Coronavirus Update And Travel Informationupdated: December 13 2021
All Niagara Falls USA destination partners and businesses are taking the necessary precautions and making safety protocol changes to keep each other safe, including practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. Unified in Safety is a shared commitment for all of us to stay safe and healthy, while following recommended public health guidelines. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
As of Monday, December 13, 2021, per Governor Kathy Hochul, masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. This major action to address the winter surge comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide and is in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. Learn more here.
Where To Park For Niagara Falls
Unlike many other New York State Parks, there is no charge for admission to visit Niagara Falls State Park. However, there is no free parking in the area, so you will have to pay for parking somewhere either in the park or in the city of Niagara Falls.
Without a doubt, the closest parking areas to the waterfalls are Lots 1 and 2 in Niagara Falls State Park.
Of the two, Id recommend parking in Lot 2 as its the larger of the two and more centrally located on Goat Island . Parking here will put you right in the middle of the three waterfalls and is the closest you can park to Horseshoe Falls.
Both lots cost $10 to park Monday-Thursday and $15 from Friday to Sunday. This is a one-time fee that will give you parking for the whole day and is in effect 24 hours a day throughout the year. Those with Empire Passes can park for free in these lots.
Lot 2 can be found at the following coordinates: 43.081205, -79.070286.
Lot 1 can be found at the following coordinates and is best used by those planning to walk across the bridge to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls: 43.087355, -79.064938.
There is also a third lot in the park that can be found on the southern end of Goat Island. This is the furthest lot from the waterfalls and is only open on weekends. I only recommend this lot if you have a larger vehicle or if the other lots are full. However, this lot is a bit cheaper, only charging $10 to park on weekends .
Bringing Children Into Canada
Minors age 15 and under must have proper identification, such as a birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, permanent resident card or Certificate of Aboriginal Status. While passports are recommended, they are not required for American minors age 15 or younger crossing the border by land – a birth certificate will suffice.
If a minor is travelling alone or with an adult that is not their parent or guardian, they should carry a letter from their parents/ guardians. This letter should authorize the person meeting them or travelling with them to take responsibility for the minor while visiting Canada. The letter should also include addresses and telephone numbers where the parents or guardian can be reached.
Divorced or separated parents should carry custody or legal separation documents and a letter of authorization from the other parent to facilitate their entry into Canada.
If you are travelling with a group of vehicles, make sure you arrive at the border in the same vehicle as your children, to avoid any confusion.
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Other Things To Do At Niagara Falls State Park
In addition to seeing the waterfalls of Niagara Falls State Park from the free viewing areas, there are many other fun things to do within the park. Paid attractions within the park include the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and the Niagara Falls Observation Tower. You can also find several shops and restaurants within the park.
There are also several miles of walking trails in the park, which offer the chance to see the beauty of the Niagara River upstream of the waterfalls. You can also go further downriver to see spots like the Niagara Whirlpool.
If youre looking for places to visit near the park, there is great hiking along the Niagara Gorge downstream of the waterfalls, the historic Fort Niagara, and the Lockport Locks cruise on the Erie Canal.
You can also get an amazing distant view of Niagara Falls on a clear day from the observation deck atop Buffalo City Hall.
From New York City To Niagara Falls By Plane
Visitors can also take a planned one-day tour by air, which includes round-trip airfare between NYC airports and Buffalo, a half-day guided tour of the attraction from both sides, a boat cruise, and a buffet lunch at the Top of the Falls restaurant. The Maid of the Mist cruise operates only during the warmer months when visiting during winter, participants are taken to the Journey Behind the Falls observation decks and portals located behind the falls. The entire tour takes approximately 14 hours and hotel transfers to and from the airport are available from properties located between 23rd and 74th streets.
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Where Can I Eat Around Niagara Falls
Be it inside the park premises or in the town of Niagara, you have many restaurants to choose from. Here are the top 5 recommended restaurants in Niagara.
