I finally ticked a Niagara Falls adventure off my travel list by embarking on a four day activity-filled itinerary around the iconic waterfalls. I highly recommend an October visit specifically for the fall foliage views but Niagara Falls is just as beautiful in other seasons.
The world knows Niagara Falls in Western New York for the iconic waterfalls separating the USA and Canada and from whence both countries source hydroelectricity from…but do you know that there are non-waterfall activities to experience in the area?
Niagara Falls has Underground Railroad history, museums, chocolate factory, and wurlitzers.
“What are wurlitzers?”, you ask. We’ll get to that in a few but for now, let’s dive into a daily, detailed itinerary of Niagara Falls for a weekend getaway from NYC or anywhere.
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Four Day Itinerary of Niagara Falls
Preparing For Your Niagara Falls Adventure
Article Contents
If you’re keen on experiencing all of the waterfalls – if you’re not, why are you even going?? – peruse these tips to get you ready:
- Purchase sturdy non-slip women’s waterproof boots like these ones here and some for men, like these here.
- Pack waterproof ponchos or long-sleeved raincoats.
- Get a waterproof interlocking pouch with a lanyard to keep your phone dry; get a waterproof satchel for other valuable items.
- Regardless of season, pack waterproof gloves and rain hat. These are necessary for Cave of Winds and Maid of the Mist experiences.
- If visiting in fall through early spring, pack sweaters to layer under your raincoat. Don’t forget warm socks!
- You need a vehicle to get to other non-waterfall activities, but Uber is readily available and quick to arrive.
- For non-vehicle owners, book package tours that include transportation between your accommodation and the destination.
Remember…you’ll be walking for all the waterfall activities so don’t over layer lest you overheat.
Tip: I buy men’s winter socks and gloves in small sizes because they’re so much warmer than those for women! Tell me I’m not the only one who does this…
Day 1: Platter’s Chocolates, Herschell Carrousel Factory & Niagara Falls State Park
Platter’s Chocolate Factory – 908 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY
Remember I said that there is more to Niagara Falls than the waterfalls? We’ll begin with some of these activities, starting with the historic Platter’s Chocolate Factory open since 1938 with views of its production line, a chocolate shop with all items produced onsite, and an ice cream parlor. It is located in the Wurlitzer Building.
Platter’s is home of the famous Sponge Candy with a honeycomb-like chewy inside and chocolate outside that unknown to me, has global appeal with tourists making their way to the Niagara area for sponge candy! There are factory tours available for those over 20 years old to wander safely around the bakery and enrobing line, bringing up nostalgic memories of I Love Lucy re-runs of her and Ethel at a chocolate factory.
Lucille Ball of I Love Lucy is from Celeron in Western New York.
Herschell Carrousel Factory – 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda, NY
Temporarily closed for construction
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is a national historic site and community resource for family recreation and learning. Before this guided tour, I never once considered that carrousels were manufactured in the USA. Honestly, I saw them as everlasting childhood items with unknown origins lasting the infinite span of time.
The factory was opened in 1915 by Allan Herschell, a Scottish immigrant, for the manufacture of menagerie type wooden horses and thrill rides that carrousels are now famous for. Programs offered onsite are woodcarving for all skill levels and guided historic tours.
Do you know that the music you hear at carrousels comes from a wurlitzer?
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company founded in 1853 Cincinnati by a German immigrant, imported woodwind, string, and brass organs into the USA. A few years later, they begin the manufacture of band organs, pipe organs, and pianos. As county fairs become popular, there is a need for loud music, thus the partnership with – you guessed it – Allan Herschell, the carrousel manufacturer!
The Wurlitzer Building – site of Platter’s Chocolate Factory – was the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory bought in 1908 by the Wurlitzer Company for theater organ production.
Wurlitzers pair with carrousels to play familiar tunes that we all know. A guided tour of the factory museum will have you playing one of few original wurlitzers, see craftmanship of horses carved from local wood, and go on carrousel rides.
Go down the interesting Wurlitzer organ history rabbit hole here.
Niagara Falls State Park – 24 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY
Enter the Niagara Falls State Park for the American Rapids and the roaring Niagara River.
- Head to the Gorgeview area – 7 Niagara Scenic Parkway – for a leisurely walk and views of Niagara Gorge.
- For a longer walk, begin at the Schoellkopf Power Station then head to Gorgeview.
- See the Illumination of the Falls from Prospect Point, where the falls are bathed in purple and blue colors. Illuminations begin at 6pm through 2am, and are also visible from the Rainbow Pedestrian bridge connecting the USA with Canada.
@musingsandadventures Yes!! My squeals of drlight vould be heard in Canada 😆#creatorsearchinsights #weekendgetaway #weekendtrip #niagarafalls #waterfallsoftiktok #waterfalls #blackgirltiktok #traveltok #travelvlogs places to travel in the USA, NYC Getaway Ideas, best places to travel, Niagara Falls things to do, Upstate New York travel
Day 2: Lockport Tour & Niagara Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Lockport is a city and town in Niagara County with a population of 21,000, and it is the center of Erie Canal construction history with its Flight of Five Locks. The Erie Canal is celebrating its bicentennial in 2025 and Lockport is on the canal route.
Start at the Erie Canal Discovery Center for interactive history of the Erie Canal and construction of Lockport’s famous Flight of Five Locks. There is a gigantic 1928 mural on “The Opening of the Erie Canal” and photos of the Indigenous people that assisted in construction.
Walk down the locks for a tribute sculpture of the lock tenders that operated the locks to ~1,000 boats annually; in warm weather, watch in fascination as the locks open and close to Erie Canal cruises, and pop into the small museum for evolution of Lockport’s locks’ construction from 1825 through 1918.
