Niagara Falls is overflowing with attractions, history and picture-perfect views.

There is a good reason for this abundance of fun: The city of Niagara Falls is actually two cities: Niagara Falls, New York in the United States and Niagara Falls, Ontario in Canada. Yep, the city named for a series of towering waterfalls straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, offering different views, measurement systems (Metric vs. U.S. Standard) and flavors to your visit.

But that’s not the only reason why Niagara Falls’ siren song to tourists has changed its tune through the ages. From its daredevil days to Honeymoon Capital status and gambling-fueled resurgence, Niagara Falls has always done what it’s needed to ensure it’s more than a pretty view. The twin cities have shifted shape and restocked their many souvenir shops shelves to always create a memorable experience for visitors, whether they’re there to capture a postcard-worthy image, renew their vows or get a little lucky —either on the blackjack table or in a barrel plunging 188-feet into roaring river.  

A Brief History of Niagara Falls

You know a city (or cities) has a storied history when Chapter 1 is simply called: Glaciers. That’s right, Niagara Falls was carved out by glaciers during the final throws of the Ice Age. The Niagara River, which flows over the geological wonder, is estimated to be about 12,000 years old, and carries water from the upper Great Lakes. This might be a good time to mention that what’s commonly referred to as Niagara Falls is actually a collection of three distinct waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, the tallest and most iconic; the American Falls, which is about half the size of its big brother, and the much more diminutive Bridal Veil Falls.

The area was a strategic battleground in a number of conflicts fought among countries including America, the United Kingdom, France and the Iroquois Nation. This includes the War of 1812, pitting the United States against British-controlled Canada. Not long after the smoke cleared, the daredevils arrived. These performers sought to cheat death and tame the falls in barrels and participate in other half-cocked stunts for rowdy crowds. Think of it as the Roman Coliseum on water. Among the first was Sam Patch, known as The Yankee Leaper, who dove 135 feet from neighboring Goat Island down Horseshoe Falls. You might have also heard of “The Great Blondin,” who famously traversed the gorge under the falls on a tightrope.¹

The first to drop through Niagara Falls in a barrel was Annie Edson Taylor, a destitute widow and school teacher looking for a quick buck. She successfully made the plummet in 1901 in a homemade barrel at the age of 63, inspiring a multitude of others to follow — many who met their demise at the bottom of the Niagara River.²

But the big picture of Niagara Falls was coming into focus: Tourism. Before it capitalized on its natural phenomenon for hydroelectric power, the area capitalized on amateur stuntmen and stuntwomen who drew tens of thousands of onlookers. And if you walk the streets of Niagara Falls today, at least on the Canadian side, the side show hasn’t stopped, as modern-day carnival barkers beckon tourists into wax museums and T-shirt shops.

Flash forward 50 years, and one of the world’s most recognized faces ushered in a new Niagara Falls attraction: Honeymoon destination. When Marilyn Monroe posed and acted her way through the 1953 flick “Niagara,” it was just the spark that a region already boasting built-in ambiance needed to ride the wave of kitschy romance.³

Niagara Falls’ reputation as the Honeymoon Capital was also due in part to its proximity to booming cities including New York, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. And while newlyweds’ romance with Niagara Falls faded away through the decades, it experienced a resurgence in the 2000s. This time, it was a small-screen TV show, and not a movie, that gave the cities the spotlight: “The Office.” When main characters Pam and Jim tied the knot there, a surge of nostalgia and bookings swept over the tourist destination once again.⁴ 

The Best Spots to Soak in Niagara Falls

Things aren’t nearly as contentious at the northern edge of New York and southern boundary of the Province of Ontario as they were 200 years ago. But both the United States and Canada remain engaged in a cutthroat border war over tourism. And the prize is bigger than you might imagine: Both cities claim about 30 million visitors annually.⁵

So, which claims the better Niagara Falls experience? Well, both, really.

It may sound like a cop-out answer, but hear us out. First off, because Niagara Falls’ three separate falls are located in the United States, it makes sense that being on the other side of the river — on the Canadian side — offers a more head-on, spectacular view.

