First of all, if you have never been to Niagara Falls, you need to go.  It is technically not one of the seven wonders of the world, but it should be.  Just being so close to the falls was an experience I will never forget…and I want to go back.

We were in Niagara for two days. The first day we toured the US side and stayed at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino.  Then the next day we travelled across the Rainbow Bridge thru Customs and Border Patrol to the Canadian side of the falls and stayed at the Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel.

Sights to See:

• Niagara Falls State Park – This is the state park on the US side of the falls.   It is a very large park which includes the Welcome Center, Maid of the Mist, the Observation Tower,  and Cave of the Winds attractions, as well as a number of walking trails along the falls and over to Goat Island for views of the falls from all angles.  There are four large parking lots – one near the Welcome Center, one on the far north side next to the Power Plant ruins and two on Goat Island. Parking is $10 per day (Weekday) and $15 per day (Weekends).
  • Niagara Falls State Park map
• Maid of the Mist boat tour – This was one of the coolest things we have ever done. The boat goes by the first falls (American Falls) into the middle (Horseshoe Falls) to where you are almost surrounded on three sides by falls — and we did get soaked. It was an incredible experience!  The cost was $30.25 adults, $19.25 children.
• Queen Victoria Park – This is a beautiful park along the Canadian side with spectacular full views of all of the falls.  It is a very large park which includes a Welcome Center, Hornblower Niagara Falls Boat Ride, Journey Behind the Falls, Queen Victoria Place Restaurant and Gift Shop, and the Niagara Power Plant.
• Journey Behind the Falls Tour – The Journey Behind the Falls tour goes in the tunnels behind the falls and gives amazing views really close to and under the horseshoe falls. Beside the tunnel views, there is also a viewing platform within feet of the Horseshoe Falls. So cool! We spent hours there and, in the park, just taking in the views.  Cost is $29 adults, $19 children (12 and under).
• Skylon Tower – The Skylon Tower is an iconic observation tower on the Canadian side of the falls.  It is over 700 feet high providing breathtaking views of both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls and the entire surroundings. The tower has exterior glass elevators that provide a scenic ride to the top.   Cost is $20 adult, $10 children (12 and under).  There is also a VERY EXPENSIVE revolving restaurant at the top of the tower if you want to have dinner with the amazing views.
• Clifton Hill – This is an area of attractions, restaurants, entertainment and shops on the Canadian side near Queen Victoria Park.  I equate it to Coney Island, Atlantic City or the Ocean City boardwalks on steroids.  There are rides, games, bowling, mini-golf, go carts, the Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
• Niagara Sky Wheel – This is a 175 high Ferris wheel in Clifton Hill, with enclosed gondola-style cabins that provide scenic views of the falls and the area surrounding the park. Cost is $15 adults, $7 children (12 and under).

Tips and Observations:

• Everyone says the Canadian side is better and we definitely agree. You have full views of the entire set of falls along with the rapids that lead to the falls and the dam before the rapids and the power plants that are fed by the falls. Also, Queen Victoria Park along the falls on the Canadian side is nicer than Niagara Falls State Park on the US side.
• There are fireworks over the falls every night at 10pm May through October.
• The falls are illuminated with different colors at night from nightfall to about 2am.  It is beautiful.
• You do need to have a passport to travel to the Canadian side of the falls, even if you are staying on the US side. However, there are plenty of things to do on the US side to have a wonderful time if you do not have a passport.
• On the Canadian side, it is much easier to get around by using the WEGO bus, if you don’t mind the waiting times at the bus stops. WEGO is the hop-on, hop-off transportation system that connects all Niagara Parks locations to the hotels and other attractions around the falls. Cost ~$12 per person for all day rides.
• If you are impatient and want drop offs at exact locations, vice centralized bus stops, UBER is plentiful and has reasonable rates in the area.
• Since we only had about a day and half on our trip there, there are still a list of things we want to go back to do—Goat Island, the Observation Tower, Cave of the Winds on the US side and the Power Plant, Floral Showhouse, and Queen Victoria Place on the Canadian side.