Things to Do with Kids in Niagara Falls, NY

Things to Do with Kids in Niagara Falls, NY

Though I grew up in New England, my parents never took me to Niagara Falls to see the iconic natural wonder. (We spent most summer vacations road-tripping to Ohio to visit grandparents.) The area has long been on my "must-see" list, so I was delighted at the opportunity to speak at the TMS Family Travel Conference in Niagara Falls, New York, last month. In between stints in a conference room, I toured some Niagara Falls attractions without my 11- and 13-year-olds in tow. Around every corner, however, I thought of my family - they'd love the options for getting soaking wet in and around the falls!

I have no idea why I'd never heard of this attraction before. I think the Maid of the Mist - see below - seems to get all the glory. But Cave of the Winds, accessed in Niagara Falls State Park, is hands-down my favorite local attraction because you get to stand literally underneath the pounding, cascading water. How neat is that? You descend via elevator below ground to walk through a long, cave-like corridor. Then, it's outside to wooden walkways, where you can get as close as you want to Bridal Veil Falls. If you want to only gaze at them from a safe (dry) distance away, that's just fine. If you want to get soaking wet at the "Hurricane Deck," go for it. I highly recommend the latter - it's quite exhilarating. I visited the falls at night, timed to view evening fireworks, but I'd love to see the falls during the day, too (and with young children on slippery walkways, this might feel a bit safer, too).

As I said, the Maid of the Mist boat tour is a venerable attraction at the falls; guests have been sightseeing here by boat since 1846. Today's ride feels a bit like a cattle call; hundreds of people queue up (again, with provided ponchos) to pack onto large sightseeing boats that pass by the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side, as well as Horseshoe Falls, which straddle the American-Canadian border. That said, embarking and disembarking the boat is a seamless, and speedy experience, despite the hundreds of folks who ride the Maid of the Mist every day.