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Niagara
Falls State Park NY
Things to do in Niagara Falls State Park in New York State Great vacation as you explore popular park's attractions
History of Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara State Park was established in 1885 as one of the several parks in US and Canada, made to protect the park system and this wonder. This is the first state park in United States.
During the nineteenth century and thanks to the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead and famed artist Frederic Edwin Church, due to the privately owned and commercialized Niagara land, government was put in action to protect and establish park system known as Niagara Reservation. Olmstead, creator of the New York City Central Park was also one of the designers of this Niagara park.
In 2003 Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. was established with the goal to promote not only the State Park but other interesting destinations and attractions.
Visiting Niagara Falls State Park
State Park is the very popular destination and natural attraction in the state of NY and city of Niagara Falls. It gets millions of visitors annually as it provides the breathtaking view of the Niagara River and Canada and much closer access to the waterfalls, where you are actually standing right above the crushing water.
Park provides also an access to the popular tourist attractions; Cave of the Winds, Observation Tower and Maid of the Mist boat tour. From the middle of the park, you can enjoy the view of the rapids just before the running water tumbles over the brink.
There
are many other things to do in the park; hiking, fishing cross-country
skiing, biking and visiting museums, restaurants, shops... Some of
these activities, together with the popular attractions, are seasonal,
while
the visitor center is open year round.We recommend buying the Niagara Falls State Park Passport or Discovery Pass, an admission package of the several popular attractions described above. You can buy discount tickets or passes inside the visitor center.
Inside the visitor center, you can find the Festival Theater that shows a history movie about Niagara Falls. Behind the visitor center is the Observation Tower with its extended platform, the most popular and the best spot for photos. Observation Tower deck is the only place where you can see American and Horseshoe Falls at the same time.
Inside the park and near the Great Lakes Gardens, you can find the statue of Chief Clinton Rickard, who was the founder of the Indian Defense League in 1926.
Goat Island is part of the Niagara Falls State Park, and it separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls. As the island is accessible by car, and due to its size and availability of many wooded paths and great sceneries, we recommend walking tours, combining with shuttle tours.
You can explore the State Park while enjoying half hour ride on the Scenic Trolley that takes you on the three-mile tour, with an option to discover the park's secrets at the six stops. The Niagara Scenic Trolley departs from near the visitor center and allows you to get on and off as you wish.
Luna Island is smaller than Goat Island, accessible only on foot, and it separates the Bridal Veil Falls from the American Falls. The walkway to Luna is on the Goat Island.
Three Sisters Islands features a unique view of the upper rapids before it ends at the waterfall. The islands are connected to the Goat Island by the three historic bridges.
The trail system offers about 14 miles of trails where some are descending into the Niagara Gorge with steep stairs. You can explore the trails on your own or through the organized guided tours.
Dining is also available at Niagara Falls State Park either at the Prospect Point Cafe inside the visitor center, Cave of the Winds snack bar, Top of the Falls or at many food stands throughout the park.
Popular events you don't want to miss are fireworks, illumination of the waterfalls and illumination of the rapids.
Pictures are courtesy of niagarafallsstatepark.com and Daniel
Mayer (Wikipedia)
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