Niagara falls from NYC: 1 Day Trip vs 2 Days Trip

If you're in New York and want to visit Niagara Falls, you may be wondering how to make the most of your time. Here are some useful tips

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

Niagara falls from NYC: 1 Day Trip vs 2 Days Trip

Niagara Falls and Parador Resort | ©Eddie Bugajewski

Visiting Niagara Falls is a safe bet. I assure you that you won't be disappointed. There's a reason they say it's one of the wonders of the world. So, if you want to see many of the scenes you've seen in the movies, take the opportunity!

If you've already decided to go, the next step is whether you want to book a day trip to Niagara Falls or choose a two day Niagara Falls tour. Is one day enough to see enough? How long does it take to see it all? Is it worth spending two days there? Read on and I'll help you decide!

How much time do I need to see the Falls?

Parador and Falls| ©Aditya Chinchure
Parador and Falls| ©Aditya Chinchure

On your trip to Niagara Falls keep in mind that you will need at least one day to see all the must-see sights and preferably two days to explore this wonderful place in peace and quiet.

  • If you have the time and opportunity, book the Niagara Falls two day tour and make your experience unforgettable.
  • If your trip is short, book the one day Niagara Falls tour and make the most of it. It may be a bit rushed but you'll get to see the highlights and you won't come back from your holiday without saying you didn't visit the Falls.

Once you've chosen the time of your trip, depending on how much time you have, you can choose one attraction or another. I assure you there is plenty to see and enjoy- read on!

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Enjoy Niagara Falls by Night

Niagara Falls at Night| ©Ahmed Raza Khan
Niagara Falls at Night| ©Ahmed Raza Khan

In case you were in doubt... the falls don't go out! That means they are in constant motion and flow 24 hours a day. An incredible spectacle that you can enjoy if you decide to book your Niagara Falls tour and spend the night there. Every night is illuminated so you can see the falls in all their splendour.

Apart from that, think of the feeling of seeing this natural paradise under the moonlight and the stars. Impressive, isn't it? And if that wasn't enough, several nights a week there are fireworks displays. This happens:

  • Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the second half of May.
  • From the middle of June onwards there are fireworks displays every night from 10 p.m. onwards.
  • From the beginning of September to the beginning of October Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for another month.

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So... is it worth going to Niagara Falls for just one day?

View of the Falls in Canada| ©Bianca Ackermann
View of the Falls in Canada| ©Bianca Ackermann

Of course, booking a trip to Niagara Falls is worth it even if it's only a day trip. Maybe your trip to New York doesn't allow for more time than you'd like. And in case you had any doubts, I 100% recommend you to visit this paradise for a full day.

Besides, you can find plenty of activities to do in just one day. Here are some examples adapted to all tastes and needs. Take a pen and paper and... take note!

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Best attractions to enjoy if you only go for a day trip

Cave of the winds| ©Kari
Cave of the winds| ©Kari

Here you will find the best activities to do on your trip to the famous and breathtaking Niagara Falls. Of course, you can combine them as you wish to make the most of your time.

Cave of the Winds

A unique experience at the foot of the Falls is to book a guided tour of Niagara Falls with tickets to the Cave of the Winds. You'll be able to walk freely on these long wooden platforms and admire, and even feel or touch, the power of the water.

At this attraction, you will first be shown a video explaining the history of this natural museum. When it's over, you'll be given a mackintosh and sandals and lowered down to the platforms so that you can reach the viewing platform and soak up the sound and humidity. Visit the Cave of the Winds - it's definitely a spectacle!

It's a great option as there's no time limit and you can enjoy the attraction for as long as you like.

Maid of the mist

Another of the most popular and popular attractions on a Niagara Falls tour. You'll enter the most impressive falls from the base to the basin and enjoy the ride like never before.

Best of all, it won't take much time out of your day, as the ride takes about 25 minutes. You can buy tickets for the boat on the day and on the spot up to 15 minutes before the ferry departs. The Maid of the Mist is a must if you decide to make it a day trip.

Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley

The fabulous vintage style trolley, which will take you around the Falls Park. A 5km tour that will take you through the facts and history of this natural oasis, sounds great doesn't it?

Adventure Theatre

This is the projection of a 30-minute film on a big screen. Getting to know all the stories of the falls. Every hour there is a screening of the film

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Extra attractions to enjoy if you go for two days

Fish at the Aquarium of Niagara| ©Anthony Sokolik
Fish at the Aquarium of Niagara| ©Anthony Sokolik

If you decide to book a two day trip to Niagara Falls, I think a visit to the Maid of the mist or Cave of the winds is a must.

