Niagara Falls attracts millions of people from all over the world, and we are lucky enough to live just a short drive away. While the Canadian side gets a lot of attention, the American side has plenty to offer in terms natural beauty and activities. Not only is there plenty to do right in Niagara Falls State Park, but the surrounding area offers days worth of adventures.
Niagara Falls is composed of three waterfalls. From largest to smallest, it contains: the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Niagara Falls State Park provides this helpful map of the area, so you’ll know where to go.
To help you plan for an easy and enjoyable day, we’re giving you some tips and a Day Trip To Niagara Falls Itinerary. You can download your Itinerary Printable below to take with you.
Tips For Visiting Niagara Falls
First off, when you are planning your trip, there are some key things to keep in mind for you and your family:
- Visit on a day that you don’t mind getting wet.
- Wear shoes that are comfortable and dry easily.
- Wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts will help your clothing stay dry under the provided ponchos.
- Bring a waterproof camera or phone case.
- Bring an extra set of clothing, in case you get drenched.
- Bring a blanket or camping chairs if you plan to have a picnic or stay for the fireworks.
- Always check the attraction and transportation schedules to make sure they are open when you plan to go.
- Weekdays and the off-season tend to have lighter crowds than weekends and summertime.
- Be prepared for a decent amount of walking and stairs.
- If you plan to go on the Maid of the Mist, you can purchase your tickets online ahead of time.
Day Trip To Niagara Falls Itinerary
Depending on where you are in the Greater Rochester area, driving time to Niagara Falls can be one to two hours, with a few different options going west including State Route 90. Niagara Falls is 30 minutes north of Buffalo, NY.
Parking & Transportation
Park at the Niagara Falls Parking Lot 2 on Goat Island, you will be ready to take a short walk to many key locations. Cost of parking can vary by season and day of the week.
Niagara Falls State Park can have a lot of walking involved. In order to conserve your energy and learn some fun facts, I recommend that you purchase an all-day wristband for the Niagara Scenic Trolley. These can be purchased at many locations including at the Cave of the Winds ticket stand. The trolley will bring you to the various destinations around the park and give you easy access to the out-of-the-way natural areas. It is an air-conditioned and fun way to get where you need to go without any hassle. Make sure you check the schedule to see the trolley’s routes on the day you are visiting.
Cave of the Winds
The name “Cave of the Winds” is a little deceiving. In the 1800’s there was a rock overhang near the base of the Falls that people stood under near the Falls. The Cave collapsed in the early 1900’s but the name stuck. Today, you can purchase tickets to enter the area and take in the magnificence of the Falls from close up.
Tickets for the Cave of the Winds can only be bought on location, so this should be your first stop of the day. The tickets are timed, so you may get right in, or need to spend some time exploring until the time on your ticket arrives. When it is your turn, you can check in and go through the educational exhibits including a video on the history of Niagara Falls. Next, you’ll be given a thin poncho to help you stay dry. You can choose to walk along the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls in the wind and mist, or go full-in and get soaked by a deluge of water on the Hurricane Deck. Be aware that if you choose the Hurricane Deck option, your poncho won’t do you much good.
Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Falls for Views and Pictures
While you are waiting or after your Cave of the Winds tour, you can take some time to explore the Terrapin Point and Luna Island areas. These are going to get you closest to the three water falls at Niagara. The largest is Horseshoe Falls at Terrapin Point, where you will get your classic pictures. However, my favorite spot to enjoy the Falls is from Luna Island. There, you can stand on a small island between the rushing waters of the Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. It is usually less crowded and you can have a much closer experience.
Lunch
Niagara Falls State Park has three locations where your family can purchase food, including Tastes of Niagara Food Court in the Ralph C Wilson Jr. Welcome Center, Cave of the Winds Snack Bar, and Top of the Falls Restaurant. However, my favorite lunch option is a picnic in a peaceful spot near the southern end of Goat Island or on Three Sisters Island where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area away from the crowds. You can jump on the trolley right near the Top of the Falls Restaurant.
Maid of the Mist and Niagara Falls Observation Tower
After lunch you can jump back onto the trolley and ride over to Prospect Point for some of the best views of Niagara Falls from the Maid of the Mist boat tour and Observation Tower. You will get to boat around the base of Niagara Falls and experience the thunder and spray of the falling water from a short distance. I recommend that you purchase tickets for the Maid of the Mist ahead of time, however you cannot reserve a specific date or time. You can join the line that moves fairly quickly, and do a little sight-seeing once you get to the Observation Tower.
Instead of going straight down to the docks you can walk through the tower to the Observation Deck. There you will have some great views of Canada, the Niagara River, and the Falls. Once you’re finished, you can go down the elevators to the docks where you will be given a poncho and board the boat. I recommend that you immediately head to the top deck and place your family along an outside railing for the best views (either side is fine). After the ride, you can take the trail up to the Crow’s Nest, where you can get an up-close view of the American Falls.
Prospect Point Views and Pictures
After your ride on the Maid of the Mist, you can take a quick walk around Prospect Point to see the American Falls.
Explore The Surrounding Area
After you’ve finished exploring Niagara Falls State Park, you may want to add in another activity before dinner. You can either leave the park and drive to another location, or take the hop-on/hop-off Discover Niagara Shuttle that brings you to most of the activities we recommend below. Be sure to check out all that is offered to choose an activity that your family will love.
Niagara
- Aquarium of Niagara
- Devil’s Hole State Park
- Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
- Whirlpool State Park
Lewiston
Grand Island
Dinner
If you explore beyond Niagara Falls State Park we have a couple of recommendations for places to eat. Right in Niagara Falls, NY, you can have a thrilling dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. If you plan to eat here, I recommend you make reservations ahead of time.
The nearby Village of Lewiston has several family restaurants to enjoy right along Center Street and the Niagara River Landing. Some of my favorites include: The Silo, The Brickyard, and Hibbard’s Original Frozen Custard (THE BEST!). You can get to all of these within a short walk from the Discover Niagara Shuttle stops.
Illumination and Fireworks
After a long day of activities, you can return to Niagara Falls State Park to experience the beauty of Niagara Falls at night. Check their website for days and times to be sure you can catch the Niagara Falls Illumination and Niagara Falls Fireworks Display. They are visible from Prospect Point, Terrapin Point, and Luna Island. Again, Luna Island is my personal favorite since it is lesser known and right between two of the waterfalls. However, many people will enjoy the classic views of the Horseshoe Falls with the fireworks overtop from the higher areas of Terrapin Point.
Itinerary Printable
Hope you have a memorable visit to Niagara Falls!
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