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Planning a trip to Niagara Falls? If so, you want to know the best time to visit to ensure your trip is meaningful and as fun as possible.
Knowing the overall best time to visit Niagara Falls ensures your trip is enjoyable and not overcrowded. It will also ensure you have access to all the attractions and tours you wish to participate in while at the falls.
If you’re a budget vacationer, understanding when the cheapest time to visit Niagara Falls is essential to ensuring your trip is possible.
In addition to knowing the best, cheapest, and least crowded times to visit Niagara Falls, we will make sure you know what times to avoid visiting the national landmark.
Pack your bags and grab your camera, we’re going to Niagara Falls during the best time of year for a spectacularly-enjoyable vacation.
Why You Should Visit Niagara Falls
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The natural beauty alone is a compelling reason to visit Niagara Falls. Watching the roaring waters as they fall over the 325-foot cliff and create a fine mist is a rare experience you won’t get elsewhere.
While visiting the falls, you have the opportunity to make your way to the top of the Observation Tower at Niagara Falls State Park, where you experience stunning, bird-eye views of the beautiful landscape before you.
The State Park also offers an opportunity to book a floating or walking tour of the falls. The Maid of the Mist tour allows you to get an up-close and personal view of the falls by water.
And the Cave of the Winds walking tour lets you walk the steps that intermingle with the falls. If embarking on one of these tours, be sure and grab your poncho because you will get wet!
Luckily, the gift shop sells them for those that didn’t plan for the tour. When not enjoying the main attraction of the falls, the town of Niagara Falls offers an additional draw of restaurants, shopping, and various attractions.
If you’re planning your vacation with family or kids, they’ll be delighted to hear there’s also a 3 acre indoor water park where they can pass the time.
There’s also a bird house not too far away where they can learn about the local fauna and many other bird species. If you’re more interested in the adventurous side of things, there’s a zipline that cruises the falls and it’s sure to make your heart rate go up.
You can also go on an outstanding walk behind the falls and marvel at what nature has to offer. Niagara Falls is considered one of the greatest natural attractions in the world.
While it is not officially named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, petitions have been signed to name it the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Overall Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls
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Overall, the best time to visit Niagara Falls is between August and September. During this time, the peak summer season is winding down so it is less crowded, but attractions are still in full swing.
August through September at Niagara Falls offers guests the left-over warm weather of summer but without the extensive crowds of people taking their vacations while school is out.
This means that you won’t get a chill when the misty water splashes against your skin while on the boat or walking tour of the falls.
This is also the best time to visit because you start to see the change in color of the surrounding trees as they begin their preparation for the autumn season. You also don’t have to worry about the falls freezing over and preventing optimal flow patterns as the air is still warm.
To experience Niagara Falls in all its beauty, but without the extensive crowds and long lines, visiting during the end of August through September will give you the best bang for your buck.
You will also notice that lodging and travel prices begin to drop this time of year, meaning you may end up saving some money.
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- Options for all travel styles & budgets
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Cheapest Time to Visit Niagara Falls
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November through January is the cheapest time to visit Niagara Falls. This is considered the off-season at the falls meaning lodging and travel options are offering extensive sales to produce revenue.
If you don’t mind a cold breeze and getting splashed with frigid cold waters, you may want to consider visiting Niagara Falls during the winter months.
A budget-friendly wintertime trip to Niagara Falls may end up being more spectacular than a crowded summertime trip. During the winter months at Niagara Falls, guests can experience how sections of a roaring waterfall can come to a stop when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Witnessing frozen sections of the massive falls is a site that most visitors miss out on since the prime visiting time is in the summer months.
Keep in mind that if you decide to visit Niagara Falls in November through January, you may not have the opportunity to embark on a river or walking tour as these are rarely offered when the weather is cold.
The freezing temperatures will freeze water on walkways and cause ice chunks to float on the water creating a potential hazard.
Least Busy Time to Visit Niagara Falls
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Niagara Falls is the least busy during the spring and fall months. School is still in session this time of year and in the Spring, families are preparing for summer vacations, while in the fall they are recovering from their recent trip out of town.
This makes spring and autumn the best times to visit Niagara Falls if you don’t like crowds. When visiting in the spring, you will experience a cool breeze with fresh, crisp air as you take in the natural beauty of the falls.
During the autumn months at Niagara Falls, you will see the vibrant colors of the trees changing colors as the leaves prepare to drop.
You will also notice that travel and lodging rates drop during these times of year to fill plane seats and hotel rooms. When visiting during the spring and fall months, you may notice that there are limited hours on attractions like the Observation Tower and tours around the falls.
If you run into this issue, you will still have the option to view the falls, you simply may have to spend your ticket money on area attractions instead of falls tours.
Worst Time to Visit Niagara Falls
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June, July, and early August are considered peak season at Niagara Falls, making it the worst time to visit.
