Niagara Falls, USA, is packed with exciting activities, making it a challenge to experience everything in one trip. If you have limited time—say, a weekend—you’ll want to make the most of every moment. From breathtaking views to rich culture and fascinating history, Niagara Falls offers something for every traveler.
To help you plan your visit, here’s a curated list of the best 15 things to do in Niagara Falls USA, ensuring you don’t miss any must-see attractions and experiences during your trip.
Top 15 Things to do in Niagara Falls USA
Visit Maid of the Mist- One of the main reasons to visit Niagara Falls is to see its beauty and the best way to do so is to take a poncho and jump on a Maid of the Mist boat. These boats have been carrying travelers to and from the base of the falls since 1840. While going to this place, be prepared to get wet.
The Maid of the Mist dips you under the falls, but rain gear is offered, and many say that it is one of the best ways to experience the grandeur of Niagara Falls. The Maid of the Mist quays on the U.S. side of the falls. The tours leave every 15 minutes. For adults, the tickets cost around $18.25 and for kids between 6 to 12 years, it is around $10.65. Schedules keep on changing depending on the season.
Niagara Falls State Park- This is another popular place in the list of top 15 things to do in Niagara Falls USA. It is the nation’s oldest park. Not only these Falls are spectacular, but they are also embedded in an early state and U.S. history. Enjoy the drama and excitement of the Falls from the Observation Tower near Prospect Point, the only scenic view of all the three Falls. To move down from the tower to board the famous Maid of the Mist, you need to take the elevator.
Experience the WidPlay MistRider Zipline- This is one of the fascinating things to do in Niagara Falls, USA. How about enjoying the beauty of Niagara Falls from a crazy perspective? Beginning from the Canadian side, the zipline to Niagara Falls drives you beyond the thundering falls- you will feel like a bird flying in the sky.
Tour Old Fort Niagara-Firstly established by the French in the 1600s, Old Fort Niagara played an important role in the Indian and French War, the American Revolution, and the 1812 War. With few of the oldest buildings in the whole Great Lakes region, trekking in this area is one of the best things to do in Niagra Falls. It is the most tangible link of Western New York to the Revolutionary War era. Based on the time you visit; you might even encounter one of the era re-enactments that take place at the fort all over the year.
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve- If you want to avoid the crowds near the Falls, then you must visit the Niagara Glen Natural Reserve and spend a relaxing afternoon there. Located off the Niagara Parkway on the Canadian side of the Falls, the Niagara Glen Nature Preserve oversees the Niagara River and its inherent whirlpool, providing over 2 miles of trails through the preserved Carolinian Forest. This reserve is open throughout the year. There are no charges to get inside this reserve, though you will need to pay $1.25 for one hour of parking.
Follow an ArtPark show- Watching the Niagara River gulch at 450 South 4th Street, Lewiston (on the American side), Art Pak is a company that hosts different social events and visual art shows. During the summer season, they offer various incredible festivals to enjoy.
Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruise- Take a cruise through the history of the Erie Canal on a scenic cruise. You will go past five of the real 1800s locks, including the double set. Also, you will pass the widest bridge in the U.S. as well as the rock cuts, uplift bridges, and the Upside-Down Bridge.
Cave of the Winds- It is one of the interesting things to do in Niagara Falls USA. Several recent visitors called the Cave of the Winds a “must-do.” After taking an elevator 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge, you will be able to roam a sequence of wooden walkaways that put you within feet of the Bridal Veil Falls. It is known as the “Hurricane Deck”, thanks to the tropical storm-like conditions. Even with the memento poncho and shoes, you will probably get wet.
Climbing the hills on the Niagara Hornblower Funicular- The Niagara Hornblower Funicular is one of the quickest-built tourist places in the area near Niagara Falls. In spite of its ancient history, it is considered to be the most beautiful activity. A trip on the beautiful paint’s views of a terrain rich in harmony, with the pleasingly remarkable variety of landscapes. It is all part of a wider overview of the whole region and it is a must-do for travelers of all ages.
Enjoy a break at the Riverside Patio- Another thing to do in the list of top 15 things to do in Niagara Falls USA is to go to the Riverside Patio. If your stomach starts to growl but you cannot move your eyes from the beautiful falls, then this is the right restaurant for you! Enjoy a break by having a snack or choose an amazing drink along with your friends. Either of the ways, you will get some to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Niagara Gorge Hiking Trails- For the serious hiker, getting off the beaten path and plunging into the heart of the Niagara Gorge is a must. Only 3 miles from the downtown, you will find Devil’s Hole State Park where you can gain access to the signature route of miles of trails that take you down to the falls of the Niagara Whirlpool, trimmed by the rock formations and canyon walls for a stunning view of nature up close.
Feel the vibration at Journey Behind the Falls- If you need to get the feel as if you have stepped inside the heart of Niagara, visit the Journey Behind the Falls. The strong vibrations summarize as you fall over 100 feet and go through the passages that are 130-year-old. Once you start observing things around you, you will be amazed. This is one of the fantastic things to do in Niagara Falls, USA, and gives you the feel as if you have experienced everything.
Engage yourself on the White Water Walk- Do not want to get wet but want to enjoy the power of rushing water? If so, then the White-Water Walk is the right place to be! Dazzling colors and scenes are plenty as you walk down at your own speed. Do not forget to click some pics of the 410-million-year-old stone panels at the Niagara Gorge. It is one of the interesting things to do in the list of top 15 things to do in Niagara Falls USA.
Inniskillin Winery- Apart from the falls themselves, the Niagara Falls area is also well-known for its wine. If you have enough time, take a scenic drive north along Ontario’s beautiful Niagara Parkway to Inniskillin Wines in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This winery, famous for its icewine made from grapes left to freeze on the vine over the winter, is one of the most unique things to do in Niagara Falls. Once the temperature drops to around -8 degrees Celsius, the grapes are harvested and allowed to thaw, a process that enhances their flavor.
By joining a vineyard tour, you’ll discover the dedication and effort that goes into producing a bottle of wine, both icewine and regular. This hands-on experience is one of the enjoyable things to do in Niagara Falls for wine enthusiasts and casual travelers alike.
After the tour, stop by the tasting bar for a sample. You can even purchase some of their famous icewine, though it is known to be pricey. Visiting Inniskillin Wines is definitely one of the memorable things to do in Niagara Falls, offering a perfect blend of scenic views and local culture.
The winery is open year-round. From May to October, it welcomes travelers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from November to April, it closes at 5 p.m. Adding a visit here to your itinerary is a delightful way to explore one of the finest things to do in Niagara Falls while enjoying the local flavors and landscape.
Skylon Tower- Once you have seen the falls from behind and below, consider seeing them from the top at the Skylon Tower. It is one of the interesting places to visit in the USA. Leading the Ontario skyline, this 775-foot-high tower provides specifically stunning views of the Horseshoe Falls.
You can enjoy the view from either the outdoor or indoor observation deck and if you do not mind spending some money- you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the landscape from the revolving restaurant in the tower. To reach the top, you will board a glass-enclosed elevator that takes only 52 seconds to reach the top of the tower. Several tourists recommend visiting this place at night to catch a bird’s eye view when the falls are lighted.