Hi there!
Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the United States!
It actually consists of 3 waterfalls that are collectively known as Niagara Falls, which is on an international border.
Canada is on the other side.
And yes, it is possible to see Niagara Falls when you are in the United States and Canada!
If you are on the American side of Niagara Falls, then you are in the state of New York.
If you are on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, then you are in the province of Ontario.
Is there a side of Niagara Falls that is better?!
Well, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is widely said to be the better side of Niagara Falls.
I mean, there is even an article with a title of being “stuck” on the American side of Niagara Falls, as if it’s a terrible place to be.
But actually, this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to see on the American side of Niagara Falls!
If you’ve never been to Niagara Falls and you’ll only be seeing the American side, chances are that you will be like WOW when you see it!
If you’re American, you need a passport to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls!
That is, unless you’re from a state that offers an acceptable enhanced driver’s license, then you can use that instead.
But for most Americans, a passport is required to go to Canada.
So then, what if you don’t want to do your road trip to Western New York (where Niagara Falls is located) with a passport or you don’t have a passport?
Well first, if you don’t have a passport, then you can apply for a passport. Take note of the estimated processing time.
But if you don’t want to apply for a passport just for Niagara Falls, then…
There are things to do on the American side of Niagara Falls that can be worth it!
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1. Prospect Point
Prospect Point is one of the main Niagara Falls viewing spots in Niagara Falls State Park.
You can see American Falls from Prospect Point.
You will be at the top of Niagara Falls on the American side!
2. Terrapin Point
Terrapin Point is one of the other main waterfalls viewing spot in Niagara Falls State Park.
You can see Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point.
You will be at the top of Niagara Falls on the American side!
From Terrapin Point, you can also walk paved trail along the Niagara River to Three Sisters Islands.
3. Luna Island
Luna Island is another viewing spot for Niagara Falls.
You get to Luna Island by walking across a bridge in Niagara Falls State Park.
You can see American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls from Luna Island.
You will be at the top of Niagara Falls on the American side!
From Luna Island, if you look down below of Bridal Veil Falls, you will also see people experiencing Cave of the Winds.
4. Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds is one of the popular paid activities to really experience Niagara Falls.
Your Cave of the Winds journey starts in Niagara Falls State Park.
You will walk the Cave of the Winds trail to be at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls of Niagara Falls.
THE experience to have at Cave of the Winds is to stand at the hurricane deck where you can feel the power of Niagara Falls!
You WILL get wet!
Make sure you have a way to waterproof your phone for Niagara Falls!
You want to make sure you are wearing waterproof shoes or sandals. They used to be provided, but they aren’t anymore. It does seem like you still get a free poncho with your ticket.
It will be best to pack light for this though so you aren’t carrying around so much.
If you bring a small backpack (good for putting your shoes in so you can be hands free!), you can wear it under your poncho.
The cost of the Niagara Falls experience at Cave of the Winds is $21 per person in summer 2024. Check current fees here as well as how to buy tickets.
5. Maid of the Mist boat ride
Maid of the Mist is another one of the popular paid activities to really experience Niagara Falls.
Your Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls boat journey starts at Prospect Point Park in Niagara Falls State Park.
You’ll take a boat ride along the Niagara River where you’ll feel the “mist” of Niagara Falls!
You can feel the power of the Niagara Falls waterfalls!
When I went to Prospect Point Park a few years ago at around 1pm, the line for Maid of the Mist looked sooo long!
I skipped Maid of the Mist… and the Niagara Falls Observation Tower (next).
The cost of the Niagara Falls boat ride for Maid of the Mist is around $30 per person in summer 2024. Check current fees here.
6. Niagara Falls Observation Tower
The Niagara Falls Observation Tower is the popular paid activity to see Niagara Falls from higher above than you can get from the other viewpoints.
You will get to the Observation Tower from Prospect Point Park.
According to Niagara Falls State Park:
Niagara Falls USA Observation Tower provides the only panoramic view of all three Niagara Falls, including the American Falls.
