Niagara Falls State Park is America's oldest state park and provides adventure-packed and…read morefamily-friendly experiences with incredible views. Thrilling attractions and interactive exhibits, riverfront hiking trails, and delectable dining options. While I was here, I spent time exploring many of the trails throughout the park with gorgeous views of nature that was well maintained. The park has amazing views of the falls. I participated in the Cave of the Winds experience where I descended 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge and feel the water flowing off the Falls from the Hurricane Deck. I got a ticket to the Niagara Falls State Park Observation Tower where I saw the only panoramic view of all three cataracts that comprise Niagara Falls, including the American Falls. I ate at Top of the Falls Restaurant that offers American-fare lunch and dinners and a panoramic view of the Falls. You can access The Maid of the Mist boat tour in Niagara Falls, N.Y. From the park. I did not purchase tickets for this experience since I rode the boat on the Canada side. I spent almost the entire day here and could have spent even more time exploring the trails and the Schoellkopf Power Station ruins site if I didn't have a time restriction. Definitely a must see natural wonder.

While the Canada side of Niagara Falls gets the better view of actual waterfalls, that doesn't make…read morethe NY side any less impressive. In fact, if you are a nature lover, you are going to enjoy this place so much more than you will the more heavily landscaped walk on the Canadian side. There are more trails here, more places and opportunity for a quiet walk, and other than right in the thick of it where most people will congregate for a falls view, it can be quite peaceful. The walks are all in good condition, and the park is clean. The parking is a fair price of "admission" to the park and is convenient to most of it. You'll still find plenty of wooded area and small wildlife to observe. There is of course a more tourist catering section around the main falls with food and gift shop, as well as kitschy things to stick you head through and take pictures. All in all, it's a nice place to spend a couple hours.

This is a lovely hike early in the day. Tons of stairs, you have to go up them on the way back…read more The path is fairly well marked, but has plenty of areas with a drop off so pay attention. I'm pretty familiar with this hike and enjoy it. Easy parking nearby.

Devil's Hole State Park is just a short distance from Whirlpool State Park…read more Tip: From the overlook, you can't see Devil's Hole; you'll have to hike down the trail to see it. The rocks along the wall on the trail are VERY sharp, so excercise caution while you're hiking here - it's a LONG way to the store for band-aids ;-)

A great place to go and rock climb while enjoying what nature has to offer. Over the years, there…read morehas been significantly more foot traffic, and as a result, more noise pollution and waste items have been popping up. I think that with more focus on an "all things in, all things out" approach, this area would be better for both bouldering enthusiast in addition nature fanatics alike!

Another vacation win- they have something here I have never seen- a nature trading post! You can…read moretrade rocks, crystals, fossils and such for their inventory or participate in a point based scavenger hunt, taking photos throughout the park, and redeem points for something in their inventory. I ma a huge rock hound, crystal nut- not just because my name is Crystal, I've loved picking up shiny rocks since I was a small child. Quartz and mica are two I remember finding often as a child. Here- they had a huge inventory of various raw and polished stones, fossils, animal bones and such. And that was just in the Nature Exchange! The park is wonderful too, plenty of trails to lead you down by the river, wonderful trees, great overlook viewpoints throughout. As part of the Niagra Parks system, they have bike trails too. We stopped here twice, once to explore and once for me to pop back in with my photos and pick out a raw piece of turquoise! A birthday win for me! Shout out to the young lady who talked to me in the morning, she wasn't there when I returned- and I am pretty sure the 2 young men thought I was crazy (I am), but they were all very helpful for this big kid out playing in nature!

Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens is a place to experience nature's beauty and horticultural…read moreexcellence. The gardens span 99 acres with meticulously designed landscapes, and showcases award-winning gardens that burst with vibrant seasonal blooms and lush, overflowing greenery. During my visit, I walked along peaceful trails, where seasonal display beds had a fresh palette of stunning flowers and foliage. I explored the parterre, rose, vegetable and herb gardens, and let the serene beauty of Niagara's most beautiful natural surroundings These gardens were some of my favorite: *Herb Garden - meticulously curated garden showcases culinary herbs from around the world, medicinal plants and herbs used in commercial applications. With fragrant perfume plants, vibrant dye plants, as well as herbs for brewing beverages and homeopathic remedies. At the heart of the Herb Garden, there is a charming knot garden and a classic sundial, elegantly positioned along the central axis, adding a touch of timeless beauty to this botanical sanctuary. *Rose Garden - Covering more than two acres and a cherished part of the Botanical Gardens since the 1940s, the Rose Garden is a stunning showcase of over 2,400 roses. With 54 meticulously maintained rose beds and 31 vibrant annual display beds, this garden offers an exquisite sensory feast powered by nature. Explore a diverse collection of roses, including fragrant hybrid teas, colourful floribunda, elegant grandiflora and enchanting climbing rose varieties. This is a must visit attraction during your visit to Niagara Falls.

