Niagara Falls American Side Only

[tarheel618]

Has anyone ever just done the American Side of Niagara Falls? We will be about 8 hours away in a couple of weeks (not enough time to get passports) while traveling to visit family. We thought about doing a short 2-3 day trip. Is it worth going for just the American side? Ive been there before when I was a kid. My husband and children have never been. Just don't want to be disappointed.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yes, yes and yes.

We just got back from an 11 day road trip that included stopping at the Falls. Like you, we didn't have time to get passports. And like you we wondered what there was to do.

The American side has a Maid of the Mist, a platform down near the bottom of the falls that you get to from an elevator and many paths to walk around. We only spend a few hours there, and we are already planning a trip back.

Of course, most things on both sides are an additional cost. But I found plenty do to, that didn't cost a dime.

We have been to the other side. But it was back when you didn't need a passport.

 

[tarheel618]

Yes, yes and yes.

We just got back from an 11 day road trip that included stopping at the Falls. Like you, we didn't have time to get passports. And like you we wondered what there was to do.

The American side has a Maid of the Mist, a platform down near the bottom of the falls that you get to from an elevator and many paths to walk around. We only spend a few hours there, and we are already planning a trip back.

Of course, most things on both sides are an additional cost. But I found plenty do to, that didn't cost a dime.

We have been to the other side. But it was back when you didn't need a passport.

I see they have a discovery pass and think we will do that pass. If not definitely Maid of the Mist and Cave of Winds. Im so glad that you said yes. We are visiting my dad and he mentioned wanting to take the grandkids but with only 3 weeks away it was just to quick to get the passports. I figured the discovery pass would still be cheaper than the passports.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I see they have a discovery pass and think we will do that pass. If not definitely Maid of the Mist and Cave of Winds. Im so glad that you said yes. We are visiting my dad and he mentioned wanting to take the grandkids but with only 3 weeks away it was just to quick to get the passports. I figured the discovery pass would still be cheaper than the passports.

We didn't have time to do everything on the Discovery Pass. But it looked like a good deal. And we plan to do it next time.

 

[Mom_Rides]

We went about 4 years ago and we had a great time! We bought the Discovery pass and broke it up over a couple of days. We went and walked around the park on the day we arrived. The next day, we went and bought our Discovery pass and did the Cave of the Winds and then the Maid of the Mist. The next day we did the aquarium, the movie and took the trolley throughout the park and got off at various stops. It was a nice way to visit the area and not be overwhelmed with all the touristy stuff the Canadian side has to offer. It also gave the kids plenty of pool time and relaxation time for DH and me.

DH and I do have our passports but the kids do not. We did go over the boarder one evening and had dinner at the Hard Rock and viewed the falls from that side. So expensive though!

 

[Cosmic]

I think two or three days is a good amount. Besides the attractions right at the Falls, there's a cool hiking trail between Whirlpool State Park and Devil's Hole State Park that gets you right next to the rapids and Old Fort Niagara is a cool piece of history; it has belonged to the French, the British, and the Americans and has been in constant use since 1726. Both are very close to Niagara Falls.

Edit: Also the Power Authority. Niagara Falls is a huge energy producer.

 

[CarrieR]

I just got back from the Falls this weekend. This year, we did the Canadian side - but three years ago we did American and enjoyed it. Discovery Pass was great; maid of the mist, cave of the winds and the aquarium. We also went down the road to Martin's Fantasy Island amusement park - I am a theme park junkie and it was cheap (like $10 for an evening pass, I think.) We took it easy/slow and had a lovely long weekend.

Edited to fix name of park. It appears to now be just Fantasy Island and the after-5 pass is $17.99, or $21.99 all day bought online. It's little, not sure you'd need "all day" per se.

 

[Northernlites]

The best experience on the New York side is the Niagara Power Vista free tour at Lewiston NY just ten minutes or less north. We have done it many times and I am Canadian. Well worth the visit. It is great. What ever you do don't do the power tour on the Canadian said at Queenston. Very expensive and dull.

Here is the link for the Power Plant in NEw York
http://www.nypa.gov/communities/visitors-centers/niagara-power-vista