Niagara Falls Sate Park - Goat Island

I am working in Buffalo and will be driving to Niagara Falls with my husband and kids after work (5-6:00). Is it possible to still see the state park - walking over the pedestrian bridge to Goad Island and walking to Luna Island that night? How long is the state park open? Is it worth it to walk across the bridge - time/effort? From what I%26#39;ve read, the visitor center is open until 10:00 pm, I didn;t know if the rest of the part was open that long as well.

I think we%26#39;ll stay at the Hilton hotel (Hampton Inn maybe) right in that area and then drive over to the Canadian side Friday morning. We%26#39;re staying at the Hilton there on Friday night. We%26#39;ll do the Maid of the Mist boat tour from there on Friday afternoon and watch the fireworks that night. We%26#39;ll probably do one of the hikes (Glen or Whitewater walk) as well.

Anyway, just wondering about the state park on that first night. Maybe we would grab a bite to eat at the Top of the Falls Restaurant that first night as well if there%26#39;s time.

Thank you -

Niagara Falls Sate Park - Goat Island

The specific paid attractions (Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, etc.) have limited operating hours, but the park and falls are always open. You can explore a lot in one evening. The Hampton Inn in downtown Niagara Falls (US) is about a 10 minute (at most) walk from the state park, and the park itself is easily walkable and not too spread out. You%26#39;ll have no trouble doing the things you mention in an hour or two. The Top of the Falls restaurant may not be open as late on a Thursday as on a weekend or fireworks night, so call ahead to check. If not, there%26#39;s a Hard Rock Cafe across the street from the park. It%26#39;s open late, and the kids will like it.

Niagara Falls Sate Park - Goat Island

The NY state park on the mainland side is beautiful. To my knowledge, the park doesn%26#39;t really ';close,'; and you can walk there any time. The bridge to Goat Island is just a few hundred yards, and the island is small; you can walk all around it.

The scenic trolley runs from the mainland part of the park to the island and all around the island, stopping at all the places of interest like the viewing areas for the falls, Three Sisters Islands, etc. An all-day ticket is $2.00 and it runs until around 9:00 p.m. When I first arrived, I took the trolley for the entire tour to get the lay of the land, then rode and/or walked to the sites I was most interested in.