How to visit Niagara Falls in One Day
As you would imagine, Niagara Falls is a touristy place. It is also an incredibly beautiful natural wonder, so it’s worth putting up with the crowds for a few hours. September is one of the best times to go since tourist activity quiets down after Labor Day, and the weather is still very enjoyable. It was 75 and sunny in mid September, but we lucked out I think.
There are actually 3 waterfalls that make up Niagara: Horseshoe Falls - the largest and most iconic, shaped as it is named. American Falls - the second biggest, it flows down from the U.S side. And last and also least, Bridal Veil Falls - the smallest one, it almost blends in with American Falls but it’s considered its own waterfall.
Which side to view from?
When you stand on the Canadian side you can see all three falls at the same time, and there is at least one if not two rainbows present any time the sun is shining. You’ll also notice the bridge in the distance that connects Ontario and New York. It’s aptly named, Rainbow Bridge, as it mirrors the rainbow you’ll see coming off of Horseshoe Falls. There are a variety of tours to chose from, if you’d like to venture out on a boat, walk behind the falls, or explore the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario, which boasts a casino and lively entertainment district full of restaurants, bars, and shopping. It is generally believed to be the superior side from which to view Niagara Falls.
If you do chose to view from the U.S. side there is a long platform that extends out over the river which lets you walk out and look back on American Falls and also see more of Horseshoe Falls. Similar to the Canadian side, the U.S. Side also operates a boat up to Horseshoe Falls called Maid of the Mist.
Border Crossing:
I highly recommend viewing it from the Canadian side. If you’re coming from the U.S. it is generally a simple process to cross the border. The Canadian entry was friendly and took seconds, we showed our passports, told him how long we’d be there, and he let us pass. On the way back into the U.S. we got more attitude than I cared for from the American agent, but hey, you can’t win ‘em all. While passports aren’t required, they are recommended. Read up on requirements here.
Experiences (Canada side)
The Hornblower
It should go without saying that this boat ride up to the base of Horseshoe Falls will get you wet, but don’t worry, they do provide very flattering ponchos.
The 15 minute ride will take you right up to the edge of the waterfall, well at least as close as you can get before getting sucked under. It’s incredible to be at that vantage point, but it’s a little hard to see since water is pelting you in the face. We were also standing at the front of the ship, it may not have been as intense at the back. It can hold up to 700 people, which would feel like a sardine tin. There were about 200 people on board with us. I highly recommend this for adventure seekers.
Journey Behind the Falls
You walk underground through a few tunnels and peek out from behind the falls. There is also a platform outside of the tunnels where you can walk out and stand about 15 feet away from the incredible force of Horseshoe Falls. It provides a pretty great viewing angle that you don’t get from above.
One thing to note about these tours. They are a solid 15-20 minute walk away from each other. Depending on where you park, you may want to plan around this. The Journey Behind the Falls is at Horseshoe Falls. The Hornblower boat boards down river from Horseshoe Falls. If you plan on spending more than a day here check out some other activities to do here like zip lining, helicopter tours and more.
Parking:
It’s possible you’ll get lucky and find a spot right up front, but it’s unlikely. The main parking lots are pretty far away so be prepared for that. We walked about 13,000 steps that day, and a chunk of it was to and from the car. Lot #1 is $20/day. There are buses that you can hop on that will take you up and down the main road next to the falls, which can cut down on some of the walking.
Food:
If you want to eat with a view of the falls, there is a sit down restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, but you will find prices like $25 for an “ok” cheeseburger. After all you’re paying for the view, not the quality of the food. If you’re looking for something cheaper and faster they do sell food to grab on the go. Or you can wander up the hill into town and probably find much tastier food, but you will likely still find higher prices since it is a tourist destination. If you’re on a budget, pack a picnic lunch and find a perch with a view of the falls, and laugh at all the suckers paying for $25 burgers.
Costs:
For 2 people doing both tours, parking a car, and eating lunch next to the falls, we spent about $200. If you plan to see and do multiple activities plan on spending about $100 per person.
Time:
We spent about 6 hours there and had time for both experiences and a casual lunch. We likely experienced smaller crowds since it was mid September. If you plan to visit during the summer, I’d allow for more time. The one downside to visiting so quickly was that we didn’t get to stay for the nighttime fireworks. Each night they launch fireworks above Horseshoe Falls, and it looks like it would be a spectacular sight.