Probably the most fun I had during my Niagara Falls trip. You will get soaked, no way around it…read more:), but in a good way. It's just so much fun to be up close to the falls; there is no experience like it. It's affordable, fun, and just an incredible experience; I can't understate it. Well worth crossing back over for a little bit on my Canadian vacation. Now, it's not without its problems, but it's such a good time that these can be overlooked. Seagulls run this place. The whole area smells like a zoo, because the seagulls run the place; we're just there visiting. They're not aggressive. I passed by a couple with their babies, and they didn't do anything, but they can and do poop anywhere. Best bet is to keep your poncho on until you get back to your car, because they can and will poop on you and pooped on people when I was there.

Another must do when visiting Niagara Falls America side. An easy walk from the Niagara state park…read moreto goat island. Purchase timed tickets . Between an elevator and a descending trail through a cave 175 feet down into the Niagara gorge.Grab your souvenir poncho... you will need it immediately, lots and I mean lots of seagulls. Walk near the water side.. A short walk to the many wooden stairs, decks and walkways all along the falls edge. So many unique close up opportunities.., you can feel the water on your hands and face. So powerful!! Stairs can be slippery, wear proper shoes. The top deck, the hurricane deck is super popular, just 20 ft from the bridal veil falls. You get to experience what tropical storm conditions feel like. With winds up to 68mph. Oh and you will get completely soaked!! Ticket prices depend on time of year, End of may for us cost, $23 adults and $19 youth. Worth every cent!!! We were exhausted so instead of walking back we took the Niagara scenic trolly back to the park. A perfect way to save time, great views and learn some interesting facts!

Niagara Falls is so beautifully massive in person! It really is a must see! My Momma, sister and I…read morevisited Niagara during my high school spring break and absolutely loved it! Back then, it was fairly easy to cross from the United States into Canada, which we did. We did not take any official tours of the Falls, we just enjoyed them! I didn't realize Niagara Falls is not the tallest waterfalls in the world. There are actually about 500 other waterfalls in the world that are "taller" than Niagara. Niagara Falls is impressive in the amount of water flowing because more than six million cubic feet of water go over the falls' crestline every minute during peak daytime tour hours! Niagara has been the site of numerous jumps and plunges most often in various barrels! Folks have crossed it on tightropes. Niagara Falls visits increased sharply in 1953 following the release of the movie, "Niagara" starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. Niagara has been featured in a vast variety of fine art, too. I'm fortunate to have seen these beautiful falls in person!

I have been to the Falls more times than I can count in my life (both sides). It goes without…read moresaying the experience from the Canadian side is much more enjoyable and more beautiful. The natural wonder of these falls never gets old. Simply breathtaking and awe-inspiring on each visit. When living in Pittsburgh and traveling internationally, we often flew in and out of Toronto's airport (even with the drive there and back, we'd save so much money)---stopping at the Falls was always part of the adventure. Most times spending the night on the way home after landing from a long European flight. Perfect way to end a trip before heading back home.

Kids wanted to go for the mirror maze .. nice location. Right next to the big Burger King and other…read moreplaces like upside down house . Wasn't crowded . Was expensive for few mins of entertainment.. my youngest kid liked it . It was good inside and very interesting . But I wish the maze was a little big/ long .. it finished pretty quick. I thought of giving a 2 star but because my smaller kid liked it , it's worth for a 3 .. parking is crazy .. of course nothing close by. Lots of restaurants around though. Overall an average experience...

I really wanted to love it, but it ended up just being kinda...okay…read more I'm not sure if we did it wrong, or if maybe we are just mirror maze professionals...but the experience felt really short. You get disposable gloves before going in, and then you have to make your way through the maze from entrance to exit. Overall it took less than 5 minutes for us to get from one end to the other, and the mirrors were all the same. It would have been cool and I might have enjoyed it better if they had some different, funky effect kind of mirrors, though, I suppose that might give away that they're mirrors rather than passageways, but still! Still a fun concept, I'm just not sure it was worth the price, though with a stamp you do have the option to go through again- so that's definitely something to consider!

