Picture this: breathtaking, roaring waterfalls surrounded by nature’s lush greenery…
…and right next to it, a dinosaur-themed mini-golf course, a wax museum, and a haunted house.
This somewhat jarring combination is the reality in Niagara Falls, Canada. Over the decades, this iconic natural wonder has been overshadowed by chain restaurants, kitschy shops, and cheesy attractions. Walking down Clifton Hill feels a bit like strolling a movie set combined with a dash of Orlando and a splash of Las Vegas. While Niagara Falls is undoubtedly a breathtaking natural marvel, it’s also a bustling hub of commercialization.
Planning a trip to Niagara Falls? I’m thrilled to share my guide for a day of exploration that spans both sides of the border, starting on the Canadian side and ending on the U.S. side. If you have a passport, I can’t recommend enough taking the time to cross the border—it’s well worth the generally short wait and small fee to experience the falls from both perspectives.
For visitors seeking an authentic travel experience, finding mom-and-pop spots in this sea of tourist traps can be surprisingly difficult—I know it was for me. Determined to plan a day at the falls that felt genuine, I set out to create an itinerary that didn’t feel like selling out.
This guide is the result of days spent sifting through travel resources that didn’t quite align with my style, and ultimately creating an itinerary that maximized the value of our visit. After all, with such a long journey to get here, why settle for the same experiences you could have back home?
With all of that out in the open, today you can discover my full day-trip guide to Niagara Falls, tips to make the most of your visit, and a few great options if you find yourself with more than a day in the area. Let’s go!
ABOUT NIAGARA FALLS
Niagara Falls is a trio of waterfalls on the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario: Horseshoe Falls (also known as Canadian Falls), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. It is also the name given to the two cities bordering the river, one in the Canadian province of Ontario and the other in the state of New York.
The falls were formed approximately 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, when melting glaciers created the Great Lakes and the Niagara River. Indigenous peoples, including the Iroquois and the Neutrals, were among the first to inhabit the area—and though theories differ as to how the name Niagara came to be, most agree that it is derived from an Indigenous word or phrase.
Over the centuries, Niagara Falls has attracted countless visitors, from early settlers and explorers to modern-day tourists; today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. This day trip guide is for you, you one in all those millions.
THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA
Soak in the View
Stroll along the Niagara River Recreational Trail, which runs parallel to the Niagara River, to take in the sweeping panorama (fun fact: this trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail, which runs coast-to-coast!). During peak season, you may have to work your way through the crowd, but luckily, there’s plenty of room to spread out and the views are stunning from almost every angle between the Rainbow Bridge and Horseshoe Falls.
Be sure to walk all the way to the crest of Horseshoe Falls; watching the clear water tumble over is absolutely mesmerizing. Just know that the closer you get to the falls, the likelier you are to get wet from the mist!
Note: To really soak in the view, you might consider buying a ticket to Journey Behind the Falls—to be honest, I did this experience once as a kid, and didn’t really feel the need to relive it as an adult.
→Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
—
Skip the chain restaurants
While I don’t usually recommend visiting one country to savor the cuisine of another, La Revolución Taqueria is an exception well worth the short detour from the chain restaurants that dominate the streets around the falls. The tacos here are as authentic and flavorful as those found two borders away, offering a culinary experience that’s both satisfying and memorable.
Here, bold flavors take center stage with a menu featuring tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, all crafted with meticulous care. The slow-braised lamb in the quesabirria is tender and rich, while the fresh, house-made salsas add a vibrant kick to every bite (and some are safe for my non-spicy friends!). Portions are generous, and the prices are just right. Just be prepared to resist the urge for a nap after such a hearty meal—you’ll want to keep your energy up to enjoy the rest of your day!
→La Revolución Taqueria // 3747 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2J 2L1, Canada
—
How about a beer, eh?
In our quest to escape the crowds and experience Niagara Falls’ local side, we discovered Counterpart Brewing, a craft brewery in the north end of the city. Since opening its doors in 2019, this brewery has quickly become a local favorite—evident by the lively crowd we found even during what we thought would be a quieter time.
Mindful of the drive to and from the brewery, Michael and I opted to share a flight, with me taking on the tough task of finishing off the tidy pours (someone has to do it!). Counterpart’s tap list leans heavily into the Hazy IPA category, and sampling them all was a treat. Given how fast-paced our travels usually are, it was a delight to slow down and relax, just like the rest of the crowd. Next time, I’ll be sure to save room—the elevated pub grub menu looked absolutely phenomenal.
