Is This Your First Time In New York
If it is your first time in New York and you want to enjoy the city to the fullest, you will probably prefer to stay in the Big Apple for as long as possible, as there are many things to discover. In that case, it may not be worth leaving New York to embark on a full-day excursion, especially if, as mentioned above, you don’t have much time in the city.
Is It Easy To Cross The Border To See The Falls From Canada
There are three bridges crossing the Niagara River into Canada near the falls, two of which have pedestrian lanes. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the border crossing here is just as stringent as any other, so be sure to have valid passports at the ready. Those traveling with children should be sure to have a valid ID and all appropriate paperwork showing permission, if needed.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Get From New York City To Niagara Falls
Whether you go by bus, train, or plane, there isn’t a huge difference in prices. However, the bus tends to be slightly cheaper than the other two. The company OurBus offers daily journeys that start at $45 for a one-way trip. The bus route is direct but takes nearly eight hours, so be prepared to spend an entire day of your vacation in transit.
Buses leave New York City from the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, located in Washington Heights at the northern tip of Manhattan. The station in Niagara Falls is right in the heart of the town next to the Niagara Falls Visitor Center, so you’ll be able to step off of the bus and immediately see the falls.
Recommended Reading: Nyc Tolls Calculator
Where To Stay On The American Side Of Niagara Falls
The neighborhood in Niagara Falls USA gets sketchy if you get too far from the falls, so dont try to skimp on where you stay. My top vote goes to the Giacomo by Choice Hotels: walking distance to everywhere and a lounge with views of the Niagara river. Generally speaking, if you can easily walk to the waterfalls, your hotel will be in an okay neighborhood. The hotels by the outlet mall are fine, too, though a bit of a drive to the tourist attractions.
In Buffalo, I recommend Hotel Lafayette. Its chic, central, and rooms are large. It can make a good alternative if youre only popping in to the parks for an afternoon. Buffalo is about a thirty-minute commute.
Who Should Get Tested For Current Infection
The CDC currently defines four instances where COVID testing is recommended:
Also Check: Tolls Dc To Ny
Western New York 1788 1935
Prior to 1788, with few exceptions the Western New York area was owned and occupied by Native Americans of the Neutral Nation. Those exceptions included the military outposts of the French and British at Fort Niagara and Fort Schlosser.
Fort Schlosser was situated approximately one mile above the Falls. Fort Schlosser was originally called Little Niagara by the French. The fort was destroyed in 1759 after the French surrender of Fort Niagara to the British.
In the place of Fort Little Niagara, the British built a small stockade. It was rebuilt by American soldiers and named Fort Schlosser.
Native American Chiefs: Corn Planter, Red Jacket and Farmers Brother represented the Native Americans in treaties ceding territory of Western New York.
In 1805, the State of New York offered lands along the American shoreline of the Niagara River for sale. Prior to 1805, no buildings had been built or improvements of any kind had been made in the vicinity of the Falls.
The building that had been previously been built by the French and the British was in ruins except for a house which was built under the British rule near the site of the British stockade. This house had been occupied for many years by John Stedman. Stedman had claimed a large tract of land along the Niagara River near the Falls by falsely claiming to have obtained title from the Native Americans.
In 1807, Porter & Barton built the first grist mill at Niagara Falls.
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:
You May Like: Can I Register A Car Online In New York
Where To Eat In Niagara Falls Ny
My favorite restaurants in Niagara Falls, NY are all hole-in-the-wall joints. If thats not your style, I recommend heading to Lewiston instead. Its an easy drive from Niagara and the main drag is an adorable stretch of shops, cafes, and restaurants. I like Cask + Cow for gourmet burgers and Hibbards Custard for dessert.
But back to Niagara Falls restaurants:
Michaels Restaurant: Michaels is Italian-ish but whatever you want to call it, the food is good and portions are huge. Do not miss the beans and greens soup seriously and then its a toss-up if you want the pillowy gnocchi or the overstuffed calzone.
The Why: Theres nothing unusual on the menu here, but this breakfast spot serves up meals fast, cheap, and early which is usually what Im looking for if breakfast isnt included at my hotel. You can get two eggs, home fries, toast, and coffee for $5.
Judas Tree: This new restaurant has a limited menu, but it does everything well. Its a great spot for cocktails and appetizers and it gets more local traffic than tourists.
Yours To Explore Niagara Falls State Park
Open 365 days a year, Niagara Falls State Park has awe-inspiring scenery! It also features thrilling attractions, interactive exhibits, miles of hiking trails, and delectable dining options in a family-friendly environment. It’s an adventure-packed experience! No passport is needed to experience an unforgettable and breathtaking Niagara Falls vacation.
Also Check: New York Lottery Scratch Off Best Odds
Niagara Falls Attractions & Tours
Every year, millions of visitors come to see the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls. It’s always free to walk into Niagara Falls State Park to see the Falls, and it’s open 365 days a year! What many people are happy to discover, however, is that along with this majestic natural wonder, the Niagara Falls tours and activities that you can enjoy inside the park provide hours of added fun!
Niagara Falls State Park Pro Tip
There are typically longer wait times for the attractions on weekends– and especially holiday weekends–so plan your visit accordingly. During the summer, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to visit!
Adventure Theater
Behold the myths and mysteries of Niagara Falls with Niagara: Legends of Adventure, the 40-minute feature presentation at Niagara Adventure Theater.
