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.

It's an incredible location full of photogenic scenery and memorable views…read more I highly recommend visiting.

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!

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!

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 ;-)

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.

When it's good it's good and when it's not it's not. So check it before you wreck it. Sometimes…read moremy fish was cooked great and 2 times it was fried too long. So there it is.

Get some park security. Half of the people on the playground aren't kids, they're adults having a…read morecook out. It's a good place to go when your board, but not a good place to get out and do something.

A beautiful park along the walkway facing Niagara Falls. The park dates back to 1937. Lovely…read moreornamental iron gates, a beautiful stone walkway through perfectly landscaped gardens and next to lily ponds before the amphitheater and then... the view over Niagara Falls. The fountain at the center of the park is the entranceway to Queen Victoria Park at the foot of Clifton Hills. A fabulous pergola for some shade (it was HOT this morning!). The park is perfect for your photo ops and is available for event rental overlooking American Falls near the Rainbow Bridge. [Review 1498 of 2024 - 174 in Ontario - 22521 overall]

Thank you to the Yelp Universe for allowing me the honor of being the first to review this most…read morebeautiful little park. It truly is indicative of the civilized country that Canada is and how the Canadians cherish flowers, gardens and outdoor beauty. According to www.niagarafalls.com, "Opened in 1937, the designers of Oakes Garden Theatre capitalized on the contours of the landscape to create a curved pergola overlooking a central amphitheatre. The shaded lily ponds and formalized gardens offer visitors a tranquil escape in the heart of Niagara Falls. Bordered by ornamental iron gates and Queenston limestone, Oakes Garden Theatre provides a spectacular entranceway to Queen Victoria Park at the foot of Clifton Hill.' I cherished Oakes Garden Thatre as a place for a brief respite after trudging up the hill from taking the Hornblower Cruise to Niagara Falls. I saw an open gate and stuck my head in to see if there was a shortcut here to the Sheraton. Instead, I was transfixed by a beautiful landscape. Some guys in a rock band were beginning to set up their gear at the amphitheater stage and there were plenty of children and families about. Seeing some such a gorgeous landscape with benches, seats and plenty of lovely flowers was enough to beckon me in. Later on at the Sheraton, I was happy to note that my hotel room overlooked Oakes Garden and I was able to enjoy some of the rock concert going on at the amphitheater that night. Then the Niagara Falls fireworks show started at 10 p.m. and Oakes is a great place to watch that too. Entry is free all year round. During summer, the place is a hub of activity. The winter months are peacefully quiet with snow covering the area. In winter, there is a lights show at the falls along Niagara Parkway. At this time, the Oakes Garden Theatre also puts up animated light displays along the garden. For those looking to escape the tourist madness of Niagara Falls, this little haven is your answer. It truly is a hidden gem in the Niagara Falls area.

This might have been the most mosquito infested park I've ever went to. Sadly , I would have…read moreenjoyed exploring the grounds and wildlife more , if it wasn't for the damn bugs ! Boards across the trails prevent muddy shoes, which is nice . Signs of potential wildlife are found throughout . But did I mention the mosquitos ?!?!

Definitely a hidden gem on Grand Island! Tucked in the far back corner of a cemetery, most people…read morehave no idea it's even back there. I do feel a bit odd, driving into a cemetery just to go for a hike, but it's totally worth it. The raised wooden walkways make for a very unique experience and it's a long, meandering, awesome park through the woods. It's VERY WET - so definitely be sure to load up on bugspray b/c even if it's not "bug season" you WILL GET DESTROYED by mosquitos!

I was amazed at how modern and cool this playground is. A…read moreten minute drive from the falls. Without a doubt the best "outdoor" bathrooms in the world. And this must not be a secret because I saw two delivery drivers stop in. My boys had a ball here. There's something for kids of virtually ages to do here. If you're in the area with your kids, this is a must stop.

Okay this park has a COOL playground! I was even playing on it as an adult. There are lots of areas…read moreto climb, smaller areas for kids, swings, and a musical portion. Definitely something for all kids to enjoy. This park has lots of well-maintained grassy areas, good climbing trees, and a path to see the Falls, making it a great park to check out, especially considering that it's free! There's also a dog park located here, bathrooms, picnic tables in a covered pavilion, and charcoal grills.