Picture Perfect: 7 Places to Go For the Best Views of the Falls

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better view than the mighty Niagara Falls. But that doesn’t mean you can’t capture the splendor of Niagara Falls USA in a single frame! Here are the best places to see Niagara Falls from the U.S.:

Observation Tower & Maid of the Mist
Terrapin Point
Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours
Whirlpool State Park
Three Sisters Islands
Prospect Point
Luna Island

Male and female taking a selfie on the Observation Deck.

Pictured: Sights You’ll Get in Your Photo: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls

1. Observation Tower: Bird’s-Eye View

If you have a taste for adrenaline, and you’re wondering where to see Niagara Falls, this might just be the best place for you. The views from the Observation Tower at Niagara Falls State Park are worth the dizzying heights. Standing an impressive 282 feet high and dramatically jutting out beyond Niagara’s mighty ravines, this vantage point is the best to capture all three Falls at once. Definitely worth a #gorgeous on your photo post! Here, you'll also gain access to the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour and the Crow's Nest, a set of concrete stairs that parallel the American Falls.

Pictured: Sight You’ll Get in Your Photo: Horseshoe Falls

2. Terrapin Point: The Closest Encounter

This is how to see Niagara Falls if you want to get up close and personal! The viewing ledge at Terrapin Point on Goat Island is the nearest point to the thundering Horseshoe Falls (from either side of the border). Sunsets offer visitors incredible photo ops, but visit here after dusk and you’ll catch one of the most stunning Niagara Falls night views.

Pictured: Sights You’ll Get in Your Photo: All of Niagara Falls — from above!

3. Rainbow Air: A Once-in-a-Lifetime View

How about taking your Instagram game to a whole new level — literally — with Rainbow Air helicopter tours. A chopper ride over Niagara Falls not only ticks two adventures off your bucket list in one, but it also offers an incredible aerial vista of the Falls. Feeling lucky? You may even catch a famous Niagara Falls rainbow.

Pictured: Sight You’ll Get in Your Photo: Niagara River rapids

4. Whirlpool State Park: Whirling Whitewater

There’s more to photograph at Niagara Falls than the Falls themselves, so why not set up your tripod at Whirlpool State Park? The hiking trails are a great spot to escape the bustle of the Falls — that’s before those rapids stop you in your tracks! From the evergreen forests to the cobalt blue waters, welcome to #nofilter heaven.

Pictured: Sight You’ll Get in Your Photo: Upper Rapids

5. Three Sisters Island: Roaring Rapids

Accessible from Goat Island, Three Sisters Islands are connected by three historic walking bridges, named for the daughters of Parkhurst Whitney, an early hotelman and leading citizen in Niagara Falls. Here, you’ll get a unique view of the raging Upper Rapids as they race for the Falls.

Pictured: Sight You’ll Get in Your Photo: American Falls

6. Prospect Point Viewing Area: Sunrise, Sunset

If you don’t fancy paying admission fees or joining lines, you can enjoy incredible vistas from this prime viewing area at Niagara Falls State Park. Depending on the time of day and year, platforms can swell with visitors, so why not pay a visit at sunrise when you pretty much have the wonder all to yourself! Or at dusk, view the nightly illumination.

Pictured: Sight You’ll Get in Your Photo: American and Bridal Veil Falls (Likely with a Rainbow!)

7. Luna Island: The Rainbow Connection

Dramatically straddled by the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, tiny Luna Island offers a unique vantage point to both. In case you missed it (ICYMI, for the social media savvy among you), the island is named after the lunar rainbow phenomenon — a rare occurrence that can manifest over the island. Now that’s what we call photo op!

Ready to experience these amazing views? Download our Travel Guide today and start planning your Niagara Falls USA adventure.