2 Days in Niagara Falls: Exploring the American Side

The area sits between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, New York in the USA, and Niagara Falls, Ontario in Canada. In this blog post, we are going to cover how to spend 2 days in Niagara Falls, American Side.

Niagara Falls is often referred to as a single waterfall but it actually consists of three waterfalls- American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Let’s briefly take a look at each of them.

The American Falls

The American Falls is the second largest of all three waterfalls and is entirely located in New York state on the US side. Because of the giant boulders at the base of the American Falls, its height is measured in two ways: from the top of the falls to the rock pile below (ranging from 70 to 110 feet or 21 to 34 meters) and from the top of the falls to the river’s surface (188 feet or 57 meters).

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls is the largest waterfall, located partially in the US (10%) and partially in Canada (90%). With its 187 ft (57m) height, 2590 ft (790 m) width, and 675,000 gallons (2,555,150 liters) per second in the summertime, Horseshoe Falls ranks as North America’s most powerful waterfall.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three waterfalls and is fully located in New York state on the US side. Separated from the American Falls by Luna Island, Bridal Veil Falls is the waterfall that you can get very close to and stand almost directly beneath its cascading waters. 

Despite its beauty, Niagara Falls is not a national park as many people think nor it is one of the seven wonders of the world. Niagara Falls is a state park and regardless of its official status, it will forever be celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty and majestic presence.

Visiting Niagara Falls is completely free. If you don’t want to book any tours and you are okay with just seeing this incredible beauty or you only have time to stop by, it won’t cost you a dime. The only expense you may have is a parking fee for your vehicle.

For me, visiting Niagara Falls was a long-awaited trip that I always knew would happen one day. The waiting was totally worth it as I can confidently say- this destination and the way I experienced it have earned a top spot on my list of adventures.

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Here’s my suggestion on how to spend 2 days in Niagara Falls, NY (American side)

My first day was all about strolling around and discovering great viewpoints. With a tour already scheduled for the following day, I had plenty of time to take things easy, explore at my own pace, and enjoy without feeling rushed.

Walk along Niagara Gorge

The gorge carved by the Niagara River along the American-Canadian border is called Niagara Gorge. This 7-mile (11-kilometer) canyon offers a stunning view of the river as it flows through, along with scenic sights of the Rainbow Bridge (connecting the United States and Canada) and the waterfalls themselves.

Niagara Gorge Hiking Trail stretches all the way from the American Falls to the Aquarium of Niagara. This makes it a good option for taking a walk while enjoying some memorable views. 

Here’s my recommendation– instead of heading straight to the falls, start from the trailhead (at the northern end of the trail), near the aquarium. This way you can walk all the way to the waterfalls and build up the excitement with each step getting you closer. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the views, capture some great photos, and hear the plunging sound of thousands of gallons of water falling down getting louder and louder.

My accommodation was near the northern section of the trail so I joined the path and walked all the way down to the American Falls. On your way, you will pass by the Rainbow International Bridge which connects the United States and Canada. In fact, the trail takes you right underneath it.

Note: If you bring your passport and you are allowed to travel between the United States and Canada, you can even go on the bridge, walk, take photos, or visit the Canadian side. Make sure your status allows you to do that and remember that upon re-entering the United States you must present the necessary documents. Once you go through the door that takes you to the bridge, you are basically outside of the country. Same for entering on the Canadian side.

Niagara Falls Observation Tower

Overlooking the Niagara Gorge, this observation tower is an excellent point to capture views of all three waterfalls at once. The tower also serves as an entrance to the Maid of the Mist- the famous boat tour that is an absolute must for every Niagara Falls visitor. However, if for some reason you only want to check out the tower, this doesn’t require a boat ticket and it would only cost you $1.25 (fee is waived for Maid of the Mist customers).

I intentionally skipped the Observation Tower on my first day and only walked around it as it was included in the tour I had scheduled for the following day.

Prospect Point

This vista point is probably the most popular spot in Niagara Falls State Park. It’s located near one of the main park entrances, so it’s one of the first crowded places you’ll come across. From here, you’ll have a view of the Canadian side with the Skylon Tower, and to the left, you’ll enjoy the majestic American Falls. You’ll reach this spot immediately after the Observation Tower when approaching from the north side of Niagara Gorge Hiking Trail.

Goat Island and Luna Island

Taking a stroll along the water from the American Falls to Horseshoe Falls will lead you to two bridges. You can use either to go across to Goat Island. The first one is exclusively for pedestrians. The second one, known as the American Falls Bridge, is open to both pedestrians and vehicles. No matter which one you choose, you will be walking above Niagara River. If you keep right, they both will take you to more vista points. 

