7 Reasons Why Cross The Border To Visit Niagara Falls Is A Must-Do Experience

By Remitbee - Feb 24, 2023

It's no secret that Niagara Falls is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the world. People who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge are grateful to the United States and Canadian governments.

Anyone visiting the United States from Canada should make the trip to see Niagara Falls at least once! How do you cross the border?

How Do I Get across Niagara Falls?

The Rainbow Bridge is a popular tourist spot because it connects the two parts of Niagara Falls. The bridge is open to people on foot, on bikes, and in cars 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Crossing the border between the United States and Canada is hassle-free at Niagara Falls. Show your passport or a valid ID, and you're good to go.

Getting Across the Border

The steps are the same as at any other border crossing in the world. In general, you need to take the following steps to cross the border at Niagara Falls:

  1. Stop at the checkpoint at the border and show your passport or other valid travel documents.
  2. Declare any food, plants, or animal products you want to bring across the border.
  3. Have a U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officer check your car and belongings.
  4. Provide more documentation if requested.
  5. Finish any paperwork.
  6. Pay any duties or taxes that apply.

Depending on your goals (work, sightseeing, etc.) and if it's a holiday, this crossing can be less than an hour. Sometimes, it takes just five minutes as long as your status and documents are in order.

Reasons Why Crossing This Border Is a Must

1. Experience the Beauty of Two Countries on One Trip

Niagara Falls is on the border between the United States and Canada. If you cross the border, you can see the beauty of both countries. Walk around the American side and then go to the Canadian side to see things from a different angle.

The American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls have amazing views of the water falling. The Canadian side is famous for its panoramic views, while the American side offers a more personal experience.

On the Canadian side, you can go to the Table Rock Centre, which has an observation deck with a full view of the Falls. You can also walk through Queen Victoria Park and see the Falls lit up at night—a beautiful sight!

2. Exciting Things To Do

There's never a dull moment at Niagara Falls. The Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds are American attractions. On the Canadian side, you can go to the Skylon Tower to see the Falls from above or take a helicopter tour.

If you are from the United States and want to see Canada for yourself, Toronto, Canada's largest city, is the closest to Niagara Falls. You can take a bus, a car, or a train to get to Niagara Falls from this city. By train, the trip takes about 2 hours, while driving takes about 1.5 hours.

Both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls have a lot of great places to eat. On the American side, you can eat American comfort food or authentic Canadian food, like dishes made with maple syrup or poutine.

One of the places in the area with the best steak is Prime Steakhouse. If you want to eat something Italian, Four Brothers Cucina has a menu that has been around for 50 years and has real Italian food.

3. Rich Culture and History

Both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls have a lot of history and culture to learn about. On the American side, go to Niagara Falls State Park, where you can take a guided tour and learn about the Falls' history. Visit the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory on the Canadian side to learn about the area's ecosystem.

To learn more about the region's history, visit the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. This museum highlights the Niagara Gorge's natural and cultural history, from waterfall formation through Native American villages.

4. Shopping and Fun

There are many shopping and fun options on both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. There is something for everyone, from souvenir shops to casinos.

People who cross the border like it because it is easy to do. It is why most people prefer this border to the others. People who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge praise the United States and Canadian governments for making the trip "easy and convenient."

Both governments make it easy by agreeing on programs like NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST that are great for travelers and are liked by both governments.

With so much to see and do on the American and Canadian sides, you can experience the region's culture and history, see the falls up close, and enjoy various fascinating activities.

Nexus Program

After your shopping trip and fun-filled day, it's time to start thinking about your return to Canada. If you want to make your border crossing experience even smoother, consider enrolling in the NEXUS program

The NEXUS program allows tourists to speed up the border crossing process, which can be really helpful for people who frequently travel or have many planned trips to Niagara Falls.

Visitors who sign up for the NEXUS program have a lot of benefits, such as shorter wait times, designated lanes, streamlined border processes, and more time to take in Niagara Falls' beauty and excitement.

With the hassle-free program of Nexus and so many other reasons to visit Niagara Falls, it's easy to see why this destination is a must-see for any traveler.

The Bottom Line

Indeed, Niagara Falls is a must-visit experience for everyone. Don't forget to exchange your currency or send money abroad using a reliable money transfer service to make the most of your trip.

If you need to send money abroad or exchange CAD for USD or vice versa, Remitbee is an excellent choice. With Remitbee, you can enjoy fast and secure money transfers to over 50 countries. We guarantee low fees and fair exchange rates compared to banks and other money transfer providers.

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