There are abundant options for snapping that prized Instagram photo of the falls from the Canadian side. This includes Table Rock Welcome Center, where you can simply snap your picture or upgrade to an endless array of experiences, some centered around the Falls and others having nothing to do with the towering wonder. For example, for about $20, you can don a poncho, hop on an elevator, and gain access to several observation decks with sweet views of the nearly 3,000 cubic meters of water crashing down every second. You can also hit up a candy shop, food court and gift shop. (Niagara Falls might just be the Souvenir Shop Capital of the World, too.)⁶

Other options for gaining a unique perspective on the Falls include climbing aboard an Airbus H130 helicopter, or ascending Skylon Tower, which boasts a 520-foot perch complete with an arcade, another food court and mini mall.⁷

Then there is the Maid of the Mist, a floating Niagara Falls institution. If you’ve seen photos of boats floating under the Falls’ blinding spray and passengers posing in rain slickers, then you’ve probably seen Maid of the Mist, which has been shuttling tourists around since the 1840s. This is a must-do, bucket list adventure. Plus, it only lasts 20 minutes and costs around $20 (much less for kids), so it’s not going to put a big dent in your itinerary or wallet.⁸

Even better, Maid of the Mist is one of the few attractions that’s accessible from both the Canadian and U.S. side of the Niagara River. And that brings us to America, where Niagara Falls is accessible from a New York State Park. No food courts or arcades; just plenty of hiking and fresh air.

And this is why it’s tough to say whether one side of the Falls is better than the other. On the Canadian side, you get better views, but it’s also a highly commercialized experience where you’re going to spend more and maybe even drive around looking for a parking spot. (But then again, you might love the convenience of having food options and other entertainment built in). On the U.S. side, it’s a more organic experience, and while the views may not be quite up to par with what you’ll see across the bridge, they’re still pretty darn spectacular.

Niagara Falls State Park is open year-round and boasts more than 400 acres to roam around. There are some premium (i.e., paid) add-on adventures that can heighten your Niagara Falls experience, but it’s not too much. You’ll definitely want to explore the Cave of Winds, where you’ll descend into the gorge and see the falls up close on the “Hurricane Deck” — just feet away from Bridal Veil Falls. Pretty cool, huh? And as an added bonus, you get a pair of souvenir sandals and poncho — so you don’t even need to hit up a gift shop.⁹

Before you call it a day, no matter what side you’ve visited, be sure to check out the fireworks and Falls illumination schedule.

Oh, and one last important note: if you’re heading to the Canadian side and you’re a U.S. citizen, you’ll need a valid U.S. Passport, Passport Card (or enhanced driver’s license if you travelled on land.) This is true for all visitors older than 15 years old.¹⁰

Over the Falls: Other Niagara Falls & Area Attractions

We alluded earlier that one of the reasons for Niagara Falls’ popularity has to do with its proximity to so many cities. The Cataract City (derived from “cataracta,” which is Latin for “falls”) is just 20 miles from Buffalo and 83 miles from Toronto, which together boast four top-tier professional sports (The NFL’s Buffalo Bills, NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs, and MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.) Additionally, after New York, Toronto’s theater scene is among the best in North America. (By the way, New York is just 400 miles from Niagara Falls).

But there is plenty to do in within the twin cities of Niagara Falls, too. We mentioned the bustling retail, restaurant, bar and entertainment scene on Clifton Hill, the area flanking the Falls on the Canadian side. Here popular attractions include go-karts, mini golf, the Movieland Wax Museum, Ripley’s Museum, bowling and more. If you’ve been to an Oceanside boardwalk, you’ve been to Clifton Hill.¹¹             

If you’re a history buff, Fort Niagara is a family-friendly pleasant surprise. Located on the U.S. side, the fortification is actually the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America. Complete with reenactors, musket demonstrations, and self-guided and audio tours, the fort will help you understand how the Niagara River and the Falls served as strategic vantage point for militaries from four nations over four centuries.¹²

Then there is the latest chapter of Niagara Falls tourism: casinos! Both sides are in on the action, with Niagara Falls, Canada claiming the Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, and New York’s most recent addition: Seneca Niagara Casino, a AAA Four-Diamond resort that’s the closest thing you’ll find to a Vegas-style casino.

 While Niagara Falls’ headlining attraction dominates life there, you’ll find plenty to see and do other than the Falls, itself. Not only does it pack in plenty of history, fun, romance and science (we haven’t even talked about the Falls’ role in hydroelectric power generation), you get two cities for the price of one. Of course, if you hit up both, you’ll need two currencies, too.

Related Articles

• Road Trip Destination Guide: Glen Falls, NY
• Destination Guide: New York City
• 5 Great Northeast Beaches