Is a visit to Niagara Falls on your bucket list? I decided it was time to make the trip when I realized it was just over a 7 hour drive from the DC area. It was the perfect opportunity for a fun, long-weekend mother-daughter road trip with my youngest daughter. Not knowing if my last minute passport renewal would make it in time, I moved ahead with a plan to stay on the American side of the falls for two nights. I didn't spend as much time planning as I normally do, but definitely learned a few things during our visit. Here’s 6 helpful tips and other resources to read before planning a trip to Niagara Falls for the first time. And before you go, learn more about some interesting stops to make on a Niagara Falls road trip from the DC area.
*This post was updated January, 2024
*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own.
1. Stay on Either Side of the Falls. I know this doesn’t seem like a helpful tip, but honestly, this decision will be based on your own travel style and budget. As I began planning and gathering advice from friends, many suggested that if possible, I should stay in Canada, as there isn’t as much to do on the American side. For me that wasn’t a good option because I wasn’t sure I would have my new passport in hand for our last minute visit. As far as I can tell, one of the biggest advantages to staying in Canada is the potential to book a room where you can enjoy a view of the falls, particularly at night when they are illuminated. Keep in mind that you are paying for the view in the higher price of the room. In addition, close to the falls on the Canadian side, visitors will find a lot of touristy attractions, including things like the Niagara Skywheel and the zipline. If you have the ability and don’t mind crossing the border, there are plenty of hotel options on the American side. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Niagara Falls, and between the rooftop lounge, free breakfast, proximity to the American falls and pedestrian bridge to Canada, I thought it was the perfect location.
2. Take a Tour. There is something to be said for letting someone else plan your day, and booking a tour in Niagara Falls was the best money we spent on our trip! Two options are the Niagara Falls American-Side Highlights Tour of USA and the Niagara Falls American-Side Tour with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride. Given the massive crowds that visit over the summer, we were able to enjoy both the popular Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds Tour with minimal waiting on a Saturday. Our guide knew the best spots for photos on the Observation Tower, and shared fun local stories as she transported us between stops. We also visited Goat Island and Whirlpool State Park during our 4 hour + tour. Other tours will pick you up on the American side, and cross into Canada to tour the falls and other attractions on the Canadian side (passport required).
Although both sides of the falls offer boat tours that take you close to Horseshoe Falls (known as the Canadian Falls), the walking tours differ depending on which side of the border you are on. The Cave of the Winds experience is only offered on the American side, getting you up close to the power of Bridal Veil Falls. Journey Behind the Falls gives you a view from behind and next to Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. The up-close experience you get from these tours along with the boat tour is truly what makes Niagara Falls worth visiting. Keep in mind that the boat tours are only offered seasonally during the warmer months.
3. Plan ahead. If you visit during the busy summer tourist season, expect to deal with large crowds, especially on Saturdays. We arrived in town on a Friday afternoon, with plenty of time to explore the area before our big tour day on Saturday. Luckily we didn’t have to deal with reserving tickets and figuring out the lines. For some attractions like the Cave of the Winds, we learned that by mid-day on Saturday, timed-entry tickets were only available for late afternoon time slots, so make plans to get your tickets early if you aren’t with a tour group. The Maid of the Mist does not take reservations, so if you can, go early in the day when the line is shorter. Boats depart roughly every 15 minutes and the ponchos really do a pretty good job of keeping your clothes dry underneath in case you are worried that you will be walking around in wet clothes all day!
4. Walk Into Canada in the Evening. If you don’t mind the few minutes waiting to cross the border, it’s easy to go back and forth between the US and Canada. We walked over on a Friday evening around 6 p.m., with a short 20 minute wait once we arrived at the Canadian border. That gave us plenty of time to stroll along along the river to Horseshoe Falls, stopping every 50 feet or so to admire the view, take pictures, and to grab something to eat before the fireworks at 10 p.m. The view of the falls at night when they are illuminated is magical, but be sure to grab a spot against the railing early for the fireworks, as it gets quite crowded and harder to take pictures. Even though the spotlights are turned on around 8 p.m., in the summertime you can’t really see the colors until it gets dark. After the nightly fireworks show at 10 p.m., we easily walked back across the bridge, with just a few minute wait at the US border. If you are staying in Canada, I would also recommend crossing the border during the day and spending a few hours exploring the US side.
