Niagara Falls – A Gem of a Destination

The lust for wandering inspired my partner and me to travel to the most breath-taking destinations in the world, and for our summer getaway, we decided to visit Niagara Falls via NY. Since I was already well-attuned with Buffalo, New York, the initial anxiety of planning the trip was fairly manageable. From the hustle-bustle of Delhi, the serene yet fierce solace of Niagara Falls in NY was calling out to me! For a rewarding trip, it is important to research the top Niagara Falls tour packages from India and then finalise your trip. So, after making successful bookings, we were ready to discover all the attractions in Niagara Falls without missing a beat! The plan was to recover from jetlag for a day and then catch a flight from New York to Niagara Falls. Tickets for this short journey were also part of our tour package.

While perusing our research of Niagara Falls, we realized this force of nature is comprised of three falls, namely, Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, along with American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls in USA territory. According to our information on Niagara Falls, the weather was perfect for touring the entire region and our excitement grew immensely.

1. The Treasures of Niagara Falls 

Although the Falls are shared by two countries invoking a feeling of restrictive exploration, however, in this scenario, it was quite the opposite. We got to explore an array of dedicated spots on the American side easily after purchasing tickets of Niagara Falls Discovery Pass at the Niagara Falls State Park. Here are some of the best ones: -

2. Niagara Falls Adventure Theater 

First stop at the State Park is the Adventure Theater, a massive auditorium that can seat over 300 people. It showcases documentaries and historical stories of Niagara Falls. As it is equipped with multi-lingual features, headphones can be configured in all the widely spoken languages such as English, Mandarin, Korean, French and the likes.

3. Aquarium of Niagara Falls

Possibly one of the best aquariums in the world, this under-water world experience absolutely breathtaking! The beautifully designed aquarium is pleasing to the eyes and displays aquatic life in its apt element. With more than 120 species of fish, rescued seals and sea lions, this place is a must-visit for aquaphiles.

4. Cave of the Winds

Now, this spot will get you closest to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls where the chances of getting completely drenched are very high. With water-resistant slippers and ponchos provided for safety, you can gawk at the beauty of these Falls for hours!

5. Prospect Point Observation Tower 

The National State Park’s pride is the Observation Tower situated right on Niagara Gorge that provides panoramic views of the Falls. Standing tall at approximately 86 metres, this tower is one of the most visited places in Niagara Falls.

6. Maid of the Mist 

After descending from the Observation Tower, the next activity involves a boat tour called Maid of the Mist. As enchanting as it sounds, the ride itself lasts for only 15 minutes but the sights that are witnessed during this tour can never be forgotten! Tickets of the boat tour are fairly reasonable, and for the experience that it offers, they are worth every penny.

7. Illuminations

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at Niagara Falls in NY is to witness the mighty falls in their nocturnal beauty. This experience can be best explained as multiple rainbows coming alive in the night just for you! Alongside this, more than a hundred firework shows are also performed here which are a treat for the eyes!

8. Finding a Suitable Accommodation 

Since hotels near Niagara Falls are expensive because of the popularity of this region, it is advisable to stay in Buffalo. Since the Falls are only half an hour from this city, the cost of travelling will be more economical than the cost of accommodation in Niagara Falls. Hotels leaning towards a reasonable price range can be found near Downtown, Buffalo along with Elmond Village and Allentown.

9. Modes of Travel to the Niagara Falls 

There are various factors to be kept in mind before booking your flight or bus to Niagara Falls such as available days, budget and time. While the Buffalo Airport near Niagara Falls has the best travel deals in America for air travel, some might choose the one in NYC and drive down to the Falls while enjoying the magnificent views en route. From NY City, Niagara Falls can be reached by air (1.5 hours), Greyhound (10 hours), Megabus (12 hours), or an Amtrak train (10 hours). Our personal preference was to drive down from Buffalo in a rented car and soak in the West Coast’s natural beauty.

10. Tips for the First-Time Packers 

An essential part of my travel guide for Niagara Falls for all the first-timers are some packing tips:

Passport - Important for all international tourists, it should be with you at all times

A camera - be it a DSLR or GoPro, your camera will capture some of the best memories of your life.

Waterproof jacket/coat - Trust us, you will need this at the mighty Falls! It’s better to carry your own safety gear rather than getting completely drenched.

Winter clothes - Even if you are travelling in the summer months, chances are that the temperature might drop down and keeping a warm jumper can come in handy.

Sports shoes - Sneakers or canvas, carrying a pair of good quality shoes will be a blessing at the Falls as the ground is generally very slippery.

Medical Kit - In case of an allergic reaction or any other medical inconvenience, carry a kit of your trusted medicines.

11. Savouring the Best of Niagara Falls 

Dining in Niagara Falls is truly a pleasurable experience as a myriad of cuisines and modern gastronomy innovations are found here. For a classic American meal, Hard Rock Cafe located only minutes from the Niagara State Park made it to the top of our list. Another treasure is The Griffon Gastropub of Niagara Falls, NY, one of the most popular pubs offering more than 50 types of beer on tap!

Since Italian cuisine is widely popular in this region, Michael’s Italian Restaurant is a great option for some authentic Sicilian food. For those who prefer to go easy on the pocket, Third Street Retreat is an excellent choice for you as the food is delicious yet affordable. For a recommendation within the Niagara Falls State Park, dining at Top of the Falls restaurant is an enjoyable experience as it provides a direct view of the Falls.

12. Exploring around Niagara Falls, NY 

Attractions in Niagara Falls are abundant but Niagara County itself has many places to visit. While planning our travel guide, we ensured that we visited the top three places in town:

Lewistown - Situated on the northern side of the Falls, this town is famous for its jazz festivals, summer markets, and charming streets.

Lockport - Sprawled with wineries all over town, this region has beautiful Churches and chapels to explore. Since our travel guide for Niagara Falls had to include food and wine, this one is a personal favourite!

Wilson - For the fishing enthusiasts, this town is perfect you! Its harbour is a good option for a peaceful fishing expedition. You can also boat into the Sunset Island which is merely 5 minutes from Wilson Harbour.