Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls This Summer: Events, Festivals, & Activities

Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most striking landmarks.

It’s no surprise that the falls and surrounding area have been a popular tourist destination for well over a century. Though travelers today prefer to explore the falls by boat instead of barrel, the area’s tourist numbers have yet to dip.

Niagara Falls hits on more than a few travel-worthy notes. There are the falls themselves, which are a sight to behold (and hear). Then there’s the historic nature of Lewiston and other nearby small towns, the most popular Niagara Falls town.

Toss in plenty of romance, great restaurants, and a long list of family-friendly activities, and it’s safe to say that Niagara Falls will remain popular for decades more.

That being said, Niagara Falls is best experienced during summer. Temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s, providing a respite from the heat. On top of that, outdoor activities are in full swing as forests come alive with green growth. Most importantly, however, the city’s events schedule fills up with a seriously long and intriguing list of things to do.

Ready to uncover the best things to do in Niagara Falls this summer?

Best things to do in Niagara Falls this summer

Celebrate the 140^th birthday of Niagara State Park

People gather at Niagara Falls State Park ahead of a total solar eclipse across North America, in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 8, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Niagara Falls State Park is celebrating its 140^th birthday, handing you the perfect opportunity to get to know the US’s oldest state park.

Best of all, there’s a brand-new Welcome Center, the state-of-the-art Aquarium of Niagara, and the Observation Deck, which offers a dramatic view of the falls.

It’s one of many reasons to visit. Personally, I’d probably go with one of the park’s official tours and tour partners. There’s the Cave of the Winds, which takes you up close to the Falls, along with the Maid of the Mist boat tour.

And the 200^th birthday of the Erie Canal

A large boat is piloted out of lock 5 and towards lock 4 on the Erie Canal on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019 (Photo by Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

Let’s put aside the Falls for a second. You can also explore the Erie Canal, which is celebrating its 200^th birthday.

When it was opened back in 1825, the canal provided a much-needed connection between major hubs along the Hudson River, Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain.

Today, you can explore the Erie Canal in a range of ways. If you want to explore the historic and economic angles, check out the Erie Canal Flight of Five Lock Tender Tour.

If you want a similar historical tour but on water, go for the Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise. Or if you’re just in it for scenic byways, go on the Niagara Outfitters Erie Canal Tour; you might even spot some wildlife!

Experience Niagara Falls from the air, from the water, or on foot

Maid of the Mist, Courtesy of Niagara Falls USA

Above, I mentioned two popular activities that take place in Niagara Falls State Park: the Maid of the Mist boat tour and the Cave of the Winds walkway.

The former is a boat tour that gets you close enough to the Falls to get drenched, while the latter is a self-guided walking tour that lets you get close and observe the falls for as long as your poncho allows.

But let’s not forget about exploring the Falls by air. There are two ways for you to get up close and personal to Niagara from the skies: the Rainbow Air Helicopter Tour and the Live on Air Fallsview Balloon Ride.

Go to a great winery

Inniskillin Winery (Courtesy of TripAdvisor)

Niagara Falls’ cool climate and rolling hills bode well for grape-growing, meaning you can add a vineyard trip (or two) on your visit. For twenty years, the Niagara area has been an official American Viticultural Area. Since then, breweries and cideries have also popped up around the city.

Personally, I’d head across the border on the hunt for some of Canada’s famous ice wines. Inniskillin and Trius Winery are famous Canadian wineries that are within reach of Niagara.

Attend one of the top events

Summertime is the busy season for Niagara Falls, USA. Though you might notice added crowds, you’ll also notice that the events calendar fills up. You can explore annual events, along with one-time festivals, workshops, and shows. They’re affordable, family-friendly, and designed to be accessible for visitors.

Here’s what I’ve been spying on the calendar:

In June, there’s a rubber duck race event, a mermaid festival, a Strawberry Moon arts festival, a garden fest, and more
In July, there’s a pirate festival and a fairy house festival
In August, there are multiple jazz events (including a fetival) and a War of 1812 re-enactment show

Priceline Just Made It Easy to Find Cool Neighborhoods to Stay In—Here’s How to Use It

There’s always a shiny new travel concept on the horizon.

Over the last two years, AI travel assistants have taken off.

Looking for a travel-specific AI program that can help you plan and research? You’ve got options. What about helpful tips from a range of AI-powered apps? They’re diversifying constantly.

But AI programs must be harnessed carefully. The power is in the hands of the user—and travelers like me aren’t always the most tech-savvy.

In other words, while AI is improving the travel-planning experience, it’s been a slow and sometimes confusing start.