Lock tenders in Lockport, NY. The picture that this sculpture was crafted from was taken in 1897.
Next is the Underground Railroad Heritage Center at 825 Depot Avenue W, for a freedom conversation tour discussing the legacy of slavery in the region. African-American heritage runs deep here as many of the Black citizens were free and able to open businesses and earn wages in the hospitality sector of 18th century Niagara.
As a history nerd, I love that the real stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls are documented in this experiential museum. Stories like the Cataract House hotel where African-American waiters aided enslaved people from the south flee to Canada across the Niagara River.
Across the Heritage Center is the Niagara Falls outdoor mural corridor highlighting freedom stories and change champions. The mural project will include a walking trail upon completion.
Four Day Itinerary of Niagara Falls
Day 3: Cave of Winds, Maid of the Mist, Chopper Ride & Fall Foliage Hike
Now the real fun begins. At the end of this day, I was thoroughly knackered but full.
I begin the day with a 20 minute Uber to Rainbow Air for a helicopter ride over the U.S. and Canadian side of the falls. This is my first time in a chopper and I am both nervous and giddy with excitement.
DYK that you are weighed before boarding a helicopter? I guess it makes sense as it’s a light craft.
We fly over Goat Island, Niagara Falls, and fall foliage colors in both countries. The flight lasts ~20 minutes and we land. I capture the moment below for posterity and I’m offered a ride back to the State Park.
@musingsandadventures An activity off my list! Chopper ride above Niagara Falls! #foliage #fallfoliage #niagarafalls #niagara #blackgirltiktok #helicopter #waterfallsoftiktok #waterfalls #horseshoe #traveltok travel inspo, Niagara falls best things to do, New York best things to do, Niagara falls travel itinerary, fall foliage New York, fall foliage aerial views
Next stop is Cave of the Winds on Goat Island.
When you get tickets for Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist tours, don’t forget the wristband given by the ticket desk. This grants access to the Niagara Falls trolley that makes stops within the park. You’ll need this trolley to rest with all the walking, believe me.
If you have a raincoat or poncho, now is the time to wear it. If not, ponchos are handed out to all visitors as you descend to the falls to feel the power of 60,000 gallons of water. This is where you will need those waterproof boots.
The three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls are Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Words cannot describe this amazing experience but until you feel this yourself, live vicariously through it below.
@musingsandadventures 📢 SOUND ON! To hear me shrieking doing Cave of Winds for a thorough drenching!😆💧💧 #traveltok #travelvlogs #blackgirltiktok #blacktravelfeed #waterfalls #waterfallsoftiktok #niagarafalls #niagarafalls #weekendtrip #adventurevibes places to visit upstate new york, Niagara falls things to do, cave of winds niagara falls, best places to travel
After Cave of the Winds, we make the mad dash across the park for Maid of the Mist, which has been cruising since 1846. We get to the park bursting with fall foliage, walk to the queue for Maid of the Mist, get another poncho and hop onto the boat.
Like you see below, you will be thoroughly drenched lol. In winter, you’ll need waterproof gloves and a hat, but it is warm in October so no need for those. The tour takes ~20 minutes and after we alight from the boat, I hail an Uber for another mad dash 10 minutes away for fall colors.
@musingsandadventures A truly unforgettable experience to do in Niagara Falls is the Maid of the Mist boat tour! #niagarafalls #waterfall #waterfallsoftiktok #blackgirltiktok #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire #creatorsearchinsights #travelvlogs places to visit in New York, Niagara Falls New York, things to do in upstate new york, best places to visit, weekend getaway in New York
The last activity of the day is a fall foliage hike of Whirlpool State Park along Niagara Scenic Parkway. Either hike on your own or join the Interpretive Programs Team on a narrated tour covering native species of the park and how to identify them.
I’ve never seen so much vibrant reds and golds as far as the eye can see. The park straddles the U.S. and Canada with the water churning small eddies to resemble a whirlpool. The hike is a little under 2 hours with a fair amount of steepness but comfy for those at moderate fitness level.
@musingsandadventures SAVE👉🏾For the most splendid fall foliage I’ve ever seen! 🍁 Sugar maples, beech, spruce etc all showing out for fall. #niagara #niagarafalls #fallfoliage #foliage niagara scenic parkway, whirlpool state park, New York state parks, fall foliage views, western New York, fall in New york, things to do in Niagara Falls, things to do in western New York, travel inspo, best travel destinations, New York travel itinerary
Day 4: Live On Air Fallsview Balloon Ride
454 Main Street, Niagara Falls
The final morning of a 4-day Niagara Falls itinerary is nigh and I am so exhausted…but wait! There’s more…
This is the world’s largest tethered helium balloon that offers a 400 ft panoramic view of the amazing waterfalls and fall foliage colors. The flight is 15 minutes with two pilots – but one pilot can fly if need be.
This is my first time on a balloon and I am grateful for perfect weather because any rogue wind would’ve grounded the flight immediately. The balloon is spacious and is circular with a hole in the middle. Don’t panic – there are safety nets on the sides so there’s no danger of falling over.
We land smoothly and I call Uber for the 40 minute ride to Buffalo Airport for my return flight to JFK.
@musingsandadventures 📌Live On Air Fallsview 454 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY #creatorsearchinsights #niagarafalls #waterfallsoftiktok #traveltok things to do in Niagara Falls, Niagara falls balloon ride, New York travel, unique NY activities, Niagara falls USA, fall foliage views, Niagara falls fall foliage views
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