Travel Guide to NIAGARA FALLS (Take Adventure with nature), Visit Niagara Falls during your East Coast Road trip along with US/Canada. In this post, I will write about things to do in Niagara Falls from the US side. So let’s read about a quick tour to Niagara falls as it is the perfect place for
Click here to check availability & price comparison of hotels stay at Niagara Falls
- Adventurer
- Explorer
- Thrill Seeker
- Challenger
- Nature Lover
One of nature’s most spectacular wonders is located on the international borders between the USA and Canada. It is between the state of New York (northern part of the US) and Ontario – the province of Canada (southern part of Canada). Niagara is the collective name of three waterfalls. From smallest to largest, the three waterfalls are The Horseshoe falls, The American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls.
This is located on the Niagara River, which falls into Lake Erie & Lake Ontario. This combined waterfall falls from the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world that has a vertical drop of more than 165 ft. I viewed Niagara Falls from the US side and you can also view it from Canada side.
Niagara Falls Attractions – Travel Guide to Niagara Falls (Take Adventure with nature)
There are many attractions at Niagara Falls (USA) in which most famous ones are listed below.
- Cave of the winds
- Maid of the Mist
- Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
- Observation Tower
- Aquarium
- Helicopter tours
- Laser light and fireworks show at the night.
Maid of the mist –
Click here to book a Maid of the mist tour with other stops to view Niagara Falls.
It is a cruise that takes you to the thundering roar of 600,000 gallons of water falling right before your eyes. So just hear the crashing waves, the rush of mist on the face which is a wonderful lifetime experience. From this cruise, you can touch the falls as it takes closer to them and can stand under the falls for a few minutes which is like experiencing nature’s adventure in true form.
The cost of the ticket on this cruise – is $14.60 for an adult (can vary). Also, many group discounts are available. Children under 12 are free.
Tips Visit to Niagara Falls – Take Adventure with Nature
- As this is a water activity and you get completely into the water take waterproof cameras/mobile for taking pictures or wrap them into the plastic sheet. Save your camera/mobile from water because under the fall you cannot stop water from entering.
- Go for an early morning cruise ride to avoid large Qs.
- Wear fit flops or sports sandals as water goes inside the shoes. We wore shoes, so got completely wet and have to purchase slippers on the way.
- The cruise is 2-tier, so to experience full adventure take place on the terrace to enjoy fully.
- Be careful with small children because the flow of water is heavy.
Maps of the falls area
Laser Light show – Evening/Night tour
There is a laser show every night with occasional fireworks accompanied by a light show. Every evening beginning at dusk, Niagara Falls is changed into, stunning colored lighted water. A special laser light show is arranged on Niagara Falls last for about 15 minutes at different time intervals followed by the fireworks. Refer to illumination show timings before heading towards it.
NIAGARA FALLS in the US is also known as the Honeymoon Capital of the world, so there are many things to do here for couples or read for best 9 things to do in Niagara Falls for couples. It is a perfect romantic getaway because of its heart-stopping beauty, water activities, eye-catching scenery with peaceful natural surroundings, and away from hustle and bustle of city life.
Nature tour near Niagara falls –
There are many state parks near Niagara –
- ArtPark State Park
- DeVeaux Woods State Park
- Devil’s Hole State Park
- Fort Niagara State Park.
- Four Mile Creek State Park
- Golden Hill State Park.
Also, there are many Wineries and Breweries with vineyards located nearby Niagara area –
Wineries tour near Niagara Falls – Travel Guide to Niagara Falls
- A Gust of Sun Winery & Vineyard
- Arrowhead Spring Vineyards
- BlackBird Cider Works
- Honeymoon Trail Winery
- Chateau Niagara Winery.
- Spring Lake Winery.
Staying in Niagara –
There are two choices Many hotels are near falls overlooking it and another one is living in Buffalo, 42 kilometers (25 miles) from falls which is a developed city.
