Hotels Near The Niagara Falls
On the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, there are plenty of options for families. From kid-friendly resorts like Trekaroo family-favorite Great Wolf Lodge to Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls with impressive views, there is a wide variety of hotel options near the falls and right in the action. If you do choose the Great Wolf Lodge, we have a great article filled with Great Wolf Lodge tips.
The hotel options on the US side of the falls are a bit less plentiful but still diverse. Options include favorite chains like Holiday Inn, DoubleTree by Hilton, Sheraton, Comfort Inn, and more.
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From Albany To Syracuse
Your next stop is Syracuse, which can be reached via I-90 W. On the way, you may want to stop in the city of Utica, which is known for being rich in history and culture. Its also a great place to grab a bite to eat, as its famous for some local specialties like the pasta dish called Utica chicken riggies, spicy escarole and half-moon cookies.
On Your Way To Niagara Falls
Road day trips are a whole lot fun with scenic pitstops and small town strolls. Here are a few pitstops you could consider on your way from New York to Niagara.
Located in the village of Watkins Glen, this State Park is nature at its best.A stream gushes through the two-mile-long glen, and there are 19 waterfalls along the course. Hike on trails that runs over and under waterfalls, past cliffs, and between rocks and lush greenery.
The Corning Museum of Glass is home to the largest collection of art glass in the world. You’ll gain a whole new perspective about a seemingly common place material – glass. Witness a molten blob transform into something exquisite and you’ll never look at glass the same way again.
Nestled in the hallowed halls of hollow earth, a walk through the Secret Caverns takes you through a prehistoric passageway encrusted by the patient hand of time. Catch a glimpse of natural stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones as you walk down 103 stairs. The tour culminates when one reaches the world famous 100 ft underground waterfall.
In the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Canandaigua is an idyllic stopover offering small-town charms and scenic attractions. Take a lunchtime cruise aboard the Canandaigua Lady, or tour Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, a stunning Victorian home from the Gilded Age and sprawling 50-acre estate.
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Public Bus From Buffalo To Niagara Falls
Itll only cost you $2 each way and thats just about the cheapest price Ive seen to go anywhere on public transportation in the U.S.
The only downside is that youll still have to get from the Buffalo Airport to the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center to catch the bus. The two are just 10 miles apart, but getting a rideshare from the airport can always be expensive.
Bus service begins at 5 a.m. from the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center and runs to 11:45 p.m. So unless youre taking a red-eye in or out, there should be a bus available. Check the schedule here.
- Cost: $4 round trip
- Time: 1 hour
Things To Do In Niagara
I can only really talk about my experience and as everything was closed there wasnt really much to do! We even struggled to eat in the evening as everything was closed. I was pretty surprised at how commercialized it was around there. It looked like a mini Las Vegas! I can imagine during the main season its pretty lively.
Get up early and see the sunrise. The best place to catch the sunrise is from the first bridge as you head over to the islands.
Take a walk around the parks viewing platforms in the early morning after the sunrise.
Head back towards the falls and take a walk down the river by the old train track. Its a pretty easy walk and the path is very clear. There are some pretty stunning views and good places to take a photograph.
Take a walk across Rainbow Bridge. Sadly we werent about to do this as two of our party didnt have their passports! You are entering a different country so you do need to have your passport.
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Ways For How To Get To Niagara Falls From Buffalo
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Even though theres an airport in Niagara Falls, New York, its a tiny two-terminal spot that doesnt have many flights arriving or departing daily. Thats why the majority of Niagara Falls visitors must navigate their way from Buffalo instead.
Since it only takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to travel to Niagara Falls from Buffalo, its not really that big of a deal. Plus, it can be pretty cheap if you know how to find great deals.
Luckily for you, Ive narrowed down every way to get to Niagara Falls from Buffalo so you dont have to!
Choose from the cheapest option , the quickest, or somewhere in between. But these are the five best ways to get from the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls, Canada side.
Enjoy The Delights Of Ithaca
Located just over 160 miles from Niagara Falls, Ithaca is a city and lively college town in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. At more than halfway through this road trip, this city would make an excellent stop as well as a great base for exploring the surrounding area.
