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To be honest, I down played this location for a really long time. Turns out, Luke and I were extremely impressed! Niagara Falls truly blew us away by how powerful and beautiful it is. Pictures on the internet don’t do it justice. We stuck to the New York side since Canada’s border was not open due to Covid-19. That did not stop us from having an absolute blast!
How Long to Stay in Niagara
A weekend is more than enough time to explore Niagara Falls. If you were planning to visit the Canadian side once it is open, no longer than a 4 day weekend is needed.
Canadian Side Vs US Side
The Canadian side has different view points and observation perspectives than the US. Canada has their own Maid of the mist experience, which is the same tour the US offers except you board the boat on Canadian side. They also have a similar Cave of the winds experience which is worth looking into. (pictured below you'll spot a few people in yellow ponchos near the cliffside of the Falls).
The appeal of the Canadian Side is the dining experiences and hotels! It is more built up than the US side, offering high rise dining with gorgeous views of the Falls and many great restaurants to try! Also the hotels are much nicer and offer rooms with views of the falls.
What to do in Niagara Falls
Rent a Reddy Bike! You'll see red bike racks all over the place just outside of Niagara Falls Park. Download the app on your mobile device to find locations. Unlock your bike and off your go! If you decide you want to stop within the park you can easily lock up your Reddy Bike to a public bike rack within the park. Select the "hold" option so you don't lose your bike when you're ready to use it again. It's super cheap too! .10cents per minute or $3 dollars for a 2 day pass. When you are done be sure to return it back to any Reddy Bike station. You can leave it attached to a public bike rack within the park, but the app will charge you a $2 fee. Niagara Falls is a large park so these bikes came in handy!
Planning Maid of The Mist and Cave of the Winds
Purchase a ticket to ride The Maid of the Mist! Board the boat and get as close as physically possible to the falls. We purchased our tickets ($22.25 per adult, $13 for kids) in advance through their main website maidofthemist.com
Take a stroll down the Cave of the Winds! An elevator takes you down to the base of American Falls. Walk through sets of stairs and platforms that bring you as close as 25ft to the crashing water. The waterfall creates huge gusts of wind and spraying water! Rain ponchos are provided. We fit in The Cave of the Winds and The Maid of the Mist in one day. Cave of the winds tickets are available for purchase inside Niagara Falls State Park.
Eat at Wine on 3rd for American tapas, dinner, and a fantastic wine list! The restaurant also offers a variety of other cocktails, if wine isn’t your thing.
Must Do Thrilling Experience in Niagara Falls
Navigate Devils Hole aboard a speed boat through class 5 rapids! If you seek an adrenaline rush this activity is for you. Absolutely guaranteed to be soaked down to your knickers! Be sure to bring a change of clothes so you can grab some food at The Silo Restaurant afterwards. It features waterfront views and serves American food. We booked our experience with whirlpooljet.com. I wasn't able to capture pictures during our ride since it is recommended not to bring anything of value on the boat with you.
Test your luck at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino! Play slots, roulette, or hit the tables. Work up an appetite, the casino offers 9 different restaurant options. Italian, steak, Asian cuisine, and much more.
