Niagara Falls
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Whether you visit Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side in the Province of Ontario or the American Falls in the State of New York, there are many things to do and see at Niagara Falls. The city is known on both sides of the border as "The Honeymoon Capital of the World," and an RV honeymoon can be quite romantic. The falls aren't stationary, either, since they've moved back about 7 miles over the last 12,500 years. Nearly 3,000 tons of water flow over the Falls every second, and the pool at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls is more than 100 feet deep. The falls are greenish in color because there are 60 tons of sediment going over the Falls every minute.
How to Get There
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the closest airport to Niagara Falls, which is about a 45-minute drive away. The closest Canadian airport is John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton, ON, which is about an hour's drive away. To drive to Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, take the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto or Hamilton. From the U.S. side, take Route 190 North from the North Grand Island Bridge and then Route 62 West. The nearest major cities to the Falls on the U.S. side are Buffalo, Amherst, and Towanda. In Canada, the Falls are close to the major city of St. Catharines.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Niagara Falls
Visit Niagara Falls
The immense flow of water over the Falls causes a noise that can be heard for miles. The last time that nature caused the Falls to stop flowing was in 1848. At night, you can see the Falls lit up under multicolored lights. Also, if you'd like to try your luck at games of chance, there are casinos on either side of the border. No trip to the Falls would be complete without a ride on the Maid of the Mist boats. The current vessels are electrically powered and carry on the tradition of sightseeing tours since 1846.
There's a land-based version of the boat tour too. It's called Cave of the Winds, so don your slicker, and take a walk behind the Falls themselves. The winds blow up to 70 mph, so remember to "hold onto your hats!" The tour generally lasts an hour.
The Skylon Tower rises 700 feet above the Falls, and the famous restaurant at the top rotates 360 degrees every hour. As you dine, your viewpoint changes, and from the top, you can see almost 80 miles in every direction.
If wildlife is your thing, then you can visit either the Butterfly Conservatory, which houses more than 40,000 butterflies, or the Bird Kingdom, which is the world's biggest open-air aviary. Hundreds of birds flutter around, and there is even an opportunity to feed the lorikeets.
If you're a daredevil, then try the zipline over the falls themselves. The line is 2,200 feet long and crosses the entire Niagara Gorge more than 200 feet in the air.
The high season for Niagara Falls is from June to August when temperatures hover in the low 80s Fahrenheit. However, the breezes and mist from the Falls make the area feel cooler. Summer is when there are the most crowds. In the spring and fall, there are fewer people due to the cooler temperatures. You can enjoy blooming wildflowers in the spring, and fall brings harvest season to the area's many wineries. Due to the below-freezing temperatures in winter, the Maid of the Mist boat tour doesn't run.
Ticket Information
There are no fees just to stand and look at the Falls from the observation decks. The attractions around the Falls require tickets, however. In U.S. dollars, the prices are:
Cave of the Winds: $58 per person
Maid of the Mist: $58 per person
Cave, Maid, Trolley Pass, and Guided Tour package: $105 per person
Skylon Tower: $18 per person
Niagara SkyWheel: $15 per adult, $7 per child
All tickets are available online, and these prices are accurate as of October 16, 2023.
Family-Friendly Options
Every activity at Niagara Falls is family friendly. The only real restriction is on the zipline, which is for children seven years of age or older. The zipline also has a weight limit of 275 pounds.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
No matter whether you're staying in your RV or a hotel, the best way to enjoy Niagara Falls is with the package tour deal for $105 per person. Be sure to arrive about a half hour before your tour starts. The guides will explain everything to you once you start. After you experience everything on the tour, retire to the top of the Skylon Tower for a dinner experience unlike almost any other in the world. After dinner, relax at one of the observation areas, and enjoy the colorful light show that illuminates the Falls every evening. There's no bad place to take photos near Niagara Falls, but the best ones would be from the deck of the boats, the top of the Skylon Tower, or the zipline platform just before you head out.
Niagara Falls Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Now this is one facility that truly deserves to call itself a resort! Located on the popular tourist destination of Grand Island, the facility is also set along eight acres of picturesque lake. When you park your RV here for your New York vacation, you’ll also be conveniently close to some of the state’s most famous attractions such as Niagara Falls, Buffalo Zoo, Fantasy Island Fun Park, and Marineland.
Cinderella Motel & Campsite is a retro, classic-style hotel with an RV park and campground on the property. From the campground, you can reach all of the attractions in the area; in fact, a tour bus will even pick you up and bring you to Niagara Falls and other local destitions. Stay for a night, a week, or a month because this is one of the long-term RV parks around Buffalo, New York, and is a simple and inexpensive place to park and enjoy all the area has to offer.
The KOA on Grand Island is located just 7 miles from Niagara Falls and a short ride from Buffalo. With two state parks, biking paths, a casino, and the Niagara River just minutes away from this campground, you’re sure to find something to do in the area. The campground features two ponds for catch-and-release fishing, there are paddleboats and canoes for rent, and Fantasy Island Amusement and Water Park is a quick train ride from this RV park near Buffalo.
Activities Near Niagara Falls
Things to Do
Fishing
You can chase steelhead, Chinook salmon and walleye in the Lower Niagara River. During July and August, you can also fish for muskies. During April only, you can go after smelt too.
Geocaching
There are many geocaches on both sides of the border, and there are instructions online specifically tailored to creating your own geocaches for both parks.
Hiking
The Goat Island Scenic Walk, an easy 1.9-mile stroll, is terrific for birding. Pets are welcome on the trail.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Both Southern Ontario and New York State experience all four seasons, so dress appropriately for the season during which you visit. During the summer, a hat with a wide brim, sunglasses and loose-fitting clothing are great options. You'll probably still need the sunglasses in the spring and fall, but you might also need a windbreaker. During the winter, be sure to have some sturdy snow boots. Even during the summer, be sure to pack close-toed shoes if you plan to ride the zipline.
Safety & Accessibility
Follow the directions of all guides at any attraction in either park or near the Falls themselves. Never climb on fencing or other barriers or enter the water near the Falls in any way. You can rent either scooters or wheelchairs at Niagara Falls, as necessary, on both sides of the border. At certain attractions, support workers for people with disabilities get in for free.
Conclusion
Niagara Falls is world-famous and provides excitement and lasting memories whether you ride the zipline, walk behind the falls on the Cave of the Winds Tour, or win on the slots. It's a great place to begin to explore either the United States or Canada.
FAQ
There are roughly a dozen RV campgrounds within 20 miles or so of the Falls. Some are right in the middle of Niagara Falls, ON, and others are on Grand Island.
No, there is no place to leave an RV except the public parking area in Lot 3 of Goat Island. The parking is limited, and you can't park overnight.
Bring your passport to cross the border in either direction. Also, remember to exchange U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars, or vice versa, if you plan to spend money in shops or restaurants on either side of the border.
Yes, nearly everything you can do on either side of the border is great for the whole family.
The answer is "somewhat." You can bring pets with you along the hiking trail on Goat Island, but other than service or guide animals, you may not bring pets to any of the attractions.