But we’re starting to make progress in terms of utility and purpose—and one of my favorite new applications for travel-based AI is Priceline’s new neighborhood features. The company just released Trip Intelligence: The Neighborhood Edition, which adds a totally new dimension to its AI-driven capabilities.

Its goal is to help you research the coolest neighborhood for your next trip. Here’s why that’s important, and how you can use Priceline’s new tool to gain an edge in trip planning.

Why do you need to find cool neighborhoods to stay in?

Typical apartment building facades with external staircases in Lower East Side, Manhattan (Getty)

No, you don’t need to look for a neighborhood that’s objectively cool. I’m using that word as it relates to your own understanding of the word.

When you travel, your hotel or rental is your home base. Even if you plan a busy itinerary and want to stay out as much as possible, you’ll spend a good amount of time at your home base, whether a rental or a hotel.

You’ll rely on nearby shops for last-minute purchases, late-night and early morning bites to eat, and plenty more.

Even if you want to spend most of your time outside your hotel or rental, your neighborhood will have a huge impact on your trip. It shapes how you think about your destination and whether or not you want to come back.

The more aligned the neighborhood is with your natural inclinations, the more likely you are to enjoy your trip. You’ll feel more comfortable and curious about your surroundings.

That probably sounds like an obvious statement, but I hope you’ll take it from me and my wayward life spent on the road: vibes can make or break a trip, and when you find cool neighborhoods to stay in, you have non-stop access to the right atmosphere.

How does The Neighborhood Edition feature work?

Here’s how to find cool neighborhoods using Priceline’s new features (Courtesy of Priceline)

As important as booking a stay in the right neighborhood is, it’s incredibly difficult to nail them down. In my experience, the best and only way to reliably find the right atmosphere is to ask a local or someone who has lived in the city for a long time.

That’s where Priceline’s handy new feature comes in. Last year, they identified ‘awayborhoods’ as an important part of the travel experience, which I’ve laid out above.

(Finding the right neighborhood = better vibes and feeling empowered = the trip of a lifetime.)

When you download their app and start planning a trip, you can now access neighborhood features, which give you five unique opportunities to land the perfect neighborhood.

Here’s how it goes:

Use the Neighborhood Navigator to learn which neighborhoods are similar to others in major cities. Just start with a neighborhood you know and love, then find its counterparts in other hubs. For now, Priceline only has navigator features for 35 cities—but that’s a pretty strong start, serving hotspots like New York City, Portland, and beyond. (Use this feature on the app or on the website.)
Then, set the right vibes using the Trip Vibe Selector. If the word ‘vibe’ is throwing you off, know that they’re just talking about atmosphere. Are you looking for a quiet escape with boutique shops and organic grocers? Or a party zone with bars offering trivia nights and karaoke? What about a student-friendly zone with cafes that let you work on a laptop? Those are all different vibes. (Use this feature on the app or on the website.)

You can also:

Learn more about a potential neighborhood with the Content Pages, where you can explore descriptions and comparisons. These info-heavy pages let you match up your favorite potential neighborhoods to find the perfect one.
Penny Maps lets you take a look at the neighborhood, including its parks, museums, bars, and more. In other words, all those locations you were reading about in the Neighborhood Navigator and Content Pages are now mapped out so you can gain a better sense of the area.
There’s even a Turo integration, which lets you plan your trip alongside booking a Turo car rental. I don’t have a car, but if you’re into the peer-to-peer car rental service, this might be an added perk for you.

Did You Know That Seoul Loves Corn Dogs? Here’s Where to Get One

When I think of Seoul, South Korea, I picture a modern, brightly lit city that’s home to world-class spas, ultra-luxury shopping, animal cafes, and some of the world’s best street food.

While Tokyo is usually the top pick for American tourists heading to East Asia, I’ve had my sights set on Seoul for a bit longer. (It’s all those Netflix Daebak K-drama series.)

Intrigue aside, a trip to Seoul is a big leap in terms of distance, culture, and language—and it isn’t a vacation that I’d plan off the cuff.

If you’re heading to South Korea from the United States, you’re bound to encounter a few confounding cultural differences, like learning to stay quiet on the subway and not tipping servers or taxi drivers.

That being said, you might recognize more pastimes than you anticipated. Baseball is one of the most surprising sights for Americans who didn’t realize that South Korea has a hugely popular domestic league, the KBO. (If you’re a baseball fan, don’t miss out on catching a Seoul SK Knights or the Seoul Samsung Thunders while in town.)

Baseball games in South Korea are known for their lively atmosphere, team chants, and, unsurprisingly, delicious sports food.

Here’s where one surprise turns into two. The most popular item on the menu is one that Americans know well: the corn dog.

