Q: Where should I stay during my visit to Niagara Falls?
A: We recommend you try and stay as close to the Falls as possible. Parking is limited during peak season and getting around on foot or using the shuttle service is the best way to get around and see the sites. We have a list of suggestions and tips here: Niagara Falls Hotel Tips.
Q: Which Fallsview hotel has the best view of the Falls?
A: Please visit our “Fallsview Hotel” page for more information.
Q: I don’t have a passport or visa to visit Niagara Falls Canada should I still visit Niagara Falls NY?
A: Even though over 90 percent of the visitors go to Niagara Falls Canada you can still enjoy yourself on the New York side of the border. There is a saying that in Canada you can see the Falls but in New York you can feel the Falls, referring to the “Cave of the Winds”. Both sides have their pluses and minuses. Niagara Falls NY is an aging city with not a lot to do after the sun goes down. Niagara Falls Canada has a lot more to offer if staying for a more than a day or two. Quite often you will hear that the view of Niagara Falls is much better from the Canadian side of the border. While this is statement is true you can take a ride aboard the Maid of the Mist where you will actually be viewing the Falls from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. And yes the view is amazing!
Q: How can I receive information about Niagara Falls by mail ?
A: We do not provide any literature by postal mail. You can use this link to obtain a Niagara Falls travel guide in the mail.
Q: What time do the lights turn on at Niagara Falls?
A: You can view the schedule right here!
Q: When are the fireworks displayed at Niagara Falls?
A: The Fireworks schedule varies throughout the year. Typically every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer months and certain holidays. You can view the schedule by following this link.
Q: Which hotel has the best view for watching the fireworks?
A: Well we’ve got you covered right here!
Q: Are there boat rides available year round ?
A: The boat rides below Niagara Falls operate from early May until late October.
Be sure to visit Now Open in Niagara Falls for up to date information.
During the winter months the NY Observation tower’s elevators are closed but the observation deck is open.
Q: What is the best way to get to Niagara Falls ?
A: By air, you have to fly into either Toronto, Ontario or Buffalo, New York.
Toronto’s airport “Pearson International” is 78 mi/125 km from the Rainbow Bridge. (1 hour & 11 minutes). Traffic congestion on the Q.E.W. (Queen Elizabeth Way) can double the time it takes to arrive. Realistically it usually takes 90 minutes or more.
Buffalo’s Airport “Buffalo/Niagara International” is 25 mi/41 km from the Rainbow Bridge (35 minute drive). Rarely are there any traffic delays.
To get to the Falls from the airport you can either rent a car, take a shuttle bus, or arrive by taxi. More information is available from our “transportation link“.
Greyhound Bus Service and Amtrak(US)/VIA (Canada) train service is available directly to the cities of Niagara Falls.
Hotels do not provide courtesy shuttles to or from the airports.
Q: How long will it take to cross the bridge and clear customs?
A: Provided it is not a major holiday you can normally cross the bridge and clear inspections in less than ten minutes. Expect a ten to twenty minute wait on Fridays and Saturdays during the late afternoon and early evening going to Canada. Sunday mornings there are delays going in to the US and in the evening going back to Canada. Expect delays of thirty minutes or more on Memorial Day, Canada Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Q: What is the best way to visit the Falls and see the attractions?
A: The best thing to do is map out your itinerary before you arrive. To walk from one side of the Horseshoe Falls to the other via the Rainbow Bridge is 4 km/2.5 miles (8km/5 miles roundtrip) and that is a long walk! First you need to figure out how you will get to the general area of the falls itself. If you are staying at a local hotelfind out the proximity to the Falls and plan your activities from there. A typical tourist will take aboat ridebelow the Falls, view the Falls from either Queen Victoria Park in Canada or the Niagara Falls State Park in the USA (or both). In Canada you can easily walk from Table Rock visit Journey Behind the Falls and then walk to the Hornblower Niagara City Cruises docks. On the US side you can walk from the Falls Experience visitors center to Prospect Point and catch the Maid of the Mist and then walk to Goat Island for the Cave of the Winds, Terrapin Point and the Three Sisters Island.
Both the Niagara Falls U.S.A and Niagara Falls Canada Parks departments offer a transit system which stops at the major attractions in their respective countries. The Niagara Falls Canada “WeGo” transits along the Niagara River from Table Rock to Queenston Heights Park with thirteen different stops. In the US the Parks Trolley system runs a three mile circular route and has six stops. For rates and info visit this link: niagarafallsstatepark.
Tour companies are abound in Niagara Falls. Be sure to compare what is included with the tour including admissions to the attractions you will visit. While tours tend to be more expensive, they can take a lot of hassle out of walking everywhere and at the end of the day you are still left with plenty of energy for the evening.
Q: How far is the train station from the Falls itself ?
A: In Niagara Falls Ontario, the Via Rail station (4223 Bridge Street, tel:1-800-361-1235) is 1.6 mi/2.5 km from the Rainbow Bridge. In Niagara Falls NY the Amtrak train station (825 Depot Ave W) is 1.6 mi/4.5 km from the Rainbow Bridge.
Q: How far is the Bus terminal from the Falls.
A: In Niagara Falls NY, the Greyhoundbus terminal (120 Old Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY) is .6 miles/1 km from the Rainbow Bridge. In Niagara Falls Ontario the GoTransit terminal (4555 Erie St. tel: 905-357-2133) is 1.6 mi/2.5 km from the Rainbow bridge.
Q: Where can I obtain driving directions and a map of Niagara Falls ?
A: Visit our maps & info page.
Q: Where can I park my car when visiting Niagara Falls ?
A: If you are visiting just for the day there are many overpriced municipally operated parking lots which charge a fee. In Niagara Falls New York you can park at the Niagara Reservation State Park near the Rainbow Bridge or on Goat Island. In New York there is also the One Niagara Visitor Center which typically offers lower parking rates. In Niagara Falls Canada there are parking lots near the “Table Rock House” adjacent to the Canadian “Horseshoe” Falls. When the lots fill up there is a shuttle service to satellite parking. If you are spending the night all hotels offer parking and there is almost always a fee. You can get discounted parking at the Fallsview Casino if you obtain a “frequent player card” which involves filling out a form to receive newsletters and other promotional information. Please visit our “where to park in Niagara Falls”.
