Visiting Niagara Falls had always been on my bucket list, but I wasn’t sure if the long drive would be worth it. After finally making the trip, I can confidently say—it was! I truly recommend going; it’s an unforgettable experience.
My husband was initially unsure about the idea, but I convinced him to come along, and it ended up being a fantastic decision. What started as a last-minute, unplanned week off turned into a relaxing mini getaway.
We traveled from St. Louis, Missouri, to Canada, and both of us had a great time. I’ve shared our itinerary below in hopes it can help others planning a similar journey.
Our trip began on August 4th when we left St. Louis around 6:00 AM and arrived in Dayton, Ohio, by noon. If you’re planning your own visit, the best time to explore Niagara Falls is between May and October, when the weather is at its best and most attractions are open.
We weren’t certain how long we’d spend at each stop, so we didn’t make any hotel reservations in advance. If you have a clear plan for the number of days you’ll be traveling, I’d definitely suggest booking your accommodations ahead of time. I personally used Hotels.com to secure all of our rooms, even while we were in Canada. It was incredibly convenient and saved us from having to search for available rooms on the spot. While it wasn’t the cheapest option, we didn’t mind spending a bit extra—around $30 to $50 more—since it gave us peace of mind and less hassle during our trip.
When I looked over our receipts after returning home, I was pleased with how well we managed our hotel expenses. We stayed overnight in Dayton, Ohio, before setting off toward Canada the next morning.
A crucial reminder—don’t forget your passport! The border doesn’t stamp passports anymore, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
As for staying near Niagara Falls, it wasn’t exactly inexpensive, but it was absolutely worth the cost. To avoid paying for parking, we decided to walk everywhere from our hotel. If you’re planning on visiting, I strongly recommend booking your hotel ahead of time to avoid paying high last-minute prices. If you’re driving, make sure to include parking fees in your budget. We paid between $40 and $50 per day to park at the hotel.
If you’re planning to see the top tourist spots, I highly recommend getting the Classic Adventure Pass for two days. It includes a bus ride, saving you from a lot of walking around. You’ll definitely appreciate the convenience! You can purchase the pass at the welcome center, and the price is the same as if you bought it online, so there’s no need to do that in advance.
I hope this helps! Enjoy your trip, and let me know if these tips were useful for you.