Page Updated: December 08, 2023
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls Observation Tower - Niagara Falls NY
The oldest state park in New York and the United States, Niagara Falls State Park covers 400+ acres and is home to American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls; 2 of the three falls that make up what the world knows as Niagara Falls. In addition to its falls that collectively spill 75k+ gallons of water per second, the visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and fishing.
U.S. specific info below. For Canada, switch to Niagara Falls Ontario.
There is nothing about Niagara Falls that isn’t awe inspiring. Our original plans were to visit Niagara Falls Canada. At the last minute, we decided to squeeze in Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls State Park. American and Bridal Veil Falls did not disappoint! No picture or video can capture awesomeness of the Falls; but that doesn’t mean we didn’t try!
Things to do
The Visitors Center gives visitors all the need-to-know information and will sell tickets if you haven’t already purchased them online.
Dine-in at Top of the Falls Restaurant, or grab a quick bite at Cave of the Winds Snack Bar.
The Niagara Scenic Trolley gives visitors a 30min – 3-mile tour of the park.
Something more in depth? The Discover Niagara Shuttle covers 14-miles with 15 destinations along the way with “From Falls to Fort.” Visitors can get off at any designated stop to explore.
Plenty of walking trails allow visitors enjoy the park on foot. Hiking Trails path into Niagara Falls Gorge!
The Observation Tower gives visitors a 230ft overlook of Horseshoe and American Falls.
The Aquarium of Niagara is ready to greet visitors with over 120 species.
Cave of the Winds lets visitors get as far beneath American Falls as they’d rationally want to get.
Maid of the Mist cruises passengers right up to Horseshoe Falls; a wet - yet exhilarating - experience!
What we crammed in
With all the beauty that surrounds visitors at Niagara Falls State Park, it’s hard to imagine it any other way. An exhibit room (Cave of the Winds) led us to a short film on the history of Niagara Falls and how frivolous people once were with the area.
Our Cave of the winds experience was nothing short of spectacular. Visitors get to walk up to 20 feet of Bridal Veil Falls, and the experience is one we’ll never forget.
We recommend anyone visiting the park make it a point to have this experience!
Cave of the Winds
After getting doused at Cave of the Winds, we roamed the park. The lush green spaces and various walking trails provide numerous view points for the falls. Luna Island has the best location for viewing the Niagara River flow over American Falls (pictured top of page). Terrapin Point has the best views from the top of the iconic Horseshoe Falls - the falls that likely come to mind when you think of “Niagara Falls.”
Several homages to the world’s first hydroelectric power plant - designed by Nikola Tesla, are speckled throughout the park.
We stopped for lunch at Top of the Falls. They have seating on a covered deck where you can feel the mist of the falls waft in your direction as you dine. We both commented on how much we appreciated the better than average “park” fare.
A bucket list experience that absolutely lived up to the expectation. Thrilled we tacked Niagara Falls State Park and Cave of the Winds to our intermarry. One of the best travel choices we’ve made!
scenes from Niagara Falls State Park
-b&b
Royal Ontario Museum
Cave of the Winds
