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.
Umpteen Other Experiences Beyond The Falls
If you’re interested in history, a visit to the Old Fort Niagara with its underground gunpowder rooms, army barracks, and ancient cannons will have you spend hours here in rapt attention. If you’re looking to get up close to the might falls, you can choose from an array of experiences – the Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist, the Whirlpool Jet Boat, the Hydro Power Plant Ruins and many more. Adventure lovers will also enjoy hiking around the Niagara State Park on it many marked trails.
How To Get To Niagara Falls By Car: The Most Comfortable Option
- Price: Depends on the days of use
- Operating companies: Rentalcars, Avis, Hertz, Sixt…
- Duration of the trip: six and a half hours
- Recommended if: You have time and you like to enjoy the trip.
If you are a fan of traveling without haste and without depending on schedules, you may be interested in renting a car in New York and drive to Niagara Falls. It will take you a little more than six hours in total, but you can stop at places like Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth Nature Park or Seneca Lake. In this case, the drive will certainly be part of the experience.
The price of a rental car in New York will depend on the agency in question and the number of days you use it. You can rent it to go and return, you can rent it in Manhattan and leave it in an office near the Falls and return by plane or you can even make a full-fledged road trip and continue to your next destination by road. If you choose this option, you can park near the Falls in different parking lots.
Keep in mind that in the United States you must be 21 or older to rent a car in most places and that you will need to apply for a foreign driver’s license before your trip.
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New York City To Niagara Falls Road Trip Planner
Here’s a sample itinerary for a drive from New York City to Niagara Falls. If you’re planning a road trip to Niagara Falls, you can research locations to stop along the way.Make sure you check road conditionsto double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops. Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on themost talked about places recommended by Trippy members.
10:00 am start in New York Citydrive for about 1.5 hours
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:16 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:46 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours
stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am
day 1 driving 4 hours
10:00 am leave from Binghamtondrive for about 57 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:57 amdrive for about 1.5 hours
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:30 pmdrive for about 1 hour
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:36 pmdrive for about 31 minutes
5:07 pm arrive in Niagara Falls
day 2 driving 4 hours
Can I Use Public Transportation To Travel From The Airport
Public transportation is available from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, but it can take up to two hours to reach your final destination. Buses are available from the airport to downtown Buffalo and from there, passengers have to change buses to a Niagara Falls bus. The cost of each bus is only $2, so it’s definitely the cheapest way to travel from the airport.
If you prefer faster and more comfortable transportation, then shuttles and taxis are also available. Prices range and are clearly much higher than the bus, but you’ll save a lot of energy and not lose out on any extra time from visiting the falls.
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What To Expect Onboard The Flixbus Bus From Niagara Falls To New York
Once you’ve booked your bus tickets through the FlixBus App using one of our secure payment methods, you just need to bring your phone to use as your ticket – and your luggage, of course. Don’t worry about packing light as you can bring one piece of carry-on luggage and one piece of hold luggage for your journey.Want to be guaranteed the best seat in the house? You can choose yours when you book your ticket. Opt for a classic seat, a table seat, a panorama seat for a great view, or reserve the free seat beside you for extra space.Once you’ve stowed your luggage away and settled in, sit back and enjoy the journey with the onboard services on your FlixBus bus including free Wi-Fi onboard, FLIXtainment – out entertainment portal, toilets and plug socket.Whether you need to fire off some emails during your trip, or you want to relax and enjoy the ride, we’ve got you covered.
Go Wild At Seneca County
Drive west into New Yorks Seneca County, and be sure to check out Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge an area which offers of 10,000 acres of swampland and has been a national landmark since 1973.
The area is largely untouched with a variety of migratory birds in the area. You have options to take the wildlife drive or park up and hit the hiking trails.
Insider Tip:
Be sure you have the correct Hiking gear, check out our reviews here: Hiking Gear
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Which Side Of Niagara Falls Do You Visit During A Tour From Ny
A one-day trip only gives you enough time to explore the American side of the falls. Thats why I recommend a 2 or 3-day trip to Niagara Falls from New York, so you can also go to the Canadian side. If youre going to go all the way to Niagara Falls, you should see the whole thing!
I hope you found a tour to Niagara Falls from New York that youd like to take, and that you learned more about this impressive natural wonder. As you can see, there is a lot to see here, so check out our visitors guide to Niagara Falls for more information.
Of course, if you still have questions or concerns, dont hesitate to leave me a comment below so I can help you out. With that, I wish you a fantastic trip to Niagara Falls!
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Amtrak Train From New York To Niagara Falls
Travel Time: Around nine-and-a-half hours because of stops
Description: Several Amtrak trains offer direct service between New Yorks Penn Station and Niagara Falls within a day. All Maple Leaf trains go directly from New York to the falls only certain Empire Service trains go on to Niagara Falls. Maple Leaf trains also travel on to Toronto for those that want to see Canada. Check Amtraks website for schedules and reservations. The train allows you to see the beautiful scenery of the Hudson River Valley and upstate New York without the hassle of driving. Food and drink are available on the trains. One advantage to taking the train is that the Amtrak Station is located in the heart of Niagara Falls so you will not have to rent a car.
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Getting Around Niagara Falls
Niagara Scenic Trolley
Enjoy the ease and convenience of this hop-on/hop-off trolley that will take you to 15 exclusive sites along the 14-mile route from the “Falls to the Fort.” Stops include Niagara USA Visitor Center, Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara View Points, Castellani Art Museum and the Old Niagara Fort among others. Ticket prices are as follows:
Local bus
Niagara Falls Transit runs a local bus network specifically for tourists, though the center of town is small enough to be covered by foot. Regular fares are quite expensive at $2.75, but day passes for $7 can be economical if you’re looking to move about.