→Counterpart Brewing // 3659 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 0A6, Canada
—
Okay, visit one or two Canadian chains
If you go to Canada and don’t visit a Tim Horton’s, did you really even visit Canada? Canada’s largest restaurant chain got its start in nearby Hamilton, Ontario, and today more than 80% of Canadians stop in to a Tims at least once a month. With several locations in the area, a coffee and Timbits are never far away.
If you’re visiting in summer and looking for a way to cool down, Sweet Jesus is ready and waiting for you. This Toronto-based ice cream chain has a walkup stand right on Clifton Hill, which makes it a perfect place to stop for a swirl before walking down the block to gawk at the attractions.
→Tim Hortons // Multiple Locations →Sweet Jesus // 5875 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K7, Canada
THINGS TO DO IN NIAGARA FALLS, USA
Experience a classic Niagara Falls attraction
Even if you’ve never visited Niagara Falls (or at least, haven’t visited yet!), chances are you’ve heard of the Maid of the Mist. The original Maid of the Mist boat took its first journey in 1846, and today two electric vessels take turns departing out into the Niagara River in a loop.
Purchase your tickets online ahead of time or at the ticket booth on-site, and ride the elevator down to the landing below. Here you’ll receive a poncho and wait for the next available boat. Tours last approximately twenty minutes and the boat capacity is 600, which means you likely won’t have long to wait. For the best views, head to the front and sides of the boat; just know that “mist” is a bit of a euphemism and you’ll likely end up drenched on any surfaces not covered by the poncho.
The boat starts its tour of the falls with a closeup of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the port side (that’s the left side!) before proceeding to station itself momentarily in front of Horseshoe Falls. As it does, there’s a good chance you may need to remind yourself to keep your mouth closed, because the magnitude of the cascading water is jaw-dropping. On the way back, you’ll swing by the other two falls for one more quick glance (this time from the starboard, or right side).
Keep your poncho on after docking for a climb of the Crow’s Nest and you’ll be rewarded with a closeup of American Falls. Just be careful, because it’s a bit of a slick climb!
→Maid of the Mist // 1 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
—
See it all from above
The Niagara Falls USA Prospect Point Observation Tower (whew, that’s a long name) also serves as the elevator to access the Maid of the Mist tours, and access to the platform is included with your ticket. Here is where you’ll find, in this blogger’s humble opinion, the best view of the falls from the American side. Decided to skip the tour? Admission is just $1.25.
→Niagara Falls USA Prospect Point Observation Tower // 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
—
Hit the trails
Niagara Falls State Park is almost as much of a wonder at the falls themselves. As the oldest state park in the United States, its creation is rooted in the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect behind New York City’s Central Park. While working in nearby Buffalo, Olmsted was horrified by the industrial encroachment on what he believed should be a preserved natural wonder. After more than a decade of advocacy, the Niagara Appropriations Bill was signed into law, leading to the establishment of the Niagara Reservation.
Today, Niagara Falls State Park remains free to visit, offering miles of scenic trails for exploration. Make your way to Goat Island and Luna Island for stunning views of the rapids and yet another close-up encounter with the falls.
→Niagara Falls State Park // 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING NIAGARA FALLS
This could probably be it's own blog post, but I'll do my best to boil it down to the most essential information here
The best time to visit Niagara Falls
From a weather perspective, summer is the ideal time to visit Niagara Falls. The warm temperatures are made comfortable by a constant breeze, making it a pleasant season for exploring. Spring and fall also offer generally mild conditions, though evenings can be cooler. Winter, on the other hand, brings snow, ice, and early sunsets—often before 5 p.m.—but the falls take on a striking beauty when coated in a snowy icing.
The downside to visiting in summer is the higher costs and larger crowds, as it’s the peak travel season. For those looking to save, a winter visit can be more budget-friendly. However, the best value—balancing cost with experience—can usually be found in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
Getting to Niagara Falls
Arriving to Niagara Falls is pretty easy, whether you’re arriving via plane, train, or automobile. Unless you’re flying in from Florida, where you can hop on an Allegiant flight to the closest airport to the falls, you’ll likely land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (in New York) or at Toronto Pearson International Airport (in Ontario).
