Welcome to my article on Niagara Falls, USA. My name is Justin and I grew up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, 30 minutes from Philadelphia. I’m currently working on making a career as a freelance photographer. Growing up, I always loved travel and seeing everything there was to see.
My passion for photography was stumbled upon unexpectedly during a time in my life where I was searching for purpose. I never imagined photography being where I would find it, since I had no prior interest in photography. I discovered my interest in 2018 while on vacation in the beautiful state of Montana. From there, I went to school to learn all I could about photography and eventually photography turned into a passion.
3-Days at Niagara Falls in Summer
Niagara Falls has always been a place I have wanted to visit. While on vacation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, I planned a 3-day trip to finally see the falls. It was during the 2020 summer, when the border into Canada was closed. So I could only experience the falls from the USA side.
After spending the first day walking around and seeing everything the park had to offer, The Cave of the Winds attraction was a must-do the following day. You ride an elevator 175 feet down to the Niagara Gorge, while being gifted with a much needed yellow poncho to keep you dry.
You walk out on a series of walkways leading you to Hurricane Deck where you get within feet of Bridal Veil Falls. It’s an awesome experience being up close and realizing how powerful those falls are! I ended that day with a lovely view of the falls illuminated at night. Seeing the falls lit up with different colors was beautiful. It was a relaxing and enjoyable moment.
The Cave of the Winds attraction was my favorite spot at Niagara Falls. Viewing the falls from the base and looking up at them truly showed just how massive and powerful they were. The whole experience makes you feel like you are actually a part of the waterfalls itself. It’s definitely the closest way you can get to these falls without actually being inside them.
Top 6 Things To Do at Niagara Falls, USA
- Take a Trip to the Cave of the Winds: This destination gets you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls, where you ride an elevator down into Niagara Gorge. You then follow a tour guide over wooden walkways to Hurricane Deck. From there you are 20 feet away from Bridal Veil Falls.
- Join a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour: These tours take you on new electric boats to experience the power and rush of Niagara Falls – 600,000 gallons of water fall per second! It needs to be seen to be believed.
- See Niagara Falls Illuminated at Night: Every night at Niagara Falls you can watch an illumination show. The falls get transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors cascading from one waterfall to the next. It’s the perfect experience for photographers and nature lovers alike.
- Go on a Helicopter Tour over the Falls: Seeing the majesty and power of Niagara Falls from a helicopter high above takes your experience to the next level! There are a couple of fantastic helicopter tour companies based in downtown where you can book the activity of a lifetime.
- Check out the Views from Niagara Falls Observation Tower: This lookout extends over Niagara Gorge offering incredible views of the waterfalls and the whitewater rushing below. It’s a great viewpoint.
- Book an All-Inclusive Walking Tour: Walk Niagara Falls Tours offer walking tours to the most beautiful attractions – including Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil falls, and other hidden gems – while sharing captivating stories of these landmarks along the way.
Each one of these experiences gives you a different view/angle of Niagara Falls. Some get you up close and personal, while others offer views of the whole park from a fair distance. If you tick all six of these activities off your bucket list it will be a trip to the Niagara Falls, USA very well spent!
Need to Know Before you Go
While I was at Niagara Falls, I stayed at a place called DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. I would definitely recommend staying there if you are looking for accommodation in Niagara Falls, USA. It’s not located exactly right outside the park but it’s only a couple of minutes away, which is still convenient.
When you visit the falls make sure you bring a camera and your passport if you want to see the waterfalls from the Canadian side (which is a must-do). Both the Canadian and USA sides are truly spectacular locations with many different views and angles to see Niagara. Seeing those massive falls up close in person is enough of a reason for this place to be on your bucket list.