How to reach Niagara – Travel Guide to Niagara Falls
408.4 miles (700 km) from New York approximately a 7 to 8-hour drive by car. The nearest international airport is Boston and Buffalo. Buffalo is 25 miles(42 kilometers) away. A road trip to Niagara in a single day is very hectic so better to stay in 1 city like Boston(famous for IVY league educational institutes) or Syracuse (a nice scenic town surrounded by lakes and vineyards).
There are many restaurants and cafes so no problem with food. Also, many supermarkets like K-mart are located very near.
Check Buffalo stay option near Niagara Falls
Some pictures while going towards Buffalo(our stay for Niagara falls) from Boston
Other than Niagara there are many cities or places that are worth visiting. If you love natural places in the US and going on a West Coast tour then check this Girl’s Guide to Hiking and Camping in Havasu Falls in Northern Arizona region.
Make an EAST COAST PLAN by reading this.
Check Best Stays near Niagara Falls or in Buffalo region below –
I went to Niagara Falls on my first trip to the States in 1982 … I’m sure it’s changed a little since then! I traveled there from NY on a Greyhound bus as part of my first solo backpacking trip .. and because it was winter time it was freezing cold and there were only a few other visitors sightseeing, and I got the falls more of less to myself. I don’t suppose you can get days like that any more.
You would love this place in summers
Niagara Falls is the best! I love that it is such an impressive natural wonder with so much to do in the surrounding area too!
Niagara Falls is a few hours from our home. So we have visited a lot. But I love to see the reaction of visitors to this natural wonder. Good to reminder people about getting wet. Even if you just walk along the side, we have often gotten drenched. We were delighted when we stayed on one visit to catch the lights on the falls at night. Most people miss this if they visit for the day. A winery visit would definitely add another day to two to your visit for sure.
I love that there is just so much to see and do in Niagara Falls! It is such a great travel destination!!
Each one of us wants to visit this place, isn’t so? You are so lucky to have already visited the Niagara Falls. Loved your pictures and I wasn’t aware of the laser show, that would be great to wait, I will surely wait until it’s dark.
Thanks Shreya for reading through and even I was not knowing about laser show till the time we checked into hotel. And when our reception informed we rushed to the spot though missed few minutes initially
OMG Niagara Falls are so amazing. I have seen so many travel documentaries on the Maid of the Mist and I eventually got there last year. It is such an amazing tour. Thank you for sharing more things to do around the area.
Thanks Jane
I just went to Niagara Falls for the first time in September and this post brought back wonderful memories. The Maid of the Mist trip is so fun but you’re right, you cannot stop any spot on you from getting wet and it is so loud! I also really enjoyed the Cave of the Winds – which gives visitors an entirely different perspective and up close view. I was too scared to do the observation platform though! What great memories!
Thanks Annick
Your post brought back some amazing memories. I visited the Niagara Falls back in 2015 and had a great time.The only thing I didn’t like – it was too crowded and the whole place looked too touristy for my taste. Nevertheless, the falls are indeed a wonder of nature.
Yes, sometimes it is overcrowded, but the falls are really wonderful. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Yukti, your brought back nostalgic memories for me from the times when we lived in Toronto and visited Niagara Falls often. You reminded me of the thundering gush we feel in maid of the mist. Recently we were in Victoria fall in Zambia. The Vic falls is much larger. They don’t have maid of the mist but do have the knifes edge bridge for a big soak.
Your pictures are amazing.
We are going to upstate New York in September and really thinking about visiting Niagara Falls. You have convinced me that Maid of the Mists is a must see and I would really like to check out the light show too. There have a lot of stuff going on up there.
Yes Niagara has lot of things to do even ziplining over falls. Try it too
You have been to some amazing places. Also, You have some amazing photographs!
Informative, well written post. I didn’t know (silly me!) That there were actually three waterfalls! The experience of seeing the falls by boat sounds spectacular. Lovely photos too
I would love to visit Niagra Falls someday and ride on Maid of the Mist, its part of my bucketlist!
You brought back such amazing memories! My favourite was Maid of the Mist, it was such an awesome experience! Thanks for sharing 🙂