If you’re staying in either of those cities, you may consider taking the train in (Amtrak in New York or GO Train in Ontario) if it aligns with your schedule. For us, and likely most of you, renting a car and driving in made the most sense. Driving in Niagara Falls (on either side of the border) is a little bit of a headache, with confused visitors stopping or slowing unexpectedly and traffic piling up in hotspots, but the overall freedom of movement is an asset, not a burden.
Visiting Niagara Falls, USA, vs. Niagara Falls, Canada
It bears repeating: Niagara Falls is best experienced on both sides of the border. The best panorama is found on the Canadian side, where you can truly gain a sense of the scale of the falls while also getting up close with Horseshoe Falls. The downside? The crowded, carnival-like atmosphere can be suffocating at times (for me, at least, Niagara Falls, Canada, looks straight out of Vegas—and not like I’ve left my country).
The area surrounding the falls in Niagara Falls, USA, is far less developed than the Canadian side, offering much more opportunities to explore on foot. Following the right paths will place you at the top of the American Falls, where the water roars by just feet away. But just like how you can’t see the Eiffel Tower from the Eiffel Tower when you’re visiting Paris, you can’t see the falls as well when you’re right on top. The solution? Head across the border.
Crossing the Canada–United States border
For whatever reason, crossing the border by land feels so much more daunting to me than going through border patrol after exiting a plane, but it really isn’t a painful process provided you have all your documents handy and in order.
I should make the disclaimer that it is your responsibility to verify your passport and visa (if necessary) status beforehand (find current information on the official websites of Canada and the United States); as the vast majority of my readers are based in the U.S., I’m choosing to primarily cover the border crossing from their standpoint.
The primary border crossing for visitors to Niagara Falls is the Rainbow Bridge, which can be traversed by car or on foot. A toll is due upon entry to the Canadian side for cars, and in both directions for pedestrians. If you are a citizen of the United States and over the age of 16, you will need a valid Passport, a Passport Card or Enhanced Driver’s License (issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington) to cross into Canada. Minors 15 and under must have either a passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, permanent resident card, or Certificate of Aboriginal Status.
Once you pull up to an available booth, you’ll be asked for your identification and reason for visiting. You may also be asked to roll down your rear windows and if you are transporting any alcohol, tobacco or firearms. Don’t be nervous about crossing the longest border in the world, just be honest and confident.
And in case you’ve heard some horror stories of long lines, I can honestly say that our border crossings in peak summer were smooth and relatively quick. But before you decide to head across, you can always check the traffic conditions on the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission website and decide if you want to cross via another nearby bridge (the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge to the north or the Peace Bridge to the south).
Note: Global Entry holders may note that while the Whirlpool Bridge is a NEXUS only bridge, our Global Entry cards are not valid for crossing back into the U.S.
Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower—which boat tour should I take?
The Maid of the Mist and Hornblower boat tours are nearly identical in every aspect: they both last approximately twenty minutes, provide astounding views of all three waterfalls, provide ponchos to help you stay dry, and total about the same price.
So what’s the difference? The departure point. The Maid of the Mist departs from the U.S. side, and the Hornblower departs from the Canadian side. If you’re only visiting one side of the falls, your decision is made for you. But if you’re torn between the two, there are a few other things that may sway you one way or another.
The first is that each tour is purchased in local currency; if you have a credit card that charges foreign transaction fees, you may be better off taking the tour that departs from your home country if applicable (and if you don’t have a credit card that waives transaction fees, I highly recommend this one).
The next thing to consider is when you’re visiting. Both tours operate seasonally and will announce their opening and closing dates in accordance to the weather, so it’s possible you’ll only have one to choose from. Additionally, the Hornblower tickets are timed tickets and the Maid of the Mist tours are not. If you’d like a little flexibility in your day, I’d go with the latter (just know there could be a wait).
Finally, the cherry on top that pushed us toward the Maid of the Mist is the included access to the Observation Tower, which offers the only simultaneous view of all three falls (otherwise admission is $1.25, which isn’t much but I’ll take those savings!).
Getting around + parking
Just so there are no surprises: you should be prepared to pay to park when visiting Niagara Falls.
Rates fluctuate based on both the lot you choose and the time of year (with prices peaking during the summer months), but you should budget $15 for the U.S. side and $25 for the Canadian side (local currency) for parking. Unless you’re just planning to hop out of the car, snap a photo, and leave, I would skip the meters and find a centrally-located lot.
