Visited American Falls in 2026
Niagara Falls (U.S. Side) is located within Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the United States. It offers close-up views of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, along with scenic walking paths and observation areas. Popular attractions include the Maid of the Mist boat tour and Cave of the Winds, which bring visitors right next to the rushing water.
Niagara Falls (Canadian Side) features many popular attractions, including views from Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls, and the Maid of the Mist boat tour. The Canadian side offers sweeping panoramas of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the iconic Horseshoe Falls from numerous vantage points.
As a Pittsburgh resident, Niagara Falls is less than a four-hour drive away. We’ve visited the falls many times, often guiding friends and family while exploring the falls. Our trips have included the Canadian side and even winter visits—you’ll find some winter photos from the Canadian side on this page.
- Barcelona Lighthouse (Scenic stop on the drive to Niagara Falls from Pittsburgh)
- Maid of the Mist
- Prospect Point Observation Tower
- Cave of the Winds
- Rainbow Bridge
- Skylon Tower (Canada)
- Whirlpool Aero Car (Canada)
- Journey Behind the Falls (Canada)
- Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) (Canada)
- Marriott Fallsview (Canada)
Barcelona Lighthouse – Located on the shores of Lake Erie in western New York, it is a scenic stop on the drive toward Niagara Falls. Built in 1829, it is recognized as the first natural gas lighthouse in the United States and originally guided ships entering Portland Harbor. Located along Route 5 in Westfield, the site features a 40-foot stone tower, a historic keeper’s dwelling, and beautiful lake views within Barcelona Lighthouse State Park. Its convenient location just off Interstate 90 makes it an easy and worthwhile stop for photos, and a peaceful view of Lake Erie.
My friend and I stopped at Barcelona Lighthouse while driving to Niagara Falls in January. Although the lighthouse tower was closed during our visit, we spent about 15 minutes enjoying the peaceful views of Lake Erie and taking photos of the Lighthouse and surrounding scenery.
Maid of Mist – is a popular and exciting boat tour that takes visitors close to Niagara Falls. The boats get near the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and even the Horseshoe Falls across the river in Canada. Riders are provided with blue rain ponchos to stay dry from the mist and spray, making it an exciting and unforgettable experience. Operating since the mid-1800s, the Maid of the Mist is one of the best ways to see Niagara Falls up close, giving a thrilling view you can’t get from the observation points.
Prospect Point Observation Tower – The best American-side view is from the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, offering a unique panoramic view of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and even the Horseshoe Falls.
Cave of the Winds – is certainly one of the park’s main attractions. In the summer, visitors can get closer to the Falls — Bridal Veil Falls, to be specific — than they ever thought possible by donning a poncho, taking an elevator down 150 feet into the Niagara Gorge, and then following a series of decks and staircases over the base of the Falls to the Hurricane Deck, where they can stand a mere 20 feet away from the roar of the natural wonder.
Note : Each fall, the walkways leading to the Hurricane Deck are painstakingly removed, board by board, nail by nail. It’s a laborious task — but one that’s absolutely necessary come winter. The ice falling over the Falls would hit the wooden decks, and the build-up of ice below would be just too heavy. The crew who takes down and rebuilds the decks is made up of State Park employees, most of whom have little or no carpentry experience when they join the team. Their most important asset is that they want to be a part of the crew and are willing to learn a Niagara Falls tradition that has been passed down for over a hundred years.”
The Rainbow Bridge – This steel bridge connects Niagara Falls, NY (USA) and Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada). Known for its stunning views, it accommodates pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles (with tolls) and requires passports for cross-border travel. Open 24/7, it offers a unique vantage point to see both the American and Horseshoe Falls, as well as the nightly fireworks.
Skylon Tower (Canada) – The view from the Skylon Tower are just breathtaking with stunning views of both the American and Canadian sides of the falls. On clear days, the views stretch for miles, making it a must-visit spot for capturing the full beauty of the region.
Whirlpool Aero Car – It offers a thrilling ride high above the Niagara Gorge, where you can witness the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the river’s powerful Class 6 rapids. The antique cable car soars 3,500 feet across the gorge and, due to the river’s bends, crosses the international border between Canada and the United States four times—all without requiring a passport.
Note : The round trip which starts and ends in Canada, is about one kilometer long and takes roughly 10 minutes.
Journey Behind the Falls – offers a view of the falls from below and behind. We visited this place in the winter of 2015. There was very little crowd and no waiting in line. Visitors descend 125 ft. by elevator, where a short tunnel gives access to two outdoor observation decks and two portals located directly behind the Falls. You`ll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world’s freshwater crashing down to the basin below.
Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is a charming town on the Canadian side, known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, flower-lined streets, and boutique shops. Located where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario, it’s a renowned wine region, famous for its wineries and ice wine. We’ve visited this place a few times, staying for a couple of days and enjoyed some biking, visiting the local wineries, and soaking in the town’s relaxed, picturesque atmosphere.
NOTL, Floral Clock – The intricate designs on the face of the Floral Clock are created with thousands of carpet bedding plants and are changed twice each year. The planted face of the Floral Clock is maintained by Niagara Parks horticulture staff, while the mechanism inside is kept in working order by Ontario Power Generation. The tower at the back of the clock houses Westminster chimes that greet each quarter hour.
NOTL Wineries – We visited a few wineries and enjoyed some wine tasting.
- Small Talk Vineyard is a lively, family-run winery with over 50 years of history. It offers a variety of wines, including whites, reds, and ice wines, as well as Shiny Apple Cider, making it a delightful stop for wine and cider enthusiasts.
- Konzelmann Estate Winery is another picturesque, family-owned winery overlooking Lake Ontario. It offers crisp whites and ice wines, and a charming tasting room.
Welland Canal – is a man-made ship canal in Canada that crosses the Niagara Peninsula between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, allowing vessels to bypass Niagara Falls and navigate the Niagara Escarpment. The canal features eight large locks that lift ships a total of 326 feet (99 meters) between the two lakes.
Marriott Fallsview – During one of our trips to the Canadian side of Niagara, we stayed at Marriott Fallsview overlooking the falls and enjoyed an incredible, panoramic view right from our room. We had a clear view of the entire falls and didn’t even need to step outside to experience the beauty.
