3-Day Niagara Falls & 1000 Islands Tour from NYC

Niagara Falls by night, the Maid of the Mist by day, then a cruise through the 1000 Islands

A 3-day guided tour departing New York City that covers Niagara Falls, Toronto and the 1000 Islands with two nights of hotel accommodation and a professional guide. Day one takes you through the Delaware Water Gap and Finger Lakes to Niagara Falls, where you tour the American side at night and ride the Maid of the Mist the next morning. Day two moves through Toronto's landmarks before heading east to the 1000 Islands. Day three includes a St. Lawrence River cruise past Boldt Castle and Heart Island, then returns to New York with a stop at the Delaware Water Gap.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: New York to Niagara Falls

• Depart New York City northbound
• Pass Delaware Water Gap
• Walk Watkins Glen Canyon waterfalls
• Continue to Niagara Falls
• Tour American side of Niagara Falls
• Ride Maid of the Mist boat
• View colorful falls lighting at night

Day 2: Niagara Falls to Toronto and 1000 Islands

• View Horseshoe Falls
• Visit Niagara on the Lake village
• Tour Toronto city highlights
• Travel to 1000 Islands area

Day 3: 1000 Islands to New York

• Cruise 1000 Islands on St. Lawrence River
• Stop at Delaware Water Gap scenic area
• Shop at outlet mall
• Return to New York City

The experience

The coach leaves New York City heading north through the Delaware Water Gap, a scenic river gorge cut through the Kittatinny Ridge, and into the Finger Lakes region. You'll walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to see its waterfalls before arriving at Niagara Falls in the late afternoon. That evening, the falls are lit in color: a different view than most visitors see. The next morning, you board the Maid of the Mist to ride into the spray at the base of the American Falls, Goat Island and Luna Island. Two nights of hotel accommodation are included: the first near Niagara Falls and the second in Gananoque in the 1000 Islands area.

Day two starts with the Horseshoe Falls, then moves to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small historic village, before heading to Toronto. There you'll see the Hockey Hall of Fame at Brookfield Place, City Hall, HTO Park and the Distillery Historic District. The route then follows Lake Ontario east toward the 1000 Islands. On the final day, a cruise on the St. Lawrence River passes the homes of the wealthy built on private islands (including Boldt Castle and Heart Island) before the coach heads back toward New York. A shopping stop at an outlet mall along the way gives you time to browse before the evening return to the city.

The tour runs in a climate-controlled coach or 15-passenger van depending on group size. A professional guide leads the group and can conduct tours in English, Spanish, Italian, French or other languages. Luggage is limited to one piece and a small carry-on per person, and the guide will confirm any special requests, such as wheelchair transportation, in advance. Continental breakfast is included each morning at the hotel.

What’s included

• Transportation by climate-controlled coach or 15-passenger van.
• two nights of hotel accommodation with continental breakfast.
• the Maid of the Mist boat ride at Niagara Falls.
• a St. Lawrence River cruise through the 1000 Islands.
• sightseeing in Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Delaware Water Gap.
• a professional tour guide.
• WiFi on full-sized buses (dependent on local cell service).

Information

Lasts 3d, from US$ 580 per person, with live guides in 6 languages and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 4 Apr 20273 departing soon ›

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Empire Vacations

Is this one for you?Groups of up to fifteen travel together in a shared coach or van with a single guide, which keeps the pace steady and the cost lower than private options. If you prefer to move at your own speed or want a vehicle just for your party, a private transfer would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

What exactly happens on the Maid of the Mist boat ride?

The Maid of the Mist takes you out onto the Niagara River to the base of the American Falls, where you experience the power and spray of the falls up close. The boat operates on the American side of Niagara Falls and is part of the second day's itinerary.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel rooms, or are they booked as part of the tour?

Hotel accommodation for two nights is included in the tour price. You'll stay near Niagara Falls the first night and in Gananoque in the 1000 Islands area the second night, with continental breakfast included each morning.

What is the 1000 Islands cruise like?

The St. Lawrence River cruise takes you through the 1000 Islands, where you see the private estates and castles built on the islands, including Boldt Castle and Heart Island. The cruise runs from May through October and is included in the tour.

Is there time to shop or explore on my own during the three days?

Yes. The tour includes a shopping stop at an outlet mall on the return journey to New York on day three. In Toronto, you visit several landmarks and neighborhoods, and Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small village you can explore during the day.