Horseshoe Falls throwing up spray and a rainbow, with a tour boat in the river below

Niagara Falls State Park · New York · Since 1885

The straight answers on trips to Niagara Falls

New York side or Canadian side? Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds? A day trip from Manhattan, or the GO train from Toronto?

Independent — not a tour operatorEvery way to the falls, compared

Trips & tickets

Every paid way to see the falls

All trips →

Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds guided tour

A small-group walk through Niagara Falls State Park with a local guide, with entry tickets to the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and the Observation Deck included, plus Terrapin Point and Luna Island.

  • Maid of the Mist ticket included
  • Cave of the Winds Hurricane Deck
  • Small group with a local guide
3 hours Seeing the US side in one go
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Niagara Falls USA guided tour and Maid of the Mist cruise

A guided stroll through the Olmsted-designed state park from Prospect Point, with the Maid of the Mist ticket included and the Observation Deck view of all three falls to finish.

  • Maid of the Mist ticket included
  • Prospect Point and the upper rapids
  • Observation Deck
2 hours A short first visit
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Niagara Falls day tour from Toronto with Niagara-on-the-Lake

By air-conditioned bus from Toronto with a local guide, a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake, photo stops along the Niagara Parkway and up to 3 hours of free time at the falls. The Voyage to the Falls boat is an option you select.

  • Niagara-on-the-Lake stopover
  • Up to 3 hours at the falls
  • Optional Voyage to the Falls boat
8 hours Staying in Toronto
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All Niagara Falls tours and tickets

The full GetYourGuide listing for Niagara Falls — guided tours of the US side, boat tours, jet boats, helicopter flights and day trips from New York City and Toronto, with live prices.

  • Live prices and availability
  • Cancellation terms shown on each product
  • Departures from Niagara Falls, New York City and Toronto
Varies by product Comparing what is available on your dates
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Planning a trip to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is three waterfalls on an international border, and the trips sold around it are just as divided: the free New York state park with its paid attractions, the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds; the Canadian parkland of Niagara Parks across the Rainbow Bridge; jet boats from Lewiston and Queenston; helicopter flights from both sides; and day tours from New York City, Buffalo and Toronto.

Which one is right depends on which side you are staying on, whether you carry a passport, and how close to the water you want to get. These pages compare them plainly.

Plan it properly

The guides

The falls

The Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the gorge

A tour boat in the churning water at the foot of the falls, wrapped in mist
The American Falls pouring over rock into the Niagara River under a blue sky
Bridal Veil Falls beside the American Falls, with red wooden walkways at its base
Niagara Falls lit in blue and pink at night
Aerial view of the American and Horseshoe Falls and the river gorge below

Photographs licensed from Shutterstock.

Before you book

Quick answers

All questions →
Is Niagara Falls free to visit?

Yes. Niagara Falls State Park on the New York side is open 365 days a year and always free to walk into. You pay for parking (lots 1 and 2 cost $10 a day, $15 on summer weekends) and for attractions such as the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds; our tickets and prices guide lists every price.

How much is the Maid of the Mist?

For 2026 an adult ticket costs $30.25 and a child (6-12) $19.75; children 5 and under ride free with a paid adult. Prices are in US dollars and include the elevator to the landing and the observation deck. The tour lasts 20 minutes; our boat tours guide compares it with the other boats.

How do I get to Niagara Falls from New York City?

Most visitors fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), about 30 miles from the park, or drive in on the New York State Thruway (I-90). Without a car, a day tour from Manhattan handles the transport and tickets; our guide to getting there compares the options.

How do I get to Niagara Falls from Toronto?

GO Transit runs to Niagara Falls all year from Union Station, and a weekend package with the round-trip train and a day of WEGO buses costs $22 CAD on Niagara Parks' price list. By car it is the Gardiner Expressway and the QEW. Our guide to getting there covers both.