The Perfect Summer Family Vacation at Niagara Falls
Make memories that will last a lifetime with a Niagara Falls USA family vacation this summer. This five-day itinerary will help you along the way, from big adventures to quiet moments together you’ll never forget.
Planning a trip that will please everyone in the family can feel challenging, but luckily, Niagara Falls USA is a crowd pleaser, from the incredible scenery to the fantastic food. Find out how to spend each day of your five-day trip making the most of the beautiful nature and unique activities the region has to offer!
Day 1: Go Wild
Start big by visiting Niagara Falls State Park! Get acquainted with what the park has to offer on a scenic trolley ride where you’ll learn all about the individual attractions, the history of the park, and some fun facts to impress your friends back home. Head for Cave of the Winds to experience the mighty Bridal Veil Falls up close (within 20 feet) on the Hurricane Deck — with a special tour out through the series of wooden walkways. Finish off the day with a delicious dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, where the jungle theme extends all the way from Lava Nachos to animatronic animals and the evening is sure to please everyone.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3aa4a78092ac59c19013141996d20237 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1367975c67238672d84eadd1ada70bbb 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e375239dabd3157a42e616c9d06056a3 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d43584fa91b73b6fcfca6941270360c9 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a1a043cca8125452b0ff7a26fc774d52 1200w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7944b8de4ed39dce06b04e45164fb63b 1440w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/2247/hiking_niagara_gorge_%281%29.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=e5f5f922770b0269bfdf3cde0a3e7cc3 1920w)
Day 2: Take a Hike
Explore the beauty of the Niagara region on a hike! Whether you’re more interested in the views or you're looking to work up a major sweat, click here to pick the trail that’s right for your group’s abilities. Tonight, it’s classic barbecue on the patio of Brickyard Pub & BBQ, and then make time to catch the Falls after dark when they are illuminated by changing colored lights.
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Day 3: A Taste of History
Go back in time at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, where you can explore one of the last remaining facilities in the country that produced wooden carousels. The complex of seven buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore antique carousels and the machinery that made them run, along with an outdoor playland for younger kids that uses the small amusement park rides the company produced in the 1950s. At Old Fort Niagara, little history buffs can go back in time and explore an 18th century castle, and witness artillery demonstrations and live reenactments. Keep the history theme going with a trip to Hibbard’s Frozen Custard, operating since 1939! Choose from flavors that rotate daily, or get the signature Black Raspberry.
Day 4: An Electrifying Adventure
You’ve got a big day ahead of you so fuel up at Marketside Restaurant, a family-style place specializing in all things breakfast. Next, set sail on the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour at Niagara Falls State Park. Cruise into the heart of the Horseshoe Falls on the all-new, fully electric, and emission-free vessels. After, hop on the complimentary Discover Niagara Shuttle (seasonal) and hop off at the Niagara Power Vista. Here, visitors can operate a power grid during a storm, or experience a high-tech virtual ride through the landscapes of New York State.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c73b5d1e0de990e26096c3054cd9d61d 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8cb473381da3b416d2e4e28e00bf18b7 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ca4a047ce8cae4c16901d61955fb1b12 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=688289c86c8c1ef1d2dfd46f86cdc9b3 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=70dd6dec943a1e27efc179e9133dcc3b 1200w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4454da0f5a78c748e1f6406c69d9956b 1440w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/archive/8989/slideshow_aquarium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2647a429190b9b31863e02869dcab6a6 1920w)
Day 5: Close Encounters, of the Animal Kind
Get hands on at the Aquarium of Niagara, where you can experience over 30 exhibits and over 120 aquatic animal species. But you’re really here for the daily sea lion shows and tidal pool feeds, right? But don’t miss the penguins at the new Penguin Coast Exhibit! The aquarium is also a rescue center, so younger fans can learn about the work done here. For the true animal fans in your group, arrange to meet a seal or penguin in a private encounter. Finish the trip on a high note by heading for Niagara Falls’ Little Italy neighborhood for a delicious southern Italian dinner at Fortuna’s.
MORE STORIES YOU'LL LOVE
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I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream in Niagara Falls USA!
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/HERO_niagra-shuttle-0153-of-0360-1_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=98ce758c9d443ffa4223f65cae06f221 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/HERO_niagra-shuttle-0153-of-0360-1_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=ebcc2d6965581b764b48c9cb39b5e069 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/HERO_niagra-shuttle-0153-of-0360-1_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=288ab35e0b76af031a41c10f62f3875c 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/HERO_niagra-shuttle-0153-of-0360-1_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=a5b27cd6e22249c0fa76811d8ee6f8c2 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/HERO_niagra-shuttle-0153-of-0360-1_1500x790.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=beb336f064c6206e171731077063311e 1185w)
Extend your stay and explore Niagara County with our list of summer must-dos.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=cbcfdb0fd011d796a0aa8c6a2db9f92c 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=9028ceee43e7482f43c120deb3dd5fbe 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=01d0451c971090621c61bebb3c4a509a 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=7136f0a5a7adc0017de6295390a325b8 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=4046d888dbf16cad39ef3ae8db66889c 1200w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/22_Adventures-in-Learning.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=19c7edaa989dac9d91c60413a7f04cbc 1211w)
A visit to Niagara County is an opportunity to “school” your kiddos (and yourselves!) in…