2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from NYC with Outlet Shopping

Niagara Falls by bus, boat and outlet mall: two days north from the city

A 2-day overnight tour from New York City to Niagara Falls includes hotel accommodation, sightseeing on both the American and Canadian sides, and a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist (May–October) or Power Vista and Cave of the Winds (November–March). Day one travels north through the Finger Lakes region, arriving at the falls in the late afternoon for the evening light show. Day two departs early to tour the falls up close before heading south to outlet shopping on the way back to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and Niagara Falls visit

• Depart New York City by bus
• Pass Delaware Water Gap
• Walk Watkins Glen Canyon waterfalls
• Continue to Niagara Falls
• Tour American Falls and Goat Island
• Optional Canada border crossing
• Enjoy Illuminated Falls light show
• Free evening time at Niagara

Day 2: Niagara Falls and shopping return

• Visit Horseshoe Falls
• Ride Maid of the Mist boat (May-Oct)
• Winter tour Power Vista and Cave of Winds
• Depart Niagara at noon
• Shop at premium outlet mall
• Return to New York City

The experience

The bus leaves New York City heading north, passing the Delaware Water Gap and stopping at either Watkins Glen State Park (summer) or Montour Falls (winter) to walk through canyons and see smaller waterfalls before continuing to Niagara. You arrive in the late afternoon, check into a hotel on the American side, and have free time to explore before the Illuminated Falls light show at dusk. Travelers with proper documentation can cross into Canada to see the falls from the Canadian side. Those staying on the American side have the same evening free to walk the grounds.

The second morning starts early at the hotel. In summer (May–October), you board the Maid of the Mist to ride out onto the water and see the Horseshoe Falls up close. In winter, the tour visits the Power Vista Hydro-Electric Station and the Cave of the Winds instead. You see the American Falls, Goat Island and Luna Island on foot. At noon the bus heads south toward New York, stopping at one of two large outlet malls (Crossings Premium Outlets or Waterloo Premium Outlets), where you have time to shop before the evening return to the city.

Transportation is by 15-passenger van or full-sized bus with a professional guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of several other languages. Wi-Fi is available on the bus. One piece of luggage and a small carry-on per person are included. Luggage storage is not mentioned. The hotel is typically the Ramada by Wyndham or Comfort Inn "The Pointe" or similar, and includes a continental breakfast. All passengers need valid identification to cross the US border. Entry to Canada requires a valid passport and visa if applicable, though travelers without proper documents can still join the tour and participate in activities on the American side.

What’s included

• Wi-Fi on the bus.
• one night hotel accommodation with continental breakfast.
• entrance to the Maid of the Mist in summer (May–October) or entrance to Power Vista and Cave of the Winds in winter (November–March).
• sightseeing tour of Niagara Falls on both sides.
• transportation by van or full-sized bus.
• and a professional guide in your choice of language.

Information

Lasts 2d, runs Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 06:30, from US$ 367.35 per person, with live guides in 6 languages and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 06:30Another day? ›

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Empire Vacations

Is this one for you?Two days is the minimum to see both sides of the falls and ride the Maid of the Mist (or tour the power station in winter), so the itinerary fits the falls themselves without rushing. The outlet shopping on the return is a bonus if you want it, or free time to rest if you don't. Overnight travel from New York means you don't lose a full day to the drive.

Traveler reviews

4.47★★★★★★★★★★

1,115 verified traveler reviews

5 ★761

4 ★218

3 ★66

2 ★35

1 ★35

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the summer and winter itineraries on this tour?

Summer tours (May–October) include a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist to experience the falls from the water. Winter tours (November–March) replace that with visits to the Power Vista Hydro-Electric Station and the Cave of the Winds. The first day also changes: summer stops at Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes, while winter goes to Montour Falls instead.

Can I cross into Canada on this tour if I have a valid passport?

Yes, travelers with proper identification and valid travel documents can cross the border to see the falls from the Canadian side on the evening of day one. If you don't have the required documents, you'll remain at the hotel on the American side and can still see the falls, enjoy the light show, and participate in all activities that stay on the US side, including the Maid of the Mist boat ride in summer.

What exactly happens on the boat ride, and when does it operate?

The Maid of the Mist operates from mid-May through mid-October and takes you out onto the water to see the Horseshoe Falls up close and experience the power of the falls from the boat. It departs from the American side, so you don't need a passport to ride it. The tour includes entrance to the boat as part of the package during those months.

How much time do I get for outlet shopping on day two?

After the morning tour of the falls, you stop at one of two large outlet malls (Crossings Premium Outlets or Waterloo Premium Outlets), on the drive back to New York. The exact amount of time isn't specified, but it's built into the return journey at noon, with the bus arriving back in the city in the evening.

What's included in the hotel stay?

The 2-day tour includes one night of hotel accommodation with a continental breakfast. The hotel is typically the Ramada by Wyndham, Comfort Inn "The Pointe," or a similar property. Maximum occupancy is three people per room. If your group is four or more or you want separate rooms, you'll need to make separate bookings.