Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

"State" Park? It's Canada! The parks are maintained by the the Niagara Parks Commission. For great photo ops, you can get right beside the Horseshoe Falls if you go to the far end of the park. Skylon Tower was a good recommendation. Get on the "Maid of the Mist" boat to get up close and personal. Check out the Whirlpool Rapids and don't miss Niagara-on-the-Lake and the wineries between Niagara Falls and NOTL. Enjoy! And have a great time in the BEST country in the world.

KarenKaptures Loc: New Jersey

I had a Fuji waterproof camera to take shots on Maid of the Mist, main camera in a waterproof bag.

rando Loc: Rochester NY

Niagara on the Lake (Canadian side) has a wonderful and huge botanical garden, an extensive wine trail and a butterfly house. There's lots more than the Falls. Definitely go on the Maid of the Mist boat trip. There is also a tall restaurant where you can eat lunch and gwt high views of the falls. Have fun.

mkaplan519

I was last there (for the falls) in 2012 because I had a friend in from out of town and took her out so she can take one off her bucket list.
I say for the falls because I went in 2015 but did not visit the falls. I went to the U.S. side for the Thunder Over Niagara Airshow and then came back and did the Safari Niagara Zoo and Bird Kingdom. As others have said, there is a lot of photographic opportunities in and around Niagara Falls. Niagara on the Lake is also a nice place to visit. Restaurants, Shops an old fort all in a quaint town. Also lots of wineries to visit if you are into that.

As for taking photos of the falls. There are some good reasons to use a tripod. You can do a long exposure to make all that rushing water become a smooth dreamy mist. That said, I have never taken a tripod with me on any of my visits there. I had hold everything. I have not been there at night to shoot the colors though. Probably the best time for a tripod and easier for long exposure dreamy water. You can walk from one fall to the other. There are many photo opportunities all along the way for disserent angles, views of the falls.
I love to shoot panoramas where I take a few or bunch of shots overlapping to get a very wide view. Here is one such shot taken from around the middle between the falls.
http://www.pbase.com/mkaplan/image/146203085/original.jpg
If you check out my site, you can see a lot of what I shot on that trip. My Niagara Falls Photos
While there, don't forget to take it all in yourself. Photography-wize, don't forget the people, flowers and everything else going on around you. There is a lot.
ALso, if you are going this weekend, be aware of the crowds since it is Canada Day on Saturday and we Canadians are celebrating Canada's 150 yearsso lots of people, fireworks etc. Great crowds.
Enjoy and lets see you pictures after you return!

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Welcome to the hog Chuja. I live about 90 miles from the falls, so I get there quite often. There really is no bad place to photograph from. I visit both sides of the falls. It was easier before the days of needing a passport. The lenses you have will work ok. If you can either buy or rent a super wide angle lens, that will give you some great shots. If that is not an option, you can take multiple photos and merge them into a panorama. This could a really result in a wider view. I would suggest having your camera in the portrait position. This will give you a taller view. A tripod would be best for this method. I have done a few hand held with good results. If you are going to be there a few days, there is a trail on the American side that leads down into the gorge. The trail goes right up to the whirlpool. It is an awesome perspective. When the rapids boats come by, you are only about 70-100 feet away. I want to go down the trail again. One view I like is getting low to the ground for some different views. If you are lucky, you might even be able to lay down.
Both sides have excellent views and many attractions. There is a helicopter for really interesting shots.
Just remember to enjoy the trip.

Glasgow

Niagara Falls at its best, good luck and have fun.

Part of the Horseshoe Falls


From the American Side looking toward Canadian side


From Goat Island looking North


Water coming from Tonawanda going over the falls

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

You need to stay until dark to get the falls lit up A tripod is a must if you want the smooth look to the water. Also early morning sunrises is good as the sun come up over the USA side of the Horseshoe Falls.

If you are on Face book take a look at the Niagara Area Photo Group or use this link to get some great ideas of different locations and style

https://www.beta.facebook.com/search/str/niagara%2Bfalls/photos-keyword

mrpentaxk5ii

Some great photos posted of the falls, in alittle over two years I will retire with 41 years of service for NYS, DOCS. I plan on taking my wife for a few days as she has never been their.

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

They illuminate the falls on Sunday nights and holidays. I used my tripod and niffy fifty to get some great shots of the beautiful colors, otherwise don't need a tripod. Lots of good handheld opportunities. Did not take my DSLR on the maid of the mist boat ride. Too wet.
Have fun. We really enjoyed our trip and the Canadian side it way prettier the USA side

amkras Loc: NY

I was there in July 2 years ago and found the tripod very useful. Go ahead and take it.

ColonelButler Loc: Niagara-on-the-Lake ON Canada

I live in Niagara-on-the-Lake and have spent thirty two years living in the area and a few years of my working career responsible for the water flow over the falls. From the Canadian side, you can get some sunrise pictures over the falls, weather permitting. There are new high intensity LED lights illuminating the falls at night. There are also nightly fireworks displays (check the schedule). You will need a tripod for this. The Hornblower tour boats give a good up-close view of the falls. As mentioned by a lot of the others, be prepared for spray protection even along the main walkways. You can take photos from the Rainbow Bridge - you will need your passport to get off the bridge. Drive the Niagara Parkway to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of good sights and photo ops along the way. Sip some wine and have a great meal in one of the many restaurants. Avoid Clifton Hill and the Wax Museums :)

Nikonnorm Loc: East Gwillimbury Ont.