Day Trip to Niagara Falls without Spending Money
I get a little panicky at the end of summer, thinking about the many months of cold weather ahead. So on September 21st, the last official day of summer, I was hoping for one last summer day trip to Niagara Falls.
We packed our bikes in the car and headed out as the sun was still rising. We drove toward Niagara Falls, stopping for snacks and a stretch near Burlington at Lowville Park. The kids played on the playground and we ran along a trail following the river.
We parked the car north of the falls (see our secret parking spot below) and biked along the Niagara Parkway, under the Rainbow Bridge, to Falls Avenue. We stopped for a view of the falls at the edge of the hoards of people who also wanted to make the most of the last beautiful day of summer.
After getting back in the car, we drove past the falls, opening the windows shortly to feel the mist. We drove up Clifton Hill at a snail’s pace to take in the carnival sounds and smells.
Before heading home, we made one last stop at Maple Leaf Place for some souvenir browsing. Maple Leaf Place is a giant souvenir shop, specializing in maple syrup products. They also have a giant moose and a few other photo ops in front of the store. (And free parking.) They used to have a glass-blowing demonstration but we were disappointed to see it was no longer there. We talked to a wood carver and had some samples of maple fudge.
Parking
Niagara Falls, known for the falls, beautiful parks, and tourist entertainment, is also notoriously difficult to find parking. Since we were planning on riding our bikes toward the falls, we parked here, next to a playground – with free street parking! (Under 2 hours.)
Kingsbridge Park is connected to the bike trail on the south end of the falls and has a playground as well as washrooms and picnic facilities. Parking is paid.
Read on for more hiking and biking options for your day trip to Niagara Falls.
