Hello and thank you for taking the time to check out my blog. I hope you enjoy the narrative and find some useful tips for your journey to this historic site. Before visiting I'd always considered Niagara Falls a "tourist trap" but after visiting that opinion has changed somewhat. Granted it is still a tourist trap, you have to pay for everything (if you know of any freebees please let everyone know!). But, without the infrastructure, it would be difficult if not impossible to get some of the breathtaking views available from the trails, boats and tower. This photo is from the rear of the Maid of the Mist boat.
QUICK TIPS
1-You cannot see anything worthwhile from your vehicle, I tried. If you're only planning on "passing through" you'll be disappointed.
2-You will have to pay to park, $10 in Niagara Falls State Park Lot 1 - $10! and $20 in public lots or deck.
3-Early bird gets the worm, or in this case the parking spot. Before 10am there's high probability you'll get a spot in Niagara Falls State Park Lot 1 - $10! After 10am it will be hit and miss and you may be greeted by this If this happens you can try the lot around the corner at Goat Island Niagara Falls.
4-Handicapped accessibility is best from Lot 1. I didn't ride the trams so I can't say whether they're friendly or not, sorry for that and I will make it a point to report on this situation in future posts.
MY SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAVEL THERE
There are an infinite number of ways to get into the downtown falls area. I'm notorious for finding the "back way" and I tried 4 different routes into the downtown area. Forget it. All alternate routes have a ton of traffic lights and every single one is going to stop you, LOL, it was ridiculous! If you're coming in from the Buffalo area just take the highway. If you're coming in from the north you could jump over on the 104 or the Niagara Scenic Pkwy. The Scenic Pkwy is very limited access so once you're on it you're on it, enjoy the scenery. This is my personal favorite set of directions for getting into town and parked.
Niagara Falls is located about 20 minutes north of Buffalo NY off Interstate 190 (any GPS can get you there so I'll spare the broad directions). Take exit 22 onto US-62 North, this is Niagara Falls Blvd. A little over a mile you'll continue straight onto Walnut Ave. About 2 miles turn left onto Main Street (Route 104). 4 blocks down turn left onto 1st Street (if you decide to continue down to Rainbow Blvd to attempt access to State Park Lot 1 from Mayors O'Laughlin Dr you may get caught in backup traffic for the Rainbow Bridge).
Approaching 1st Street and Niagara Street you'll have public lots on the left. Crossing Niagara you'll have the parking deck on the right. Turning right onto Niagara takes you straight to Canada via the Rainbow Bridge. If that's where you're heading then go for it. If not you'll get stuck turning right or left in traffic
If you want to try the State Park Lot 1 continue down 1st Street and turn right on Old Falls Street, down to Prospect and turn right again. Park entrance is on the left. Good luck.
Staying straight on 1st Street will lead you to Goat Island. There is a 20 minute free parking lot on Goat Island but you'll burn 20 minutes walking out to the 3 sisters overlook of the rapids. A sight worth seeing but no view of the falls. As I said earlier, no "drive by" viewing.
So that gets you into the area. After driving around, north, south, 3 laps around town these are my conclusions. If you know some secret please bring it to my attention so I might assist others.
**WHAT TO DO AND PHOTOS **
Right, now your parked and wonder which way to head? Toward the river!
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
Photos from walkway at Prospect Point
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TAKE THE MAID OF THE MIST BOAT RIDE
It's $18.25, I understand if you have a bunch of kids this is going to be expensive. Check out this photo though, the finer print at the bottom says $1.25 to get out on the observation deck and down the elevator. Once down the elevator you can climb alongside the American Falls and get the sensation of standing in the mist and feeling the thunder.
You will get wet on the boat ride. Your camera/phone will too. I rode on the lower deck at the back of the boat. Some people say to go to the upper deck but I'm thinking the lower deck gives you more opportunity to take photographs before you have to hide your equipment from the water.
Photo from bottom of elevator you can explore this for $1.25
Photos from Maid of the Mist
Photos from Maid of the Mist
Photos from Maid of the Mist
Photos from Maid of the Mist
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY ENTIRE ARTICLE, I HOPE IT WILL MOTIVATE YOU TO MAKE THE TRIP TO NIAGARA FALLS AND ALSO MAKE THAT TRIP A LITTLE LESS STRESSFUL. KOJAK