The Best Views Of Niagara Falls New York
Ive partnered with Hotels.com to share the best ways to view Niagara Falls that allow for safe travel and proper physical distancing.
If you havent already booked your family-friendly hotel for Niagara Falls, I suggest looking for a hotel within walking distance to The American Falls, especially if its a first-time visit. There are also many hotels and resorts in Ontario, Canada.
Read Also: Cost Of Registering A Car In Ny
Things To See At Niagara Falls
What should you expect the perfect day in Niagara Falls, New York to be like? Niagara Falls can simply be a quick stop to see the falls in person, but there are countless places in Niagara Falls to explore and a full day or two is best to truly get the most out of a visit. While it might be difficult to see all that this new Wonder of the World has to offer, listed below are the must-see places.
How To Get To Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is less than 20 miles from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
There are plenty of ways to get to the USA side of Niagara Falls. One can drive their car or rent one. This route is traditionally the best way to travel with a family and children.
Exploring Niagara Falls once you have arrived: The Niagara USA Official Visitor Center offers at least 15 destinations stops from their shuttle service. Another cheap way to travel is by bus. A daily adult bus ticket is roughly $7.50, which is great for the perfect day at this wonder of the world.
Also Check: Can I Register A Car Online In New York
Best Day Of The Week To Tour Niagara Falls From New York City
As with many other tourist attractions, you will find fewer people if you visit the Falls during the week. That said, I recommend that you check the fireworks calendar on the official Niagara Falls website to try to coincide your visit with a show that will add a very special touch to your excursion.
Spend A Perfect Day In Niagara Falls
Ready to explore one of natures most spectacular wonders? If you want to see Niagara Falls up close there are multiple locations and access points from the U.S. side and the Canadian side. This article focuses on the best Niagara Falls viewpoints from the United States.
Well share some iconic ways to experience the fall including aboard the iconic Maid of the Mist boat ride and the heart-pounding Cave of the Winds tour. We will also take you to some of the most spectacular spots in Niagara Falls State Park to see the falls and get some amazing photos.
Also Check: How Much Is Registration In Ny
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
Niagara Falls New York Discovery Pass
Experience the thrilling attractions that the Discovery Pass has to offer allowing you to get as close as possible to the Falls, on the American side of the border. Some of the attractions included in the Discovery Pass are: Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Adventure Theater and unlimited rides on the Scenic Trolley for that day.
The pass also includes the world famous Maid of The Mist, which has been taking passengers to the heart of the Falls since 1846. And, you’ll be able to descend down into the Niagara Gorge and view the Falls on foot with Cave of the Winds. This exhilarating attraction brings you 175ft down into the Gorge, as close as you can be to the Bridal Veil Falls, where youll feel storm-like conditions created by the dominance of the Falls.
Exploring Niagara Falls, New York with the Discovery Pass is the ultimate way to get to experience the best the city on the American side of the border has to offer.
Read Also: Registering Car In Ny
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!
About Niagara Falls Ny
Niagara Falls consists of three different waterfalls. The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls are located in the USA and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is located in Canada.
Niagara Falls is considered the new 8th Wonder of the World. Niagara Falls Park is the oldest state park in America, which opened in 1885.
Niagara Falls straddles the United States of America and Canada. A trip to these Falls can be seen from both Niagara Falls, Ontario or Niagara Falls, New York.
Also Check: Disability Application Nyc
Where To Eat In Niagara Falls New York
Niagara Falls in New York has some great eateries. For breakfast, Marketside Restaurant is a cash-only place that serves up the best homestyle breakfast, complete with home fries.
Tasty dishes are always coming out of the kitchen of The Griffon Gastropub located on Military Road. Another great restaurant on Military Road is Steak Stone & Sushi Niagara Falls. This restaurant has something for everyone to love from the filet mignon to mango chicken stir-fry plus, they have reasonable prices.
Lets not forget about dessert at the Paris Crepes Café. This café has perfectly brewed French coffee and the best Nutella-filled crepes!
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.
Read Also: How To Pay Nyc Parking Tickets Online
How To See The Waterfalls At Niagara Falls State Park
As stated above, whats known as Niagara Falls is actually three different waterfalls along the Niagara River which are separated by islands.
These three waterfalls are Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls, and all three can be seen from the viewing areas set up in the park.
The waterfalls are listed below starting from the south, though you can visit them in whatever order works best for you during your visit. Signs throughout the park point the way to each waterfall and the different viewing areas for them.
Niagara Falls Usa Vs Canada
Which side of Niagara Falls is better? Without question, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more popular. There are more hotels , it has a better angle for seeing Horseshoe Falls, and frankly, most of Niagara Falls USA is rundown.
But that doesnt mean you should skip the New York side. This is where youll get up-close views of the American Falls. Its also the launch point for my absolute favorite local attraction .
As of August 9, 2021 the Canadian border has reopened to American travelersassuming you have a negative covid test AND proof of vaccination. If you were just hopping over a day trip, the testing and paperwork probably isnt worth it. In the meantime, Niagara Falls USA is still a great option, not to mention the New York side is often cheaper to fly into and will save you long border crossings .
In a perfect world, youd visit both, but if you can only visit Niagara Falls NY, dont sweat it.
You May Like: How To Register A Car In Ny
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.