If you're planning a trip to see the Falls, this short Niagara Falls travel guide can help you figure out how to arrange your holiday.

How to Get There

The first thing you need to consider is how to get there. There are 4 airports close to Niagara Falls so most people choose to fly as the most convenient method of transportation. Three airports are in Canada and one is in New York state.

The airport nearest Niagara Falls is the American one, in Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo/Niagara International Airport is only 25 miles away from the Rainbow Bridge. The next closest one is 45 minutes from the Rainbow Bridge in the city of Hamilton. This is the John C. Munro International Airport.

After that, is the Pearson International Airport. It's in Toronto, and it will be a 78 mile drive to get to Niagara. This is the largest airport and would likely have the best flight service. The fourth airport is just a small private airport that only handles cargo and private charter flights.

From any airport, you can rent a car or arrange a shuttle bus to the Falls. If you are coming from the Buffalo airport, there is an express bus route via their public transit system. It's handy, and will only cost $3 per person. Once you arrive, have a Niagara Falls travel guide and map on hand, and you're ready to sight-see.

You don't necessarily have to fly though. There is train service to Niagara with Amtrak (when coming from the USA) or GO train and VIA Rail (from within Canada).

Other options for transit to Niagara include a Greyhound bus, or just taking a car. There are several bridges you'll need to cross on the way but they offer some good views. The Rainbow Bridge in particular offers a very good look at the falls because it is the closest one.

Getting Around Niagara

The next important part of a Niagara Falls travel guide is how to get around once you are there. On the US side, you can see the Falls from the Niagara State Park or visit the Canadian half at Queen Victoria Park. There is a transit system in either park that can take you to the major local attractions. In Victoria Park, it's called the "people-mover" and Niagara Park has a "parks trolley system". These buses let visitors travel all day along the 19 mile loop route that visits the main Falls attractions. They run from the middle of May to the middle of October.

There is also public transit for the city, which is Niagara Transit. That is also another way to get around if you are going anywhere outside the attraction areas. The roads are very busy during tourist season so trying to drive on your own can be really difficult. Plan on taking public transportation as much as possible when there.

If you are taking a car, be warned that parking is generally not free and can be very costly during the high tourist season (between May and September). There is more free street parking on the USA side of the falls, and most hotels on either side offer free parking for their guests.

What to See and Do

Aside from the spectacular waterfalls that make this town famous, you can also visit several other attractions:

• Skylon Tower for an amazing view of the Falls

• Clifton Hill, a street filled with funhouses, arcades and the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum.

• Butterfly Conservatory

• Maid of the Mist boat tour under the falls

• Two casinos

• Aquarium of Niagara

The Niagara Falls offer days of activities for the whole family.