You can also see the screening of Legends of adventure, the Adventure Theatre film... as well as many other activities. And, above all, with much more calm.

Apart from all this, there are other activities you can enjoy on your second day at the falls. Maybe you fancy guided tours or a bit more at your own pace. Keep your eyes peeled!

Niagara Aquarium

An aquarium with over 120 marine species, animal shows and talks by experts in the field. It has more than 30 exhibits among which I would like to highlight the penguins, rays and sharks.

It's incredible because this aquarium emphasises animal welfare in every sense of the word! Make up your mind to visit it, because it has many threatened and endangered species. You can find out much more on the aquarium's official website.

Hiking trails

In addition to all these attractions, you can take advantage of your second day to walk freely throughout the park, which, I assure you, will not disappoint you. There are endless routes through this natural paradise at your leisure and at your own pace - a marvel!

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The best choice if you're a first time visitor to New York

Inside Niagara Falls as part of the tour| ©Sue Waters
Inside Niagara Falls as part of the tour| ©Sue Waters

Youmay be travelling with very limited time. Sometimes it's hard to fit everything you want to do into a few days, but you don't want to leave anything out.

If you're travelling to New York, you're sure to want to delve into the city, the hustle and bustle and the action... So if you're keen to see Niagara Falls and get your mind off it, you' ll want to book a day trip to Niagara Falls and make the most of it.

In this case, take the opportunity to visit Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds to soak up the best of the Falls... and never better!

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Two-day trip if you're spending a lot of time in New York City

Roads to Niagara Falls| ©Bradley Howard
Roads to Niagara Falls| ©Bradley Howard

Sometimes you can afford to travel a few days longer than expected, or you simply know the city, but you've missed a few things and want to spend some time doing it. If this is your case, book a two-day trip to Niagara Falls and enjoy two great days out.

In this case it might be useful to travel by car or bus to enjoy more of the scenery as you make your way out of New York City to this natural paradise.

Book your two day tour to Niagara Falls

Opt for the two-day tour if you're travelling with children.

Kids at Niagara| ©Illini Gardner
Kids at Niagara| ©Illini Gardner

Almost every activity is suitable for children. From the aquarium, the Adventure Theatre, the Tramway through the park and even the Maid of the Mist boat ride.

They will have a blast as they watch the scenery and feel the humidity and the water falling on their bodies. They will have a blast! In this case... I think the best thing for them would be to book a two-day trip to Niagara Falls, so they don't end up exhausted.

I don't know if they will have a better time or you, what I do know is that it will be an incredible experience for the whole family and all of this... In the middle of nature! I leave you this article about things to do with kids in Niagara Falls in case you want more information.

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Choose the best option for your budget

Niagara Falls Tour| ©Tim Gouw
Niagara Falls Tour| ©Tim Gouw

What's it going to cost me? Sometimes it is difficult to economize when travelling to another country and, especially when we want to see so many things in New York, let me tell you that visiting Niagara Falls can be a very economical option if you want to! In this case and in order to save as much as possible, the best thing to do is to book a day trip to Niagara Falls. Once there, you can choose from many cheap and free options.

It is true that you will have to invest in transport, but once there, you will be able to do very low cost or even free activities. Among the cheapest options are a ticket to the theatre to see the movie, the observation tower or hiking trails in the park.

If, on the other hand, you are on a budget, my choice is clear: book a helicopter flight to see Niagara Falls from the air.

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Choose the most suitable tour depending on the season

Winter at Niagara Falls| ©Christian Collins
Winter at Niagara Falls| ©Christian Collins

I have to tell you that you won't be able to enjoy all the activities I've talked about all year round. That's why you'll need to consider what time of year is the best time to see the falls to decide whether to book a Niagara Falls day trip or a two-day Niagara Falls tour.

  • If you are travelling during the summer season, which usually runs from May to October, I recommend taking the two-day tour as you will be able to take advantage of more time and visit more attractions that are closed during the winter, such as the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds.

  • If you are visiting Niagara Falls in winter, you should be aware that many of the attractions are closed. Especially the attractions directly related to the water or the tram. In that case, I would take the day trip, where you can walk and hike or visit the theatre or the aquarium.

I hope that after reading this article, it will be clearer to you which option is best for you and whether a day trip or a two-day trip to the iconic and mighty Niagara Falls is more worthwhile for you.

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