Witnessing the extraordinary beauty and power of Niagara Falls with your own two eyes is difficult to describe in the words but as a former Rochester resident who has been to Niagara Falls more times than I can count, it is time to write a guide to Niagara Falls with tips for travelers visiting these epic waterfalls. Get ready to experience the magic!
How to get here
By Plane: If you are visiting from within the USA you can fly to Buffalo or Greater Rochester International Airport. If you are visiting from within the Canada you can fly to Toronto.
By Bus: Greyhound & Megabus has many options available
By Car: From NYC: 6.30 hours From Toronto: 2.5 to 3 hours From Boston: 7 hours From Buffalo: 1 hour or less.
There are lots of different ways you can go about seeing this phenomenon. If you are visiting from out of town, I recommend booking accommodation near the falls.
Things to do
Maid of the Mist / Hornblower
Maid of the Mist departs from the New York side and Hornblower boat goes from the Canadian side. Both boats follow the same route & get to see the same amazing view.
Cave of the Winds / Journey behind the falls
The Cave of the Winds is a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls at the American side. The cave was some 130 feet high, 100 feet wide and 30 feet in depth. This one of a kind experience will create memories to last a lifetime, it takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you thought possible. The rushing waters from Bridal Veil Fall loom above you, dousing you with a generous spray as you face the thundering Falls head-on.
Whereas Journey behind the falls you can cross the network of tunnels that take you deep through the rock behind the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and make your way to the outdoor observation decks that sit at the base of the Falls.
You need to purchase tickets to visit either place which is about $20 per adult.
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
During the summertime, you can try 'Niagara's Ultimate Adventure' on a 45-60 minute jet boat tour through the Class V Devil's Hole rapids! Enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery and learn about the history of Niagara on a wet or dry tour. Specially designed 1500 horsepower jet boats plunge directly into the rapids, scooping up hundreds of gallons of water.
Bike Rides
On both sides of the border, you can take a bike ride within the park. On the USA side, you can visit Luna Island and Goat Island for amazing views. On the Canadian side, about a 300-kilometer train takes you from Niagara parkway to Niagara on the lake through the scenic path.
Wine Tasting
If you enjoy winding down with a good glass of wine, make sure you try some local varieties while you’re in the Niagara region. There are more than 25 different wineries located within just a 15- to 20-minute drive from the center of Niagara Falls, in fact, many of which not only offer wine tasting but also have on-site restaurants and other facilities.
In particular, make your way to the picturesque Canadian suburb called Niagara-on-the-Lake, where many vineyards are located. One that should be at the top of your list, particularly if you like to try different types of wines, is Inniskillin Winery. This company is quite well-known all around the world because of its award-winning icewines.
Just a short drive from Niagara Falls, New York, you’ll find some of the most exquisite landscapes in the country. Niagara Falls is one of the few regions in the world that produces ice wine, which is made from hardy, cold-weather grapes left to freeze on the vine, resulting in a sweet dessert wine that’s hard to find anywhere else. The grapes most commonly used to produce ice wine are Riesling, Vidal and Cabernet Franc, and are made by such wineries as Arrowhead Spring Vineyards and Schulze Vineyards & Winery.
Other activities
USA Side:
1) Visit Niagara adventure theater &
2) Soak in the view from Observation Tower
3) Take a guided tour on Niagara scenic trolley
4) Seasonal Firework
5) Visit Casino
Canadian side
1) Visit Sky Tower for the best view
2) Checkout Niagara falls history museum
3) Zipline to the falls
4) Visit Indoor water parks
5) Seasonal Firework
But for the best view you have to take the boat ride. It is offered from both the countries. And I promise it will one of the most beautiful view you have ever seen.
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls?
In Winter of 2014 I first time visited Niagara falls. I was lucky, I got to see the falls almost frozen over (which is a very rare occurrence). Niagara Falls’
average temperature in winter is about -10 Deg C. So you imagine getting sprayed with cold water in addition to being blown around by heavy winds while standing in a blizzard. But the view was beyond words.
Summer without question. Although you’ll have the crowds, it is very windy at Niagara Falls and the extra spray can feel good on a hot summer day
.
Autumn is my favorite season to visit. Usual summer tourist crowds are slowed down by October. Changing leaves, long walks and hiking trails galore conspire to make fall a stunning time to visit Niagara Falls. The view of the Falls with park’s foliage and cold breeze make me want to fall in love with Niagara again and again.
Great post!
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