Now that I’ve visited both sides of Niagara Falls, the American and Canadian falls, I’ve come to realize just how distinct they are. That’s why I’d like to share the advantages, disadvantages, similarities, and key differences of the American side and the Canadian side. Finally, when you’re planning a trip to Niagara Falls, I’ll suggest which side I think you should visit.
Unless you’re a geography enthusiast, you might not be familiar with the exact location and division of the falls between the United States and Canada, so let’s start with some background information.
Niagara Falls – In Detail
Niagara Falls is located 20 minutes north of Buffalo, New York, on the American side, and approximately 90 minutes south of Toronto, Ontario, on the Canadian side. The falls are situated on the Niagara River, a short river that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, two of the Great Lakes. Each country has a city adjacent to the falls, aptly named Niagara Falls, and I will provide a detailed overview of both later.
Niagara Falls is actually comprised of three sets of waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, the Bridal Veil Falls on the American side, and the American Falls.
In terms of flow rate, they collectively constitute the world’s largest waterfall, with an average of 4 million cubic feet (110,000 cubic meters) of water passing over the crest every minute, reaching up to 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubic meters) during high flow. Compared to other famous waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls, both the American and Canadian sections, are relatively small:
Niagara Falls, USA and Canada
Width: Horseshoe Falls – 2,600 feet (790 meters), American Falls – 1,060 feet (320 meters)
Height: 167 feet (51 meters)
Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
Width: 2,700 meters (8,858 feet)
Height: 64 to 82 meters (210 to 269 feet)
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Width: 1,708 meters (5,604 feet)
Height: 108 meters (360 feet)
While Niagara Falls is approximately one-third the width of Iguazu Falls and less than half the height of Victoria Falls, it remains an incredibly awe-inspiring landscape, well worth a visit, and still holds the title for the largest waterfall in North America.
As I mentioned earlier, you can visit the falls from either the American or Canadian side, and I’ve compiled all the information you need to know about visiting either side.
Similarities between American and Canadian Falls
Let’s start with the commonalities between the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. Whether you’re visiting from the United States or Canada, you can take a 30-minute boat ride to get up close to the magnificent Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist departs from the American side every half hour, while its Canadian counterpart is the Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Another thing both sides offer is the opportunity to get up close to the falls through a series of walkways and observation points.
Visiting Niagara Falls from either country is free of charge.
What are the differences between the two sides of Niagara Falls?
The main difference between visiting Niagara Falls from the Canadian and American sides lies in the views you get to experience. To be honest, Canada has the advantage of offering better scenery: from the edge of the gorge on this side, you can see panoramic views of all three waterfalls, while in the United States, it can be challenging to see the entire “Horseshoe Falls,” despite various observation decks. You’d need to pay to enter the Cave of the Winds walkway to get a close-up view of the American Falls, but even then, you can only see them from the bottom, not the complete panoramic view.
However, the United States has one advantage: here, you can get very close to the falls. In Canada, you can get up close to the Horseshoe Falls, but in the United States, you can truly experience the American Falls up close.
Niagara Falls: The Canadian Side
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls provides a panoramic view of all the waterfalls. You can walk along the wide pedestrian path of Niagara Falls Parkway for about a mile, overlooking the Niagara River and seeing the waterfalls on the opposite side.
If you desire a broader view of the waterfall landscape, you can ascend the Skylon Tower, where you can behold breathtaking vistas from above. The tower features a revolving restaurant where you can enjoy meals or drinks while taking in the magnificent scenery. Booking a table here also grants you free access to the observation deck, but if you’re only purchasing tickets, online tickets cost just $12.70 USD! The popular Sunday brunch buffet is priced at $32.50 CAD, which is actually quite a good value as it includes access to the observation deck – make sure to reserve your table in advance.
Tip: You can now also catch panoramic views of the falls from the brand new Ferris wheel! Get your tickets now for a special price of just $11.65 USD.
Tip: If you opt for the “Journey Behind the Falls” experience, you can get up close to the Horseshoe Falls. You’ll take an elevator descent of 150 feet (45 meters), pass through a series of tunnels, and eventually reach an observation deck next to the falls. Though it’s called “Behind the Falls,” don’t expect to be truly behind the falls – it’s more like a glimpse from the back. However, you will get wet (rain ponchos are provided), and you’ll be up close to hear the thunderous roar of the rushing waters. Tickets for the Journey Behind the Falls are priced plus tax.
If you stay overnight, be sure to return in the evening to witness the Niagara Falls illumination show. After sunset, the falls are bathed in ever-changing colors, creating a stunning display. During the summer season, there are also fireworks on Fridays, Sundays, and public holidays. When deciding whether to stay on the American or Canadian side, this is something to consider: the illumination show can only be seen from the Canadian side, and it’s easier to get there at night from hotels on the Canadian side.
If you have difficulty walking, you can take the “hop-on, hop-off” bus service that connects the major attractions in town and several viewing platforms along the falls. A day pass for this service costs $7 per person.
Niagara Falls: The American Side
The American side may not offer the same panoramic views as the Canadian side, but it allows you to get very close to the water. There is a large observation platform that you can enter for free, where you can enjoy some of the best views of the falls.