Situated around the beautiful Cayuga Lake, the city is home to Ivy League Cornell University – one of the most prestigious centers of learning in the world. It is also famous for possessing a number of stunning gorges and waterfalls, as well as great restaurants and boutique shops.
A day or two in Ithaca should involve visits to the Robert Tremon State Park, the Buttermilk Falls State Park, Cayuga Lake, and the Cornell Botanic Gardens. The Johnson Museum of Art and the Sciencenter may also be of interest too.
One of the best places to stay in Ithaca is the La Tourelle Hotel & Spa. Located less than a mile from the Buttermilk Falls State Park, the hotel is surrounded by stunning grounds, traditional rooms and free parking.
Ideal for wine lovers, La Tourelle Hotel & Spa holds a complimentary wine hour daily, as well as has a hiking trail that leads from the backyard straight to Buttermilk Falls State Park.
Whether you want to spend the day relaxing at the spa, or make the most of its superb location, this hotel is sure to be memorable for all the right reasons.
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Niagara Falls Day Trips From New York
Visiting the most popular waterfalls on the planet is an ideal plan to disconnect from the lights and chaos of New York. I leave you a list of the best organized tours and tell you if it is worth or not to make this visit.
Alex Grande
13 min read
Located on the border between the United States and Canada, Niagara Falls is made up of three breathtaking waterfalls that will make your visit an unforgettable trip. Seeing this imposing wonder of nature at least once in a lifetime is totally worth it, and it is definitely one of the must-do activities during a trip to New York, even more so if they only require one or two days of your time. Here are the best tours to visit Niagara Falls from New York:
From New York City To Niagara Falls By Car
Traveling by car allows you the freedom to stop and explore New York State’s attractions on your way to its most treasured natural wonder. The drive from New York City to Niagara Falls, involving 400 miles, takes anywhere from seven to eight hours depending on traffic add more time to cross the border if you are visiting the Canadian side. Drivers can take the I-80 West or go via I-81 N and connect to I-90 West. It’s best to leave early in the morning to beat rush hour traffic.
On your drive to Niagara Falls, optional activities include hiking in Harriman State Park , visiting the largest arcade in the state at Robot City Games, and having a stopover in Canandaigua, a charming town ideal for couples.
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Niagara Falls With Kids
If you visit Niagara Falls with kids, they will have a great time: the area is perfect to visit as a family and has plenty of attractions and places designed for the little ones. For your sleeping and eating schedules, keep in mind that to get to Niagara Falls, you will take an early morning bus and it will take you around 10 hours to get there from New York, counting all the stops along the way.
Escape The City For A Scenic Stop
If you would prefer not to stay in a city and would rather overnight somewhere a little further off the beaten track, then you might want to try the sprawling and luxurious Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Located in the Mt Pocono region of Pennsylvania, just a short drive from New York, this fabulous hotel boasts an 18-hole golf course, an indoor/outdoor pool and no less than 5 restaurants.
An attraction in its own right, Mount Airy Casino Resort is surrounded by stunning gardens, lakes and has fantastic views of Mt Pocono. You could easily spend the whole day at this resort, but if you wanted to make the most of the surrounding scenery, nearby you will find fantastic walks, 150 lakes and quaint historic towns.
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How To Travel From New York To Niagara Falls
The two most famous and popular travel destinations in New York state are New York City and Niagara Falls. Not surprisingly, many travelers want to see both when they visit the Empire State.
Unfortunately, getting to Niagara Falls from the Big Apple can be something of a challenge because it is on the U.S.Canadian border about 400 miles from New York. The good news is that there are a number of great travel options available for those willing to take two or three days to make the trip. As anybody who has been to the falls will tell you, the sight of the magnificent waterfall is well worth the trip.
Which Side Of Niagara Falls To Stay On
I highly recommend all people to stay on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. And that is for a few reasons. The first is that there are just better hotels on this side. When we stayed there we stayed at the Marriott Fallsview and it was a great hotel with a fantastic view of the Falls. I would highly recommend staying there.
The second reason is that you have better views of the Falls. You can see the American falls and you can see the Horseshoe Falls. And there is just more to do on the Canadian side. It has a much better tourist infrastructure there with more restaurants and places to see. For example, you can go up in the Skylon Tower and check out the amazing aerial view of the Falls.
