Niagara Falls America-side Tours

Enter a new world, full of mist, formidable rapids, powerful waters and occasional rainbows, with the best Niagara Falls tours. Niagara Falls is surrounded by vineyards, forests and other attractions that you'll love to explore, and you have the chance to do just that.

Experience this tourist paradise for the first time or revisit it from a totally different perspective. After analysing the available tours, I've put together some excellent options by land, water and even air. So let yourself be surprised with this exclusive selection that shows you everything you can enjoy while you're there.

One of the must-do's among the best tours of the Falls is the tour aboard the Maid of the Mist. This is a boat that will take you completely into the very heart of these imposing waters. This way, you will live a unique experience that you will never forget in your life.

You will be surrounded by thousands of litres of water and **you will feel the adrenaline rush from the force and roar of the water. Thanks to the powerful breeze, the water will reach your face and body, wetting the clothes you will be given to protect yourself. Without a doubt, it's not just about having wonderful views, it's about experiencing an indescribable thrill.

This kind of tour usually takes less than half a day and includes more than just the boat ride. For example, they may pick you up at the hotel where you decide to stay in New York. They will even take you back there as soon as it's all over, without charging you any extra for this service. So make the most of it.

Details of this tour

Price: Around 120€.
Estimated duration: 5 hours
Means of transport used: Boat

The Niagara riverboat tour is one of the most exciting Niagara Falls tours. Aboard a speedboat, you'll cruise these waters for a fun-filled few hours. These boats are modern, comfortable, fast and move at a speed that I bet will impress you.

They have more than 1,650 horsepower, which will propel you all the way. You have to dare to go through this adventure where your adrenaline will be completely pumping. Get ready to enjoy this classic ride where the waters will beat you in the swaying of the boat.

With this tour, through Niagara Falls, you will be among the gorge and its cliffs. Feel daring and take one of the open-air seats on the boat. If you're a little more reserved, enter the inner part of the boat; either way, you'll delight in the ride.

Tour highlights of this tour

Price: Almost 60€.
Estimated duration: 45 minutes
Means of transport: Boat

See the beautiful waterfalls in a completely different light, during a night tour. Your eyes will sparkle and light up thanks to the reflection of all the effects. The pyrotechnics, laser lights and fireworks that are used at night provide an unparalleled and unforgettable spectacle.

This Technicolor night-time effect at Niagara Falls only takes place after sunset. So if you're looking for something completely different, book a night-time tour. This way you'll see a natural phenomenon, sparkling and brightly lit.

Stargazing under the stars will complement this amazing spectacle of colour and breathtaking luminosity. This tour also includes the chance to see some of the attractions from a boat, which makes it all the better.

Highlights of this tour

Price: From €120
Estimated duration: 4 hours
Means of transport used: Boat

Among the best Niagara Falls tours you can enjoy is the Niagara Falls aeroplane ride. You will be treated to an aerial view on a flight that will take you on an extraordinary journey. From high above, you will witness all that the Falls encompasses like never before.

Tours take off from the small airport in the Niagara district. When you choose them, you will fly over many forests and see, from above, the bubbling waterfalls of these amazing falls. You'll be fascinated to witness these mighty flows tumbling through the mist.

You will also feel very comfortable inside the plane, and you will be able to have a window seat. This will allow you to appreciate every detail of the splendid scenery. So, keep your camera handy and get ready to capture those images that will stay with you for a long time.

Highlights of this tour

Price: From €70
Estimated duration: 25 minutes
Means of transport used: Plane

There is a cave below these roaring falls called the Cave of the Winds. Because it is a magnificent tourist attraction, it is included in one of the best tours of the Falls on the American side. By being in it you will get a new and amazing perspective of the canals.

In fact, you'll be able to get so close to the falls that you'll feel like you can touch it. You will have a guide who will hold your ticket in his hand so that you can avoid a long and tiring queue. He or she will speak Spanish and will tell you all sorts of stories of mystery, rescue and daredevils along the way.

This will familiarise you with the park's past and make your experience even more enriching. Dare to descend up to 53 metres to reach the cave where you will feel the rush of the Falls. I assure you that you will find the whole walk very entertaining, from start to finish.

Characteristic details of this excursion

Price: Approximately 50€.
Estimated duration: About 2 hours
Means of transport used: Walking Tour

Another way you can see Niagara Falls from the air is by taking a helicopter sightseeing tour. No one can deny that the views from the air are second to none. On the other hand, as the number of people is limited, you are guaranteed to receive a more personalised service.