Goat Island

Once you’ve crossed, you are already on Goat Island. The name comes from a story of a person who brought his goats to the island to protect them from the wolves. They ended up dying from the cold, except for one. Over time, the island became associated with this story, and the name stuck.

Goat Island separates the Horseshoe Falls from Bridal Veil Falls. Luna Island, much smaller than Goat Island, separates the American Falls from Bridal Veil Falls. Both islands are part of the US territory.

Luna Island

This will be your first stop after crossing the bridge. The view from here is simply incredible as you are standing between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Down below, you’ll also spot people at the base of Bridal Veil Falls, attending the tour known as Cave of the Winds. I was curious to take a look as I knew I was going to be there the very next morning.

As you continue a bit further toward Horseshoe Falls, you’ll come across the Nikola Tesla Monument. Nikola Tesla was the person who designed the first hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls, New York. That marked the beginning of electrification not just in the country but the rest of the world too. He wanted to utilize the power of these incredible waterfalls to generate electricity and he managed to achieve it. The power plant started producing electrical power in 1895 and the falls became a valuable source of hydroelectric power. 

The Nikola Tesla Monument is located at another observation deck, offering a different view of Niagara Gorge’s beauty. From this spot, you can even catch the observation point on Luna Island that you just came from.

Both Luna Island and the deck at the Nikola Tesla Monument can get quite crowded. Here’s my advice: take your time and patiently wait for the big groups to leave as they come and go pretty fast. Everyone wants a photo as close as possible to the fence and the edge of the falls, so take your time and make sure you admire the beauty of your surroundings while waiting for your turn.

Terrapin Point

This spot turned out to be my absolute favorite, and I couldn’t resist going there twice. Terrapin Point offers an astonishing view of the largest of the three waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls. I have to say, it feels a little surreal standing there. The sound of tons of water plunging combined with the breathtaking scenery truly leave you speechless. You can also spot the boats down in the water, setting off on the Maid of the Mist tour (which was on my agenda for the second day). You might notice that some of these boats have passengers in blue raincoats while others wear red ones. The US tours provide blue raincoats, while the Canadian ones offer red, making it easy to distinguish from far away.

After taking tons of photos and videos (and even walking backwards while leaving so I can enjoy the view as long as possible), I made my way to the Top of the Falls souvenir store. There’s also a restaurant on the second floor if you’re in the mood for a meal. Another option is Cave of the Winds Snack Bar. It offers a small menu but is good enough for hungry people who have been walking around all day 🙂

The Power Portal

Right next to the Snack Bar, you will notice a big stone gate. This is the number one hydro-electric power station built in 1895.

For over a century now, power companies have harnessed the energy of the Niagara River to produce electricity. The surprising part is that they don’t directly utilize the water flowing over the falls. Instead, approximately a mile upstream from the falls, they redirect a significant portion of the river. That happens with pipelines that channel it downward to the power-generating stations.

One Niagara Welcome Center

One Niagara Welcome Center offers a selection of souvenirs and food. Additionally, there’s a game center located on the top floor. This makes it a convenient option if you’re visiting with children and they need a fun break. As you explore the streets around, you’ll come across even more souvenir shops, restaurants, and the popular Hard Rock Cafe with a cool gift store.

Watch The Fireworks

Wrap up your day by checking out the impressive light show and fireworks. It happens every day at 10pm in the summer between May and October. If you’re sticking around for more than two nights, it’s a good idea to catch it from a couple of different spots. Start by watching from the park itself- you’ll be super close to the action. Then, for round two, take a walk along the Niagara Gorge Hiking Trail. Then find a spot where you can see both Rainbow Bridge and a part of Horseshoe Falls all at once. This will be the best spot to observe the light show from this part of the town.

For the full schedule of the light show click here.

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My second day at Niagara Falls started with one of those unexpected things that make you feel lucky. I was on my way from the hostel to the meeting spot for the tour I had booked. I decided to walk along the Niagara Gorge Hiking Trail once more. This way I could catch another glimpse of the falls from Prospect Point. Being early, it wasn’t supposed to be crowded.

As I approached the Observation Tower, I spotted two rainbows right in front of the American Falls. It reminded me of how some of the best moments during a trip are the ones that simply happen unplanned. Witnessing a rainbow above Niagara Falls was definitely a surprise (and a score). I was ready to kick off my tour and experience what almost everyone goes there for.

The tour I had booked was 4-5 hours long. It covered the highlights of this amazing place: the Maid of the Mist boat ride, the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, and the Cave of the Winds (where you go under the Bridal Veil Falls). As a bonus, our tour also included a visit to Three Sisters Island. This isn’t officially part of the tour and depends on your driver. Ours was kind enough to make this stop.

