Have you ever wanted to visit the New Eighth Wonder of the World? How about one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world? Towering at 167 feet high (50.9 m) and showcasing three waterfalls together: Bridal Veil Falls, American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, New York is a must visit place in the world.
Among the over 2,000 named waterfalls in the state of New York, sits the most popular of them all: Niagara Falls. The city surrounding the falls is unique in that it doesn’t have an abundance of restaurants or attractions, so visiting here for a day is possible. A weekend or extending your stay to 3 days is plenty of time to see and do a lot. Click here for the perfect itinerary based on your length of stay.
- What To Do
- Where To Stay
- Transportation
- Food
- Itinerary Suggestions For Different Budgets
- When To Visit
- About The Area
What To Do
Our favorite spot, and #1 recommendation, is the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, which offers the only unobstructed view on the American side of the falls! This tower hovers 282 feet above the Niagara River and offers an elevator ride down to the base of the gorge. When at the base, there are stairs enabling you to get up close and personal with the falls. Depending on how much mist occurs, you can even capture the iconic rainbow in the falls photo.
Pro tip: wait for 10-15 minutes to see how much the mist changes.
At $1.25, this experience is a cannot miss, especially if you don’t want to go (or spend money) on the Maid of the Mist.
If you’ve never been here before, a boat ride of some kind is a must! Being on the river where you can appreciate the power where all of that water falls down to is intense. This experience allows you to feel the magnitude of 75,750 gallons (3,160 tons) of water flowing every second from the American and Bridal Veil Falls and 681,750 gallons (21469 tons) over the Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist runs between April 29th and November 7th, when the falls aren’t frozen. This boat ride is one you won’t forget when you feel the mist, or decide to get soaked, as you’re up close and personal with the power of Niagara Falls. For a different kind of experience, check out Jet Boat Tours that go through the Whirpool Rapids and Devil’s Hole rapids on the Niagara River.
Eco tip: For any water activities, bring a rain jacket or poncho and water shoes of your own to avoid any plastic potentially flying into the water or not getting reused!
Go underneath the falls and feel the power fall directly on you. Cave of the Winds takes you down to what they call the hurricane deck, a walkway that allows you to get as soaked as you’d like directly underneath the power of the American and Bridal Veil Falls. Did you know that the walkway has to be rebuilt each year due to freezing in the winter? I feel much safer about going now that I know that! The Cave of the Winds name may be a little misleading, as there isn’t a cave. The rock overhang that was once there collapsed in the early 1900s, but the name stuck.
Fly among the birds in a helicopter ride! The only company on the American side to offer helicopter tours is Rainbow Air and they are by reservation, weather permitting.
There are also many free things to do in the area:
We had so much fun playing at the Niagara Power Vista. Whether you have kids or not, this place is pretty cool! First, walk around the exterior deck surrounding the building and see a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening at the power plant and on the Niagara River. Then, go inside and check out the many hands-on activities that are also educational. Our favorite part was going to the lowest level and watching portraits of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison come to life and debate the merits of AC and DC power! Trust us on this one!
Walk or bike along the eighteen miles of brand new (to be completed Fall 2021) green space along the Niagara River in Niagara Falls State Park. From Goat Island to the Niagara Power Project, a beautiful walking and biking area provides the ability to get out of the car and enjoy the fresh air. Along the pathway, there are information stations with history of the how the city used the falls to generate power and some side trails to wander off the beaten path.
Explore or relax on the islands. From each view of the falls to the monument of Nikola Tesla, there is a lot of space to explore. Have a picnic and enjoy the view along the greenery or many benches in the area. Luna Island is a small island that allows the closest view to any of the falls on the American side. With the American Falls on the northern end and the Bridal Veil Falls between Luna and Goat islands, there are plenty of close-up picture and video opportunities of the rushing river here. Three Sisters Island offers a slightly different view and a beautiful walking path, which we highly recommend to enjoy.
Capture the moment. Just south of the Niagara Observation Tower is Prospect Point Observation Area, the widest free view of all the falls you can get. This view also limits the amount of mist in your photo. If it isn’t too misty, you can see more of the Horseshoe Falls along the Canadian side.
Take a ride in the elevator at Schoellkopf Power Station and go down to the Niagara River. It was the largest hydroelectric power station in the world at the time of its completion. This area offers a great view of Rainbow Bridge and the amazing Canadian skyline from water level. Check out the trail here and see some ruins of the collapsed power station for yourself right along the river.
Gaze at the street art in Artist Alley. Look for the painted section of road on Third St between Ferry Ave and Niagara St near Zaika Indian Cuisine and Bar. Also, keep your eyes peeled all over the city for local art, as even the fire hydrants are all uniquely painted.
Where To Stay
Hotels near Niagara Falls are separated into two areas. The first area is along the Niagara Scenic Parkway, where the falls are, and all tend to be over $100 per night. Along the falls offers a more scenic view, plus walking distance to everything, including a small variety of local restaurants and activities. Be sure to check if your hotel includes parking because it can cost $10-30 per day.
