What Should I Take To Niagara Falls
The best advice I can give you is to wear the most comfortable clothes you own. You will find that most people visiting the Falls do the same. If you visit in winter, it is best to wear several layers to adapt to the changing weather.
Regarding footwear, I recommend that you wear sneakers or waterproof footwear, as you will most certainly get wet at the Maid of the Mist. For the same reason, a rain jacket and a GoPro-type camera are good inclusions in your backpack .
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.
Enjoy A Cruise On The Maid Of The Mist
Another way to experience the falls is from their base, and the best way to do so is by taking a cruise on the Maid of the Mist. A craft by that name has been exposing visitors to the spray from the falls since the 1840s. Now in its fifth version, the tour remains as wet as ever. Thankfully, waterproof overalls are provided free of charge.
Read Also: New York Toll Calculator
The Niagara Falls State Park Is The Oldest In America
Founded in 1885, the Niagara Falls State Park has the distinction of a storied history in USA. The Niagara Falls Association, which was founded in 1883 has acquired private land around the area to keep the natural environment intact for all these years.
-
Maid of the Mist drifting towards a rainbow
-
Ticket to The Old Niagara Fort
-
The ultimate adventure – Whirlpool Jet Boat
-
Clad in a raincoat, catching a distant glimpse of the falls
Which Travel Companies Can Get Me From New York City To Niagara Falls Ny
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, NY, then we’ll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
- Flixbus can take you to Niagara Falls, NY by bus. If searching for a good deal on buses, you can find tickets for Flixbus from New York City to Niagara Falls, NY for $29 .
- Amtrak can get you to Niagara Falls, NY by train. You can find a good deal for train tickets with Amtrak from New York City to Niagara Falls, NY for $75 on Omio.
Don’t Miss: Delete New York Times Account
Where To Stay In Niagara Falls
Staying overnight? There are hotels and Bed and Breakfasts aplenty to suit every budget.
View from facing the Falls
If you have a relatively good budget to spend for your trip, consider staying near the Falls.
Hotels facing the Falls
View From Embassy Suites Fallsview Room
King Waldorfs Tent and Trailer Park 9015 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls: Basic campsites, full service sites.
Yogi Bears Jellystone Park, 8676 Oakwood Drive, Niagara Falls: Basic campsites, full service sites and cabins.
Travelling with Children
If you are traveling with young children, you might want consider staying in hotels with access to indoor water parks or near themed attractions in Clifton Hills Area.
Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview Hotel and Skyline Hotel Niagara Falls have direct connection to Falls View Indoor waterpark. The Hampton Inn by Hilton at the Falls is also located near the waterpark.
Americana Resort located ~ 5 km from the Falls is home to Waves Indoor Waterpark.
Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls is another fun place to stay with family. Free admission to the on-site indoor and outdoor water parks.
Niagara Gorge & Whirlpool
Niagara Falls From New York City Day Trip The Best Way
The ideal time of the year to visit Niagara falls is between the months of May and October. Later than that would be freezing. The weather all year round is chilly, wet and windy. Tourists are advised to wear or at least carry proper woollens, coats, jackets, gloves, mufflers and boots.
As you enter the vicinity of the falls, you can soak in great views of the gorgeous, gigantic falls from the observation deck above, resembling a vast silvery sheet. Also visible from here is the skyline of the city of Ontario, Cananda on the other side, across the falls.
Even more enchanting is the incredible, thrilling boating experience on the iconic boat, `Maid of the Mist. The boat takes excited tourists right upto the basin of the falls. To reach the point below from where the boat journey commences, there are lifts for the convenience of tourists. For those who have enough time and who seek adventure, can go ahead and take the steps. The free of cost eco- friendly, water-proof ponchos handed out at the entrance is a blessing in disguise. It actually is an essential requirement, protecting guests from the intense showers pouring out from the cascading waters. Remember to carry water proof cameras and other gadgets as getting drenched is inevitable.
You May Like: Flight From Ny To Italy
About The Niagara Falls Tour
There are a few different tours you can take. Being a budget traveler I chose the cheapest option and then roped my mum and her partner in to make it even cheaper! The normal cost is $135 if there are four of you and you all share a room its $300! So its worked out really cheap. But all it included is getting there and back and the hotel. Once you get on the bus they will try and sell you all of the extras including the jet boats and evening entertainment.
Now, if you asked my mum how she liked this particular tour she would tell you she hated every moment of it and would NEVER go on another. I, on the other hand, thought it was brilliant! So here is a rundown of the tour from both viewpoints.
Niagara Falls State Park
If youre operating on a budget then a stop at Niagara Falls State Park shouldnt be missed. Its totally free and open to the public and offers unobstructed views of the American Falls. While the views arent as expansive as they are from the Canadian side, the American side allows you to get much closer. For even more unobstructed views theres the Niagara Falls Observation Tower that stretches over the Niagara River from the park that makes you feel as though youre flying.
