POWERFUL! 4.8…read more We travel internationally far more often than we travel within the States, but a visit to Niagara Falls should undoubtedly be on everyone's U.S. bucket list. So, of course, while vacationing in Syracuse, we had to make the drive west to experience this spectacular wonder, one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of North America." Many years ago, I had seen the falls from the Canadian side, but this trip offered an entirely different perspective from the New York vantage point. There are three waterfalls in total, separated by landmasses: Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three; American Falls, the second largest; and Bridal Veil Falls, the smallest. While Niagara Falls doesn't rank among the world's tallest waterfalls, in fact, it doesn't make the top 500. It is the sheer width, immense volume, and astonishing flow rate that make it so impressive. The seemingly endless torrent of water comes from the Great Lakes, with four of the five, Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie, ultimately feeding the Niagara River. There is a large visitor parking lot where you pay a fee, but once inside Niagara Falls State Park, you're free to explore on foot. There are several paid tours and attractions, but we opted to simply follow the "Attractions & Trails" map and make our way through the park at our own pace. We started at Stop #2, Terrapin Point, for an up-close view of the massive Horseshoe Falls. Standing there, surrounded by the thunderous roar and tremendous force of the rushing water, was awe-inspiring. Following the map, we continued along the paved walkway all the way to the end, where we discovered a quieter trail with noticeably fewer crowds. It was wonderfully peaceful, watching and listening to the gentle stream of water which was a striking contrast to the thunderous falls just moments before. The trail eventually looped us back around to the main pathway. For lunch, we stopped at The Top of the Falls Restaurant. I ordered the Blue Niagara Splash cocktail, and we shared a chicken wrap and salad. The food was basic diner fare, but it did the job and satisfied our need for a quick bite before heading out. If you're up for witnessing something truly spectacular, put Niagara Falls on your list. At our leisurely pace, we spent a little over two hours exploring the park. Since we needed to be back in Syracuse by late afternoon, we left before seeing the falls illuminated at night. For that, it gives us one more reason to return.

I visited Niagara Falls from the Canadian side at night, so I can only speak to the nighttime…read moreexperience, but it was definitely a memorable way to see the falls. The illumination made for beautiful views and photos, and the smaller evening crowd made the area feel much easier to navigate. I booked Journey Behind the Falls for about $28 CAD. You walk through the tunnels behind the falls and then head out to the observation decks for an up-close view and plenty of photo opportunities. A poncho is included, which you'll definitely want once you get closer to the mist. One of the biggest advantages of visiting at night was avoiding the heavier daytime crowds. I never felt overly packed in and had enough time to take pictures and enjoy the scenery without being rushed. Parking was around $40 CAD, which was probably the biggest downside and something I would recommend budgeting for ahead of time. Overall, I'm glad I experienced Niagara Falls at night from the Canadian side. Between the illuminated falls, lighter crowds, and Journey Behind the Falls experience, it made for a fun evening. I would definitely return during the daytime on a future trip so I can compare both experiences.

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.

I can't even begin to explain how gorgeous this park/trail is. Me and my friends were heading to…read moreNiagara for the weekend, and wanted to start off the day with a physical activity. I found this place after doing a little bit of research, and I was not disappointed. The trail is a bit bumpy, unpaved, and difficult to go through. I personally love good trails and hikes, so it doesn't bother me. But i'll recommend wearing good running shoes with strong grip. As you're going through the trail, take it slow and easy so you don't slip on any unstable wood or rocks. You first go down a large staircase from the area I went through, then a 15 minute path. Once we reached the water, I was in awe. The water is bright blue, clean, the trees are as green as they can get, and the breeze is beautiful. The wind was blowing, which was refreshing after a sweaty trail walk. The views were unbelievable, including falls further away. I couldn't even believe it was in the Niagara area. If you're looking for a short trail and stunning views that transport you out of the city, this is the place to visit!! I will definitely be back and try different pathways :)

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.

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!

Incredibly beautiful well maintained gardens within a short distance of Niagara Falls. There is…read morealso a gift shop and cafe. An added bonus is it is free to visitors! There is lots of parking but that you find a ticket machine and pay for by the hour.

What an amazing thing to stumble upon! We came here for the butterflies and, after a short jaunt,…read morefound some of the most beautiful gardens (and we've seen the ones in Ireland and in Italy, which were also world class)! There is a horticulture school here that maintains the grounds, so plenty of people to talk to about the plants if you feel up to it, but honestly it was just nice to take in the manicured lawns and gardens. The variety is breathtaking and almost everything has a label so if you are trying to figure out what it is, they got you. The roses may not be up year round but believe me, the rest of the garden does more than its fair share of heavy lifting! Simply amazing!!

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.

Having the Whirpool Aero Car part of the premium package at Niagara Parks made getting here worth…read morethe trip. A bit north of all the falls attractions, plan an extra 20th minutes to take the Wego up to the stop. Suspended high above the Niagara River while criss-crossing international borders all while getting unobstructed views of the river below makes the Aero Cart a must see attraction if you're jn the area. Even if you have a fear of heights, the ride was smooth and the operator did an excellent job of highlighting facts to keep your mind occupied.

This was a fabulous experience. I appreciated the guide with us. She did everything to keep us safe…read moreand was very funny and kind. The views were spectacular and the guide also gave us an opportunity to switch sides to see a different perspective. I would consider doing this again with someone who has not experienced this tour yet.

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.