The second area is a few miles and approximately a 15 minute drive away in the town of Niagara. Near the highway, among chain restaurants and grocery stores may sound convenient, but keep in mind that parking costs at Niagara Falls can add up each day you visit.
For budget-travelers, hostels are a great option! We recommend a stay at Wanderfalls Hostel and Guesthouse for free parking and being walking distance to the falls. At approximately $30 per person per night, it’s the best deal you’ll find in town. Having access to a full kitchen means you can cook your own meals and spend your money on having fun. We’ve seen families of up to four, couples, singles, and people of all ages stay here. If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, this place is a great starting point to try it out! It’s a house with more beds than the average home.
Pro tip: Bring a small lock with you, most hostels have some sort of locker to store your things. Even if everything doesn’t fit, put your most valuables in a locked area. We bring cable locks to attach our lockable bags to an unmovable object.
Large families are best to find a short-term rental on VRBO or Airbnb in this area. There are plenty of options for families, but be careful of the rental location. The yellow area on this map for the city shows where we would recommend staying within for your stay. Also, see the bottom of this page for more information about the area.
For recreational vehicles and campervans visiting, the best parking option is lot number 3 on Goat Island. Parking is $10 for the day, then you can walk around to enjoy the views. There is no RV park or overnight parking near the falls. However, there is a Walmart a few miles away, so call ahead to see if they allow overnight parking if you’re unable to find a campsite outside of town.
Transportation
Whether you don’t feel like walking or just want to experience the Niagara Scenic Trolley, $3 gets you an all-day pass that goes north all the way to the Power Station and back. It’s the perfect way to not worry about parking and see everything you want! Around town are Reddy bikes, a bikeshare option to rent and ride around the area. Bike riding is a great option and we’ve enjoyed these in other towns before.
If you’re getting to Niagara Falls by plane, it’s important to know that a taxi ride from Buffalo to Niagara Falls will cost upwards of $60 each way. Lyft and Uber range from $40-60 and are extremely limited. For a budget-friendly option, check out bus schedules for a $2 ride (exact change in cash or through the Token Transit App) that will take you right into the city.
If you’re visiting New York City and want to take a bus ride to Niagara Falls, the cost is approximately $30 and will take 9 hours.
Another option for getting to Niagara Falls is the Amtrak Train. The station is on the north end of town and will be at least a mile away from most places to stay.
Food
To support the local restaurants, go to Third Street for varying cuisine and price. Savor, a restaurant created by the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, has some great deals when they are open. You’ll see several Indian food options around and the best is Zaika on Third Street. Tourist-focused Hard Rock Cafe and Rainforest Cafe are on Old Falls St and come at a hefty price.
There aren’t a lot of options for food near the falls and it constantly changes so this is a tough one to keep up with. Also take a look at try to plan food around the days you’re here. When doing a quick google search ensure that you pay attention to the right country! Also, many local places close on certain days, so click on the open now filter.
For groceries, Wegman’s has tremendous fresh options with everything you need. For more budget-friendly choices, check out Tops and Aldi. Tops is the only grocery store walking distance to the falls.
Itinerary Suggestions For Different Budgets
One day/night for less than $100:
- Night before – Arrive at Wanderfalls Hostel $30. Book directly to avoid additional booking fees. Drop your bags off. Then, walk west down Spruce Ave. to Whirlpool St. and head south to the falls to see them lit up at night.
- 08:00 – Walk west down Spruce Ave to Third St and grab a bagel and drink at Power City Eatery. If you didn’t stay the night and have a vehicle, park at Schoellkopf Power Station.
- 09:00 – Go to the Observation Tower. Pay $1.25 (cash or card) and get the best pictures of the falls from the American side. Between boat tours, take the elevator down and walk up the steps along the American Falls. Stay for 15 minutes or until you can see a rainbow in the mist, it’s worth it!
- 10:00 – Walk along the pathway and over to Goat Island. On the northern end is the American Falls, then the Bridal Veil Falls. Walk up the stairs to see the Nikola Tesla statue, and continue on to see Horseshoe Falls.
- 11:00 – Cave of the Winds. Dry off as you walk towards along the falls towards Three Sisters Island and tour the area.
- 12:00 – Follow the walking path along 1st street to Old Falls St and find a place to eat. Savor is open Thursday-Saturday and has a $12 lunch special. There are also pizza and hot dogs trucks along this street. Zaika Is two blocks away on 3rd street just past Niagara Blvd and has a $16 buffet lunch Wednesday-Monday.
- 13:00 – Wander around Old Falls St towards 3rd street and admire the street art. Between the east side of 3rd, north of Niagara St (next to Zaika), is Third Street Art Alley where you can admire some more art.
- 14:00 – Walk back to the Schoellkopf Power Station and go down the free elevator to learn more about the history of the falls being used for power and the tragedy of the station’s collapse. There is also a small trail here that leads you to the riverfront where you can see that history first hand.
