Niagara Falls State Park: 1 Day Itinerary

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Welcome to Niagara Falls State Park, a breathtaking natural wonder that showcases the awe-inspiring power and beauty of one of the world’s most famous waterfalls. Nestled on the border between the United States and Canada, this stunning park offers visitors an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, breathtaking vistas, and rich history. Get ready to feel the mist of the falls on your face and explore the picturesque trails and overlooks of this stunning park. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about visiting, including must-see attractions, dining choices, and tips for making the most of your trip. Grab your camera, and let’s dive into the magic of Niagara Falls!

Entrance Fee:

FREE; however, parking fees range from $5 to $30, depending on the lot. Lot 3 offers free parking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Street parking costs about $3 to $5 per hour.

Lodging:

There is no lodging available within the park itself; however, there are many options just outside the park in the city of Niagara Falls.

If you want a view of the falls from your hotel room, it’s better to stay on the Canadian side. The Marriott Fallsview Hotel and Spa and the Hilton Fallsview Hotel and Suites are both excellent choices, conveniently located within walking distance of most areas on the Canadian side of the falls, especially if you plan to stay a second day to explore that side further.

Dining:

There are several dining options available within the park. The Top of the Falls Restaurant, located just off Lot #2, is a sit-down restaurant that offers spectacular views of the falls. It is open seasonally, typically from May through September. For quicker service, you can visit the Tastes of Niagara Café inside the Welcome Center or the Cave of Winds Café, which is situated right next to the ticket booth; both are usually open from March through December. Additionally, there are various snack bars located throughout the park, which you will encounter as you walk around the main areas. If you prefer to bring your own food, there are several picnic areas available throughout the park as well.

When to Visit:

The park is open year-round, but there are pros and cons to visiting in each season.

Summer offers the best weather and the most amenities, but the lines can be very long.

Fall features beautiful colors and is typically less crowded, though there are fewer amenities available. If you plan to take the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Wind tours, be prepared for chilly weather in wet conditions.

In winter, you can enjoy a sense of seclusion, making it feel like you have the place to yourself, which is fantastic. However, most amenities are closed for the season, and the weather is quite cold if you want to take a tour that gets you close to the falls, which is really the best way to experience the park.

Must Know Before You Go:

While the park is free, parking, tours, dining, and shopping are all pretty pricy.
I highly recommend spending a second day in this area to explore the Canadian side of the falls. If you plan on exploring that side, do not forget your passport!
You WILL get wet on both the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds tours. Bring a rain jacket AND wear the poncho. In cooler seasons, a change of clothes may also be necessary.
There is a trolley that runs throughout the park, typically from March through November. It is $5 for adults and $3 for children (ages 6-12). In the summer months, be prepared for long wait times.
I recommend downloading an AllTrails map for trails on this itinerary. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)

1 Day Itinerary

Cave of the Winds Tour

Let’s kick off the day with our crew’s favorite adventure at Niagara Falls—the Cave of the Winds tour. For this experience, you will watch a short informational film before taking an elevator down into the gorge. Once you reach the bottom, you’ll be given a poncho. Although the ponchos are long, your feet are still likely to get wet, so I recommend wearing waterproof shoes. In the fall, our hiking boots worked great!

From there, you’ll head to the boardwalk area, where you can get an up-close look at the rushing water crashing into the Niagara River. Next, head up the many sets of stairs before making your way up to Hurricane Deck. There, you’ll be so close to Bridal Veil Falls that the mighty wind and water will make you feel like you’re in the middle of a hurricane. Once you’re sufficiently soaked, head back to the elevator bay to head up and out of the gorge.

Adults $23
Youth $19
Open all year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Hours vary with the seasons- click here for hours during your specific visit- Cave of the Wind Hours.

Goat Island Scenic Trail

Distance: 3 miles round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

After completing the Cave of Winds Tour, you can head in either direction along the main paved path to begin the Goat Island Scenic Walk. I recommend heading south first, toward Terrapin Point. This trail features numerous side paths, so it’s a good idea to have a paper map or the AllTrails app downloaded for reference as you explore.

This walk is beautiful throughout. If you head south from the Cave of Winds area, your next stop will be Terrapin Point, where you’ll find stunning views of the 167 ft tall and 2700 ft wide Horseshoe Falls! After enjoying the sights at Terrapin Point, continue for 0.4 miles to reach the Three Sisters Island Trolley stop. Just past the trolley stop, turn right to enter the Three Sisters Island spur trail. This trail offers fantastic views of the rushing water as it flows past the three small islands, and it is approximately 0.6 miles round trip from the Goat Island Trail to the end of the Three Sisters Trail and back.

After you’ve finished exploring Three Sisters Islands, continue along the Goat Island Trail. You’ll be treated to stunning water views as you make your way back toward the Luna Island Overlook and the Bridal Veil Overlooks. From there, cross the American Falls Pedestrian Bridge to reach Prospect Point and then finally the Observation Tower and the entrance to Maid of the Mist.

Maid of the Mist Tour

Next up is another favorite of ours— the Maid of the Mist Tour. You can’t leave Niagara Falls State Park without experiencing this 150-year-old attraction. This 20-minute boat ride provides an incredible view of all three enormous waterfalls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, all from the water. Similar to Cave of the Winds, expect to get wet despite the provided ponchos, so please dress accordingly.

Adults $30.25
Youth (6-12) $19.72
Children (5 and under) FREE, with a paid adult
Open April through October.
Daily hours vary. Check the times for your specific visit here- Maid of the Mist Hours.
While you can purchase tickets online ahead of time, it is not a timed reservation. You can get in line at any time on the day of your visit.

Observation Tower

After your journey on the Maid of the Mist, take the elevators all the way to the top of the 280-foot Observation Tower. Once you reach the top, head out to the observation deck to enjoy stunning views of all three powerful waterfalls. Get ready for a windy experience—your hair might never recover- as you take in the incredible sights 😊.

If you still have some time on the U.S. side of the falls, consider visiting the Aquarium of Niagara, the Niagara Adventure Theater, or taking a walk along one of the many trails around the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center.