In fact, I just went on YouTube to find an example of travelers experiencing their first KBO game in Seoul. The very first one on my feed is a video review from a British-Polish couple, Jay and Karolina, who attended a Doosan Bears game.

When the pair head to the concessions stand, they see hot dogs, then point out the corn dogs—but, being from outside the US, it takes them a second to realize it’s a corn dog.

Ready to learn where to find classic American comfort food all the way in South Korea? Let’s dive in.

How did corn dogs end up in South Korea?

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – APRIL 02: Kiwoom Heroes fans cheer during the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League opening game. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Corn dogs ended up in South Korea the same way professional baseball did: the Korean War. Americans stationed in South Korea in the 1950s intermingled with locals, imparting a deep love for baseball.

After the war ended, US military bases remained open (and still are today), which means Americans and South Koreans have been exchanging culture for decades.

Enter the corn dog, which first landed on American plates in the 1920s before taking off nationwide in the 1950s.

By the 1980s, the corn dog had migrated east—and it had a distinctly South Korean twist. Rather than cornmeal, Korean corn dogs were made from a batter of rice wheat and stuffed with fish cakes, not hot dogs.

Today, common Korean corn dog varieties include cheese, ramen, fish cakes, and more. If you want a Korean version, stick to the fish cakes. I’ve heard they’re delicious.

And though I’m not normally a fan of glizzys (apparently, that’s what we call hot dogs now), I’d definitely be looking out to snag a corn dog in Seoul.

And even if you can’t swing a corn dog, hot dogs are also zhuzhed up to the max. (In South Korea, hot dog usually refers to all corn dogs, but you can also find plain hot dogs served in buns, too.)

Here’s where I’d go based on recommendations from locals, travelers, and corn dog lovers.

Best places to get a corn dog in Seoul

KBO Games

There’s no better place to nosh on a corn dog than at a baseball game—that’s true in South Korea and the United States. Again, if you’re a fan of sports, then book a few tickets for a KBO game while you’re in town. It lets you take a bite out of South Korea’s baseball culture and corndog culture in a single go.

Shake Shack (various locations)

There are a handful of Shake Shack locations in Seoul that will serve up a delicious corn dog, from Doota to Gangnam to Cheongdam. These are the most accessible places for Americans to pick up a classic hot dog aside from a street food stall. They’re served up as ‘flat tops’ at Shake Shack.

Myungrang Hot Dog Mangwon Station

It’s just a hot dog stand—but it’s a well-known quantity in Seoul. You can sample state-of-the-art local corn dog varieties that will take you into never-before-tasted territory. Even the shape and appearance are maximized, overloaded with sauces and crunchy glazes in a way that feels very familiar to my Midwestern palate.

Superdog

It’s all about high-brow corn dogs at SuperDog. Whether you want an elevated chicken SuperDog (a classic hot dog with chicken stuffed into the bun) or a top-notch corn dog, you can find your champion at this unassuming restaurant. Just note that corn dogs aren’t always on the menu, meaning you might need to settle for a regular glizzy. Well, by SuperDog standards.

4 Amazing Ranches To Go Horseback Riding in Colorado

Similar to surfing, horseback riding is an activity many of us experience for the first time while traveling.

When we’re on the road, we’re more likely to try out things that don’t normally appeal to us. Maybe you’re suddenly interested in specialty museums, or unique fusion dishes, or going to a famous club.

That’s the magic of travel—it expands our horizons.

Whether or not you’re one to giddy-up in your daily life, there are dozens (I repeat, dozens) of ways to get onto a horse in every single US state. (You can also watch them run wild, if that’s more your speed.)

Some of the most acclaimed and experienced ranches are found out west, unsurprisingly.

From the dude ranches of Montana to the sprawling resorts of Utah, there’s a unique adventure on horseback awaiting you. For now, let’s focus on the US’s shiniest, semi-rugged gateway into the wild: Colorado.

These are the best ways to go horseback riding in Colorado, from ranches to stables to adventure companies.

Best picks to go horseback riding in Colorado

Drowsy Water Ranch

Forget a riding experience that involves someone pointing out a horse to you and saying, There she is! At Drowsy Water Ranch, you fill out a questionnaire before your visit that helps staff assign you a horse that suits your level of riding and personality.

Those who book a horseback riding experience can expect a week-long chance to bond with their horse while fostering a lasting interest in equestrianism. You can train on trails, in the arena, or, if you’re more advanced, gallop across the grounds at top speed.

Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch

With a herd of over 100 horses, you can find the steed to suit your horseback adventure. Similar to Drowsy Water Ranch, staff at Bar Lazy J carefully consider which horse to pair you up with.