While the tour price was a bit higher than what you’d pay if you booked each attraction separately, I highly recommend it. With the tour, you don’t have to worry about driving, parking, admissions, or timing. Everything is well-organized and you simply hop on and off. The real advantage, though, is the information you receive from your guide. There are so many fascinating insights you gain about this incredible place! Most likely you wouldn’t learn as much on your own. Big shoutout to our tour guide, Ricky, who made the tour so enjoyable!  

Note: Remember to show your appreciation by tipping your tour guides/drivers. They put in a lot of effort to make your experience memorable and you might even receive an extra souvenir, like the certificate for visiting Niagara Falls our guide gave me after I tipped him. Perhaps if more people knew about this, they’d have tipped as well 🙂

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Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds is an incredible experience and an absolute must as part of your Niagara trip. 

The location is very easy to find (it’s on Goat Island). To get to Bridal Veil Falls, you just take an elevator from the entrance that brings you down to the base of it. The staff there will provide you with a raincoat.

Here’s a tip: bring a small purse (crossbody or fanny pack) with only the essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys. Also, put a thin waterproof jacket or shirt underneath the raincoat they will provide you with. So do your best to stay as dry as possible, especially since this is just the first stop of your tour, and you have a few more hours to go.

Bridal Veil Falls

Standing beneath Bridal Veil Falls and feeling the water cascade down upon you is so exciting! Everyone wants to snap photos, but it’s easy to underestimate the amount of water, and accidents can happen. Be cautious about how you handle your phone because the fall is pretty powerful and even being slightly close to it can wipe out your belongings. Consider getting a waterproof case for your phone. According to our tour guide, there’s a person every few days who gets a little too adventurous with photos and ends up losing their phone in the water. Don’t be that person! 🙂

I purposely put on some running shoes, thinking the water was going to be cold. It wasn’t. It turned out that during the summer a pair of sandals or flip-flops with good grip would work perfectly. I regretted my choice of running shoes because once they got wet, they pretty much stayed on my feet until I reached the airport later in the day. Wish I had known, but I’m happy to share this so others can avoid my mistake! At least I wasn’t stuck in wet, cold clothes for the rest of the tour. Everything that got wet was from warm water, so it didn’t really bother me.

Standing under Bridal Veil Falls was a truly unique experience and I made sure I wasn’t there just for the photos. Please, take your time to stand under the falls, feel the water, and listen to the sound of it. It’s incredibly recharging!

Three Sisters Island

After we got soaking wet – in the best possible way – we made a quick stop at Three Sisters Island, a hidden gem that probably doesn’t make it to most people’s itineraries, but it’s nice to check out.

You’ll find Three Sisters Island on the southern side of Goat Island. The name of the island comes from the three daughters of General Whitney, an American commander during the War of 1812.

In 1816, General Whitney brought his three daughters to these islands, and at that time, there were no bridges connecting them. The General and his daughters reached the third and furthest island by walking on the frozen river. As a testament to their courage, the General requested that the owners of the islands name them after his three daughters. Today, the Three Sister Islands’ names are Asenath, Angeline, Celinda Eliza, and Solon (the General’s son).

Maid of the Mist 

After the quick stop at Three Sisters Island, we made our way to the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, getting ready for the most thrilling part of our tour- the Maid of the Mist boat ride! I have been waiting for this experience so impatiently for two reasons- first, it is the highlight of the tour and second, as I’ve mentioned before I love being around water and I knew this was going to be a lifetime memory for me.

Once our tickets were checked and we rode the elevator down, we lined up to board the boat. The staff handed us new raincoats, even better than the ones we got at Cave of the Winds. It was past noon and the day had warmed up pretty well at this point. I would repeat what our guide said- “Do not put on the raincoat until you get on the boat unless you want to boil.” I have to agree with him. Looking around I realized how right he was- everyone who had put on their raincoat to prepare themselves or to have their hands free, already seemed to regret it. Following the advice, I waited until we stepped on the boat.

Just before we boarded, our guide’s exact words were: “Enjoy the ride, it’s a different dimension down there.” At the time, it sounded a bit exaggerated to me, but within minutes, I understood what he was talking about.

Describing the sensation of standing in front of this natural wonder is a real challenge. I really struggle to find the right words, but I can confirm- it was an entirely different dimension down there. Being surrounded by the Horseshoe Falls and feeling the water sprinkles all over was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The sound of thousands of gallons of water, the surreal surroundings… it all felt like a dream when I was on that boat. 

Of course, everyone wanted a spot at the front of the boat but even behind the first “row” or wherever you are on the boat, the view is still perfect. Once the boat reaches the middle of the space in front of Horseshoe Falls, it will stop to allow passengers time to soak in this unique place and take some photos. Keep in mind that after this pause, the boat makes a turn to head back to shore.