Top of the Falls Restaurant
This is the only restaurant that overlooks Niagara Falls and offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Tempt your tastebuds with modern American cuisine and accompany every bite with a spectacular view of the Horseshoe Falls. Distance from the falls : 0 miles
Returning To The United States
Depending on the length of stay, American citizens are entitled to take goods back to the U.S. duty free. Be aware that goods purchased in a duty free shop are not automatically free of duty upon your return to the U.S.
You can find a list of duty free items to bring back to the U.S. here, as well as a list of prohibited and restricted items here. For further information on U.S. customs regulations, please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
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Come For The Wonder Stay For The Adventure
With plenty of things to do in Niagara Falls–from exploring awe-inspiring natural beauty, hiking miles of trails through Niagara Falls State Park, or to getting soaked on the Hurricane Deck–its the perfect destination for a family vacation or nature retreat. A Niagara Falls trip is guaranteed to have something for everyone!
Faqs For Booking Trains To Niagara Falls New York
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What is the main train station in Niagara Falls, New York?
The main station in Niagara Falls, New York is Niagara Falls. At Niagara Falls, you can find a number of trains offering service to other major cities.
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What train companies go to Niagara Falls, New York?
Amtrak is a common choice made by travelers seeking to travel by train to Niagara Falls, New York. More rail options may be available, depending on where youre coming from.
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How far in advance should I book a train to Niagara Falls, New York?
This week, the average one-way price to Niagara Falls, New York is $68. We dont expect any changes in price for the next 3 months. As seats fill up quickly, we recommend booking when you can so your trip is secured.
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How far is the center of Niagara Falls, New York from Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls 127 Old Main St stations?
If you are traveling from Niagara Falls station or Niagara Falls 127 Old Main St station to the center of Niagara Falls, New York, then the most direct route is 4.3 mi and 6.1 mi, respectively.
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How far is Niagara Falls from Niagara Falls State Park?
Niagara Falls, New York’s Niagara Falls is 2.6 mi from Niagara Falls State Park.
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# 8 Niagara Wine Trail
Do you love wines? Are you interested in the process involved in the winemaking process? Do you want to have a taste of the sweet wines made in Niagara Falls, New York? If you do, you should never fail to visit the various wineries located in this beautiful city. The area has a favorable climate for grapes, making it one of the fast-growing wine areas in the United States. Some of the wineries you can visit during a wine tasting tour in the Niagara Wine Trail while in the region include The Village Vineyard, Bella Rose Vineyard, Long Cliff Winery, and A Gust of Sun Winery. Apart from a range of dry sweet wines, you will also find craft beers. Further, after having a tour and getting more details on the winemaking process, you may get a chance to taste the following wine brands Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.
Q: Is Niagara Falls Open
A: Yes. All the park areas and attractions in Niagara Falls New York USA are currently open.
In Niagara Falls Canada, Queen Victoria Park is open for viewing the Falls and all attractions that are operated by Niagara Parks Canada are open for the 2021 tourism season. A detailed list of the hours of operation is posted below.
All hotels, restaurants and attractions are now open in Niagara Falls USA & Niagara Falls Canada.
Certain seasonal attractions are now operating with reduced Fall hours.
There are certain attractions on both sides of Niagara Falls that may still require a mask . Please bring one with you!
Covid-19 Restrictions:
NIAGARA FALLS ONTARIO CANADA. The province of Ontario is now in Step 3 of a 3 step process for reopening. As of September 29th 2021 Step 3 safety measures will continue until further notice. Indoor dining in Ontario is now permitted.
NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK USA. Everything is open!
The nightly Illumination of the Falls is from 8:00pm until 2:00am every evening during October.
All Fireworks displays over the Falls have been cancelled until further notice.
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Driving From Niagara Falls To New York City
New York City, about 400 miles southeast of Niagara Falls, is a six-hour drive via one of two routes. Both routes begin on Interstate 290 in Niagara Falls and continue to Interstate 90 in Buffalo. From there, drivers can stay on I-90 east to Syracuse and then take Interstate 81 south to Scranton, Pennsylvania. From Scranton, Interstate 380 and Interstate 80 lead to New York City. The alternative is to stay on I-90 through Syracuse and on to Albany before taking Interstate 87 south to New York. Travelers who tire of the interstate can take U.S. 9 south from Albany for a more scenic route into the city.
