Terrapin Point — Attraction in City of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has always been at the top of our must-visit list. It is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, located on the border between the United States and Canada.

Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The height of the falls varies between 70 to 188 feet (21 to 57 meters). Horseshoe Falls is about 2,600 feet (790 meters) wide, while American Falls is about 1,060 feet (320 meters) wide. On average, about 85,000 cubic feet (2,400 cubic meters) of water flows over Niagara Falls every second. We still couldn't believe the sheer volume of water even after seeing it with our own eyes.

We visited Terrapin Point, located on Goat Island, which is part of Niagara Falls State Park. Goat Island divides the Niagara River before it plunges over the falls. This spot provides a direct view of the American Falls and part of the Horseshoe Falls, allowing us to see the falls up close. What an incredible view!

We highly recommend anyone visiting Niagara Falls to check...

Terrapin Point at Niagara Falls was lovely! The whole park is just a amazing. Most tourists stay at one location, the actual Falls and that is fine. There are so many things to see and do. But if you walk about 5 minutes away from the city and down Goat road you will get to see so much beautiful landscape, little hidden paths, quiet park benches and other opportunities to see the rushing waters. The entire area is just amazing. It would take a few trips to really get the most of the area. Horseshoe falls, which you can view from Terrapin Point is spectacular. The spray of the mist is fun and when the wind shifts the surprised crowd usually let out a joyful shout like little kids at a splash pad. It is adorable. Plenty of space to move around, very well maintained paths, open spaces and clean facilities. A lot of the Falls is actually free, except for parking, the rides and walkable platforms (like cave of the winds). ...

While Canada has a better view of Niagara Falls in its entirety, nothing beats Terrapin Point for getting one close up and personal to the Horseshoe Falls. One can walk along the upper river at water level, and right to the edge of the falls just a few feet away. They've done a great job in dealing with the hill, and made it much more accessible to folks in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues.

Granted, with its popularity and the accessibility to bus parking, there can be quite a crowd, but people on tours tend to not have so much time to spend there, and crowd turnover is pretty good. So, if you have some time to spend watching the water, you can manage a prime location through patience.

You do have to pay for parking if you want to park close by (we have an Empire Pass which allows you to park for free), but off to the east end of Goat Island there's a free lot, and it's really not that...