The Prospect Point Observation Tower (also known as Niagara Falls Observation Tower) is a great…read moreway to admire the full grandeur of the falls from Niagara Falls, NY. Although it is set a short distance away from the edge of the falls, it is close enough to the falls to occasionally enjoy a refreshing spray. From here, you can get a clear view of all three falls, including American Falls, as well as the mesmerizing rapids. The boarding area for the Maid of the Mist tours is located at the base of the tower, accessed by a high-speed elevator from the observation deck. The base of the tower also provides access to the Crow's Nest, a smaller observation area located much closer to the falls. You do not need to go on a Maid of the Mist tour to go to the lower level, but there is a small fee for the deck and elevator.

One of the natural wonders of the world The water flows through at the Bridal Veil, Horseshoe and…read moreAmerican Falls.Such breath taking views great for scenic pictures. Not to be missed.Plus you get to board the Maid of the Mist and par take in an exciting experience with the falls.C8me and enjoy nature's true beauty, it has so much to see and explore.

While in Niagra State park we took a quick photo after finishing Cave of the Winds. We learned…read moreTesla played a major role in utilizing the falls to energize the surrounding cities. We took a quick photo of the statue and selfie.

A great addition for the fee to go up to the viewing vista (that high platform where you get the…read moreview above the water)! Yes, the $2.50 (Canadian) you're paying for indeed include this. It's the line on the furthest right hand side when you approach the vista viewing entrance -- vista being on the left side. On certain days / hours with the wind blowing just right, you can walk the Crows Nest path up to the water fall and get soaking wet. And I do mean soaking wet. The folks working down there kindly gave us the Maid of the Mist ponchos. Yay! This was a great experience and value for your buck. You can get a mini feel of the power of the Niagara. There's another attraction where you can also get close up to the water fall and also feel the mist, but that's a separate attraction at a higher cost. I highly recommend Crows Nest!

The Porter Mansion is a historical mansion in Niagara Falls once owned by the Porter family who…read moreactually 'owned' the falls and the property along the Niagara River leading up to the falls. It is now owned and being g restored by the Tatler Club which in itself is historic. A private women's club formed in 1925 when the women's movement was reshaping the country. They now are working on the preservation of the mansion and host tours ND event here. I had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser for the Niagara Arts & Curtural Center, aka the NACC, called Opera-tizer Spring Tea. It was an afternoon with lunch, wine, opera, dessert, and tea. My knowledge of opera is limited but I must say the opera singers were outstanding. The setting was beautiful and the food was great. Very enjoyable day. If you get the opportunity to check out this great place please do. 2023-42

Goat island is a beautiful park and must do while in Niagara…read more We stayed on the US side so it's basically the only thing to do as all the good food and hotels and fun stuff is in Canada. But, this park is beautiful and well-maintained with lovely walking bridges, well-kept roads, plenty of parking, and miles of walking trails. This is where you'll visit the lookouts for Bridal Veil Falls, Cave of the Winds and the Terrapin Point lookout for the Horseshoe falls in the US. The visitor center and complex for the ticket purchase and gift shop for the Cave of the Winds is nice and there is a statue of Nikola Tesla as well as an original historic preserved gate to the original hydroelectric plant here. There is plenty to see and do here in an afternoon and it is time well spent.

Goat Island and Luna Island connect to each other. Named after a lone goat surviving a winter or…read moreall the animals left behind this is where the Maid of Mist, the premier boat tour at or near the Falls is accessed. Another area that is very peaceful, even with the crowds and hustle.

Recently I was at Niagara Falls State park and I stopped at a placard I have driven by hundreds of…read moretimes. You may have as well. This is what is said: "First House Built By Judge Porter In 1808. Many Notable Visitors And Friendly Indians Were Received Within Its Walls." Its standing in a open lot, so the house is long gone. Judge Augustus Porter was a chief land surveyor for the Connecticut Land Company in the late 1790's. He is thought to be one of the first white settlers to the area (still occupied by various Indian tribes at the time). He bought this land near Niagara Falls, and built a sawmill (using the water power) and some other things. He was also a politician at the time, and was the State Assembly man for the Genesee and Ontario District at some point. He and his brother understood the value of the Falls as a tourist attraction and were able to make that happen. They built a bridge to Goat Island, got a ferry to cross the river, and planned gardens for people to come and enjoy. He was a busy man, and had a general store in the area, and then was a judge (the first for Niagara County) and postmaster (the first for Niagara Falls). A man of many talents. This was the site of the first home he built in the area. He had 5 children. Worth a quick stop along the road.