As such, you will feel like you are upgrading your visit to a luxurious category but, in reality, the price is quite good. There's nothing quite like being at an altitude of over 230 metres above this fantastic place. If you want to capture and take home those mind-blowing moments, make sure you take good pictures.

Usually these kinds of tours also include a boat ride so you can enjoy the scenery from all angles. In case it is your first time there, you will appreciate even more to make such a complete visit. Depending on the choice you make, it might even include a delicious meal.

Tour highlights of this tour

Price: From 280€.
Estimated duration: 5 hours
Means of transport used: Helicopter and boat.

Do you want to avoid wasting time on your journey to the Falls? If your answer is yes, I recommend this tour. It consists of a plane ride from New York to this popular tourist destination. Although you'll have to invest a bit more in this fun, it's well worth it.

Not only will you have superior views of the amazing bodies of water, but also of the Big Apple. Imagine seeing one of the biggest skyscraper metropolises from above and then passing by the beautiful waterfalls - a wonderful contrast that will leave you open-mouthed!

Not encountering the busy traffic on the streets of New York will save you a lot of time. The same will be true if you don't have to drive through the forests and mountains. That time can be better spent on the Maid of the Mist boat and by making your tour longer.

Details of this tour

Price: Approximately €500
Estimated duration: 15 hours
Means of transport used: Plane and boat

Of course, the Falls, as splendid as they are, are the main attraction here. However, don't forget that there is an entire state park of 160 hectares or more. Don't leave without taking a tour that involves an excursion through these beautiful gardens full of life.

If you love the outdoors as much as I do, this is a unique opportunity. Get in touch with nature by taking a leisurely stroll through the park's spectacular trails designed by Frederick Law. There you will also find sites of great historical value and interest.

Therefore, going with a guide who will explain the secrets of the park in your language is the best decision. That way, you will learn about the most important curiosities of this place, which has been used for filming movies. Luckily, this kind of combined tours offer that and much more.

Tour highlights of this tour

Price: Around €35
Estimated duration: 1 hour
Means of transport used: Walking Tour

There is the option of experiencing a Niagara Falls tour from the American side to the Canadian side. This is possible because the falls are swirling in the mist in both countries. In other words, the enjoyment of seeing the falls is possible in one country as well as the other.

With a tour of this kind, you will get to see both sides from very close quarters, passing through certain strategic locations. For example, you can go from the platforms at Cave of the Winds to the viewing platforms at the high Skylon Tower. Included in this tour is an entrance ticket to the famous "Maid of the Mist".

This boat will give you the thrill of witnessing or being in the very heart of Niagara. On board, you will get to the part where the great river begins to plunge down all the cliffs. I can promise you that you will experience a very pleasant and satisfying sensation like no other.

Details of this tour

Price: Around 130€.
Estimated duration: 7 hours
Means of transport used: Boat

If you want to enjoy the best tours of the falls, you can do so by bus from the city. On this trip, you'll cross the Appalachian Mountains from New York, making a short trip and taking a short time to get there. This way you won't be in a long and constant wait or anticipation.

As you exit the illuminating lights on Broadway, you will encounter the spectacular and majestic Niagara Falls. The buses used to get you around are very comfortable and functional. So you'll feel good about exploring the state parks and viewpoints along the way.

These bus tours departing from New York to the falls are only available for a few months and sometimes include a ride once in the Falls Park. This ride is on the Maid of the Mist boat, but you can still explore the famous Cave of the Winds - enjoy a scenic tour before heading back to New York!

Details of this tour

Price: From 200€.
Estimated duration: 19 hours
Means of transport used: Bus and boat

The ideal time to visit Niagara Falls is in summer, from June to August. The warm temperatures during this time make it easy to enjoy all the activities available there. On the other hand, during the winter, there are some Niagara Falls attractions that are not available, such as the Maid of the Mist.

This is because rides are cancelled due to the presence of ice all along the river. As weather influences the best Niagara Falls tours, keep this in mind when planning your visit and don't rule out visiting Niagara Falls in winter as it can be an unforgettable experience.

Some suggestions that will enhance your enjoyment of the best waterfall tours are:

• Wear clothes you are willing to get wet.
• Check visa requirements for Canada if you are crossing the border.
• Compare options and choose the one that suits you best and fits your budget.
• Carry Canadian dollars in case you go to the other country.