See Niagara Falls (Ontario) for information about the Canadian side of the falls

Niagara Falls [1] is in the Niagara Frontier region of New York state.

Culture and History

The Niagara Falls consist of three sections. The large Canadian falls – with their distinctive curved shape – are also known as the Horseshoe Falls. They are separated by Goat Island from the American Falls, which are separated by a small island at their south end, from the narrow Bridal Veil falls. Each side offers a different perspective. The American side offers great views of the Canadian Horseshoe falls and the hotel skyline on the Canadian side. The Canadian side offers views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The Canadian side is usually the most popular due to its view of both falls and the number of attractions and hotels. Although the Canadian side of the falls has more to do and see, it is always best to visit both sides to maximize your experience.

Travel to Niagara Falls (New York) - Visa Requirements

By air

  • Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (Code: BUF), in Buffalo is a major airport, with flights across the country. It is about 30-40 minutes away.
  • Niagara Falls Intl Airport (code: IAG) is the closest airport to the falls, but it is only for chartered and private flights.
    • Myrtle Beach Direct Air offers twice weekly, non-stop service to Myrtle Beach. On site airport parking is free.[2]
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (Code: YYZ), in Toronto is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from the falls.

By car

  • From Buffalo-Niagara International Airport: Take the I-90 East to the I-290 West to the I-190 North. Take the I-190 North (over both Grand Island Bridges, $0.75 toll) to the Robert Moses Parkway.
  • From Toronto Pearson International Airport: Take HWY 427 S to QEW towards Hamilton. Drive for about 100 km and then keep left to take the Provential Route 420 E toward Niagara Falls Bridge to USA. Provential Route 420 E becomes Roberts St. Stay straight to go onto Falls AVE. Turn sharp left onto Rainbow Bridge.
  • From New York, Boston, and the East Coast: Take I-90 W towards Buffalo to the 290 W. Exit onto the 190 N towards Grand Island and Niagara Falls. Follow highway through Grand Island, than take the exit immeadiatley after the North Grand Island Bridge (as you're leaving the island) for the Robert Moses Pkwy. Continue until in downtowan Niagara Falls.
  • From Chicago and the Midwest: Take I-90 East towards Buffalo to the 190 W. Follow signs for Grand Island and Niagara Falls. Follow highway through Grand Island, than take the exit immeadiatley after the North Grand Island Bridge (as you're leaving the island) for the Robert Moses Pkwy. Continue until in downtowan Niagara Falls.

Tours and Getting around Niagara Falls (New York)

By car

Car is Definitely the best option to get around.

Buses to Niagara Falls (New York)

There is a bus line that covers the region (NFTA), but it is nothing special.

By foot

If you are staying downtown, the casino is in walking distance to the Falls and the bridge to Canada. You can really do a lot without a car once you get to the immediate vicinity of the Falls. The toll for walking the bridge to Canada is $0.50, paid on the Canadian side coming into the US. It can be paid in American or Canadian quarters.

Niagara Falls (New York) tourist attractions and sightseeing

Obviously Niagara Falls itself. This should include the Maid of the Mist,

Waterfalls

  • Cave of the Winds [3] is a walkway down to the bottom of the American Falls. You will get wet.
  • Maid of the Mist is a boat that gets you right down to the bottom of the falls. Again, you will get wet.
  • Whirpool Tours in nearby Lewiston is a jet boat ride that will take you too the falls.

Other

  • Seneca Niagara Casino, [4].
  • Artpark, [5].
  • Carousel Museum, [6].
  • Niagara Aerospace Museum, [7].
  • Niagara Falls State Park, [8].
  • Niagara Wine Trail, [9]. Not at the Falls, but within driving distance.

Niagara Falls (New York) city tours

  • Bedore Tours, 1-800-538-8433, [10]. Sightseeing tours of Niagara Falls USA and Canada.
  • Seneca-Niagara Casino, 1-877-8SENECA (73-6322), [11]. is a brand new casino and hotel complex with stores and restaurants, a short walk from the falls.
  • Magic Mist Limousine, 1-800-689-8189, [12]. Private Sightseeing tours of Niagara Falls USA and Canada by limousine.
  • The Mob Tours, [13]. Historic sightseeing tours of former crime family homes, hideouts and people by bus.
  • Daredevil's of Niagara Museum, [14]. Kinda cheesy museum/store, but it is free. A couple minutes from the falls
  • Dare Devil Tours, 1-800-599-2088, [15]. Limousine tours highlighting the real life stories of people who challenged Niagara.
  • Helicopter Tour, [16] - its an awesome experience even though the charges of $90 seem too much for a 15 minute ride

'Passport to the Falls' [17] is a one time pass that can be bought for $30 at the counters in the park. It is your ticket to the following Niagara Falls State Park attractions:

  • The Cave of the Winds-A walkway down to the bottom of the American Falls. Expect to get wet.
  • The Maid of the Mist-A boat that travels down near both waterfalls. Expect to get wet.
  • Niagara Adventure Theater
  • The Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
  • Aquarium of Niagara
  • Niagara Scenic Trolley
  • Niagara Wine Tours, Go to any Winery/ info shop. drink all the wine you can and but cheap bottles that are local. 25.  
  • Schoelfopf Museum, Whirlpool(Near the aquirium). educational videos and other nifty geological artifacts 

Niagara Falls (New York) souvenirs and shopping

Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls NY (formerly Prime Outlets) are located at 1900 Military Road. Take the 190 to exit 22 (Niagara Falls Blvd.) and head south on the boulevard for a very little way until you hit Factory Outlet Boulevard at the first light off the exit. It's across the road from a Bob Evans. 716-297-2022 Great designer names like Coach and great savings

