Since we were determined to "do something", our next stop was learn about geology and history by visiting Lewiston. It was when we bought the tickets or packed a picnic that we had the most fun. For many many years we just parked and admired.
It's less dramatic than being drenched by the Falls, but my 3 year old (train and trolley lover) claimed this was the best part.Īll in all, I can tell you that "doing something" is way better than just going to take a picture. This very wet climb takes you under the American Falls where you will be surrounded by the Falls.įor a dryer tour of Niagara Falls, you can take the Niagara Scenic Trolley to see the park with a tour guide. We did not do the Cave of the Winds Tour, but I wish we had. When you return, get off the boat and take a very wet walk up to the Crows Nest next to the American Falls. Take a trip next to the American Falls and the big Horseshoe Falls and see just how powerful the water is. you buy tickets (kids 5 and under are free), head to the observation deck, take the elevator (way) down, grab a poncho and get on the boat. We did the Maid of the Mist on the last trip. These are the tours, open May to November, that get you wet. You can also experience Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds. (Update: This Discovery Center may have closed with pandemic. You can learn all about how this escarpment was formed at the Discovery Center. And at night, it's lit up and even more beautiful. The water plunges over the Niagara Escarpment, which is a long cliff that runs from New York to Illinios. It is located on the Niagara River, draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Nearly 6 million cubic feet of water go over the Falls every minute during peak tourist hours. Niagara Falls is not the tallest waterfall in the world, but it is the fastest moving. Not only is the waterfall beautiful, it is very useful for hydroelectric energy and just seeing it makes geology fascinating. but if you spend the time to experience the Falls, it becomes amazing. Just looking at Niagara Falls is like seeing a nice postcard. We just got back from our family trip, and below are just some of the things to do! (And go here for things to do in the nearby Southern Tier.) Jump to: Room to run, reasonable prices, relaxing pace and a lot to learn. Relaxing pace but lots to learn, and a lot that is different than our hometown of Houston.Ī trip to western New York is a vacation with slamming screen doors, kids breathing in fresh air, families watching water tumble over a wide waterfalls, figuring out what created the falls and learning how boats could possibly move up and down this Niagara Escarpment. but once I started actually looking around, I found a place that was perfect for a family vacation. Unlike New York City, this part of the state has farms, orchards, lakes and a slightly slower pace of life.įor a long time I thought a trip to upstate was a trip to the country, with no city to explore and nothing to do. I've been married to a Western-New-Yorker for 20 years and have visited Western New York many many times.