Tourist Tips for Visiting Niagara Falls, New York

There's a lot of things to talk about when visiting Niagara Falls. First off, of course, you've got to see the falls! There are plenty of ways to do this. First off just walking around the tourist area, and looking at the falls is FREE! I know, free is crazy! However, if you want to experience them better you are going to need to pay some money. You can either purchase passes for separate things, or you can buy a pass which takes you to pretty much everything. I found the overall pass to be of more worth, than just separate thing, but deciding for yourself which seems best is usually the best way to go. One of the best experiences, is the Maid of the Mist, which comes either separate, or on the all-around pass.

The Maid of the Mist involved riding around the bottom of the falls on a boat, so if you are wary of boats, this may not be for you. However, it does give you an in-depth look at the falls. You will be provided with a poncho, so don't worry too much about getting wet! Another good attraction, especially if you have younger children is the Aquarium at Niagara Falls. This is a great aquarium, with tons of different fish, including a variety of exotic fish. This also comes either separate or as part of the everything pass.

Of course, as I found on my trip, you often can't fit everything into one day, because some things end earlier in the day. I would advise planning an overnight stay with 2 days at the Falls to fully enjoy their beauty, without having to rush. Hotel accommodations are often filled up during the summer months, so make sure to make reservations ahead of time! Niagara offers many different hotel chains, from Howard Johnson to Comfort Inn. There are also a number of "local" hotels. I stayed at one called the Inn on the River. It was relatively cheap, with a discount for Triple A members. The beds were nice, and the room was spotless.
One last thing you might be thinking of is restaurants to eat at. There are a number of fast food restaurants on the main road to the falls, and there is also a Hard Rock Cafe right across from the entrance to the falls. I also noticed a number of street vendors selling food, later at night.
Remember, the most important things are to have fun and enjoy your trip to the falls!