Free
Goat Island and Terrapin Point
Walk the island between the American and Horseshoe Falls to Terrapin Point at the brink.
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Western New York
Niagara Falls, New York
The American side puts you on the islands at the edge of the falls, Goat Island, Three Sisters and the Cave of the Winds decks in the spray.
Photo: The American Falls from Goat Island in winter, No machine-readable author provided. Mav assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5
Niagara Falls State Park, created in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States, and it puts you right on top of the action. Paths lead onto Goat Island and the tiny Three Sisters Islands in the rapids, beside the American and Bridal Veil Falls.
Downriver, the Niagara Gorge trails, Whirlpool State Park and Devil's Hole drop into the gorge, and Old Fort Niagara guards the river mouth at Youngstown.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Three Sisters Islands
Footbridges lead onto small islands in the upper rapids off Goat Island.
Free
Whirlpool State Park
Overlooks and stairs into the gorge above the Niagara Whirlpool.
Cheap
Niagara Falls Observation Tower
A tower jutting out over the gorge with a view of all three falls, and the Maid of the Mist dock below.
Paid
Maid of the Mist
The famous boat ride to the foot of the falls from the American side.
Season Runs roughly late April–early Nov (check before you go).
Paid
Cave of the Winds
Wooden decks at the foot of Bridal Veil Falls, in the spray. Ponchos provided.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Paid
Old Fort Niagara
A fort dating from 1726 at the mouth of the river in Youngstown, about 25 minutes away.
Paid
Aquarium of Niagara
Sea lions, penguins and Great Lakes fish beside the gorge.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Old Falls Street
A pedestrian street leading toward the park, with events in summer.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Niagara Scenic Trolley
Hop-on, hop-off trolley around Niagara Falls State Park.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Maid of the Mist Cruise
- Cave of the Winds Tickets
- Old Fort Niagara Tickets
- Aquarium of Niagara Tickets
Part of our Western New York and Erie guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Seeing both sides of the falls takes two days, and the Canadian side is just across the Rainbow Bridge.
- The gorge trails and Old Fort Niagara fill a whole day downriver.
- The falls are lit at night from both sides.
Nearby and worth the drive
Niagara Falls, Ontarioabout 15 min · Guide ↗
The Horseshoe Falls railing walk and the Niagara Glen.
Lockportabout 30 min
Erie Canal locks and underground caves.
Ready-made trips with Niagara Falls, New York
2 days · Niagara Falls → Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, Canada and New York
A two-country trip: the Horseshoe Falls railing in Canada, then across the Rainbow Bridge to Goat Island and the Cave of the Winds in New York.
3 days · Niagara Falls, New York → Erie
Lake Erie shore
From the falls along Lake Erie to Presque Isle's beaches and lighthouses.
3 days · Niagara Falls, New York → Letchworth State Park
Niagara to Letchworth
Two great waterfalls: Niagara and the 'Grand Canyon of the East'.
Good to know
- State park: niagarafallsstatepark.com. Parking lots charge in season.
- Border: Passport or accepted document needed to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The American Falls from Goat Island in winter, No machine-readable author provided. Mav assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Rapids at Three Sisters Islands, The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: Old Fort Niagara seen across the river, Goetsch E, CC BY-SA 4.0