A Taste of Niagara County

From the Niagara wine region to the famed home of Buffalo wings, eat your way through the singular food delights of Niagara Falls USA. There’s something for every palate.

DAY 1

Welcome to New York

Your first day in town should be all about experiencing the best of Niagara Falls, New York —from the Falls themselves to the delicacies this corner of the Empire State is known for. Start your journey in the center of it all, Niagara Falls State Park, where you can get closer to the Falls than you ever thought possible. Set sail on the Maid of the Mist, and get your heart-pumping at Cave of the Winds’ Hurricane Deck. Afterwards head into town for a lunch of New York-style deli sandwiches at Power City Eatery. Later, make it a progressive dinner: Whet your appetite with Buffalo wings at the legendary Anchor Bar, and then seek out a New York-style pizza pie — and don’t forget the ice cream.

Day 1

3Cave of the Winds & The World Changed Here Pavilion

Before descending into the Niagara Gorge for your breathtaking one-of-a-kind adventure, learn how Nikola Tesla harnessed the power of the Falls to create alternating current, experience what Niagara Falls looked like before it was a park and witness why people from around the globe have been drawn to the edge of the Falls for hundreds of years as you travel through The World Changed Here Pavilion. Then it is time to prepare for the power of the Falls! You will be outfitted in a poncho before descending 175 feet into the awe-inspiring Niagara Gorge. Exit the elevator cave and find yourself on a series of wooden walkways that will bring you to the unbelievable “Hurricane Deck” where you are within feet of the crashing Bridal Veil Falls and surrounded by tropical storm like conditions—even on the calmest of days. The Cave of the Winds and Pavilion is a timed ticketed attraction, and à la carte tickets are available for purchase in the park. The full Cave of the Winds tour operates from May to October.

If you are planning to visit Niagara Falls after October, there are still ways to get up close and personal with the Falls. The Cave of the Winds Gorge Trip is an abbreviated tour that allows you to view the Falls from observation platforms and keeps you a bit drier. And even throughout the winter, you can still experience the wonder in the World Changed Here Pavilion.

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DAY 2

Wine & Dine

Pick your designated driver for the day and head for the Niagara wine region, with over 20 wineries, breweries and cideries. At Black Willow Winery, you can pair your tasting with artisanal Amish cheese or gourmet chocolate. Stop into the gift shop on the way out for olive oil and vinegar — and a bottle of wine or two. It doesn’t get more farm-to-table than eating at the farm itself! Becker Farms is a working farm with u-pick opportunities seasonally, but you don’t want to miss the gastropub on premises or taste the wines they produce at their own Vizcarra Vineyards. End the day in charming Lockport, where you can continue your tastings at Arrowhead Spring Vineyards and then enjoy a cozy meal at Shamus Restaurant or at Lock 34 Bar & Grill.

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DAY 3

The Sweet Life

Start your day with a sweet and a stroll. Not far from the lovely walking paths of Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll find La Patisserie, a French-inspired pastry shop serving fresh-made pastries. Next, it’s off to quaint North Tonawanda for a tour of a real-deal chocolate factory, Platter’s, and a visit to a sweet relic of turn-of-the-20th-century Niagara County: the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. A true French bistro experience awaits you for dinner at nearby Webster’s Bar & Bistro, where the owners sought to recreate the experience of a warm, local restaurant like the ones they love in Paris. The chicken Française and bouillabaisse never disappoint — nor does the 17-layer chocolate cake.

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DAY 4

Fresh Air and Fresh Produce

Western New York is known for its farmers markets, so stop at one of the markets available almost every day of the week. Sample local vendors and pick up enough to pack a picnic, then head to one of these picnic spots with your spread (or stretch your legs on a Niagara Gorge hike). One last item on your foodie to-do list: tasting the creations of the next generation of Niagara Falls chefs. Snag a seat at Savor, the fine-dining restaurant at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (when school’s in session) — it’s staffed by students, who take advantage of the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. Dinner service features a $25 prix fixe, three-course menu.

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