Recommended Reading: How Long Is A Flight From New York To Atlanta
Recommended Reading: Registering A Vehicle In Ny
How Do I Get To Niagara Falls
Fly to either Buffalo New York or Toronto Canada. Buffalo/Niagara International Airport is 25 miles/41 kilometers to Niagara Falls. Toronto Canadas Lester Pearson International airport is 78 miles/125 kilometers to the Falls. The airport you choose to arrive at usually depends on where you are coming from. Toronto serves many international flights while Buffalo serves only U.S. domestic travel. Hotels do not provide shuttle service to the Falls from either airport. A list of airlines serving both airports can be found here. Both airports offer shuttle services to and from Niagara Falls and stop at most major hotels. From Toronto use Niagara Airbus. From Buffalo use the Buffalo Airport Shuttle Service. Rental cars are available at both airports.
Train service is available to & from Niagara Falls Canada on VIA Rail and Go Transit. The train station is 2.6 kilometers/1.6 miles North of the Rainbow Bridge and one block north of River Road at 4221 Bridge Street. Taxi service is available from the stations. In Niagara Falls NY the new train station is open on Whirlpool Street. The station itself is 2.6 kilometers/1.6 miles from the Rainbow Bridge. If you are arriving late in the evening you should arrange for a taxi to pick you up upon arrival. Visit AMTRAK for more details.
To get close to the Falls and parks use your favorite mapping software or GPS. For the US side try 1 Prospect Point in Niagara Falls NY or 1 Falls Ave for Niagara Falls Ontario Canada.
Trains From New York To Niagara Falls
On a regular day, there are typically between one and five daily trains from New York to Niagara Falls that are offered. Per the week, the average total is usually around 20 voyages for travelers to choose from. This journey is almost always direct, so you wont need to worry about making a transfer. However, your train may still stop in additional cities before you reach your destination of Niagara Falls, and this will affect the total duration of your trip. The length of the train will vary, but its normally between 9h and 9h 35min. The distance between New York and Niagara Falls is approximately 400 miles . There are many things for travelers to see once they have reached Niagara Falls, with exploring Niagara Falls State Park being one of the most popular. You can also enjoy some beautiful views from the Skylon Tower and walk around Horseshoe Falls.
Recommended Reading: Motzei Shabbat New York
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.
Driving From New York To Niagara Falls
Travel Time: Usually around seven-and-a-half hours. It can take longer because of traffic, the route you take or side trips. That means you should usually schedule nine hours for the drive. This means you will have to schedule two days for travel and stay at a hotel in Niagara Falls.
Description: The drive is well worth the time because of the beautiful scenery along the route, particularly in the fall. The fastest route is along Interstate 87 and Interstate 90, but many people take the side routes in order to experience local culture.
Recommended Reading: Wax Museum Time Square
Taking A Bus From New York To Niagara Falls
Travel Time: Nine to 10 hours depending on traffic, the route taken and the number of stops.
Description: Taking the bus allows you to see the scenery between New York and the fall without the cost of the train or the hassle of driving yourself. Most of the buses leave from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Several bus companies, including Greyhound, Trailways NY, and City2City Bus provide direct service. One advantage of taking the bus is that you can choose to get off at Niagara Falls, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border if you wish. Bus travel is also fairly cheap the standard cost of fare is $54 one way.
Know The Ins And Outs Of Crossing The Border
Effective September 7, 2021, Canadas borders are open to any fully vaccinated international travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.
Effective November 8, 2021, the United States land and sea border are open to non-essential fully vaccinated Canadian travellers.
Please review details on COVID-19 restrictions in the Niagara Region before traveling here.
Additional details are included below on more typical border crossing requirements for when COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.
You May Like: Starting Llc In Ny
Which Train Companies Travel From New York To Niagara Falls
Amtrak is known for being the primary company that services trains from New York to Niagara Falls. Ever since it was founded in the early 1970s, it has been one of the largest travel providers in the United States and Canada. Offering both medium and long-distance journeys, Amtrak provides trips between some of the largest and most popular cities in the two countries. For this trip, you will not need to transfer trains, and can instead enjoy a direct journey. You will usually stop in a few other cities before reaching Niagara Falls, but you can remain on the train during these.
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.
Read Also: How Much Are Tolls From Virginia To New York
Do You Need A Tour To Visit Niagara Falls
No, you do not need a tour for your trip to Niagara Falls, however it is not a convenient place to visit if youre doing a larger US trip. Unless youre passing through this area OR have it very high on your bucket list, it is a bit expensive to visit for one day. If you have limited time and this is high on your bucket list, it might be worth it to take a tour package to Niagara Falls.
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.
Also Check: How To Register My Car In Ny
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.
Train Service To Niagara Falls New York
Take the train to Niagara Falls NY. Amtrak offers connecting service from all over the northeastern US to Niagara Falls. From NY City the trip is great! Zipping along the Hudson River all the way north to Albany. From Albany you change trains once all the way to the Falls. That portion of the trip is very scenic as it traces the majority of the route of the NY State Erie Barge Canal. The new train station opened in Niagara Falls NY in January of 2017. It is now much closer to the Falls and more convenient for transportation to the park and tourism area.
For the most up to date information please visit Amtrak.
Please visit our home page for the most up to date Niagara Falls tourism information.
Read Also: Tolls From Baltimore To Nyc
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.