18 BEST Tips For Visiting Niagara Falls (Plus What To Wear)
Abby and Sam Price
Are you looking for the best tips for visiting Niagara Falls? Niagara Falls was a huge destination on our United States bucket list.
We had always seen the fantastic pictures of the massive waterfalls and knew we had to experience it with our own eyes one day.
We were so excited when we found out that our friends were getting married in Buffalo, New York and knew we had to make the trip to Niagara after their wedding.
Keep reading on for the best tips for visiting Niagara Falls!
The Best Tips for Visiting Niagara Falls
Below I have highlighted the best tips for visiting Niagara Falls including where to stay, what to wear to Niagara Falls, and more.
1. View The Falls From Above
One of the coolest things about visiting Niagara Falls is being able to see the falls from multiple angles and perspectives.
We definitely recommend that you check out the Falls from above and watch the water rush down!
2. Take A Niagara Falls Boat Tour
Probably our top piece of advice for the best tips for visiting Niagara Falls would be to book a Niagara Falls Boat Tour.
We booked the Maid of Mist and had the most incredible time exploring the Falls from the boat.
The boat tour will take you right up to the Falls and you will be able to experience the rushing wind and mist coming right off the falls.
Meanwhile, the boat captain will explain different things you are looking at along with the history behind Niagara Falls and even tell you some stories of people that have survived going over the Falls.
3. Wear Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Wet
Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet when visiting Niagara Falls. This is probably tied with taking a boat tour… we cannot recommend this enough.
We felt pretty prepared going to visit Niagara Falls and thought we wore adequate clothing but we definitely could have done better.
Plus, make sure to not wear any expensive shoes or clothing… you will get wet if you decide to do the boat tour and it’s not worth the risk of ruining clothing pieces that you have invested in.
4. Wear Comfortable (And Waterproof) Shoes
If you are curious about what to wear at Niagara Falls, I cannot express this enough… wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking around quite a bit to catch the Falls in all its glory!
You’ll want to catch Niagara Falls from all the different angles and you will be standing on your feet a significant amount so wear comfortable tennis shoes.
If you own a pair of comfy waterproof shoes, wear those! You will be grateful you did!
5. Pack An Extra Pair Of Clothes To Change Into
If you plan on exploring Niagara Falls from every angle and every activity, you will get wet during your trip.
Pack an extra pair of clothes to change into so that you stay dry and comfortable afterwards. This is one of those tips that we learned from our personal experience.
Neither of us had packed extra clothes so we ended up buying some sweatshirts from the souvenir store so that we would be more comfortable and stay dry and toasty!
6. See The Falls From Both The United States Side And Canada’s Side
One of the coolest things about Niagara Falls is that it resides in between the United States and Canada. In fact, you can visit the Falls from both countries!
7. Be Ready For The Border Crossing (Have Your Passport Ready!)
If you would like to visit Niagara Falls from both countries, be ready for the border crossing and make sure to have your passport on you and readily accessible!
8. Pay In Canadian Dollars When Visiting Canada
When visiting the Canada side of Niagara Falls, make sure that you pair in their currency using the Canadian Dollar so that you get the best exchange rate possible.
9. Do All The Free Things Surrounding Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a lively area and there are endless things to do. Be sure to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful sites and history nearby!
There are countless walking trails, history museums, and botanical gardens nearby for you to check out and enjoy.
10. Visit Niagara Falls For Longer Than One Day
Niagara Falls is such a tremendous site to see in real life. We highly recommend that you plan on staying and visiting the area for longer than one day so that you can truly take it in and experience all of the activities surrounding the Falls.
11. Consider Whether To Stay In The U.S. Side Or Canada’s Side
Whether you are American or Canadian, consider whether you would like to stay in the United States side or Canada’s side at one of the many hotels in the area surrounding Niagara Falls.
12. Stay In A Hotel Room With A View Of Niagara Falls
Did you know that there are hotels surrounding Niagara Falls that have excellent views of the Falls? Be sure to check out one of these many hotels so that you can get views from your own hotel room!
13. Beware Of Cell Phone Roaming Charges
This tip is HUGE! Make sure to beware of cell phone roaming charges due to your proximity to the United States-Canadian border… cell phone roaming will take place.
Make sure that you turn your cell phone on airplane mode so that you don’t get charged international or roaming fees.
14. Consider Taking A Tour Of Niagara Falls And The Surrounding Areas
We booked a tour with Gray Line Niagara Falls and selected their Made in America Tour.
Our tour bus showed us around some incredible landmarks near Niagara along with some history of each including whirlpools, rapids, and other sites nearby.
We stopped at quite a few landmarks and destinations as well as some convenient stores/souvenir stores along the way.
From there, we headed to the Falls… when we arrived at the parking lot, the line for parking was INSANE.
We are SO grateful that we booked a tour because the bus was able to get to the front of the line and navigate to a great parking spot that was reserved just for tours.
Whereas, if we had gone on our own without a tour guide we would have waited for 30 minutes to an hour just to be let into the parking lot.
Our tour not only included the bus ride around the surrounding areas and taught us immense history behind Niagara Falls and some of the other smaller attractions in the area BUT the tour also included tickets for a boat tour and the Cave of the Winds.
We truly loved that the tour included all of these options and that our guide was so knowledgeable of the area!
We truly felt like we were able to experience so much of Niagara Falls and learn so much history.
👉🏼 Book an incredible tour of Niagara Falls here!
15. Visit The Cave Of The Winds
The Cave of the Winds is a super cool attraction at the falls where you can basically walk right behind the massive waterfall following different paths and steps! You will get SOAKED but it’s totally worth it.
As stated earlier, make sure you have good shoes on and are being careful because the platforms can get slippery but we loved it.
16. Visit Niagara Falls During The Summer Months
We visited Niagara Falls in late May and had a great experience but the weather and the water were both pretty chilly.
We recommend that you visit Niagara Falls during the summer months so that you can experience the Falls in its prime and so that you stay warm during your visit.
17. Bring A Camera
This one probably goes without saying but make sure to bring a camera along with you to Niagara Falls or at least bring your phone with you to capture it!
You will want to take plenty of pictures of the Falls and the surrounding area so that you can capture the moment and have photos that will last a lifetime!
18. Live In The Moment And Take It In
I cannot express this enough, take a moment to fully grasp Niagara Falls and all of its beautifulness.
Niagara Falls is one of the most exhilarating things to take in and look at and the sound that the Falls make is so surreal.
Make sure to take a moment to yourself and truly grasp what a miraculous site you are looking at.
FAQs About The Best Tips for Visiting Niagara Falls:
Below I have answered a handful of the most commonly asked questions about tips for visiting Niagara Falls including how to dress for Niagara Falls.
How many days do you need for Niagara Falls?
You could definitely see Niagara Falls in one day but we highly recommend that you stay for longer.
We recommend staying for at least 2-3 days so that you can experience everything in the area and really take in Niagara Falls.
What is the best time of year to visit Niagara Falls?
The best months to visit Niagara Falls are June through August.
The warmer sunnier months bring sunshine and warmer weather so that you remain toasty while taking in the views of the Falls.
We visited the Falls in May and had a great experience but the weather was definitely on the chillier side during our visit.
If you’d like to avoid some crowds look at shoulder months like May and September to visit the Falls!
What is the best month to go to Niagara Falls?
As we just mentioned, we recommend visiting during the summer months.
If we had to pick one specific month to visit Niagara Falls, I would go with July because of how warm it is and being the middle of summer.
Can you walk around Niagara Falls?
Yes! You can walk around Niagara Falls and take in the views from up above.
Plus, if you want a unique experience, check out the Cave of the Winds where you walk behind part of the Falls!
What should I wear to Niagara Falls?
We recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting wet or clothes that are quick drying!
Also, be sure to wear comfortable tennis shoes so that your feet stay cozy throughout your visit. Bonus points if your shoes are waterproof! Check out our suggestions below:
- Sun Protective Shirt
- Rain Jacket
- Pants
- Quick Drying Tennis Shoes
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Moisture Control Socks
How do you get to Niagara Falls?
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the closest airport to Niagara Falls.
However, airports such as Toronto Pearson International and Buffalo Niagara International airport are not that far away either.
If you are in the surrounding area, Niagara Falls State Park is also easily by car or bus.
Where is the best place to stay in Niagara Falls?
There are several phenomenal hotels in the area including accommodations on both the Canada and U.S. side! Check out our recommendations below:
Canada Side
📍 Be sure to check out the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton – Niagara Falls! Not only are the rooms adorable but the location could not be better, right within walking distance of the Falls.
Plus, this hotel features an awesome indoor family pool for guests to enjoy.
United States Side
📍 We highly recommend that you check out the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls New York.
This hotel is in downtown Niagara Falls near the Niagara River and many restaurants and bars. Plus, this hotel features cozy and comfortable rooms!
Niagara Falls At Night:
If you are looking for a truly unique perspective of Niagara Falls, try visiting the Falls at night!
The falls are illuminated in colorful lights and the views are truly breathtaking as you see the waters cascade downwards and the Falls are lit up in bright beautiful colors!
Things To Pack For Niagara Falls:
Besides the clothes that we mentioned above. Make sure to pack an extra pair of dry clothes to change into in case you get soaked while exploring the Falls!
In addition to clothing items, we recommend that you bring the following with you for an optimal Niagara Falls experience:
How much does it cost to visit Niagara Falls?
According to Niagara Falls State Park, it is always free to walk into the State Park.
When it comes to parking, although there is some free parking in the surrounding area, you can expect to pay $5-$15 a day depending on what time of year you visit and which lot you park in.
If you would like to participate in one of the boat tours, you can typically expect to pay about $15-$30 depending on the boat, what time of year you visit, and whether you are paying for an adult or child.
Final Thoughts On The Best Tips For Visiting Niagara Falls Including What To Wear:
We hope this list of the best tips for visiting Niagara Falls helps you plan your Niagara getaway!
Our experience at Niagara remains one of my favorite United States trips and adventures. It is totally worth all the hype and we cannot recommend visiting Niagara enough!
