We reached Buffalo Airport from New York by a late night JetBlue flight. After picking up our rental car from the airport, we drove to our hotel in Niagara Falls (Holiday Inn Express) which was less than 20 miles from the airport. Since it was around midnight by the time we reached the hotel, we went straight to bed.
Next morning, after waking up and having complimentary breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and drove to the Niagara falls (US side). We used the Niagara Falls official parking which was only $10.
Niagara Falls is comprised of 3 separate falls, of which the American Falls lies completely within US boundary and right beside is the smaller Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls is largely on the Canadian side which one can visit by taking the Maid of the Mist ride or walking/driving to the Canadian side.
No trip to the Niagara Falls is complete without a ride on the Maid of the Mist. The enormity of the falls cannot be realized until you are on the boat and next to the Horseshoe falls and being slammed by mist from all sides !! The boat ride is only $15.50 /person and is absolutely worth every penny.
We were there right after Labor day weekend and I have heard that the waiting time for the boat can extend beyond an hour or so but we didn’t have to wait for more than 15 minutes.
They give you water-proof clothing to prevent getting wet from the mist.
Below is one of the very few pictures i took during the boat ride though there are 3 videos following it.
After the boat ride, we walked up to the Crow’s Nest which gives an up close view of the American Falls. This is where we got completely drenched. I mean the mist and the water will pound you so hard that you will feel out of breath walking up the steps. It was an exhilarating experience.
After drying off a little on the observation deck (accessible to the ticket-holders of Maid of the Mist ride) we went to the gift shop for some souvenir shopping.