Interstate 90, the New York State Thruway, is a toll road. A slightly longer route that stays on interstate highways but has no tolls uses Interstates 380, 86, 84 and 287 across the Southern Tier of New York state.
Best Time Of The Year To Tour Niagara Falls From New York City
The typical temperature around Niagara Falls changes greatly throughout the year. While if you go to Niagara Falls in the winter you may freeze, in the summer it is usually quite nice, with sunny and warm days. If you visit the Falls in the spring, it will most likely rain, and in the fall you can find very pleasant weather, as long as you go before November.
If you can, my recommendation is to visit in mid to late May and between September and October. It is certainly the best time to go to Niagara Falls, you will have better weather and you will also avoid most of the tourists, who come in summer.
If the weather doesn’t help or doesn’t suit you, we recommend you to do the Washington tour from New York or the Philadelphia tour from New York, where the weather will be less important to enjoy the tours.
- Winter
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Taking The Bus Between New York And Niagara Falls
Greyhound operates between Buffalo and New York City and, depending on the itinerary you choose, the ride takes between seven and nine hours. Some buses require a transfer, which lengthens the trip, but most dont. The first bus leaves Buffalo a little after midnight, and the last leaves at 11 p.m. All Greyhound buses have free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets at the seat.
Megabus also operates between Buffalo and New York, but on a more limited schedule, and the ride takes almost 10 hours. Use an app like Wanderu, Busbud or GoToBus to find the best fares, to track a bus or to find out what amenities are made available to riders.
Travelers can hire a taxi or ride-sharing service to get from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, or can use public transportation.
References
Flights Between Niagara Falls And New York
While Niagara Falls has an international airport, only two airlines, Spirit and Allegiant, operate there, and neither flies to New York. Its possible to book a flight and then transfer to another flight for the leg to New York, but its much more efficient to fly out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport, 25 miles southeast. Passengers can call a taxi or ride-sharing service, or use public transportation to get from Niagara Falls to the airport.
Nonstop flights between Buffalo Niagara International and LaGuardia, Newark or JFK airports take about 90 minutes. Fares are comparable no matter which airport you choose, so let your final destination in New York determine which you use.
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Daytrips Close To Niagara Falls
North of downtown Niagara Falls on the shore of Lake Ontario, a French Castle built in 1726 is the highlight of the restored Old Fort Niagara. Visitors can tour the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes region and watch living history demonstrations. Fort Niagara State Park, adjacent to the fort, has a swimming pool, a nature center and hiking trails.
Buffalo made the New York Times 52 Places to Go in 2018 list along with more exotic locations like Tasmania and Fiji because of its resurging downtown and significant architecture. Spend some time in the Canalside recreation and entertainment district and then tour the homes Frank Lloyd Wright designed for local luminaries.
Located on the Niagara University campus, the Castellani Art Museum is home to a permanent collection with works by modern artists like Picasso and Dali as well as rotating exhibits and a folk arts program. Jazz aficionados can catch a performance by local musicians on Thursday nights at the Carnegie Art Center in North Tonawanda.
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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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.
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Parking At Niagara Falls State Park
The park is equipped with four lots and several city lots just footsteps from the Park.
- Parking Lot 1 | Prospect Point: This lot is the closest to the Visitor Center and the Maid of the Mist.
- Parking Lot 2 | Goat Island: This lot is is located near the entrance of the Cave of the Winds tour and Top of the Falls Restaurant.
- Parking Lot 3 | Three Sisters Island: This lot is located on the east end of Goat Island near Three Sisters Islands.
- Parking Lot 4 | Niagara Gorge: This lot is just off the northbound Niagara Scenic Parkway, convinient for those visiting the Aquarium of Niagara or the Schoellkopf Site.This is also the in-park stop for the Discover Niagara Shuttle which will bring you from within the park to the attractions outside the park.
Heres a handy Parking Lot Map of the Niagara Falls State Park
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