Niagara Falls (Part Two)
As our tour ended, I started thinking about asking my cousin if she wanted to stay another night and come back on our own. I guess my cousin and I share a brain, because she started suggesting the same thing, pointing out that I want to see the falls at night. In the summer, this includes fireworks.
Well, that was easy.
Niagara Falls from the Rainbow International Bridge, U.S./Canada Border
I booked our hotel room, and we headed back to settle in and eat dinner. Earlier in the day, Jessica had recommended we try some local favorites, so we went to Duff’s Magic Wings, where I ordered a beef on weck, a sandwich found mostly in Western New York. It’s made with roast beef on a kummelweck roll with au jus and horseradish; it’s like a French dip.
Fed and rested, my cousin and I headed back to the falls. I was grateful we were able to park at the convenient visitor parking lot near Niagara Falls State Park. Located at the Rainbow Bridge, which crosses into Canada, it was nice to know my car was safe for the rest of the evening.
Niagara Falls State Park
We were in beautiful Niagara Falls State Park earlier in the day to get to Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds, but we didn’t get to fully enjoy the park’s beauty. I was very happy we decided to come back to explore on our own.
Niagara Falls State Park lets you enjoy close-up views of the rapids flowing into the American Falls. You can stand near the top of the falls, close enough to hear the full power of the water as it plunges into the Niagara River.
Back to Canada via Rainbow International Bridge
We started the short walk from Niagara Falls State Park to the Rainbow International Bridge, the main tourist bridge going into Niagara Falls, ON, Canada. Look out for the international border marker on the rail facing the Falls. The U.S. and Canadian flags in the road median will let you know where to look.
Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill is the entertainment district in Niagara Falls, ON, with adult- and kid-friendly attractions, restaurants, and events. It’s a short walk from the Rainbow International Bridge; hang a left off the bridge either on Niagara River Parkway or Falls Ave, and you will see the Clifton Hill intersection, where you turn right.
Our tour bus drove through Clifton Hill earlier in the day, and our guide Jessica recommended BeaverTails, a Canadian restaurant chain specializing in beaver tail pastries. However, my cousin and I opted for maple syrup ice cream and headed through Queen Victoria Park to enjoy premium night views.
Night Lights and Fireworks
As part of our tour package, we received return tickets to Skylon Tower, so we used ours to see the falls from the observation deck as night fell.
We then headed to the falls viewing area to claim the best spot as the lights came on. After sunset, the falls are lit with brilliant LED light shows featuring shifting colors as the mist picks up the hues. Lighting times depend on sunset; since this was early July, the falls were illuminated at 8:30 p.m.
The light show kept us entertained until the fireworks began at 10 p.m. It’s a five-minute display, but the fireworks were large and colorful, and a perfect way to end our evening. We enjoyed the illuminated falls as we walked across the Rainbow International Bridge to the car, concluding an amazing day.
Light Show, American Falls, 2 July 2025
Light Show, Horseshoe Falls, 2 July 2025
Niagara Falls Fireworks, 2 July 2025