The magnificent, thundering waters of Niagara Falls attract millions of visitors every year. While both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara falls offer unparalleled views, there are some distinct differences. In this blog post, Niagara Falls USA vs. Canada will go head to head exploring their unique features, similarities, and differences to help you decide which side is right for your next visit.
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Where Is Niagara Falls?
Spanning the border between the United States and Canada you will find the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls and a city named after it on both sides.
I grew up going to the falls every year on our way to visit family in Michigan. Believe it or not, it was actually shorter for us to go through Canada than to go through the states from our home in Northeast PA. My family would stop in Niagara Falls and we would do one excursion before getting back in the car and continuing on our way.
The American side of the falls is located in Niagara Falls State Park in the state of New York. There are two waterfalls on the American side; the American Falls, I know original right, which is the bigger of the two and Bridal Veil Falls which is the smaller.
The Canadian side of the falls, named Horseshoe Falls, is located in the province of Ontario, Canada.
The border is linked together by The Rainbow Bridge.
Best Time of Year to Visit
If you are really looking to get the full Niagara Falls experience, then you want to visit in the spring/summer months when all of the attractions are open.
Peak season is June-August when the crowds are at their heaviest but everything is open and the weather is beautiful. The best days to go are mid-week and avoid holiday weekends. These times will be even busier.
You’ll get fewer crowds but still warmer weather in the shoulder seasons of April, May, September, and October.
Niagara Falls State Park, on the American side, is open all year round and free to visit so you can at least see the falls any time of year. Occasionally some of the viewing areas will be closed if the weather is bad during the off-season of November-March.
Winter offers a beautifully different perspective when the falls are frozen or when there is ice crashing over the falls into the Niagara gorge below. The coldest month in Niagara Falls is January with an average temperature of 31 degrees F.
Update for 2023: Niagara Falls State Park Visitor Center is currently closed for renovations and plans to open up in May 2023. This does not impact any tours.
Niagara Falls USA vs. Canada – Which Side to Visit?
Deciding whether to visit the American or Canadian side of Niagara Falls is a tough decision. There are some similarities and some distinct differences between the two sides.
Which Side of Niagara Falls Has The Best Tourist Attractions?
The good thing is, all of the main attractions in Niagara Falls are offered on both sides of the borders. They just have different names and are run by different companies but the basics of the tours are essentially the same. So in that sense, USA vs. Canada, it doesn’t really matter which side you choose.
On each side, you will be able to take a boat ride in the Niagara Gorge and you will be able to get up close to at least one of the waterfalls. The Maid of the Mist, on the American side, will still take you up close to Horseshoe Falls and the Hornblower, on the Canadian side, will take you close to the American and Bridal Veil Falls.
You are also able to see the fireworks and light show from both the Canadian and American sides.
However, the Canadian side does have more things to do altogether. So for families who are traveling with children and looking for more entertainment all around, Canada is the country to choose.
Is One Side More Expensive?
While Canada offers more entertainment for families traveling with children, more restaurants, and more things to do it is also more expensive. The US side is quieter and not as busy.
Does The US Side vs. Canadian Side Look The Same?
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more glamorous, urban, and commercialized. It is more focused on entertainment (they do have 2 casinos).
The American side is a state park and there is less glitz and glamour from an entertainment perspective.
The views of the falls are just as beautiful from both sides of the border.
What Kinds Of Views Will I Get From the USA vs. Canadian Sides?
Although you can get gorgeous panoramas of all 3 falls from pretty much anywhere on the Canadian side, the only place on the American side where you will get an unobstructed view is the Observation Tower.
The US side of Niagara Falls is the only side where you can get up close to all 3 falls vs Canada where you can only get up close to Horseshoe Falls.
However, if things like dining with a view, or a hotel with a view are very important to you during your visit to Niagara Falls, then the Canadian side is the way to go. The best views you will get from the American side for dining and hotels are of the Niagara River.
Which Niagara Falls Hotels Have The Best View?
Unfortunately, there are no hotels on the US Side of Niagara Falls with a direct view of the falls themselves. The best you will get is a view of the Niagara River.
The Canadian Side, however, has some AWESOME options! You can read about them here! But just a quick list, my favorites are: Sheraton Falls View, Marriott Fallsview, and Hilton Fallsview Resort.
Other Niagara Falls FAQ’s
There are many questions all over the internet floating around about Niagara Falls. I know that when I plan a trip, I like to learn as much as I can about the area that I’m getting ready to explore. Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions here.
How Long To Stay in Niagara Falls
A weekend trip is plenty of time to hit all of the major attractions and see and do everything you want to in Niagara Falls, on both the American and the Canadian sides.
Do You Need A Passport?
Yes, you will need a valid passport to enter both the United States from Canada and vice versa.
Some US States offer Enhanced Drivers Licenses where you can enter Canada with this as your only form of identification. These do not apply if a person is traveling to Canada via air.
How Do I Cross The Border?
Visitors coming from the US to Canada, and vice versa, will cross the border by going over the Rainbow Bridge. There is a toll of $5.00 USD and $6.50 CAD per car.
Yes, you can walk to and from the US and Canada too. Pedestrians are permitted on the Rainbow Bridge but still must go through customs and border patrol. The toll per pedestrian is $1.00 USD and CAD.
Check out this website here for information about border crossing wait times and other useful information.
Is It Possible To Visit Both the US and Canadian Sides in One Day?
Yes, it is possible to visit both sides of the border in one day. However, I would plan on starting your day early if this is the case, especially during peak season. Wait times at the border can be long, so you don’t want to spend the majority of your day waiting in line.
Are Niagara Falls Man Made?
No, Niagara Falls are not man-made. They are a completely natural wonder dating all the way back to the Ice Age when the glaciers melted and eventually formed the Niagara River.
Where Does The Niagara Water Come From?
The hundreds of thousands of gallons of water that pours over the falls every minute comes from Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan all draining into the Niagara River. The Niagara River then drains into the final of the great lakes, Lake Ontario.
Will Niagara Falls Freeze?
Well, not completely. The river is constantly flowing which makes it nearly impossible to freeze, but there is some ice that accumulates and tumbles over the falls and piles up at the bottom. So it does give the impression that Niagara Falls does freeze.
When Is The Fireworks Show Over Niagara Falls?
During the peak season of May-October, the fireworks show happens nightly at 10pm. During the off-season winter months, the show starts at 8pm but is significantly less often and nights are all weather dependent.
Wrap-Up: Niagara Falls USA vs. Canada – Which Side Is Better?
No matter which side you choose, USA vs. Canada, get ready to discover the wonders of Niagara Falls.
The Canadian side offers the best views of the falls, but get ready to pay a premium for it. However, you can get up close to all 3 falls from the American side only.
Both the American and Canadian sides have similar main activities and attractions, but the Canadian tours are more accessible than the American tours; meaning you aren’t required to climb stairs if you have an issue with that. And, of course, you will be experiencing different waterfalls depending on which side you choose to visit.
Regardless of which side of the border you choose, Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders and is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to North America.
Choose the US vs. Canadian side based on what is important to you during your visit, as it all will depend on your personal preference and priorities. You really can’t go wrong either way!!