5. Explore by Foot, Bike or Shuttle. Not only is Niagara Falls part of the New York State Park system, it is the oldest state park in the USA. So yes, the American side is not quite as touristy as the Canadian side, but the flip side is that there is much more open space that is preserved as part of Niagara Falls State Park. Visitors will find plenty of outdoor activities on the American side of the falls to explore by foot or bike. Visit Goat and Three Sisters Islands, where you see the upper rapids on their way to the falls. Hop on the Discover Niagara Shuttle to Whirlpool State Park, which was another one of the stops on our tour. The scenic overlooks offer a view of the whirlpool and rapids that is definitely photo worthy! We did not do any hiking on this trip, but did see that the state park offers opportunities for both self-guided and guided hikes. The gorge hikes range from the easy Great Gorge Scenic Overlook one hour hike to the challenging Whirlpool Rapids Adventure Hike, a 3 hour round trip hike not recommended for kids under 8. There are also plenty of pedestrian friendly areas like Terrapin Point that provide some additional vantage points of the falls.
6. Enjoy the Small Town Vibe That is Niagara Falls. After spending Friday night amidst the crowds and bright lights on the Canadian side of the falls, it was nice to take a relaxing evening stroll down Old Falls Street, just a short block from our hotel. The outdoor, family-friendly area is filled with colorful adirondack chairs along with oversized games like Connect Four and chess. To top off our Saturday night, we enjoyed the incredible view of the Canadian skyline and the nightly fireworks from the rooftop lounge of the Hyatt. I’m disappointed that in my last minute planning I somehow missed learning about the public mural project at Art Alley NF, but excited that my list is already growing for the next visit! If visiting wineries is on your travel list, you can learn about the Niagara Wineries before you go.
Other tips and resources. As I mentioned above, we loved our stay at the new Hyatt Place, literally just blocks away from the Canadian border. Once parked, we choose not to drive while we were in Niagara, but found it easy to navigate by foot. Next time I visit, I will definitely take advantage of the Discover Niagara Shuttle to visit some of the places we didn’t see, like Old Fort Niagara and the Lewiston Waterfront. With 15 stops on the Falls to the Fort Route, the shuttle is a convenient way to get around town. Check for the latest hours of operation. The Falls to the Fort Route is only available late May through early October.
As far as food, with the ever-changing restaurant scene, I always suggest reading the latest reviews online before your trip. Our tour guide recommended the Red Coach Inn for lunch, and sitting on their outdoor patio for a relaxing meal after our tour was one of the best things we did. Order the Mediterranean Plate along with the Beef on Weck, a popular, western New York sandwich. If you love chicken wings, check out the Anchor Bar, home of the original chicken wing. For sandwiches or dessert, try the walk-up window at the popular Mackinali’s Cafe & Bake Shop. Next time I’m going to try the cheesecake on a stick. Breakfast at the Hyatt Place offers plenty of choices to start your day, so we took advantage of that as well. While in Canada, we had a late evening dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, and I was pleased that they offered poutine on their menu. If you have never tried it, it’s a Canadian specialty originating in Quebec that combines french fries, beef gravy and cheese curds! And be sure to stop in Buffalo for some ice cream at King Condrell's Candy & Ice Cream. You won't be disappointed! Niagara Falls is definitely an amazing sight to see, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to visit. 
2 Comments
4/29/2021 11:54:02 am
I love that small town vibe there. We visited some 33 years ago, my parents, my sisters and I. How thrilling. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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