The goal is to improve the rider’s confidence by letting them bond with their horse—which sounds like something that would be up my alley as an inexperienced rider.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll set out into the Arapaho National Forest to explore the mountains, valleys, and creeks with your equine companion. It’s hands-down one of the most scenic places to go horseback riding in Colorado.

Rimrock Adventures

Rimrock Adventures specializes in river and rafting adventures, but its stables aren’t too shabby, either. Its horseback riding services let you explore Colorado’s most gorgeous canyons at McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.

You can choose from one, two, and three-hour excursions, making this a more bite-sized horseback riding experience.

Rusty Spurr Ranch

Rusty Spurr Ranch is a commercial ranch that also offers horseback riding activities. They’re not like the rest of the offers on this list for one huge reason: the ranch only offers off-trail horseback riding. Anyone who wants to really get that cowboy feel can run free(er) at Rusty Spurr Ranch.

You can choose from trail rides (don’t worry, they don’t involve actual trails) and cattle drives. The latter sounds really interesting—I mean, who plans to drive cattle on vacay?

I also love that Rusty Spurr has a page on their website dedicated to their horses, where they brag about keeping them happy and healthy—just like a cowboy from the Wild West would. As someone who loves to interact with animals, I always look for signs like these that indicate that animal welfare is a priority.

5 Ways to Visit New Jersey’s Pine Barrens

New Jersey is the Garden State, a moniker that harkens back to the colonial era.

During this period, New Jersey was layered with fertile farms and gardens. Compared to the large cities dotting New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, New Jersey’s natural corridors offered green escapes.

If you’ve spent any amount of time in New Jersey, you might know why the name The Garden State draws ire.

New Jersey is laced with some of the region’s most complex highways and interstates—and there’s hardly a tree in sight along their densest lanes. Only those who know where to go today will find respite from the state’s tightly packed towns.

Still, gardens aren’t the only hidden wonder waiting for nature-lovers in New Jersey.

As a fan of weird landscapes and paranormal topics, I’ve had the Garden State on my bucket list for one reason: getting into the Pine Barrens.

These ancient forests are the stomping ground of New England’s most famed cryptid, the New Jersey Devil, and aren’t like any other American woodlands.

Ready to get out and experience New Jersey’s best-kept natural wonder? Here’s how to explore the Pine Barrens.

Wait—what’s a pine barren?

Hiking Point of View in Wharton State Forest in New Jersey (Getty)

Pine barrens are a landscape that’s exclusive to the US’s East Coast. These unique forests are defined by sandy, nutrient-poor soil that supports cool fauna, including orchids, carnivorous plants, and coniferous trees like pines. The word ‘barren’ comes from how useless that soil is—at least, for traditional farming purposes.

Pine barrens once spanned many parts of New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, but due to metro sprawl, the US’s largest and most protected pine barren now belongs in New Jersey. In the state, they’re also called the Pinelands and the Pines.

Since 1978, New Jersey has protected over 1.1 million acres of pine barren, known as the Pinelands National Reserve. It’s home to five unique parks that let you experience a different part of the Pines, which are listed below.

Just look out for that pesky New Jersey Devil, which was last sighted in 1960 near May’s Landing! It’s got hooves and it likes to scream.

5 ways you can visit New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, aka the Pines

Wharton State Forest

If you like to get out on the water, this is your best option when it comes to exploring New Jersey’s Pines. It’s home to rivers and lakes that are perfect for kayaking and canoeing, along with a popular lookout point.

From Batsto, you can easily access public services in Wharton State Forest, from barbecue areas to campsites. The Atsion Recreation Area is the largest and most developed (it’s got showers). There are over 500 miles of unpaved roads that you can also use for mountain biking and even horseback riding.

And don’t miss out on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service tower, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the Pinelands. It’s located on Apple Pie Hill along the Batona hiking trail.

Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

PINE BARRENS, NEW JERSEY – 2012/07/02: Water lilly bog. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)

With over 25 miles of hiking trails, this is a large and remote state park in the Pinelands. Despite that, it’s highly accessible and perfect for those who want to get out on long trails. One of its most popular trails, the Cranberry Trail, is also wheelchair accessible.

Uniquely, you can also access Batona Trail from Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. It weaves through both protected areas, along with Bass River State Park (below).

Bass River State Park

Courtesy of New Jersey State Park Service

Like the name suggests, this park is focused on Bass River, which passes through its grounds. It’s also home to Lake Absegami, an idyllic location that lets you explore the Pinelands by boat or canoe. You can also swim at Lake Absegami.