  • Three Sisters Trading Post, 454 Main Street, ☎ 716-284-3689, [18]. A wide selection of unique gifts and souvenirs 

Niagara Falls (New York) Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Various

  • Halal Mobile Foods the food is very good and is a convenient location, the meal is filling, it is in a tourist area 102 Niagara Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303-1137
  • Judi's is over by the Factory Outlets (across the road) and is a greasy little bar that has a great wing special on Sunday nights (I think it's .10 or .15 cents a wing). But, being that you are so close, you should head to Buffalo for Duff's or Anchor Bar (birthplace of the chicken wing).
  • Misty Dog Grill is the place for cheap eats. With over 100 menu items, you can't go wrong. From several different styles of hot dogs to venison, ostrich, buffalo, and kobe beef burgers, this is the best place to eat lunch. Beef On Weck, a Buffalo favorite, is also available here.
  • Teds Hot Dog's Very good hot dogs
  • The Village Pub The best wings in town! Lots of different choices and will make you almost anything you ask for. Food is made by a local family. Located in Lewiston, about a 7 minute drive from Niagara Falls on Center Street.

Italian

  • Fortuna's at 827 19th Street has the best Italian food in the city. Main courses include handmade gnocchi, ravioli, steaks, veal, poultry, and fresh seafood. They use the freshest ingredients and even their salad dressings are all made there and there is a substantial wine list.
  • Michaels The best Italian food in the city. Very good prices and big portions. Located in little Italy on Pine Avenue.
  • La Hacienda Very good Pizza. Located next to Michaels on Pine Avenue.
  • Casa Nova Restaurant has many flavors. 3041 Military Rd, (716) 297-9544‎

Chinese

  • Koi at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel is a fairly new Chinese fine dining place, similar to P.F. Chang's.
  • China Garden at 722 Portage Rd, (716) 282-8100
  • Chu's Dining Lounge at 1019 Main St, (716) 285-7278‎
  • Great Wall' at 8233 Niagara Falls Blvd, (716) 283-2354‎
  • Taste Good Chinese Restaurant at 1609 Military Rd, (716) 297-9318‎

Indian

  • Taste of India International Buffet at 302 Rainbow Blvd, (716) 282-8282
  • Royal India Buffet at 421 3rd St, (716) 282-0444
  • New Punjabi Dhaba at 26 Niagara St, 716) 285-7479‎
  • Passage to India at 441 3rd St, Niagara Falls, NY‎ - (716) 285-2625‎
  • Khinoor Indian Restaurant at 200 Rainbow Blvd, (716) 284-2414
  • India Palace at 539 Main St, (716) 282-2421
  • A Taste of India at 626 Niagara St, Niagara Falls, (716) 285-8100
  • Punjabi Hut, 26 Niagara St., is the only real Indian food around town. Home-style cooking.

Mexican

  • La Galera real Mexican food...very good on Niagara Falls Boulevard
  • Collosal Taco II is a high rated Mexican restaurant. 2440 Pine Ave, (716) 284-1498‎

Buffet

  • Crown Buffet at 7325 Niagara Falls Blvd, (716) 283-7080‎
  • China Buffet at 2429 Military Rd # 4, (716) 297-3432‎
  • Old Country Buffet at 8215 Niagara Falls Blvd, (716) 283-4910‎

Fast Food

  • Taco Bell is a restaurant that serves Mexican style food. 7300 Niagara Falls Blvd.
  • Burger King serves burgers and other food. 1611 Main St, (716) 285-9509‎
  • Burger King serves burgers and other food. 2553 Military Rd, (716) 297-4085‎
  • Wendy's at 7515 Niagara Falls Blvd, (716) 236-0300‎
  • McDonalds at 1726 Pine Ave, (716) 282-3475‎
  • Arbys at 1001 Cedar Ave, (716) 285-2450‎

Niagara Falls (New York) nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

The drinking age in New York is 21, however, due to the fact that Niagara Falls straddles the border, many 19 and 20 year-olds cross the border into Canada so that they would be able to legally drink. Alcohol is very expensive in Canada and crossing the border is a little more difficult. As of 2009 you will need a passport to cross over from the American side.

Niagara Falls (New York) cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

There are not really any major luxury hotels in the area, but a new hotel is now at Seneca Niagara Casino. There are several other nice-looking hotels downtown by the Falls, and then a series of motels on Niagara Falls Boulevard, including several $20/night fleabag specials (where they really always charge you more than that anyway).

Downtown, the best hotels are Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, and The Red Coach Inn. Radisson on the River is coming soon on Buffalo Avenue and is located on the Niagara River overlooking the North Grand Island Bridge.

There is a Victorian B+B (Manchester House) on Main Street a few blocks from the Falls at 653 Main Street. Lewiston also has a ncie looking B+B, but this is a little drive from everything (very cute little town however). Niagara on the Lake is always worth the drive (Canada).

  • Niagara Falls Hostel, 1101 Ferry Avenue, +1 716 282-3700, [19]. Beds start at $18 per night.
  • Manchester House, [20].

Contact

  • The Niagara Falls area code is 716 for the entire area.
  • The Niagara Falls zip code is 14301-14305

Get out

There are numerous other waterfalls in western New York (all much smaller), notably the 3 falls of the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park.

Some options for further travel include:


This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Texugo. Based on work by Ian Sergeant, Peter Fitzgerald and Joel Dombrowski, Wikitravel user(s) Smt101 and LtPowers, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

Didn't find what you were looking for?
Submit your question to the Niagara Falls (New York) travel forum
Subject
Question / Comment
Note: HTML tags will be removed.
Your Name (required)
Your Email (will not be published) (required)
Website (Optional)

Note: Hitting submit you grant Traveltips24 the right to edit, display and store the content you provide.