Taxis
Taxis in Niagara Falls start at a base fare of $2.75 and charge an additional $3 for every subsequent mile.
How To Choose A Niagara Falls Trip From New York City
There are more Niagara Falls trips out there than you can shake a waterproof poncho at. From all-American gorge walks and aquarium excursions to multi-day adventures that take in the tree-fringed 1000 Islands of Canada and the beautiful Finger Lakes, you’ve got loads to choose from.
Before booking, you’ll want to consider the length of time you have to spend, the sort of transport you want to take, and if you’re eager to see other amazing places in the vicinity of Niagara. Check out the examples below for some inspiration
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Plan A Trip To Niagara Falls
Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Niagara Falls. Trippy members can suggest things to do in Niagara Falls like Niagara Falls. Check out some of the questions people have asked about Niagara Falls like best place . Click the button below to explore Niagara Falls in detail.
How Much Time Do You Need At Niagara Falls
This depends on what you want to do there, and what time of the year you go. I actually went to Niagara Falls in December one week after all of the main attractions closed up for the winter. We had an evening and then a morning in Niagara and at that time of year that felt plenty. We had time to do everything we wanted to do including a short hike around the park. That said if it was the summer I may have preferred a bit more time on the second day.
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How Do I Get To Niagara Falls And Once There Do I Need A Car
Niagara Falls USA is drivable from Cleveland , Pittsburgh , Detroit , Philadelphia , and New York City , but its only a 30-minute drive from Buffalo Niagara International Airport or a 15-minute drive from Niagara Falls International Airport . Major carriers to BUF include American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Allegiant Air and Spirit fly to IAG.
Once youre in Niagara Falls USA, there are a few different shuttle options like Discover Niagara Shuttle to get you around town. But, if you plan to stay in town and time is of the essence, you can walk everywhere. If you plan to get outside of the town, possibly to visit Old Fort Niagara or one of the surrounding towns, a car is a must.
If youre visiting the Canadian side of the Falls, or just prefer a larger airport, your other flying option is Toronto Pearson International Airport , which is about 90 minutes from Niagara Falls. Almost every airline flies in and out of this airport, depending on where youre coming from. Once youre in Niagara Falls Canada, there are a ton of attractions within walking distance along the Niagara Parkway and Fallsview Boulevard. Just like on the U.S. side, if you plan to see sights outside of the town, youll need a car.
Best Time To Book Your Trip
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past departures.
The average bus ticket from Niagara Falls to New York costs around CA$53 for departures 7 days prior.
Over the last 90 days, ticket prices from Niagara Falls to New York vary and during peak season, ticket prices are around CA$130 while at other times, you can expect to pay around CA$48.
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Niagara Falls to New York, as early as possible. The best time to find and book cheap bus tickets is to book at least 7 days in advance.
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From New York City To Niagara Falls By Plane
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a half-hour drive from the falls. Visitors may also fly directly to Toronto Pearson International , and drive about 90 minutes to the Canadian side of the falls. Overall time of reaching Niagara Falls by plane is anywhere from three to four hours each way, making flying the fastest way to reach the falls.
If you fly into Buffalo airport, there are a few options for transportation to the falls. You can take a shuttle van, taxi, or an Uber or Lyft. You can also make the trip from the airport to the falls on a public bus. The cost is only $4, but you will need to take two buses, transferring in downtown Buffalo. The journey will take about two hours.
If you fly into Toronto, you can take a shuttle van or a train. GO Transit is the regional transportation provider and has frequent, inexpensive trains to Niagara Falls. VIA Rail, Canada’s national rail carrier, has two direct trains each day.
New York City To Niagara Falls Road Trip Map:
Dive into our Map below, to explore the best things to do/see while driving between New York City and Niagara Falls.
User Guide: Simply Click the +/- buttons to zoom in & out, Click on a favourite attraction, and click directions symbol to give you the driving or walking route directly there!
Top Tip: Many visitors choose to by clicking the link in the top right corner!
Webmasters: If you own a website, why not embed this Road trip map to help your readers, just be sure to credit us at: www.townandtourist.com/road-trips/new-york-city-to-niagara-falls-road-trip.
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What To Know About The Route
This New York to Niagara Falls road trip spans about 460 miles, which is around 7.5 hours of driving time in total. Driving along this route will give you the opportunity to visit one of the most vibrant cities in the world while also exploring the beautiful scenery of New York state. You will start in New York City, then take I-87 North to New Paltz. From here, you will get back on I-87 to head to Albany. Your next stop will be Syracuse, which can be reached by taking I-90 W. After Syracuse, you will go to Buffalo by continuing to drive along I-90 W. In Buffalo, you will get on I-190 N to travel to your final destination of Niagara Falls. Renting an SUV for your journey can be a convenient choice, as it will give you plenty of room to store any recreational equipment and can provide stability if you happen to be driving in rain or snow.
What Is There To Do In Niagara Falls
The real question is: how do you want to see the falls? There are several different boat tour companies, some of which bring you so close to the base that you won’t just get wet, you get soaked. Another option is to hike down the backside of Horseshoe Falls, which actually brings you behind the waterfall for a completely different perspective. And for those who want the ultimate tour, nothing beats taking a helicopter ride or a zipline over the falls for a view that few people get to see.
But if you think the town of Niagara Falls is just the eponymous waterfall, think again. There’s plenty to keep busy on both sides of the border, so don’t forget your passport. Walk around downtown to dine in quaint restaurants and enjoy local craft beer or wine. The Niagara Fallsview Casino not only has a great view overlooking the falls, but it’s also a fun place for adults to hang out and hit the slot machines. The Niagara Falls Botanical Garden is especially great to visit in spring, and the butterfly conservatory is the most popular attraction there.
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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.