However, I’d skip the river and the lake to explore the West Pines Plains Natural Area, which is home to a pygmy forest. Thanks to the nutrient-poor and sandy soil of the area, trees don’t grow much taller than four feet.

It’s one of the few pygmy forests located on the US’s East Coast (most are in California).

Penn State Forest

Head to Oswego River and Oswego Lake in Penn State Forest if you’ve got your own boat—you can easily get out on the water. Just keep in mind that this is one of the Pinelands’ most rustic parks, meaning most roads are unpaved and most services are bare-bones.

That being said, Penn State Forest is still open for all types of outdoor activities. You can go mountain biking or horseback riding. You can hunt deer and wild turkey. You can even go cross-country skiing in winter when the snow piles up.

Double Trouble State Park

I’m not a cryptozoologist, but if I had to take a wild guess at where the New Jersey Devil is hiding out, it’s probably at Double Trouble State Park.

In a slightly less sexy twist, this park gets its name from a former cranberry company and packing plant, which was called the Double Trouble Company. Today, you can take the 1.5-mile loop trail around the wetlands, where wild cranberries still grow today.

Where to Find Baltimore’s Best Crab Cakes

In my tour de hunger of the United States, I’ve taken a closer look at many regional specialties.

Rocky Mountain oysters, aka bull testicles, are a testament to our ranchers’ not wasting any part of the animal. The same could be said for gator bites, common to Louisiana and Florida.

Then come the dishes with pretty tame ingredients but odd names, like Hot Brown and the Baked Alaska.

But not all of our culinary proclivities raise eyebrows.

In Maryland, the state’s premier foodie export is the humble crab cake. Born from the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland crab cakes are known for their light, buttery flavor and composition.

That distinct flavor profile is thanks to the crabs that grow in the Chesapeake Bay. Compared to the Dungeness Crabs common to the West Coast, Maryland crabs are smaller, and their flavor is much more subtle and sweet. Those with a love of seafood can usually tell the difference with a single bite.

That means one thing: If you want the very best crab cakes in the United States, you should be going to Maryland.

Here’s where to sink your teeth into the best crab cakes in Baltimore, along with a few bonus picks for Linthicum, Hanover, and Middle River.

Where to get the best crab cakes in Baltimore

Koco’s Pub

Crab cakes transformed this hole-in-the-wall restaurant into a Baltimore staple thanks to their award-winning, fresh-made-daily crab cakes.

But don’t plan on learning about Koco’s Pub crab cake ingredients; it’s a family secret that this casual pub won’t be releasing anytime soon. Since opening, its crab cakes have become so well-known in Baltimore and beyond that you can now order them online.

Costas Inn

Looking to eat where Baltimore locals eat? Head to Costas Inn, a beloved fixture since it opened in 1971. Though they offer a wide range of seafood dishes, they’re most well-known for their crab cakes.

They’re flown in fresh and hand-sorted every day, giving you direct access to the Chesapeake Bay straight from Baltimore.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood is a restaurant-bar with delicious crab cakes on the menu… along with a few other offers. This restaurant hosts big events, from trivia nights to famous athlete signings.

If you’re looking for a high-energy spot to sample some of the best crab cakes in Baltimore, head to Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. Just be prepared—you’ll pay slightly higher prices, and might face a wait during peak hours.

Bonus picks just outside Baltimore

Pappas Seafood Co. (Parkville)

Just like Koco’s Pub, the crab cakes at Pappas Seafood Co. have become such a beloved staple that they’re now available for purchase online.

Though its crab cakes are slightly more expensive than others in town, Pappas has multiple awards and big-name features under its belt. In other words, it’s worth the slightly higher price.

G&M (Linthicum Heights)

G&M offers a truly diverse menu that includes Italian, Greek, and American staples—but its standout is Maryland crab cakes. If you’re on the hunt for the very best the state has to offer, you might consider stopping in. Though technically in Linthicum Heights, it’s less than ten miles from Baltimore.

Timbuktu Restaurant & Lounge (Hanover)

Hailed as a sleeper hit by many locals, Timbuktu Restaurant & Lounge offers a unique twist on the Maryland crab cake. Its light flavor is different than most others, which regularly attracts seafood fans from surrounding areas. Just be prepared for the diner-style setup—it’s not like most other restaurants on this list.

By The Docks (Middle River)

Size matters at By The Docks. This restaurant is famous for serving up its 8 oz. Colossal Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. This dish minimizes the number of add-ons, highlighting the light and buttery flavor of the crab. Slightly more upscale, By The Docks is also a favorite for diners who want to splurge on a nicer meal and cozy atmosphere.