Absolutely beautiful grounds. Beautiful and peaceful way to spend the day…read more Best of all, it's free entrance unless you want to visit the Butterfly Conservatory (and you should)! Bring a book to read at one of the many benches throughout , spend a whole day, take your time wandering, savoring the beautiful grounds then grab lunch or a coffee or drink at the cafe!

Best off leash park. Friendly humans and dogs! The big boys & girls are well behaved, and enjoy a…read moreswim on a warm day!

I wish I knew how nice this park was before our senior dog's mobility became too limited. It's…read moremagical, between crossing the big wooden bridge over the creek to the happy dogs frolicking through the green shady island. There's even swings and a playground for the two legged puppers. I came to add some books to the free little library. I was amazed at how clean and well kept the grounds were. Visitors really stay on top of their dogs. I didn't see a single pile. Or maybe all the dogs just become like those kids who get too caught up in playing to take a bio break.

We tried to buy tickets on the spot yesterday, but they sold out when we came around 4pm on a…read moreSaturday. We came back today first thing in the morning and were able to see it. It's a short, slow ride that goes across and comes back the same way. The view was pretty, but it's not an attraction that we would redo if we don't have enough time next time. It wasn't much of a hit with the younger kids in the group.

The historic Whirlpool Aero Car is an antique cable car that is a Niagara Parks attraction. It was…read moredesigned by famed Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo, and has been soaring the Niagara Gorge since 1916. It offers a ride over the waters of the Niagara River where you can see spectacular views of the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the river's Class 6 rapids as you soar 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge. It travels between two points on the Canadian shore, but will actually take you across the international border between Canada and the United States a total of four times. I enjoyed the aerial view of the whirlpool. rapids and Niagara gorge.

Nicely maintained trails with smaller paths for the adventurous…read more Great views of the river! We only went part of the way but next time will walk all of the way out to the point for some great pics!

Beautiful early morning walk…read more It's at the base of the bridge connecting Grand Island to Niagara Falls. The route is on the Grand Island side. The walk is lovely and along the water most of the way. Well groomed, although they recent storms have resulted in some downed trees/branches blocking the path a little. All easily navigable. Very easy parking. 2/20

I have really come to love this park . My family often book shelters here for family gatherings …read more The park is spacious , and each shelter is a good distance from the others so it never feels crowded. The park has a basketball court as well as a tennis court . You will usually see a few people fishing in the pond (you will also see many geese-this is their hangout). The playground area is loved by my grandchildren and the splash pad is really cute and has kept the kids cool on many days during this hot summer. This is a clean, well maintained park . If I had a preference, I would prefer a few more shaded/tree covered areas in the park , but if you love the sun and don't need any more shade than what the individual shelters provide-this is a great place .

We come here for 7/4th every year & we never have an issue with the environment. Everyone comes for…read morea good time. Park is well maintained. The kids love the splash pad, playground, and volley ball area with sand!!

It was a nice walk from the craziness of Niagara Falls. It was nice to be surrounded by nature and…read morebe able to look all around at the different birds. I highly recommend coming here to get away from everyone else.

I've been going here for years and always admire how well this park is maintained. It's the best in…read morethe Fall when the leaves change colors, and during the winter holidays when they have the Festival of Lights going on. Parking is free, and there are lots of spots. It's great to just walk around this place to discover all it has to offer.

Goat island is a beautiful park and must do while in Niagara…read more We stayed on the US side so it's basically the only thing to do as all the good food and hotels and fun stuff is in Canada. But, this park is beautiful and well-maintained with lovely walking bridges, well-kept roads, plenty of parking, and miles of walking trails. This is where you'll visit the lookouts for Bridal Veil Falls, Cave of the Winds and the Terrapin Point lookout for the Horseshoe falls in the US. The visitor center and complex for the ticket purchase and gift shop for the Cave of the Winds is nice and there is a statue of Nikola Tesla as well as an original historic preserved gate to the original hydroelectric plant here. There is plenty to see and do here in an afternoon and it is time well spent.

Niagara Falls State Park is New York's oldest state park, opened in 1885, and home to a trio of…read moreimpressive waterfalls and five islands on the Niagara River, Goat Island is one of them. The area is large, with much to explore and plenty of walking as you make your way to all three sets of falls, which are connected by a paved path. There are also places to eat within the park if you work up an appetite. Cave of the Winds is on Goat Island. You'll need to walk out onto Goat Island and buy your tickets at the Cave of the Winds Plaza The key highlights to see as you walk through the park are the view of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point on Goat Island