What is the difference between Niagara Falls, Canada and Niagara Falls, NY?

Never been and I wanted to plan a trip to Niagra Falls. So I began doing a search and both came up. What's the difference?

Is there really a difference as far as one being better to take a trip to?

Niagra Falls straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. The American and Bridal Veil Falls are on the American side and the larger Horseshoe Falls are on the Canadian side. You will definetly want to visit both sides. See the article below for excellent information.

Well, it's like the North rim of the Grand Canyon vs. the South rim. A different view of course but other than that, not much. (Although you'll be paying in US $ on the NY side vs. Canadian on the other.)

there in different places

different perspective. its like looking at your girlfriend from the back or from the front. Its all good. :)

The Falls for the most part face the Canadian side, whereas on the American side you get more of a side view. Because of this, the Canadian side is by far more commercialized - there are many high-rise hotels with views of the falls and "touristy" attractions mostly along Clifton Hill. The American side does give you a closer view of the American Falls though, and the main park is a bit farther away from the highway, giving it a more serene setting. There are few shops and smaller hotels on the American side however.

I like the Grand Canyon analogy - the Canadian side is like the South Rim - heavily travelled whereas the American side is like the lightly travelled (but underrated) North Rim.

Both sides of the falls have some of the same attractions, like the Maid of the Mist tour. There are casinos on both sides, and outlet malls if you venture a couple of km away.

One way you could visit is by parking on the American side, where there is more space and probably cheaper, and then walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side (with your passport).

I grew up in Detroit and spent many long weekends in Niagara Falls. The Canadian side is much prettier, cleaner and nicer. Of course, that's just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree.

There certainly is. Assuming you are asking for the place with the better view and most attractions and not the value of the U.S. greenback versus the Canadian dollar.

STOP in Niagara Falls, NY.

STAY in Niagara Falls, ON.

It's more enjoyable in the summer time on the US side because the Maid of the Mist is running and you can go down to the bottom of the falls through Cave of the Winds tour. The perspective you get from the bottom of the falls is pretty awesome and the boat ride on the MOTM is not for the weak stomach individual. At night there are colored lights shinning on the falls from the Canadian side and that's where you get the best view. Both sides of the border have lots to offer but the Canadian side always seemed just a little more interesting to me but that's probably because I grew up on the US side.
If your into art museums don't miss the Albright Knox Art Gallery on Elmwood Ave in Buffalo, NY. They always have famous artwork on display and have a decent gift shop too.
If you like amusement parks Darien Lake is an hour east just off the NYS Thruway, it used to be a six flags park.
If your into casinos from what I hear there are plenty to choose from on both sides of the border, but I haven't gone to any. I almost forgot if you time your visit around the 3rd or 4th week in July at Niawanda Park just a little upstream from the falls there are some world class speedboat races, I remember seeing the Miss Budweiser boat there a long time ago. Good luck!

Having lived in Niagara Falls, here's what I think. Niagara Falls, ON is great for seeing the falls, and visiting Clifton Hill and all the attractions. Niagara Falls, NY is home to Niagara Falls State Park. You can visit a couple of different islands and do the Cave of the Winds. The Observation deck is on the NY side also. Both sides are great and you can cross to each other by walking over the Rainbow bridge as much as you'd like. You do have to go through customs though, even though you're walking. The Canadian side is better for restaurants, hotels and shopping. I'd stay on the Canadian side if I were you. It's safer and cleaner.

canada-better view of falss

Ny - -has the worst view


canada's side you'll also notice is cleaner :)
by the way corey is a bit confused and not up to date ...he still after all this time has not realized that the Greenback american dollar is lower than the canadian dollar!!!!

canada is better lol

The Niagara River, and therefore Niagara falls forms the border between Canada and the US. Therefore NF canada is just the candian side of the river and NF US is on the american side. Canadian side has better views and therefore more touristy, better restaraunts but the american side is much less expensive ( because the US dollar has dropped so much against the canadian dollar in the last 5 years ) If you have a passport and money is an issue i'd stay on the US side and the Walk or drive across to canada for the day.;

Well there are 2 falls (American and Bridal) in America and 1 in the Canada (Horseshoe falls) There are more things to do in Canada but the famous maid of the Mist boat is in America. x

The Canadian side is much better and commercialized.
More bars, attractions, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Beter view of both Falls as well. And you paying in Canadian funds.
BONUS.

Canada's governments (Federal, Provincial, Municipal) invested the plentiful tax dollars to make it nice there, and the US is more privatized business oriented. The Canadian side has greater views of both the Canadian (Horseshoe Falls) and the American Falls. Maid of the Mist is absolutely available on the Canadian side (where it originated from even) and there are also tunnel tours etc. There is a variety of things to see (or avoid, according to your tastes) including the carnival-style touristy wax-museums and entertainment and souvenir shops along Clifton Hill road, and restaurants and a major casino, but there are also pretty gardens parkettes along the road, romantic horsedrawn carriage rides, and shuttle buses too. If you have or rent a car, travel eastwards a few minutes, you can get a magificent view of the Niagara Gorge, and there are aerial cars across it, plus botanical and butterfly gardens, further east, you can see a park with a hyper-towering monument for General Brock and an understated monument for the legendary Laura Secord who both saved the country (Canada) from attack by the Yanks. Continue east you will and should visit the quaint Victorian / Edwardian town, Niagara-on-the-Lake, in the summer, flowers so abundant along the streets, and a great park for a picnic where the Niagara River enters Lake Ontario, and there you can see a view in the distance across the lake, the Toronto skyline with the worlds' tallest freestanding human-made structure.

i've lived in NF, canada my whole life...but ive stayed in NF, new york as well...trust me the canadian side is much better, the view included...youll love it

you would hate to live here though...you get sick of looking at the falls every day of your life! lol...enjoy it

I live just a few minutes from the Falls so In have been many times. The view of the falls from the Canadian side is much better as it's more head on. It is a lot busier though than the American side.

The American side has a lovely park you can walk through and you can get a different aspect of the falls.

If you have time I really would advise seeing both side as both sides have there good points. If you only have time for one though visit the Canadian side.

Canadian side is waaaay better. And while you are there continue driving east to Niagara-on-the-Lake and take a winery tour and visit extremely pricey shoppes.