Most famous for the three iconic waterfalls on the New York and Canada border, Niagara County is a blend of metropolitan modernity and small-town life, encompassing three major cities and 17 smaller towns and villages. As you drive through the county, you’ll notice massive wooden farms and cobblestone-walled warehouses displaying the area’s proud agricultural history. At the same time, the cultural evolution in the cities is evident in the columned stone facades of 18th-century buildings and the sleek 21st-century glass-and-metal modernism.

In recent years, Niagara County has developed a robust cultural scene for the visual and culinary arts. The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is home to artist studios, galleries hosting exhibitions, theaters, and more. After visiting the falls, it’s also common to see beautiful street murals while making your way down to one of the local bagel shops, wineries, or brew houses. The free Discover Niagara Shuttle is an easy way to transport yourself between Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lewiston, and Youngstown. Between these four cities alone, you can feel the power of the falls, travel back in time to pre-Revolution Niagara, and experience the artistic and scientific communities turning this city into the cultural hub it is today.

Most of the region’s artistic and cultural festivals occur between June and early September, when temperatures are warm and sunny, and the falls provide a cooling mist to the nearby city. It’s also when the falls are at their most powerful, and you can truly understand why the area was named “thunder of waters” by the local Indigenous peoples. If you’re looking for a quieter season to stay in one of the area’s cabins or cottages, the region slows down as temperatures drop in autumn, making it a great time to admire the beautiful amber colors of the foliage. Most of the major attractions close during the sub-freezing winters, though you may find some local options for ice skating, sledding, and pond hockey.

Niagara Falls

With more than 1,100 feet of falls to discover, Niagara Falls can be tackled via a network of hiking trails, most of which are flat and accessible for beginners, including ones leading towards the man-made Cave of the Winds. This cave permits you to go under the Niagara Gorge in an elevator before opening up to the wooden walkways that will lead you to the Hurricane Deck, prime location for seeing the falls from below — and for getting soaked. No matter which area you tackle first, remember to pick up your free poncho before hopping on your boat or foot adventure, and look out for rainbows that often appear in the sky above.

Lewiston

The riverside village of Lewiston has as much historical and cultural significance as it has natural beauty. The Freedom Crossing Monument memorializes the city’s history as one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad. Cultural and artistic festivals occur every weekend during the summer, and the Castellani Art Museum hosts year-round exhibits. The Niagara Gorge and the Lewiston waterfront let you reconnect with nature, and you can stop by the Niagara Power Vista to learn how the city has harnessed the hydroelectric power of the falls.

Lockport Cave

Less than a 30-minute drive from most Niagara Falls cabin vacation rentals are two caverns under the city of Lockport, New York. One is naturally formed, and the other is man-made from the 19th century. Boats will take you through the caverns, providing a simultaneously serene and slightly eerie experience, especially if you take one of the haunted tours.