I know that the Canadian side is more popular, but has anyone stayed on the U.S. side? Did you have any safety concerns while you were there?

We're going up there next fall, but we're not sure 100% of our group has (or will have) passports. At least some of us will cross the border, but most of the time will be on the U.S. side. It seems like Niagara Falls NY has a crime issue, but I'm guessing that if you stay in tourist areas you'd be ok?

Texas A&M said:

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I know that the Canadian side is more popular, but has anyone stayed on the U.S. side? Did you have any safety concerns while you were there?

We're going up there next fall, but we're not sure 100% of our group has (or will have) passports. At least some of us will cross the border, but most of the time will be on the U.S. side. It seems like Niagara Falls NY has a crime issue, but I'm guessing that if you stay in tourist areas you'd be ok?

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Niagra Falls, NY does have a terrible crime problem. In 2018 my wife and I went to Niagra Falls, Canada, crossing into Canada through Buffalo. On the way back to catch a plane we drove down river on the Canadian side and crossed over to Niagra Falls, NY.

Within 10 minutes we were in a neighbor with 2 out of every 3 houses boarded up. Churches boarded up. Same for elementary schools. People were on the front steps of occupied houses shooting up. Probably meth. They eyed us because we obviously did not belong there. I have dealt with bad people most of my career. A few evil people. I could not get us out of there quick enough.

DO NOT STAY IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY.

We go to NH for the Summer every year, and twice on the way back we've driven through and stayed in Niagara Falls, NY. I personally think the falls are something everyone should see once, and my parents alternate years flying up and driving back with us, so I wanted to take them both to Niagara and neither of them has a passport. Otherwise, that would not be a stopping point on our road trip.

Both times we stayed in an Airbnb in the "tourist" area (such as it is) and we had no issues. We walked all over the park, of course we did Cave of the Winds, and around the little tourist district and never encountered anyone or anything suspicious. That being said, we drove from the falls over to Devil's Hole, and in that 15 minute drive, you really get a feel for what an absolute ****hole Niagara is. Just blocks and blocks of boarded up buildings and some areas where a lot of rough looking characters are loitering. It reminds me a lot of parts of Detroit.

I don't think you're likely to be victim to a violent crime if you pay attention to your surroundings and stick to where there are crowds of other tourists, but theft or other property crime wouldn't surprise me. Both nights we spent there, I was nervous about the car and kept getting up to check on it (we brought absolutely everything inside).

So yeah, if you have time and everyone is willing, I'd recommend getting passports and going to the Canadian side. But if not, it's still worth the trip, you just have to be alert.

We stayed on the Ontario side back in October. Beforehand, we did the New York side. The park on the New York side is very nice and clean and well done. But the views do not compare to the Ontario side.

Once you get away from the park though, the area looks rough. Abandoned buildings, boarded up houses. It's pretty nasty. I'm sure you could stay there and be fine, but staying there doesn't really give you access to anything special. You might as well stay in Buffalo.

On the Ontario side, you're walking distance to sights and attractions.

If you're making the effort to go to Niagara, make sure everyone's got passports. Otherwise, just make it a day trip.

If you're not planning to stay at the Honeymoon Haven Hotel, you should just stay home.