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.
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 .
Flying From New York To Niagara Falls
Travel Time: The actual flight takes around an hour , but it will take around an hour to drive or take a bus to Niagara Falls. That makes the actual travel time around two hours, not including time spent reaching the airport in New York.
Description: Flying is the fastest and often the cheapest way to reach Niagara Falls from New York. Most flights land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from the falls. Once on the ground, you will need to rent a car or take a shuttle bus to reach Niagara Falls. The Buffalo Airport Shuttle costs $22. You can also fly to Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, but youll face an hour-anda-half drive in heavy traffic to reach the falls. Check airline ticket websites like Priceline for the best deals.
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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.
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!
Booking.com
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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.
Old Fort Niagara United States
History lovers will enjoy a visit to one of the most historical of all the Niagara Falls attractions. The Old Fort Niagara was built in the 17th century and has seen many wars in its lifetime. It is known to be the fort that has been in operation the longest in all of North America. It has an amazing view of the Niagara River as well as Lake Ontario, situated in Canada. Upon entering, you will be able to explore the gunpowder rooms,army barracks that were once home to soldiers of the past and the centuries-old cannons. Drop into the visitor centre for a more in-depth history of this old and magnificent fort. The fort is well maintained, and the grounds are kept in pristine condition, making this walk-through time a fantastic experience when you are visiting the Niagara Falls.
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Average Prices By Travel Date
Since the average price of train trips from New York to Niagara Falls remains pretty consistent throughout the year, theres no need to book your tickets too far in advance. However, we still recommend you purchase your train tickets at least 48 hours ahead of departure time to avoid surprise last-minute surges and the risk of the train selling out.
Border Crossing Rules For Niagara Falls New York
Roughly 30 million visitors cross into Niagara Falls, Ontario, each year.
A trip to see the massive and powerful Niagara Falls is not complete without seeing it from both sides the New York side and the Ontario, Canada side. The Canadian side of the falls is only a bridge away from New York, but there are strict border crossing requirements to enter Canada, as well as for returning to the United States. Having all of your proper identification and paperwork ready will make your trip from the New York side to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls a breeze.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
Here’s a handy Parking Lot Map of the Niagara Falls State Park
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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.
From New York City To Niagara Falls By Train
Two major Amtrak lines connect the Niagara region to cities on the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. Those traveling from New York City can get on the Empire Service to the Niagara Falls International Train Station and Intermodal Transportation Center from Penn Station in Manhattan. The Empire Service train operates daily and has Business Class and Reserved Coach Class. The scenic ride takes about nine hours, with stops along the way in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
Alternatively, visitors can take the Maple Leaf train that connects New York City with Toronto, with stops at Albany, Syracuse, and Niagara Falls. The total journey is 12.5 hours. Both trains come with WiFi and Cafe cars.
Once there, the Niagara Falls State Park is less than a 10-minute drive. Niagara Falls State Park is open year-round and offers interactive exhibits, hiking trails, and dining at the Top of the Falls restaurant. The state park’s Discovery Pass allows visitors to enjoy the falls on the Maid of the Mist boat cruise.
You can also take the hop-on/hop-off shuttle called “Falls to the Fort” right at the train station. The 14-mile route stops at highlights such as the Niagara USA Visitor Center, Niagara View Points, Old Niagara Fort, Aquarium of Niagara, and Castellani Art Museum, among others.
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What You Must Know Before Visiting The Niagara Falls
- Your clothes are likely to get wet at the Niagara Falls. Shorts and quick dry trousers are much better than jeans. At the same time, sandals are better than wearing shoes and socks.
- Choose the right time to visit. During the summers, the falls have a heavy flow and the park gets crowded.
- During winters, the falls freeze and present an outworldly site. The crowds are much lesser as well. However, getting drenched in the mist is how you actually visit the Niagara Falls.
- Unless you have your own car, traveling from New York to Niagara by public transport is quite the hassle. The public transport within Niagara is practically non-existent hence getting from one place to the other via local taxis can cost you a lot. We recommended taking an organized tour from New York to Niagara for the optimal experience.
- Outside the Niagara Falls entrance, there is a mall complex with multiple food kiosks and souvenir. You have cuisine options from Indian to Chinese and Arabic.
Things To Do At The Falls
Begin your up-close tour at Niagara Falls State Park. The park includes Goat Island and a large part of the waterfront above and below the falls on the New York State side of the gorge. Buy a Niagara USA Discovery Pass for discounted admission to Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist, the Aquarium of Niagara and other attractions as well as rides on the Niagara Scenic Trolley. Note that some attractions close or shorten their hours in the off-season. Visitors can avoid parking fees by taking the Discover Niagara Shuttle, a hop-on, hop-off bus with a route stretching from Old Fort Niagara to the visitor center.
Topped with a revolving dining room, the Skylon Tower rises 775 feet over the Niagara River on the Canadian side of the border. The Clifton Hill entertainment area is home to thrill rides, restaurants, a wax museum and the Niagara Skywheel, a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
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Getting There And Getting Around
Only two airlines, both budget-friendly but with limited routes, fly into Niagara Falls International Airport, but many more airlines serve Buffalo Niagara International Airport, about 30 minutes away. Passengers can get from Buffalo Niagara to the falls via shuttle, public transportation or rental car.
Two Amtrak routes, the Maple Leaf and Empire Service, stop in Niagara Falls daily. The train station is a short walk from public transportation.
If youve chosen not to rent a car once you’re in the city, you can take a taxi, one of the many tour buses, a hotel shuttle or public transportation. Buy a day pass for WEGO, the bus service that operates routes to all of the major attractions. Niagara Falls Transit is Niagara Falls public transportation system, and Niagara Regional Transit as well as GO Transit routes cross the border into Canada.
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Where Should I Eat
On the Canadian side, try to get a reservation at the Skylon Towers Revolving Dining Room, which sits 775 feet above the Falls. Its great for families, or a romantic dinner for two, and the views of the falls and fireworks and light show are incredible. Also, admission to the Ride-to-the-Top and Indoor/Outdoor Observation Decks are free if youre dining there thats a savings of about $20.
If youre on the US side, plan to eat at the Red Coach Inn and order the Beef on Weck .
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How To Get From Niagara Falls To New York
The trip from the wonders of Niagara Falls to the soaring skyscrapers of New York City takes travelers from west to east across the Empire State. Direct travel options between the cities, other than by auto or Amtrak, are limited, but more are available in nearby Buffalo. From Buffalo, travelers can also choose from intercity bus routes or direct flights.
New York To Niagara Falls Train Time: Daily Departures
Each day, you will find that there are normally between one and five trains from New York to Niagara Falls that you can choose from. One a weekly basis, there are often around 20 trips that are serviced between these two cities. The first train of the day will often leave at around 7:15 a.m. While it may vary, the final train of the day typically departs just after 1:00 p.m.
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Buffalo Museum Of Science
Exploring natural history and life sciences, this museum’s immersive exhibits promote family fun and interactive learning. This award-winning museum has experiences perfect for everyone: record your own weather forecast, take in a film about our world in the National Geographic 3D Cinema, learn about health and wellness in the Explore YOU exhibit, and design your own building.
How To Get Around Niagara Falls
The best way to explore the Niagara Falls area is your feet
Yes, the best way to get around is on foot or by bike, when it is not snowing.
Crossing the border between Canada and the United States, it is also possible to do it on foot by the Rainbow Bridge is only about 20 minutes on foot.
Another option to get around the falls is with WEGO, a tourist bus, which works with the hop-on-hop-off system.
What we did was park the car and then move around, walking everywhere.
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