Location: Niagara Falls
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Things to do in Niagara Falls, New York (NY): The Best Museums
A popular spot for getting wowed or soaked amid natural splendor, Niagara Falls attracts curious spectators and adventurous honeymooners from around the world. The splendid main attraction - more than six million feet of water cascading over a rocky crest - sits partially in the United States and partially in Canada. The U.S. side has recently been busy promoting other activities to lure visitors. Venues like the Aquarium of Niagara offer parents fun and engaging alternatives for kids, after or in between visits to the Falls. Outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, fishing and camping can be found at the Niagara Falls State Park. The storied history of attempts to conquer the majestic Falls is captured at the Daredevil Museum; the Schoellkopf Museum concentrates on the history and geology. There's more to the Falls than, well, the Falls, including a wide array of dining and lodging options, from budget to upscale. This awe-inspiring region makes for an exhilarating and multi-faceted getaway
Restaurants in Niagara Falls
1. Polly King Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Niagara Aerospace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By BillK455 - Spencerport, United States
Wanted to get away for my birthday and decided to go to Niagara Falls to see the aerospace museum which focuses on the aviation history of upstate NY and includes actual aircraft from Curtiss Wright, Bell Aerospace and the Consolidated Aircraft Co. They had a unique one of a kind Cunningham-Hall GA-36 built in Rochester NY (was first plane to feature double motion wing flaps devised to lower landing speeds and not flying speeds) which was exciting to see as well as an actual control panel used by a mission controller during the Apollo moon missions. I love space so it was nice to see what items they had including a Lunar Ascent Engine and Rocket Belt (like seen in "Thunderball"). The place includes a few nice helicopters and lots of items celebrating the aviation history of NY. Being on the airport grounds, you might get lucky to see various planes taking off or landing. Highly recommended museum for history and aviation buffs.
3. Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a groundbreaking museum that reveals authentic stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls. Located inside the former 1863 U.S. Custom House attached to the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station, the 'One More Rive to Cross' permanent exhibition features the rich stories of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, the crucial role played by its location and geography, and the actions of its residents & particularly its African American residents. Visitors experience stories about Harriet Tubman along with Niagara Falls heroes of the Underground Railroad like John Morrison. Connecting past to present, the exhibition inspires visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and to take action toward an equitable society. Buy contactless tickets at bit.ly/NFUGRRtickets Learn more at niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org
Reviewed By travelexperience2017
This compact museum/interpretive centre/gift shop is packed full of information about the Underground Railroad with a specific focus on the Niagara Falls industries and event that supported it. You will learn about the many who would be secreted across the narrow Niagara River after making safe contact with the Black staff at the spa hotel that existed OR about the creation of the Suspension Bridge that many actually crossed, usually at night. The distance between Canada and the United States is incredibly close along this section of the Niagara River, just like it is very close between Windsor and Detroit. However, this is uneven land, the river flows through a deep gorge near Niagara Falls. In the gift shop you will find a lifelike cutout of a life-size Harriet Tubman who is known to have used the bridge several times. This gem is tucked under and beside the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station - so the symbolic freedom train and the actual commuter train now exist side by side. Plan to do a quick trip over the bridge into Canada and find your way to the actual site where Tubman lived and worshipped for over 8 years in St. Catharines, Ontario. Once you have crossed, it will take you about 20 minutes to view this amazing BME Church (Salem Chapel), which has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally with a tour about Tubman if you arrange it in advance. On your way back to the border, make a stop in Niagara Falls to get the best view of this natural wonder.
4. Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
The Castellani Art Museum serves as a cultural resource for Niagara University and its surrounding community and an attraction for regional and international tourists. Exhibitions of nationally known and emerging contemporary artists and traditional folk arts are presented each year. Artist talks, workshops and educational programming accompany each exhibition. Niagara County’s only collecting art museum, the Castellani has a permanent collection of over 5700 works of art, including well known artists such as Picasso, Miro, Dali, Calder, Nevelson, Warhol and many others. Admission is always free.
Reviewed By ccleary2016 - Oneida, United States
Large art museum with rotating exhibits, set on the lovely campus of Niagara University.. Easy walk through requiring about one hour. Niagara Falls art work was outstanding, capturing the power of the falls.
5. Das Haus Musuem
6. Niagara Wax Museum of History
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Doorintosummer - Niagara Falls, United States
As another reviewer has commented, the waxworks in the Niagara Wax Museum of History, especially in the lighting under which they're presented, are, in fact, a little "creepy", but delightfully so - I'd love to spend the night in here in a dare! That said, the waxworks themselves are only a small part of this museum, which is overflowing with fascinating Niagara memorabilia - including, extremely sensitive persons be warned, a dreamcatcher made from a human scalp, with a long gray ponytail still attached - unfortunately, there's no information posted about the origin of this particular piece! Again, that said, most of the items in this museum are benignly fascinating in nature, and some will absolutely blow you away: check out the 1850s guest book from the Cataract House Hotel, which includes the signature of "A. Lincoln and family"!!! Lincoln, then an Illinois governor, brought his family to the Falls on vacation; during that stay, he freshened up at the hotel barbershop, and the barber chair in which he sat can also be viewed in this museum - it's displayed in the "General Store"! Handicapped patrons, there is a single step up to this display, but anyone who can actually stand up, and take one step up and down by holding onto the "store's" surrounding fence, should be able to manage it! :) Another jewel in the crown of this museum: incredibly, they also have, and display, the actual barrel in which Annie Taylor went over the Falls! You can also view: a slice of a local tree planted a thousand years ago, with tags along the rings describing the time periods through which it lived; a collection of fossils from the Gorge bed; the photos and bios of every United States President from Washington through Obama; license plates from all 50 states; a collection of genuinely creepy apple dolls, and much more! Accessibility: the turnstile at the entrance has an attached gate that will be opened upon request; the rise and the angle of the "Bridge To Fort Niagara" is manageable; and while the museum's restrooms are not accessible, the One Niagara building, which does have an accessible restroom on the first floor, is right across the street. Don't miss this gem!!! :)
7. Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
8. Niagara Falls Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By peaceoz - Lewiston, United States
There's a ton of information in this small center. Niagara Falls geological formation, Tesla and electric power, the Great Gorge Route tourist train...you can learn a lot about the Niagara area and how it's changed over the years. A wealth of unique information you won't find anywhere else. It used to be strictly a geological museum so there are samples of mineral deposits to look at and maps showing the layers of different rocks that make up the gorge wall. There's a short video, displays (some with videos), samples a timeline chart of the gorge formation.....very cool. Good for kids and adults. You can see it all in an hour. Within walking distance or a short trolley ride from the actual falls.
9. The Niagara Arts And Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
