Visiting Niagara Falls State Park in New York

Comparing 1997 to 2022

The first time we went to Niagara Falls was in 1997. Rich’s parents took us on a vacation in their motorhome. It was a small one and there were seven of us. We had three children, ages nine, six and a half, and four.

Sea World in Cleveland, Ohio was still open then and we took the kids there first.

We visited Niagara Falls again in September 2022. As I was contemplating writing about it I went back and looked through all the photos from 1997. I didn’t do so well back then with a camera. We did not have cell phones and I probably had a 35mm camera either hanging around my neck or my wrist, and was trying to take photos while hanging on to a kid or two.

Then the film had to be taken to the local drugstore and sent away for developing. Yes, I am that old.

Either way, most of them are blurry. But I did find a couple to compare. Funny how it was cloudy and rainy the day we visited in 1997 and it was cloudy and rainy the day we visited in 2022.

It is amazing to look at the similaries in these two photos that I took 25 years apart. I have definitely improved my photo taking skills. These two photos were taken at Whirlpool State Park which is just a short drive from the actual Niagara Falls. You simply must include seeing the Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole all in the same trip.

When we visited this past September, 2022 we did not go to the Canadian side of the Falls. We had our daughter-in-law with us and she did not have a passport. We stayed on the American side only. We did go across the border back in 1997. That was before you needed a passport, so all three of the kids were in Canada when they were little.

We parked and visited the Visitor Center first. As you walk toward the American Falls you can hear the loud roar of the water. First you will see the rapids and your jaw will drop at the amount of water and at how fast it is flowing. It brings smiles and giggles even to the oldest of us. The rapids have been clocked flowing anywhere from 25 to 68 miles per hour over the falls.

There are actually three separate waterfalls here and you can see them all from the American side. The American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls.

The Maid of the Mist boatride is on the American side. For a minimal fee you can don a raincoat and ride a boat under the spray of the falls. We did not ride the boat this time. We got wet enough just from the rain and the spray. The Canadian side also has their own boat rides on the other side of the river, which is Canada.

You can go to the base of the gorge at the American Falls and climb several steps to an observation tower called the Crow’s Nest. I did not climb the stairs for fear of slipping, but Rich did while I took pictures from below.

There is a statue of Nikola Tesla in the park and for good reason. He was a brilliant engineer who developed a system of alternating current which enabled the power from Niagara Falls to be transmitted great distances.

Be sure to walk the trail over to Luna Island for a view of Bridal Veil Falls.

Luna Island is a very small uninhabited island between Niagara Falls and Goat Island. This is where you find the Bridal Veil Falls. Luna Island is only 130 feet wide between the two falls. The sheer volume of water is slowly washing away this little bit of land between the two falls, but it will be thousands of years before that is an issue.

The best I could do at comparing the American Falls view toward the tower in 1997 and 2022 are the following two photos.

In the two photos above, you can tell I am standing on the closer platform in 2022. The photo from 1997 was taken from further away.

Continue walking to the end on Goat Island where you can see the Horseshoe Falls at Terrapin Point from the American side. Remember there is also a trolley system that will take you to several stops at all the important viewpoints. The trolley can be a real life saver, especially on a rainy day.

Terrapin Point is a small observation area on Goat Island where you can see the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. I have been to the Canadian side and the view of Horseshoe Falls simply cannot be beat from over there. Especially at night.

After walking all the way to Terrapin Point we hopped on the trolley to take us back to the visitor center and parking lot.

After lunch at Hardrock Cafe, we drove to Whirlpool State Park. There is no additional charge to see this area. It is included in the entrance to Niagara Falls. We got into Niagara Falls State Park with our National Park Pass, but a New York State Park Pass will work too.

There are hiking trails down to the gorge and along the river here, but we did not hike down there. There are many scenic trails and fabulous views of the gorge from here.

The water is such a startling greenish color here because of the dissolved minerals in the water. It looks like a Caribbean Sea.

Niagara Falls State Park in New York State is America’s oldest state park. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. If you ever have the opportunity to see it make sure to take the time to see it at night. The lights are amazing.

If you want to knock a few state parks off your list, be sure to hit all of the following…Niagara Falls State Park, Whirlpool State Park, DeVeaux Woods State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, and Fort Niagara State Park.

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