Looking for adventure, time in nature, a cool poncho? Look no further. Niagara Falls has it all. This summer (2022), my family and I traveled up to Niagara Falls for a quick, fun two-day trip. What follows are some of the things we loved and a few helpful tips for those who might be looking to cross the border or travel that way.

A Two-Day Itinerary in Niagara and Buffalo, NY

After a lot of searching for affordable places to stay, I decided on an Airbnb in Williamsville, NY. Just 25 minutes from the Canadian border, it was within walking distance of awesome restaurants, had a playground right next door, and was in a quiet, sweet neighborhood. It also had a full kitchen, which I always love to have when we travel. Even if we’re just heating up a frozen pizza, it’s a budget saver.

Day 1- Niagara Canada

We arrived at the Canadian border at 8:30 am. We waited ten minutes to cross. When we returned to the US at 4 pm, there was a very long line going into Canada.

What You Need to Cross the Border (as of Summer 2022)

• Passport

We saw online that we needed to download the ArriveCAN app and fill out our passport and vaccine information ahead of time. We did this, but the border agent did not want to see it. I’m assuming he could see the information we submitted another way. He asked for our passports, if we were vaccinated, and why we were going to Canada.

Things to Do

There are a ton of things to do on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. You can buy packages, but the ferry to the falls was not included. We chose to take a boat to the falls and go behind them.

You can also visit the butterfly conservatory, go to the power station, watch a 4D show called Niagara’s Fury, take a whirlpool aero car, take a white water walk, take a whirlpool adventure course, and go zip lining. You can also check out Clifton Hill, which has carnival rides, mini-golf, arcades, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Niagara City Cruises- Hornblower

This was the highlight of the trip. A ferry takes you right up to the falls, it’s windy, and you get soaked, but you also get a cool poncho. If your people like that sort of thing, definitely do it!

You can buy tickets in advance, but we chose to get them there. I’m assuming because we were there on a weekday and in the morning, there were hardly any lines.

If you choose to stay or go to the US side, you can have the same experience on the Maid of the Mist.

Journey to the Falls

This adventure takes you underground and behind the falls. There were hardly any lines when we were there, so we moved through it pretty quickly. There are several places in the tunnels to stop and peer out (see picture 3). Eventually, it opens up and you can go out on a balcony (pictures 1 and 2) I’m not sure it would have been enjoyable if the lines were long.

Niagara on the Lake

A very pretty 25-minute drive from Niagara Falls, Canada, Niagara on the Lake was described to us as the Canadian Cape Cod. Having never been to Cape Cod, I can’t tell you if this is true, but I can say it’s a little town filled with shops and restaurants.

This was a very pretty town, but it was not our speed. If you like a fancy, traditional, (maybe Cape Cod) feel, it’s for you!

We also stopped at an amazing farm stand for just-picked strawberries and cherries. There were several on the drive from Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake.

We ate at Stage Coach Family Restaurant (Niagara on the Lake- ON- Canada) because it was affordable. Diner style, the food was great! Highly recommend the BLT and burgers.

Quick Tip for Making Purchases

We used our debit and credit cards for everything in Canada. There was a very small fee added to each transaction. It was worth the convenience of not having to exchange money.

Day 2- Fossils and Shopping

Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve

If you have a kid who likes to dig or a family that is into fossils, you must head here. Located in Blasdell, NY it is an old quarry-turned-fossil hunter’s dream. They guarantee you’ll find fossils and so do I. They are everywhere! You pay to get in and keep everything you find.

Definitely good to do on a cloudy or cool weather day.

Buffalo, NY

I wish we’d had more time to explore Buffalo. This was our speed! We loved all the little neighborhoods, LGBTQ friendly, artsy shops and vibes in Elmwood and Allentown.

Williamsville, NY

We didn’t do much in Williamsville except sleep, walk, and eat. We loved The Cheesy Chick and Glen Park Tavern.

While we could have spent a lot more time (and money) exploring all the things Niagara and the surrounding areas had to offer, two days was a perfect getaway.

If your family heads to Niagara Falls or has been there, we’d love to know what you loved.

Happy Travels!