Walking Across the Rainbow Bridge to the US Side: Goat Island, Cave of the Winds & Prospect Point

Here is one of the best half-day adventures in Niagara Falls: if you have a valid passport (and US ESTA or visa if required), you do not need a car to visit the American side. Starting at the northern end of the Canadian promenade below Clifton Hill, you can walk across the pedestrian walkway of the Rainbow Bridge from Canada into Niagara Falls State Park, New York in 10 minutes.

1. How the Pedestrian Border Crossing Works on Rainbow Bridge

• What You Need to Bring: every person (including children) must carry a physical Passport (or NEXUS / Enhanced Driver's Licence for US and Canadian citizens). Non-US and non-Canadian citizens entering the United States on foot need a valid US ESTA (Visa Waiver) or US Visa.
• The Pedestrian Toll & Turnstile: walk into the Pedestrian Entrance on the Canadian side (open around the clock). Walking from Canada to the USA, you cross the bridge and clear US Customs and Border Protection on the New York side; walking back into Canada, you pay a small pedestrian bridge toll by coin or contactless card at the turnstile before clearing Canadian CBSA customs.

2. What to Do on the US Side (Inside Walkable Niagara Falls State Park)

Designed in 1885 by Frederick Law Olmsted (the landscape architect of Central Park), Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States. Walk 5 minutes from the US bridge exit to:

1. Prospect Point & Crow's Nest: stand right at the northern lip of the American Falls, or climb the wet stone steps of the Crow's Nest beside the Maid of the Mist dock.
2. Walk onto 'Goat Island' (Luna Island & Terrapin Point): wooded Goat Island sits in the middle of the roaring river, splitting the American Falls from the Horseshoe Falls. Walk onto Luna Island between the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then continue to Terrapin Point at the eastern brink of the Horseshoe Falls.
3. Cave of the Winds & The 'Hurricane Deck' (On Goat Island): ride a lift 53 metres down through the rock of Goat Island and climb a wooden staircase bolted onto the boulders at the base of Bridal Veil Falls, standing on the Hurricane Deck under waterfall spray with constant rainbows around your feet.