- 14:30 – Go a few steps north to the Discovery Center and get on the $3 shuttle to the Power Vista.
- 15:00 – Walk around the Niagara Power Vista and learn all about AC versus DC power. Then, test your knowledge and strength in generating power. Be sure to walk around the outside to get views of the power station itself and go to the bottom level inside to watch Tesla and Edison debate their theories.
- 16:00 – Get back on the shuttle and exit at Whirlpool State Park. If you’re in the mood to walk more, 1.5 miles one way is Devil’s Hole State Park. Be sure to return to the shuttle before it stops operating at 18:00!
- 18:00 – Grab some dinner from somewhere on 3rd street if you didn’t earlier.
- 19:30 – Walk to Prospect Point (near the Observation Tower) and see the falls light up at night as you watch the sun set over Canada.
Two ways to lessen the days costs even more:
- Don’t do Cave of the Winds. A great attraction, but it’s the most expensive item other than accommodation for the day.
- The night you arrive, go to the grocery store and prepare meals for the following day.
These two things can make your stay here under $50 including accommodation!
One day with a large budget:
- Night before – Arrive at an Airbnb/VRBO or hotel near the falls.
- 08:00 – Breakfast at SPoT Cafe.
- 09:00 – Walk out the west side and down Old Falls St, through the park entrance and over to Goat Island to Cave of the Winds.
- 10:00 – Since you’re already wet and now have a poncho and shoes, head to the Maid of the Mist boat tour or on a jet boat tour (both have inside/less wet options).
- 11:00 – Walk around to view Goat Island and Three sisters Island while you dry off.
- 12:00 – Get lunch somewhere on Old Falls or Third Street.
- 13:30 – Drive north to Fort Niagara State Park and tour the area.
- 15:00 – Take the elevator down at the Schoellkopf Power Station to learn more.
- 15:30 – Visit the Aquarium of Niagara.
- 17:00 – End the activities of the day with a helicopter tour!
- 19:00 – Dinner at Top of the Falls and take in the beautiful scenery followed by the falls lit up at night!
More than one day:
- Get everything done on foot near the falls one day and take the trolley to visit anything north of the Aquarium on a separate day!
- There are also several trails to check out in the area to keep you busy and moving.
When To Visit
Niagara Falls is not a year-round vacation destination. Most everything closes down from November-April, including hostels. This is a place people like to visit, so consider that there are many people who come for the weekend. If you can manage to come during the week, that’s best for less crowds and lines. Saturday and Sunday are by far the busiest, but surprisingly Fridays aren’t bad. Summer is the most popular time of year to visit, but Fourth of July weekend is the busiest we’ve ever seen!
About The Area
Having been to both the American and Candian sides, there is a clear difference between the two areas. The Canadian side is full, and I mean full of tourism necessities: shops, plenty of restaurant options, expensive activities, hotels with a view, etc. while the American side is quite limited. There is a very small section that is focused on tourism. Local restaurants struggle to survive in the area, which is why there aren’t many options.
The truth is the American side was built on power. Its purpose was for generating electricity off of the falls and tourism has never been a major focus. In fact, walking half a mile in any direction of where the the falls lie is a depressive state of living. Most people are on some sort of monetary support and can’t find a job locally. Another problem is that more residents are moving away than there are new residents coming in. After living in the area for over a month, we can safely say that we never had any trouble or felt unsafe. It’s quite sad to see the city in an economically depressed state around what we consider a major worldwide attraction. To see a place that the state and country should be so proud of and build up so run down is disappointing.
However, we can tell there have been some improvements. The green space along the river is beautiful! It’s a comfortable walking space that needs some additional lighting. But staying so close, at Wanderfalls Hostel, we felt safe walking everywhere, even at night. Not every place we see online is perfect and this town definitely provides reality a check. Hopefully, this doesn’t deter you from visiting the area, as it really is a gorgeous site to see!
Some things we’ve learned while living here for over a month is that Niagara Falls, the place in which we call a huge tourism area for the country, has no tourism board! There is an advisory committee with no control, meaning no authority. The lack of decision-making power means that tourism in this city is severely struggling. Money from the state park, where the falls are located, goes back to the capital of Albany and the money is allocated elsewhere in the state. An agreement for a percentage of profits from the slots at the casino was supposed to go directly back to the city, but has been in litigation for ten years and the city hasn’t received a dime!
With all of that being said, please keep in mind that the only way to actually support Niagara Falls tourism is by spending your money IN Niagara Falls. The casino and all the places inside of it do not pay taxes to the city. The town of Niagara, where Walmart and most other hotels and restaurants are located, is a different city entirely, and the taxes stay there. The best thing you can do to support this area is to stay and spend your money as close to the falls as possible.
We hope that this information provides you with everything you need to prepare for your trip to Niagara Falls. No matter what your budget or length of stay is, you can certainly enjoy and appreciate these iconic waterfalls.