Driving around the Canadian side, we found plenty of private lots charging parking fees that changed every time we passed (you’ll notice few places post their rates online). The best price we found for the day was at the Skylon Tower, which had the added bonus of making it very easy to find our car when it was time to leave. There are certain attractions that will allow you to park for free with paid admission, which may be helpful if you decide to add one to your itinerary.
On the U.S. side, I recommend parking in the state park for convenience and savings over parking in the city-owned lots. Prices increase as the weather warms, but as of 2024, the rate tops out at $15. To make getting around easier, you can take advantage of the free Discover Niagara Shuttle.
Ways to save
Your day in Niagara Falls can be as expensive (tacking all the attractions, dining at high-price restaurants, gambling in the casinos…) or as cheap (walking the trails and soaking in the views) as you like.
For my friends looking to leave the falls with a little money left in their pockets, there are a few best practices for your day in Niagara Falls: Visit in the off-peak season if you’re able, only book the attractions or excursions you’re truly interested in, choose to dine away from the tourist spots, and skip the overpriced souvenirs. And if you’re visiting both sides of the falls in a day, just park your vehicle on one side and traverse the border on foot.
WITH MORE TIME IN AND AROUND NIAGARA FALLS
This overall trip prioritized exploring nearby Buffalo, but there’s still loads to explore in the area. Saved on my list for my next visit are:
• Venture up to Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Savor an afternoon at the Niagara region’s wineries in Canada and the U.S.
• Exploring more of Three Sisters Island
• Tour the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River at the Niagara Parks Power Station
• Get in a hike while overlooking the rapids at Devil’s Hole State Park
• Spend more time among nature’s beauty at the Butterfly Conservancy
• Ascend the Skylon Tower for an iconic view of the falls
Food is always on my mind, so I’m also bookmarking these restaurants:
• The Polish Nook, for mouthwatering pierogi
• Fork You, for Peruvian flavors this side of the equator
• La Familia, a Filipino grill with bold dishes
• Weinkeller, for a classic hearty meal
• The Mami House, for heaping bowls of comfort
• Power City Eatery, for when you just want a sandwich
As for where to stay, I’m eyeing chic boutique hotels and charming bed and breakfasts both in Niagara Falls and a short drive away. In no particular order:
• The Woodbourne Inn, an elegant 8-bedroom manor house
• Harbour House, an escape right by the Niagara River
• The Butler House, where you can walk to the falls
• The Scotsman Hotel, for a luxurious splurge
• Cannery Lofts, for an apartment-style stay
• The Marshall House Bed & Breakfast, a charming B&B close to it all
As always, if you beat me to any of these places, leave a comment and share how you liked it!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING NIAGARA FALLS
There’s always chatter online about whether it’s “worth it” to visit a place if you don’t have much time to spend and some might argue that a single day isn’t enough to fully experience a place. But I’d counter that by saying: 1) this mindset can be unfair to budget travelers and Americans who often have limited vacation time, and 2) a day is more than enough to explore the highlights of Niagara Falls.
That said, there’s still so much left to see and do in this incredible region, and I’m eager to return and continue exploring it through a more authentic lens—one that respects the natural beauty, the rich culture, and the people who call it home.
—
Questions for you
Have you visited Niagara Falls before? What was the most memorable part of your experience?
How do you feel about the commodification of the areas surrounding the falls?
Where to next? You may also enjoy these related posts:
- Instagram Stories Highlight: Buffalo + Niagara Falls
- The Complete Weekend Travel Guide to Buffalo, New York
- 10 Essential Restaurants in Buffalo, New York
- Traveling Light: A Packing List for Buffalo, New York (in a backpack!)
- The Complete Weekend Travel Guide to Rochester, New York
- From Scrabble to Suffrage: Four Rochester Museums You Just Can’t Miss
- Traveling Light: Packing List for a Weekend in Rochester, New York
- 36 Hours in Albany, New York
- Traveling Light: Albany, New York Packing List
- 36 Hours in NYC: Lower Manhattan
- A Three-Day Fall Weekend in NYC
- Culturally Relevant: The Essential Weekend Travel Guide to Cleveland, Ohio
- Meeting Motor City: An Introductory Weekend Travel Guide for Detroit, Michigan
- Weekend Travel Guide for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Frontier Airlines Review
- All Travel Guides Sorted by Destination
- Checking In: Hotel Reviews
- Shop My Closet
- Exclusive Promo Codes + Discounts