Here’s a tip (especially for solo travelers): wait until the boat starts turning after the photo pause and move to the back. This “back” will then turn into the front as the boat completes its turn. This way, you’ll enjoy a “front-row” view while most people are still crowding at the “previous front”. 

Crows Nest

Once you get off the boat, follow the signs to Crows Nest. This is one of the things a lot of people miss after the Made of the Mist boat ride. They just think they need to take the elevator to the tower immediately.

Crows Nest is another really cool and close to the American Falls spot that is totally worth checking out. The line for taking photos was pretty long. I decided it was enough for me to see the view from there, so I enjoyed it for a few minutes and left. Okay, I guess I took one myself-

We wrapped up the tour by visiting Niagara Falls Observation Tower. When you exit the elevator after the boat ride, you will have a chance to enjoy a breathtaking view. This is considered one of the best spots in the state park to observe the falls. Remember it well because if you are following this itinerary that would be the last time you see the falls before taking off.

The Maid of the Mist tour was the perfect way to finish my Niagara adventure, leaving me with a heart full of memories and a smile on my face as I headed to my next destination- Boston.

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How to get to Niagara Falls, NY?

There are two airports that serve the area- Niagara International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the main one as Niagara International Airport offers very limited airlines (only low-coast) along with very limited destinations. 

• You can land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, get a rental car, and drive to Niagara Falls (35-40 mins).

• You can land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, take public transport to Buffalo Downtown and the main bus station (181 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 1420), and take a bus to Niagara Falls (40 mins for the commute to the main bus station in Downtown Buffalo and 30 mins for the ride from there to Niagara Falls + waiting time between both depending on your arrival at the bus station). Public transport from Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Buffalo Downtown costs $2 (cash only). Bus tickets from Buffalo Bus Station to Niagara Falls start from $5 here.

• You can land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and take Uber/Lyft to Niagara Falls directly (35-40 minutes, $30-$60 depending on the time of the day/night).

• You can land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and take public transport to Niagara Falls (2 or 3 buses). This way is cheap but very slow and inconvenient (can take up to 3+ hours).

Where to stay in Niagara Falls, NY?

Just like many other destinations, where to stay in Niagara Falls depends on your preferences and budget. The accommodation options vary to suit different tastes- luxury hotels from well-known brands, to budget-friendly motels and hostels.

What are the best spots in Niagara Falls State Park to observe the falls?

• Prospect Point
• Luna Island
• Nikola Tesla Monument Observation Point
• Terrapin Point

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2-day Itinerary for Niagara Falls, NY (American side):

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Scroll down and find more activities to add!

BONUS TIP!

For the best souvenir deals, visit the store at the parking lot of Quality Inn and Suites and Papa John’s. This place is relatively cheaper than most of the souvenir stores you will see in Niagara Falls. They also have good and affordable sandwich options. Our tour driver made a stop here and we were super happy to stock up with both food and souvenirs.

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Other activities you can try:

• Niagara Scenic Trolley

Niagara Falls Trolley gives people a ride around the park and an overview of the most popular attractions there.

Price for adults: $3

• Aquarium of Niagara 

The Aquarium of Niagara is a great place to visit if you’re traveling with kids. In addition to the typical aquarium attractions, this place also offers behind-the-scenes tours to see what it is to be a trainer. Another exciting experience there is the opportunity to closely interact with penguins and seals.

• Helicopter ride

A helicopter ride over the falls is another great way to experience the majesty of this place. I would suggest leaving it for the end of your trip as clearly it’s going to be the highlight.

• Visit Buffalo for a day once you lend or when you arrive for your departing flight

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Interesting facts about Niagara Falls you probably didn’t know:

• Niagara Falls began to take shape over 12,000 years ago, towards the end of the Ice Age, as huge volumes of water were unleashed from melting ice, flowing into the Niagara River.
• The freshwater cascading over Niagara Falls comes from the combined water from four of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. These lakes contain a fifth of the world’s total freshwater supply.

• In the summer of 1969 the American Falls had to be turned off in order for engineers to remove boulders from its base. This resulted in a one-of-a-kind view of an empty and rocky cascade, never to be witnessed again.
• The Niagara River is also an important bird area as a few thousand birds migrate there. During summer you will notice a lot of birds, especially around the Bridal Veil Falls and Cave of the Winds.

• Collectively, the power plants on both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls have the potential to generate a staggering 2.4 million kilowatts of electricity.

• The Niagara generating stations supply one quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario, Canada.

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Niagara Falls put on a show not just during the evening with its fireworks. It’s an all-day show with amazing picturesque views. It’s hard not to fall in love with this place. The best part is that even two days are enough to cover the best attractions and must-see experiences. I hope this guide convinced you to add it to your bucket list!

Have you ever been to any waterfalls? Which one? Let me know in the comments below!