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How Long Does It Take To Drive
If you have a vehicle, the drive takes six and a half hours and passes through all of New Jersey and northern Pennsylvania before re-entering New York State and continuing up to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park on the U.S. side of the border has four parking lots that are open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, which cost $10 to park for the day during the week. However, on weekends and holidays they fill up quickly and cost $15 for the day. If they’re full, there are paid parking lots around downtown Niagara Falls as well as metered street parking, all of which are just a short walk from the waterfall viewing points.
How To Get To Niagara Falls
There are several possible ways to get to Niagara Falls from New York City:
- The closest airport is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. It takes about 10 minutes to drive to the Falls. You can also fly to Torontos Pearson International Airport or to Rochester, a little further away from Niagara Falls. From the different airports, you can rent a car or take public transport.
- Rent a car: If you prefer to drive and have enough time, you can drive the 400 miles to the Falls, and make the most of the country’s inexpensive petrol.
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Will The Round Trip To Niagara Falls In One Day Be Too Much Of A Hassle
One of the big questions facing all of us who have been to New York and have considered the option of going to Niagara Falls from New York is this: Is it worth it to drive so far to see the Falls in one day? The answer here for me is clear: yes.
The scenery you are going to see in Niagara Falls is spectacular . The road is not heavy, because you will be seeing a lot of landscapes along the way. Besides, in my case the jet lag worked its magic and I slept practically all the way back, so I can say that I almost didn’t even notice it!
You’ve Sampled Some Of The Best Nightlife In New York City And Now It’s Time To Venture Into The Great Outdoors
On the other side of New York state is something just as breathtaking as the City That Never Sleeps: Niagara Falls, a natural marvel surrounded by history, culture and culinary delights.Located in western New York between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is about 640 kilometers northwest of New York City. Like New York City, Niagara Falls has cold winters followed by hot summers, but is a popular year-round destination. From New York City, travelers can access Niagara Falls by bus, train and car. Since buses and trains make several stops, renting a car and driving is the most direct way to reach Niagara Falls. It takes about six and a half hours from New York City, with the most direct route cutting through Pennsylvania and into central New York’s Finger Lakes region, a scenic hilly area cut by glaciers centuries ago. Today the region is home to more than 400 wineries.
Get to Know Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls consists of three major waterfalls that straddle the U.S.-Canada border between Ontario, Canada, and New York State. They are Horseshoe Falls , American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls . Every second, 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls, which produce more than 4 million kilowatts of electricity shared by the United States and Canada.
Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls State Park
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When Is The Best Time To Go To Niagara Falls
I would say as long as you dont mind the cold go in late November. We got there just too late as everything had closed the week before. This meant we couldnt access all of the viewing platforms and the Maid of the mist wasnt running. The jet boat was, but it was a bit out of my price range. What this did mean though was there were no people!
We decided to get up early and try and catch a sunrise. When we walked over to the falls after sunrise we had it to ourselves for the whole time we were there. It was pretty special! If we had gone the week before I could have still gone on the Maid of the Mist and Im pretty sure the ques still would have been non-existent. I would love to go back in the summer but if you go then be prepared for the crowds!
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Take An Uber Lyft Or Taxi
Im not sure on the exact laws of Ubers, but a few drivers said they actually cant take people across the border since that would qualify as an American working in Canada. So theyll drop you off right at the Canadian border and youll have to walk the rest of the way .
- Cost: $60 to $120 round trip
- Time: 45 minutes
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Do You Want To Contrast Your Visit To The City With A Natural Site
If you are one of those travelers who like to enjoy the outdoors on your vacation, discovering unique natural places that are not built or designed by the hand of man, this is a great way to give your trip to New York the perfect counterpoint. After a few days strolling through the traffic, lights and noise of the city, spending a day in nature will be the perfect break in your vacation.
Is It Worth Going If I Go With Children
If you doubt that the little ones will like the excursion, I’ll solve the question right away: they will be amazed. The scenery, the sound of the water, the waterfalls, the boat ride…. If we adults are impressed, visiting Niagara Falls with children can literally be the adventure of a lifetime.
However, keep in mind that the bus ride is not short, so the decision will depend more on whether they tend to fall asleep during the trip, whether they get overwhelmed or get road sick, etc.
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