Niagara USA is not only home to the Falls but it is a place rich in history, culture, outdoor life, shopping, adventure and agriculture. Be sure not to miss these FREE attractions and activities and spend some time, not money, in Niagara USA!
Niagara Rim Trail
Whether you’re looking for a hike you can do with children or a workout that gets even the most stalwart lungs and legs burning, the area around Niagara Falls won’t disappoint. The Niagara Gorge Trail System. The Niagara Gorge Trail System has over 15 miles of trails that run from Niagara Falls, Canada to Lewiston, New York. Whirlpool State Park (3 miles): Here you can walk, run, bike, or cross-country ski the multi-use recreation trail. For spectacular vistas, hike along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail. Stairs descend to a trail along the river’s raging edge. Fantasy Island (7.6 miles): Niagara’s amusement and water park.
- Enjoy hands-on activities and interactive exhibits about energy, history, the environment and more! Operate a power plant at the Control Room Simulator, direct power where it's needed most the Transmission table and immerse yourself in a surround-sound, multi-sensory Power-Up 4D theatre experience.
- Walk, run or bike the multi-use recreational trail. For spectacular vistas, hike along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail. Stairs descend to a trail along the river's raging edge. The park also offers nature programs, shelters, picnicking and fishing. Be sure not-to-miss the other 9 state parks in Niagara USA.
- Artpark overlooks the Niagara River Gorge and features a main-stage theater, special concerts and other family-friendly events. Don't miss Free Family Saturdays (July 23 & 30 from 12 - 4 p.m.), Free Fitness in the Park (Every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 - 11 a.m., June 22 - August 24), Free Music in the Woods (July 31 & August 14 from 4 - 6 p.m.)
- Just footsteps from the Falls, offering free family games, weekly live music bike rentals and more. Enjoy daily interactive games (May 30 - September 5), Free Flicks on Old Falls Street (Every Thursday, June 30 - August 25 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.), Free Family Fun on Saturday Afternoons (Every Saturday, July 9 - August 27, 12 - 5 p.m.), Old Falls Street Run Club (Every Wednesday, May 4 - November 30, 5:45 - 7 p.m.)
- : Enjoy a day of discovery as you connect to over 12 destination sites along the 14-mile route from the 'Falls to the Fort.' Available May 26 - October 19, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The oldest State Park in America, featuring over 400-acres of lush landscape and wildlife and the beautiful Falls themselves. Enjoy breathtaking views of one of nature's marvels and enjoy an experience that will last a lifetime. Open 24-7-365.
- Don't miss the nightly illumination of the Falls as well as a spectacular display of fireworks over the Falls. Fireworks are held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10 p.m., May 1 - October 31, 2016.
- Largest multi-arts center in Upstate New York, the NACC is home to more than 75 artists and art groups. The NACC is also home to the Underground Railroad Freedom Crossing Exhibit, which explores the story of the Underground Railroad Movement in Buffalo Niagara and of the people who risked their lives, all in the name of freedom.
- Exhibitions of nationally-known and emerging contemporary artists and traditional folk arts are presented each year. Enjoy artist talks, workshops and educational programming accompany each exhibition. The Castellani has a permanent collection of over 5,700 works of art, including well-known artists such as Picasso, Miro, Dali, Calder, Nevelson, Warhol and others. In Niagara Falls, visit the Castellani Art Museum at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls and enjoy 'Artists View the Falls: 300 Years of Niagara Falls Imagery.'
- Take an elevator ride into the Niagara Gorge and discover the remains of the former Schoellkopf Power Plant that collapsed in June 1965. This is now the winter home for the Maid of the Mist boats.
What to Do in Niagara Falls Sample the spectacular views along the scenic Niagara Parkway from the Rainbow Bridge to Table Rock, and choose your favorite vantage point along the Niagara River from which to behold the three waterfalls—American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe—known collectively as Niagara Falls .
Stroll across the footbridge over the roiling American Rapids to Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park (1 Prospect St.), New York's oldest state park, for an up-close, awe-inspiring look at the river as it plunges 184 feet into Niagara Gorge.
Cruise past the American and Bridal Veil falls aboard Maid of the Mist (1 Prospect St.) for a drenching, deck-rocking rendezvous with the seething cauldron of river water churned up at the base of the massive Horseshoe Falls.
flickr/ccarlstead
Slip on a complimentary rain poncho and pair of rubber sandals in preparation for a very moist encounter on the Hurricane Deck just 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls as part of the Cave of the Winds Tour on Goat Island.
flickr/Mack Male
Wander among the game-packed arcades, neon-lit souvenir shops, themed restaurants and carnival midway-style rides that crowd the Clifton Hill area on the Niagara River's Ontario side, just a short walk from your best view of the American Falls. Experience an array of fun activities day and night.
AAA/Inspector 16
Feel your spirits lift along with your body as you ride a glass-walled elevator to the top of Skylon Tower (5200 Robinson St.) for a fantastic bird's-eye view of the falls, the gorge and the countryside for miles around, including—on clear days—the skyscrapers of Buffalo and Toronto. Dine and shop at the tower, too. The revolving restaurant rotates 360 degrees in one hour, allowing for a myriad of views. Stock up on souvenirs and gifts at the tower shops. For the kids, there's Skyquest, an indoor arcade with rides, high-tech video games, foosball and air hockey.
Hike along the scenic Niagara Gorge Rim Trail, which extends 6 miles north from the Horseshoe Falls through three state parks, connecting to seven other trails along the way.
Niagara Parks/Niagara Parks
Glide 250 feet above the slowly revolving whirlpool formed at a bend in the Niagara River and enjoy views of the churning rapids courtesy of insubstantial-seeming steel cables supporting the Whirlpool Aero Car (3050 Niagara Pkwy.), a ride that has been safely carrying passengers between cliff edges since 1916.
CHBD/iStockphoto.com
Bask in the rainbow-hued glow of Niagara Falls at night when brilliant spotlights illuminate the roaring curtains of water, a sight that is accompanied by fireworks every Friday and Sunday nights in summer. This mesmerizing after-dark delight is worth waiting for the sun to go down.
Inhale fragrant botanicals as you amble languorously through the exquisitely landscaped gardens at Queen Victoria Park . Plantings vary with the seasons, but in warm months, you'll likely see daffodils, lilacs and roses as well as cherry and magnolia trees. Enhancing the experience: The falls are visible from the park. Treat yourself to the relaxing and informative Horse & Carriage Rides at Queen Victoria Park (6345 Niagara Pkwy.), where you can rest your weary feet while your driver describes the entrancing surroundings.
At Bird Kingdom (5651 River Rd.), discover a completely different environment than the one outdoors. The tropical rain forest inside this former 1907 corset factory is the dwelling of more than 400 birds, who flit, fly and glide in a natural habitat that features a 40-foot waterfall.
Take a seat in a log cabin and enjoy a range of Canadian music, including maritime folk and pop, at Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show (8585 Lundy's Ln.), where a hockey player, Anne of Green Gables or a Mountie serves you comfort food like Alberta Grade Eh? Roast Beef.