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Old Fort Niagara offers visitors the opportunity to explore one of the most important forts of the 18th century, crucial in maintaining control of access to the Great Lakes during the colonial wars. The visitor center and the fort's many restored original buildings include exhibits and artifacts. During the summer, there are living history interpreters who demonstrate what daily life was like, from routine chores to working artisans.

Guided tours are also available in-season, and during the off-season, visitors are encouraged to enjoy an orientation video and self-guided exploration of the grounds. The fort also hosts special events, including re-enactments, and there are hourly musket demonstrations year-round.

One of the best things about Niagara Falls is its proximity to its twin, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Here, you will find a variety of tourist attractions, including some unique ways to enjoy the natural wonders of the river and falls. Visitors can take a peek at the underside of Horseshoe Falls from portals carved into the rock beneath, accessed by tunnels that were carved more than 130 years ago.

To get a thrilling view of the whirlpool, the vintage 1916 aerial cable car called the Aero Car offers unparalleled views from above. Visitors will also enjoy the Clifton Hill amusement park with a plethora of entertainment options, from midway games to bowling, arcades, and coaster-track go-karts. It is also home to the Niagara Skywheel, Canada's biggest observation wheel, which offers stunning views of the falls and Niagara Gorge.

Located off Goat Island upstream of Horseshoe Falls, this group actually consists of four small islands. The three largest were named after the daughter of General Parkhurst Whitney (Asenath, Angeline, and Celinda Eliza), and the fourth is referred to as Little Brother Island or Solon.

During its industrial heyday, Niagara Falls was home to numerous hydroelectric power stations. Construction on the Schoellkopf Power Station began in 1905 and continued through 1924, at which point it was the largest of its kind in the world. It gained infamy on June 7, 1956, when a small seepage detected in the morning gave way to a collapse by the end of the day, destroying two-thirds of the plant in a massive rush. The station was not rebuilt, and today the site is a testament to the impressive and enduring power of water

After a day of sightseeing or when the weather isn't cooperative, a visit to the Fashion Outlets is a great diversion. Located near the airport and just over the river from Canada via North Grand Island Bridge, it's a convenient place for both shopping and dining.

The Rim Trail offers a range of stunning views, running south to north along the top edge of the gorge. It is designated as "easy," offering a well-tended gravel base, however it does include several sets of rather steep steps. The trail is 6.2 miles long one-way, beginning at the Niagara Gorge Trailhead Center (by the Discovery Center) and ending by the Robert Moses Power Plant.

Three miles below the American Falls, the river changes course again, forming a whirlpool in the great cauldron originally created by tectonic movements, then turning northeast over the Lower Rapids towards Lake Ontario. These rapids are some of the world's most dangerous, with 100,000 cubic feet of water moving through the narrow Whirlpool Gorge each second.

From Prospect Point, a path crosses a bridge on to little Green Island, in the middle of the rapids just above the American Falls, and then over another bridge on to Goat Island, between the American and the Horseshoe Falls. On Goat Island, at the foot of the American Falls, is the entrance to the Cave of the Winds from where boardwalks lead to just under the falls.

Prior to descending the 175-feet into the gorge, visitors to the Cave of Winds are provided with ponchos and souvenir sandals - a must for anyone who doesn't want to spend the rest of the day in soggy shoes. Named the "hurricane deck" for its constant state of stormy conditions, the wooden platform stands only 20 feet from the tumbling water of Bridal Veil Falls.

The Maid of the Mist is the longest-running boat tour of the falls, in operation since 1846. It is also the most popular of attractions at Niagara Falls State Park, and for good reason. Tourists embark from the base of the Observation Tower, donning the blue ponchos and setting out in the river into Niagara Gorge on a double-decker boat.

The 30-minute tour visits both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, riding up close to the base where hundreds of thousands of gallons of water crash down each second. This unforgettable tour operates in season from April through November, and tickets are purchased in the state park's visitor center.

The Prospect Point Observation Tower is the best way to admire the full grandeur of the falls from Niagara Falls, NY. Located close enough to the falls to occasionally enjoy their refreshing spray, the tower is accessed via a broad observation deck that extends beyond the tower and over the water. From here, tourists can get a clear view of all three falls, including American Falls, as well as the mesmerizing rapids.