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which is GMT/UTC -5 hours during standard time and GMT/UTC -4 hours during daylight saving time.
Niagara Falls, New York, observes daylight saving time, which began on March 10, 2024, and will end on November 3, 2024.
Take note of the time zone and daylight saving time changes to ensure you arrive at attractions and events at the correct time.
Currency: The currency used on the US side of Niagara Falls is the United States Dollar (USD), which is accepted at all local attractions, restaurants, and shops. If you plan on crossing over to Canada, carry some Canadian Dollars (CAD) with you.
Area code: 716
Emergency number: 911
Plan your visit to Niagara FallsVisit Niagara Falls during the summer (June to August) to make sure you can experience all the seasonal attractions. But remember that this is peak tourist season so expect to be jostling for space alongside other holiday makers!
If you prefer fewer people around you, early June or late August are ideal times to visit, when the weather will still be pleasant while allowing you to avoid the busiest weeks of July. The low season (October to May) is a quieter time to see the Falls but the temperatures often dip below freezing and summer attractions will be closed. In October and November you can see the foliage transform into vibrant autumn colors of reds, yellows, and oranges. As December comes, so do the mesmerizing ice formations. March to May, on the other hand, will show you the breaking in of spring with budding flowers and greenery returning to the landscape.
Niagara Falls attractions timingsAirports: Fly directly into Niagara Falls International Airport, which is the closest airport to the Falls (11 miles). You can also fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (33 miles) which offers more flight and airline options. From the airports, rent a car, take a taxi, or use public transport to reach Niagara Falls.
Driving: If you are coming from nearby cities, driving to Niagara Falls is quite convenient with plenty of parking garages spread across the city. The drive typically takes about 8 hours from major locations, such as New York City or Chicago.
Bus: Take the various intercity bus services including NFTA Metro Bus, Greyhound, FlixBus, and New York Trailways for a convenient commute. The buses connect major cities to Niagara Falls with daily departures from cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and even as far as Philadelphia.
Amtrak: The Amtrak offers various routes to the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station, the most used one being from New York City. The journey from NYC takes around 9 to 10 hours and includes scenic views along the way, especially as the train travels north along the Hudson River and through the Erie Canal region. The Niagara Falls Amtrak Station is less than a 10-minute drive from the Falls.
Getting to Niagara FallsPublic transport: Within Niagara Falls, the Discover Niagara Shuttle offers a free hop-on, hop-off service between the Visitor Center and various attractions.
Car rentals: You can find several car rentals on the US side of the Falls including Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Alamo Rent A Car. There are car rentals at the Niagara Falls International Airport if you plan to go directly to the falls or want to explore the town immediately.
Niagara Scenic Trolley: Within the Niagara Falls State Park, take the trolley service between attractions. The route has multiple stops throughout the park, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Others: The city has a compact layout that is easily walkable. Apart from this, you can make use of the bike rental services that are available for those who prefer to cycle around the attractions.
The US side of Niagara Falls offers a more nature-focused experience, with less commercial development than the Canadian side. At the Niagara Falls State Park, which is the oldest state park in the United States, most of the attractions including Goat Island and Cave of the Winds take you remarkably close to the Falls. While the Canadian side offers expansive views of all three waterfalls, the US side of Niagara Falls provides a more intimate, natural experience.
Yes, you can enjoy watching Niagara Falls being illuminated from various vantage points on the US side like the Prospect Point Observation Tower and other designated viewing areas.
A full day is ideal to explore the main attractions, enjoy some hiking at the Niagara Falls State Park, and take in the views. If you plan to visit both the US and Canadian sides, consider staying for at least two days.
While entrance to the park is free, some attractions like the Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist have separate fees.
A guided tour is a great way to explore Niagara Falls with a well-thought-out itinerary curated and led by expert guides. Some tours even include skip-the-line access to popular attractions.
Niagara Falls State Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife. At the park you can white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, bald eagles and many more birds and animals in their natural habitat. If you find yourself in the park's wetland areas, look out for the snapping turtles! (Bonus fact: Don’t go too close, since these turtles have powerful jaws. There is even a local myth that says they will only let go after it thunders!)
Yes! Visiting Niagara Falls on the US side in winter offers a magical experience. From Prospect Point, you can see the icy landscape, massive icicles, and the roaring water Niagara Falls. There are also indoor activities you can take part in such as rock climbing and Aquarium of Niagara.
There are several parking lots within and around Niagara Falls State Park including at Prospect Point, Goat Island, and Niagara Gorge, with varying fees. Arrive earlier in the day to secure a spot since parking lots can fill up quickly during peak season.
Of course! Get your pets along on your visit to Niagara Falls State Park so that they can enjoy some nature and fresh air along with you. But remember to keep them on a leash at all times. While pets are allowed in most outdoor areas within the park, they are not permitted into most buildings and certain attractions like the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds.