Niagara Falls State Park, America’s oldest state park, was established in 1885 and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Three years later, Olmsted began working with Rochester’s first Parks Commission on the city’s park system, including Highland Park. From Rochester, Niagara Falls is only about a 90-minute drive, yet visitors come from around the world to experience it. While Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers panoramic views of the falls, the New York side focuses more directly on the river, islands, and park landscape. Make the most of your day trip by exploring Goat Island, Three Sisters Islands, and Prospect Point, where you can enjoy views of Canada across the river.
On a hot summer day, Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist offer close-up ways to experience the falls. The air-conditioned Niagara Scenic Trolley offers all-day hop-on/hop-off service, transporting visitors three miles around the park and stopping at all the attractions and parking lots. Purchase a trolley wristband at the visitor center. At the time of publication, fares are $5 for adults and $3 for youth.
Plan Your Day Trip to Niagara Falls
Breakfast
Every town and village between Rochester and Niagara Falls has a local diner. Depending on your route, options include the Blue Ridge Grill in Greece, the Brockport Diner in Brockport, the Country Club Family Restaurant or Rudy’s Soda Bar & Cafe in Medina, and Mom’s Family Restaurant in Niagara Falls.
Morning
If you are visiting Niagara Falls on a weekend or holiday, or when the weather is pleasant, you’ll have the best chance of finding parking by arriving early in the day. If the parking lots are full, you can park for free at Whirlpool State Park, 10 minutes north of the falls, and take the free Discover Niagara Shuttle to Niagara Falls State Park. This may be easier and cheaper than finding street parking. Check the current operating schedule before relying on this option.
Once at the falls, explore Goat Island, where a paved walkway connects Horseshoe Falls at Terrapin Point with Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls on Luna Island. To visit Three Sisters Islands, take a 1.5-mile walk around Goat Island’s perimeter or hop on the trolley.
Purchase a timed-entry ticket for Cave of the Winds, where you follow a series of wooden walkways down 175 feet to feel the mist and wind at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Wear sneakers or sandals you don’t mind getting wet. Before or after exploring the park, stop by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, home to Above the Roar, a virtual-reality flight over the falls, and Voices of the Falls, an interactive exhibit exploring the natural, industrial, Indigenous, and cultural history of Niagara Falls.
Lunch
Pack a picnic or grab a bite from the Cave of the Winds Snack Bar to enjoy at one of the park’s many scenic overlooks. For indoor dining, visit the seasonal Top of the Falls Restaurant on Goat Island, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer close views of Horseshoe Falls. Alternatively, walk across the American Rapids Bridge to the Tastes of Niagara Food Court inside the welcome center or to the Rainforest Cafe in the Sheraton Hotel. Other restaurants are within walking distance of the falls.
Afternoon
At Prospect Point, explore American Falls and the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, which offers views of the falls and the Niagara River gorge. Take the elevator to the river’s edge and join a half-hour Maid of the Mist boat tour. You don’t need a boat ticket to access the observation deck and elevator. Follow the trail and steps to the Crow’s Nest beside American Falls for a close-up view. Bring a rain poncho from home if you are not going on the Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist tours, both of which provide ponchos you can keep. After you visit Prospect Point, walk half a mile north under the Rainbow Bridge to explore the ruins of the Schoellkopf Power Station, where you can take an elevator down to the river for a close look. Walk another quarter of a mile north to find the Aquarium of Niagara, which specializes in rescuing seals and sea lions and offers daily shows, feedings, and presentations. While you can drive here, there is a separate parking fee.
Dinner
End your day with dinner at the historic Red Coach Inn, the Hard Rock Cafe, or one of the restaurants at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino: The Western Door Steakhouse or La Cascata. Old Falls Street also offers several casual dining options within walking distance of the park.
Evening
At sunset, Niagara Falls is transformed by hundreds of multicolored LED lights that illuminate the falls in changing colors.
Fun fact: The amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls varies by the time of day and season. At night, hydroelectric plants on both sides of the river divert almost half of the water, with even more diverted in winter.
Contact Information
Aquarium of Niagara 701 Whirlpool St., (716) 285-3575, aquariumofniagara.org
Blue Ridge Grill 3400 W. Ridge Road, Greece, (585) 225-9440, theblueridgegrill.com
Brockport Diner 11 Erie St., Brockport, (585) 637-4060
Country Club Family Restaurant 535 Main St., Medina, (585) 798-4072
Discover Niagara Shuttle (716) 222-0729, discoverniagarashuttle.com
Hard Rock Cafe 333 Prospect St., (716) 282-0007, hardrockcafe.com
Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect Point, (716) 284-8897 maidofthemist.com
Mom’s Family Restaurant 2410 Military Road, (716) 283-6667, momsfamilyrestaurant.com
Niagara Falls State Park 304 Prospect St., (716) 278-1794, niagarafallsstatepark.com
Rainforest Cafe (Sheraton Niagara Falls) 300 Third St., (716) 278-2626, rainforestcafeniagarafallsusa.com
Red Coach Inn 2 Buffalo Ave., (716) 282-1459, redcoach.com
Rudy’s Soda Bar & Cafe 118 W. Center St., Medina, (585) 798-5166, rudyssodabarandcafe.com
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino (The Western Door Steakhouse and La Cascata) 310 Fourth St., (877) 873-6322, senecaniagaracasino.com
Top of the Falls Restaurant Goat Island Road, (716) 278-0340, niagarafallsstatepark.com
Whirlpool State Park Niagara Scenic Parkway, (716) 284-5778, parks.ny.gov
Where are your favorite places to visit in Niagara Falls, USA?
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See you out there!
Debi
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