If you plan to see only Niagara Falls, you could take in the sights in a matter of one to two days, but the great thing about Niagara Falls is that there is so much to do here besides just witness the epic waterfalls. There’s a lively downtown area, a casino, the relaxing campgrounds at Campark, and the nearby historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Therefore, no matter how many days you plan to spend in the area, you’re sure to have something to do.
The ideal amount of time you spend in the area largely depends on what you plan to see and do while you are here. Some people spend the day watching the waterfall and that’s good enough for them, while other people want to go on different tours to experience the full scope of the waterfall.
Two nights is the minimum trip length we recommend in order to see a good deal of the Falls, as well as explore a couple other attractions the area has to offer. Keep in mind, there are many great restaurants you may want to eat at, some of which offer epic views of the Falls. There are also a variety of activities in the area that are a lot of fun and have nothing to do with the Falls.
Do your research and plan out what you want to do on your trip before deciding how long is the ideal length of time to see everything on your bucket list at Niagara Falls.
Do You Plan to See Both Sides (American and Canadian) of the Falls?
There’s always the option to hop back and forth between the US and Canadian side of the border to see both sides of the Falls. Although, doing so will require a longer stay. On both sides of the Niagara River, the State/Provincial Governments have established beautiful parklands. From either side, you’ll see very different views.
From the American side, you’ll get a good look at the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario – which is especially breathtaking at night with all of the lights aglow with the waterfalls flowing in the foreground. Visiting both sides of the border also opens up your options for additional activities, as both the American and Canadian side have unique things for you to do, both related to and not related to the Falls.
On the Canadian side you’ll find:
- The Niagara Falls IMAX Movie
- Hornblower boat tour
- Daredevil Museum
- Canadian Horseshoe Falls
- Niagara Fury
- Table Rock & the Brink of the Falls
- Niagara Skywheel
- Rainbow Bridge
- Bird Kingdom
- Botanical Gardens
- Marineland
- Butterfly Conservatory
- Helicopter Tours
- + so much more
On the US Side you’ll find:
- The American Falls – Bridal Veil Falls
- NF State Park Welcome Center
- Goat Island
- Luna Island
- Three Sisters Island
- The Observation Tower at Prospect Point
- Niagara Falls State Park
- Niagara Adventure Theater
- Great Lakes Garden
- Maid of the Mist
- Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
- Aquarium of Niagara
- + so much more
Time of Year Will Determine How Long to Stay
The time of year that you visit Niagara Falls may determine how long you should stay in the area. For instance, if you are traveling between November and April, there are no water-based attractions open. This limits the number of things you can do during your stay and will therefore limit how long you need to stay to do everything available to you. On the other hand, most attractions are open during the spring, summer and fall, giving you so much to do.
Stay Longer at Campark
At Campark, we offer a family-fun environment where you can pick between cabin, tent or RV camping. Our affordable rates make it more feasible to enjoy a longer vacation than the nearby hotels that charge hundreds of dollars per night along with a string of fees.
In addition, our camp is packed with fun things to do – there’s an outdoor cinema, swimming pool, playgrounds, a splash zone, hayrides, mini putt course, escape room, bouncy pillow and SO much more. You could stay busy for a week straight!
This gives you and the family a chance to escape the city, while still remaining a short ride away from the Falls and the surrounding attractions. We even offer a shuttle bus to and from Niagara Falls to make your stay more convenient.