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City in New York, United States
Photo: Pakaka Coster Bald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Frontier region of New York state.
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An elevator takes you 175 feet down to a walkway that leads you right to the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls. You will definitely get a feel for the true power of the falls! This is the closest you can get to the falls on either side without actually leaping into them! Ponchos and sandals are provided, and you will definitely need them.
A boat ride, taking you down around the bottom of the falls. Some information is given about the falls, but the real experience is looking up at the falls from below and feeling the mist coming off the falls (hence the name). Wear a poncho to avoid getting wet. Boats leave from both the American and Canadian sides, so you may want to check the exchange rates to see which will be more cost-effective when you visit! Apr-Oct.
Prospect Point
This is not a large aquarium by any means, but it's a long-standing and beloved attraction. In 2024, the aquarium expanded (across the lovely green space that used to be the four-lane Robert Moses State Parkway) to the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. The new expansion is called Great Lakes 360 and focuses on the ecology of the Niagara River and Great Lakes.
Use this to get around the park more quickly if needed. Hop on and off.
Not at the Falls, but within driving distance.
The former U.S. custom house (1863-1962) is now a museum dedicated to the Niagara Frontier's Underground Railroad history. Exhibits include a recreation of the "Cataract House", one of the largest hotels in Niagara Falls at the time whose largely African-American waitstaff was instrumental in helping escaped slaves on the last leg of their journey.
This off-the-beaten-path local landmark was the brainchild of Isaiah Robertson, a Jamaican-born house flipper who, so the story goes, had a religious vision wherein God told him that the end of the world would happen in Niagara Falls in 2014, and that he was to take his house and decorate it as garishly as possible with colorful wooden trinkets so that anyone who passed by would be so impressed and inspired that they'd be saved. The centerpiece of the decor scheme is the cross to the east of the house, which stands 25 feet tall, supposedly the same height Christ would be at the Second Coming. Undeterred by the fact that 2014 came and went without any such happening, Robertson continued his work until shortly before his death in January 2020.
It's safe to say it's hard to replicate the experience of flying over the falls without booking a helicopter tour. It's an awesome experience, though $165 may seem like a lot of cash for an 11-14 minutes ride.
Casino and hotel complex with stores and restaurants, a short walk from the falls.
A couple may obtain a marriage license in person from any city or town clerk in New York State at least 24 hours (and not more than 60 days) before the ceremony. The $40 cost includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration.
Tie the knot at the Top of the Falls restaurant or in the park itself, year-round.
Multiple locations ranging from a chapel at the Quality Inn ($200) to an airborne helicopter ($900).
The new home of Niagara County Community College's Hospitality & Tourism programs opened in 2012 and they're serving up some of the best food in the city. And by dining at their restaurants, you're helping to train the next generation of hospitality workers.
The Institute's fine dining restaurant offers pizza, pasta, steaks, and seafood. The seasonal menu is based on locally grown products.
A French-style bakery with breakfast pastries and desserts.
Home of the cheesesteak hoagie. It has some of the best cheesesteaks in the area.
The food is filling and is in a tourist location.
The place for cheap eats. With over 100 menu items, you can't go wrong. From several different styles of hot dogs to venison, ostrich, buffalo, and Kobe beef burgers, this is the best place to eat lunch. Beef On Weck, a Buffalo favorite, is also available here.
Huge portions of frozen custard, ice cream, Italian water ice, and other specialties for very reasonable prices. It is located one block east of the Rainbow Bridge. The building is hard to miss as it's shaped like an ice cream cone.
Arrangements available for tour groups.
Very good prices and big portions of American and Italian fare.
Home-style cooking.
Main courses include handmade gnocchi, ravioli, steaks, veal, poultry, and fresh seafood. They use the freshest ingredients and even their salad dressings are all made there and there is a substantial wine list.
A fairly new fine dining Chinese place.
Townie bar specializing in wings.
Historic bed and breakfast inn since 1923. Modeled after the Old Bell Inn in Finedon, England. Overlooks the Upper Rapids. Two-bedroom suites, one-bedroom suites and guestrooms, uniquely decorated with period antiques and reproductions, kitchens, fireplaces, canopy beds, air conditioned, other luxury appointments. Continental breakfast and newspaper are provided daily in the restaurant, plus champagne with fruit and cheese in your room upon arrival. Smoke-free. Pets are not allowed.
There are three dorm rooms (four beds per room) and one private room (twin bunk). Free Wi-Fi, guest kitchen, BBQ grill, parking, laundry.
Hostel with male, female, and co-ed dorms, along with private rooms. All bathrooms en-suite. Reception hours from 9AM-7PM daily; late check-in is possible if arranged in advance. Free wireless internet, laundry facilities.
Prime Outlets
Designer names like Coach.
Western New York's largest independent bookstore. Three floors filled to the brim with new books and used treasures. Shows and other events on the third floor.
***AVOID THIS BUILDING***
This building is large and flashy and markets itself as the Niagara Falls Visitor Centre. The real visitor centre is a few blocks away. This building sells lots of useless junk of dubious quality. It also sells food that appears to be problematic, not to mention how expensive the food is in total. Any packages or whatnot purchased here (such as Maid of the Mist) are also more expensive than from official vendors. People have said that they also add hidden "taxes" to anything purchased. In addition, they charge $25 for parking to unsuspecting tourists who don't know any better, which is more expensive than most other parking.
By train
By car
By bus
Greyhound offers service from Buffalo.
By foot
For $1 USD, you can walk across the Rainbow Bridge that connects the Canadian and American sides of Niagara Falls. Very scenic.
By bicycle
Bicycling can be faster than walking to get around. The toll for bicycling and walking the bridge across the national border is the same.
By car
Car is a convenient option to get around, and to see the attractions surrounding the Falls.
By bus
In addition to the aforementioned #40 bus, the NFTA municipal bus system includes five additional routes serving Niagara Falls. The two of most interest to tourists are:
By taxi
By ride hailing
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Niagara Falls · Regional · IAG
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