Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ized and over-developed. Fewer tourists make for shorter lines at attractions. But the
U.S. side faces its own challenges—outside of the park, the downtown area is not
nearly as vibrant as its Canadian counterpart. Top-quality hotels and restaurants are
few in comparison to Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The best advice is to experience both sides of Niagara Falls. Think of Niagara as
a region, not just a single attraction. If your situation permits, explore both sides of
the border and you'll discover that each has its unique charm and character.
Parks
The Niagara region abounds in lovely green spaces most of the year. New York has an ex-
cellent park system that includes Niagara Falls State Park and Fort Niagara State Park in
Youngstown. Admission is free, although there may be a charge for parking. If you visit
multiple parks during the same day, you only need to pay for parking one time—just show
your receipt from the first park as you enter subsequent ones. Of the state's 178 parks, 17
are in the Niagara region. For the best information on park amenities and activities, call
518/474-0456 or go to the state's website (
www.nysparks.com
)
.
AlsoontheU.S.sideoftheborder,
Erie County
(
www2.erie.gov
)and
Niagara County
(
www.niagaracounty.com
)
operate regional parks. Look online (
www.bfloparks.org
) for in-
formation on Buffalo's historic Olmsted system of parks.
Not to be outdone,
Niagara Parks
(
www.niagaraparks.com
) provides many outdoor at-
tractions,suchasQueenVictoriaPark,FortErie,QueenstonHeights,NiagaraGlen,andthe
Botanical Gardens. Niagara Parks is governed by the Niagara Parks Commission, a special
administrative body created by the province. Niagara Parks is financed by park revenue.
Camping
Camping is very popular in the Niagara region, with dozens of campgrounds with tent
and RV spaces as well as cabins. Camping spots in New York State's campgrounds
start at $15 a night; there are four in the region and it is wise to reserve spaces online
(
www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
)wellinadvanceofyourtrip.Acrossthebor-
der, Ontario Parks offers camp spots starting at $33 a night. For more information and re-
servations, call 888/668-7275 or visit the website (
www.ontarioparks.com
)
.