While the weather is near perfect for the refreshing mist the falls emit, the plethora of vacationers can create unpleasant crowds. When not close enough to the falls to get a feel of the cool water on your hot skin, you may experience extremely hot and humid temperatures.
This will make waiting in line to see the falls or waiting to experience Niagara Falls State Park attractions a sticky and unpleasant experience.
If you’re willing to take on the sticky weather and the gigantic crowds and visit Niagara Falls in the summer months, be sure to book lodging, travel, and any additional tickets well in advance.
The last thing you want to do is travel across the country only to realize tickets are sold out when you get there.
You may find special deals on lodging or travel rates if you wait until the last minute to purchase, but the likelihood of these tickets being available is slim. Therefore, waiting for a special deal for your trip dates is best.
Things to Consider
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Preparing for your trip to Niagara Falls is a must if you intend to get the most out of your vacation. Things to consider include, the time of year, what to pack, the weather, operating hours, and ensuring you have your passport.
- Bring your passport. One of the more unique features of Niagara Falls is that half of it is in the United States while the other half is in Canada. To get the best experience while visiting the falls, we recommend bringing your passport to cross the border and check out everything the area offers.
- Pack a poncho. Niagara Falls is massive. When the river rushes over the side of the cliff, water droplets spray the surrounding area covering it with cold mist. Therefore, it is vital to pack a poncho to help keep some of that water off your clothing.
- Time of year. The time of year you visit the falls will determine the overall vibe of your experience. If visiting in the summer, you will have the opportunity to embark on tours of the falls and experience its full, immaculate beauty. In the winter months, you will see the falls in a different light as the frigid temperatures freeze sections of the falls, creating stunning beauty.
- Weather. The weather plays a vital role in your overall experience at Niagara Falls. If it’s raining the whole time, you may not get the up-close and personal tour you were hoping for because they don’t operate during inclement weather.
- Operating hours. Operating hours change during the seasons. Therefore, it is vital to check ahead to determine the dates and times attractions are open for business. For instance, when visiting Niagara Falls in the winter months, you may discover that very few, if any tours are offered compared to the summer months.
By considering these things, you are more likely to avoid obstacles that could affect the flow of your vacation. Don’t let these obstacles mess with the memorability of your vacation; make a plan before your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Visiting a new area poses multiple unknowns for vacationers. When is the best time to visit? What do I need to know about the area? What can I expect while visiting?
These are all valid questions that are vital to research before booking a vacation. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Niagara Falls.
How many days do you need in Niagara Falls?
To explore a good portion of the falls and take in all that it offers, we recommend booking a stay for a minimum of two nights. This will give you the necessary time to explore the falls and the surrounding area. This also allows you to book various adventures without reservation times overlapping.
What is the off-season at Niagara Falls?
The off-season at Niagara Falls is during the winter months. The frigid temperatures tend to keep tourists away. The lack of tourists in the wintertime means tours of the falls cease, and operating hours are slim. While winter at Niagara Falls offers benefits the summer months do not, the best time to visit is in the spring and fall to avoid large crowds while the weather is still bearable.
Is October a good time to visit Niagara Falls?
October is an excellent time to visit Niagara Falls. The summer crowds are no longer causing the area to burst at its seams, the leaves are changing colors, and the temperatures are perfect for spending the day outside. October is also the time of year the surrounding areas host festivals unique to the region.
What is the best time of day to visit Niagara Falls?
Visiting Niagara Falls in the early morning or late afternoon is best. In the summertime, crowds are slightly smaller early in the morning or during the start of dinner time. It is also beneficial to visit early morning in summer as the temperatures are colder, making the outdoors more bearable.
Do I need a passport to see Niagara Falls?
If you wish to explore the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, a passport is required if you are over 15 years of age. Individuals 15 and younger can cross the border without one, but we recommend everyone in your group has their passport before crossing the border to avoid any issues. Passports are not required if you do not wish to cross the Canadian border.
Don't waste your hard-earned money. Get the best deal on your trip by comparing deals on Booking.com and Expedia!
- Options for all travel styles & budgets
- Price match guarantees
- Exclusive last-minute deals
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls?
If you’re looking for the best Niagara Falls experience available to man, the best time to visit is between August and September. August through September at Niagara Falls provides visitors with spectacular views of the falls, fewer crowds, and the perfect temperature for spending all day outside.
If you plan to visit during peak season in the summer, ensure you plan and book travel and lodging in advance. Visiting Niagara Falls in the summer without proper planning may result in spending more money than you intended and missing out on some of the best tours.
The least crowded time to visit but still receive all tour options and warmer weather is in the spring and fall when school is still in session.
Before booking your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Niagara Falls, consider what the weather may be like, attraction operating hours, and what else there is to do in the area beside the falls. We promise you won’t be disappointed!