You can also take a 30-minute boat ride to get up close to the turbulent Horseshoe Falls and get thoroughly soaked, or you can stroll along the wooden walkways of the Cave of the Winds experience. The cave, which was named after it, no longer exists (it collapsed in 1954), but the walkways and observation decks that take you 175 feet (53 meters) into the Niagara Gorge get you so close to the falls that you essentially get a free (and quite powerful!) shower, especially on the Hurricane Deck at the base of the American Falls. On this deck, you’re just 20 feet (6 meters) away from Bridal Veil Falls! Tickets for the Cave of the Winds experience cost $14 per person ($10 for children), and tickets for the Maid of the Mist experience cost $28.25 per person ($16.50 for children).
In addition to these paid experiences, there are several observation points along the edge, one of which is located between the two American Falls (on Goat Island, which is a small island that separates the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls).
If you have difficulty walking, there is a “hop-on, hop-off” tram service available within Niagara State Park for just $2 per person.
Winner: Canada, these viewpoints are unparalleled!
Niagara Falls: The City
Canadian Niagara Falls:
It’s widely known that we aren’t the biggest fans of this town when visiting the Canadian side. The city feels quite tacky, with everything geared towards making as much money from tourists as possible: haunted houses (seriously, who needs four haunted houses, especially in such a small city), wax museums, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and the like.
If the awe of the natural wonder isn’t enough to entertain your children, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so here (and spend a lot of cash). Ironically, most of the chain stores located here are American, as if they know where the real money is coming from is on the Canadian side. For adults in need of extra entertainment, there are not one, but two casinos to part with your money. I’ve listed some attractions on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls in this article.
When debating whether to stay on the American side or the Canadian side, keep in mind that families with kids might prefer the entertainment value on the Canadian side, or it could be the exact opposite: staying away from it to avoid spending a lot of money.
Niagara Falls: The American Side
The American side feels quieter, less crowded, and less tacky – aside from the wax museums, haunted houses, and an aquarium, as well as the massive casinos towering above all other buildings, there isn’t much here. However, the town strives to offer some free and family-friendly entertainment options, such as free board games, outdoor movie nights in the summer, concerts, and even fitness activities. You can find the full program here.
I find there is more greenery here, and it’s well-known that you can have better hiking along the Niagara River from this side. If you’re planning a few hikes in addition to seeing the falls, this side is definitely for you. You can find more details about hiking options here.
Winner: Niagara Falls, USA
Niagara Falls
American side or Canadian side? Which side should you visit?
Absolutely no problem: visit both! I recommend allowing enough time to explore both the Canadian and American sides to get the complete Niagara experience. I find this very similar to my experience at Iguazu Falls – while I got up close to the falls on the Argentine side, the truly stunning views were only to be had from Brazil. At Niagara Falls, you can see the most beautiful views from Canada, but the close-up experiences are better from the American side.
Niagara Falls: American Side or Canadian Side
Getting Across the Niagara Falls Border
Thanks to the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Canada and the United States near the falls, it’s easy to cross from one country to the other – as long as you have your passport! Be sure to check the visa requirements for your country of origin. If you walk across the bridge, the toll (in two currencies) is only $1.00, but the toll for cars, RVs, and trucks is higher. You can find the current rates here. If you’re driving to visit the falls, there’s no need to drive your vehicle to the other side; simply walk across the bridge to explore the falls on foot, unless you have mobility issues.
Niagara Falls Accommodations
Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most popular tourist destinations, naturally offers a plethora of hotels. However, be cautious: there are many budget motels that are quite basic, and some are even downright dirty. They may be cheap, but they are not enjoyable, trust me. Before booking a hotel or motel, be sure to check the latest reviews and ratings before indulging in what appears to be a cheap deal. I’ve compiled some choices for both the USA and Canada sides, suitable for all budgets.
Note: Canada offers more options, including some hotels with direct views of the falls from their windows. It’s definitely worth spending a bit more to get a room with a view of the falls! This is another consideration when deciding whether to stay on the American or Canadian side.
Niagara Falls, Canada Side
Budget: There are a few charming B&Bs offering accommodations under $100, including breakfast.
Butterfly Manor
Comfort Inn
Mid-Range: Mid-range hotels are almost all major chain hotels. Even the Sheraton and Marriott Fallsview hotels are much better value than the overpriced Hilton, with room rates at around $160, while the Hilton starts at $300. Both offer spectacular views of the falls!
Four Points by Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
High-End: There aren’t many truly luxurious hotels here, but the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa is your best choice for a luxury experience. Note that there are two other Marriott hotels in the area, the Marriott on the Falls and Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel (if you want to use Marriott points).
Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
4-Star Tower Hotel
USA/US Side
Budget: There are a few below-standard motels here, so read some reviews before booking. Bed and breakfast inns would be a more pleasant option.
Niagara Falls Little Italy Bed & Breakfast
Wanderfalls Hostel
Mid-Range: You can find all the usual chain hotels here: Best Western, Quality, La Quinta Inn, Howard Johnson, Holiday Inn, Wyndham, Four Points by Sheraton, and more. Some good options include:
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
High-End: Just like on the Canadian side, there aren’t any truly luxurious hotels here, but the Giacomo Boutique Hotel stands out. All three options are still under $200 per night.
The Giacomo, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino
Sheraton Niagara Falls Hotel
