One of the world's most famous travel destinations, these impressive 182-ft/55-m falls on the border of the U.S. and Canada 20 mi/32 km north of Buffalo continue to offer the same combination of natural wonder and commercial tackiness that has inspired visitors since the 19th century. Even if you're not in the mood for romance, the falls are still worth seeing (especially in conjunction with a trip to Buffalo and the Finger Lakes).
Niagara Falls can be seen in a day, but we recommend an overnight to view the falls and rapids under different lighting conditions. And be sure to see the falls from both sides of the border—the views are different.
You've got a lot of choices when it comes to getting close to Niagara Falls. The Maid of the Mist boat goes right up to the foot of the falls and departs from both the U.S. and Canadian sides. The Prospect Point Observation Tower on the U.S. side will place you right above the brink of the falls, and a helicopter ride will give you a great aerial view.
Goat Island is technically a part of the U.S., but it sits in the Niagara River and separates the American Falls from the Canadian Falls. You can get some great views of the falls from the trails that traverse the island. Reach it via a footbridge or drive your car over on the vehicle bridge, both from the U.S. side.
The Cave of the Winds Trip begins on Goat Island: An elevator takes you to the base of Bridal Veil Falls where wooden platforms allow you to look at Niagara from a very wet perspective (heavy-duty raincoats are provided). The Three Sisters Islands and Luna Island (reached via footbridges) also sit in the rapids at the top of the falls, next to Goat Island.
On the U.S. side, consider visiting the aquarium to see dolphin and sea lion shows or strolling around the city to see its souvenir and knickknack shops. Other possibilities are a wax museum and a big-screen film called Niagara: A History of the Falls (at the visitors center in Niagara Reservation State Park). From late November through early January, the city becomes a festival of lights: Bulbs twinkle on trees, on the railing around the falls and throughout downtown.
If the scenery is putting you and your significant other in an amorous and impetuous mood, you'll be glad that Niagara Falls is following in the footsteps of Las Vegas. No longer just a honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls has become a matrimonial center as well. The 24-hour waiting period on marriage licenses means that you can meet on Saturday, get hitched on Sunday and be back at work on Monday.
To the north of town are several other points of interest. The Niagara Power Project has interpretive displays that, among other things, explain how the waters of the Niagara make it possible for you to toast your bagel every morning. The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is a state park dedicated to the visual and performing arts (musicals, opera, ballet) for both adults and children.
Old Fort Niagara, at Youngstown, was built in 1726. It includes a fortified, French-style castle that overlooks Lake Ontario. Now a registered National Historic Landmark, it's host to a number of activities, especially in the summer when living-history programs are featured.
Moving to the Canadian side presents a new choice of vantage points from which to view the falls. Ride the elevator to the top of either the Skylon Tower or the Minolta Tower (or both) to get a wonderful view. Table Rock House provides a close-up view of the curved section of Niagara known as Horseshoe Falls, and you can get there via a cable railway. There's also a cable-car ride that takes visitors out over the Niagara Gorge. The Great Gorge Adventure is a boardwalk along the water, downriver from the falls.
The Canadian side has its own share of peripheral attractions. There are three wax museums as well as a Guinness World of Records Museum, an IMAX theater and the Daredevil Adventure, which is dedicated to the brave and foolish souls who have gone over the falls. Children will love Marineland with its killer whales, sea lions, game park and rides.
The center of activity on the Canadian side is Clifton Hill, a major entertainment and amusement area on a stretch of road running from Victoria Avenue to River Road. This area is packed with gift shops, museums, haunted houses, restaurants and hotels. One of the first of many wax museums, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks (opened in 1949) is really pretty exciting. With its life-size wax figures of famous people—past and present—you'll have fun getting up close to Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, Madonna, Denzel Washington and other stars. Bring your camera and pose with one of your favorites. Another popular attraction is the Movieland Wax Museum. In addition to displays of movie, television and recording stars, kids will enjoy the scenes recreated from Harry Potter, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
Some of the less touristy attractions are found along the Niagara Parkway, which runs north along the scenic Niagara Gorge on the Canadian side. The grounds of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture contain impressive botanical gardens and the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. The conservatory displays 2,000 free-flying tropical species in a re-created rain forest, and a butterfly garden attracts 120 domestic species during the summer.
About 15 mi/25 km north of Niagara Falls, the parkway reaches the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, located at the mouth of the river on Lake Ontario. It is the home of Fort George National Historic Park (a restored 19th-century fort), the French Perfume Museum (an olfactory experience) and Queen Street (a historic district). The town also hosts the well-respected George Bernard Shaw Festival, which offers theatrical performances April-October.
Sightseeing
Aside from the falling waters, there's plenty more to see in Niagara Falls. Pssibilities include a wax museum and a big-screen film called
Niagara: A History of the Falls (at the visitors center in Niagara Reservation State Park).
On the U.S. side, you might consider visiting the aquarium to see dolphin and sea lion shows or strolling around the city to see its souvenir and knickknack shops. On the Canadian side, there are three wax museums as well as a Guinness World of Records Museum, an IMAX theater and the Daredevil Adventure, which is dedicated to the brave and foolish souls who have gone over the falls. Children will love Marineland with its killer whales, sea lions, game park and rides.
From late November through early January, Niagara Falls becomes a festival of lights: Bulbs twinkle on trees, on the railing around the falls and throughout downtown.
To the north of town are several other points of interest. The Niagara Power Project has interpretive displays that, among other things, explain how the waters of the Niagara make it possible for you to toast your bagel every morning.
The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is a state park dedicated to the visual and performing arts (musicals, opera, ballet) for both adults and children. Old Fort Niagara, at Youngstown, was built in 1726. It includes a fortified, French-style castle that overlooks Lake Ontario.
Some of the less touristy attractions are found along the Niagara Parkway, which runs north along the scenic Niagara Gorge on the Canadian side. The grounds of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture contain impressive botanical gardens and the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. The conservatory displays 2,000 free-flying tropical species in a re-created rain forest, and a butterfly garden attracts 120 domestic species during the summer.
Casinos
For gamblers, on the New York side of the falls, there's the Seneca Niagara Casino. The Canadian side also has casinos, Casino Niagara and the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. They contain slot machines, gaming tables and a number of restaurants.
Golf
The governmental agency that controls the area around the Canadian side of Niagara Falls has dropped millions of dollars into the construction of a world-class golf facility that contains two championship-caliber courses that are open to the public. Several other high-end golf courses have also opened in the area as city planners work to extend visitors' stays by another day or two during golf season.