If you will be doing the Maid of the Mist boat ride, the Niagara Falls Observation Tower will be a part of your journey! You will take an elevator down to the Niagara River from the Observation Tower to get on the boat.
But you don’t have to do the boat ride in order to see the views of Niagara Falls from the Observation Tower. You can go here as a separate activity.
The cost of the Niagara Falls Observation Tower was $1.25 per person in 2022. Check current fees here.
So those are among the best activities you can do directly at Niagara Falls on the American side. Next, we are moving on further north to experience the more of the Niagara River and Niagara Gorge on the American side!
7. Whirlpool State Park
Whirlpool State Park is one of the best spots to go for the American side of the Niagara Gorge!
Niagara Falls State Park to Whirlpool State Park is around a 10 minute drive.
You can make Whirlpool State Park a quick stop by doing a short walk out to the Whirlpool Point scenic overlook to see the Niagara River and the Whirlpool rapids.
Or, stay a little longer and walk along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail where you can see walk with views of the Niagara River!
Or, stay even longer and take the stairs down to hike the Whirlpool trail that’s directly along the river!
There is no entry fee or parking fee for Whirlpool State Park, so this is one of the FREE things to do on the American side of Niagara Falls.
You can also get on the free Discover Niagara shuttle from Whirlpool State Park.
8. Devils Hole State Park
Devil’s Hole State Park is another one of the spots to go for the Niagara Gorge on the American side!
Niagara Falls State Park to Devil’s Hole State Park is around a 10 minute drive, just a little further up the main road past Whirlpool State park.
You can again make Devil’s Hole State Park a quick stop by to see the views of the Niagara River from above.
Or, stay longer and take the stairs down to hike the Devil’s Hole trail that’s directly along the river!
There is also the small Devil’s Hole Cave that’s located along this trail.
Be paying attention and look out for it or you might miss it!
There is no entry fee or parking fee for Devil’s Hole State Park, so this is another one of the FREE things to do on the American side of Niagara Falls!
9. Niagara Falls illumination
And then finally, for one more unique Niagara Falls experience, you can see the American side of Niagara Falls at night!
After dark, you can see Niagara Falls lit up in different colors for the Niagara Falls illumination!
The time of the Niagara Falls illumination varies, but in the summer it will start at 7:30pm, 8pm, or 8:30pm. Check the schedule for exact timings for your dates!
10. Niagara Falls trolley on the American side
For getting around Niagara Falls on the American side, you may also be interested in riding the Discover Niagara shuttle which is FREE, or the Niagara scenic trolley which is $3 for an all-day pass.
Otherwise, you can park at the main parking lot in Niagara Falls State Park, and you can get around to the popular viewing spots just fine by walking!
Camping on the American side of Niagara Falls: New York state park camping
There is no camping at Niagara Falls State Park, but there is Lake Ontario camping near Niagara Falls on the American side!
Recap! What to see on the American side of Niagara Falls
1. Top of Niagara Falls from Prospect Point or Terrapin Point
👆 You want to go to Terrapin Point (and Prospect Point) to see the top of Niagara Falls on the American side!
2. Bottom of Niagara Falls from Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist
👆 You want to go to Cave of the Winds (or Maid of the Mist) to see the bottom of Niagara Falls on the American side!
3. Niagara Gorge in Whirlpool State Park or Devils Hole State Park
👆 You want to go to Whirlpool State Park (or Devils Hole State Park) to see the Niagara Gorge and Niagara River on the American side!
You can also make the American side of Niagara Falls a perfect part of a Western New York road trip!
Plan more of your road trip from Niagara Falls… or make it a day trip from Niagara Falls!
- Lake Ontario lighthouses near Niagara Falls
- Things to do in the Finger Lakes in Western New York
- Things to do near Canandaigua Lake
- Things to do in Letchworth State Park (more of New York’s best waterfalls!)
My most recent trip to Niagara Falls was in July 2021. Your experience may vary!
HAPPY VISIT TO THE AMERICAN SIDE OF NIAGARA FALLS!
👆 Spot the rainbow!
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