No visit to the US side of Niagara Falls is complete without taking in the view from its premier scenic overlook, Terrapin Point. Set at the western end of Goat Island right above the brink of Horseshoe Falls, this historic spot guarantees spectacular views and fabulous snapshots.
Most tours by land tend to stop at the overlook at least long enough to appreciate the view. Guided itineraries typically combine a jaunt to Terrapin Point with other panoramic observation areas on Luna and Three Sisters islands, as well as visits to the Cave of the Winds or a river cruise on the Maid of the Mist ship.
Terrapin Point offers front-row views of Niagara and is the top spot for those who want to photograph the falls from above.
Be sure to wear a rain jacket and protect your camera and smartphone as this point is often awash in spray from the falls.
There are two paid parking lots close to the observation area; one has parking for RVs.
The walkway between the parking areas and Terrapin Falls is flat and paved, easy to navigate with a stroller or wheelchair.
Terrapin Point is on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park. The island has two parking areas for those arriving by car. The Niagara Scenic Trolley looping around Goat Island and the rest of the park also stops near Terrapin Point.
By day, Terrapin Point is a wonderful spot to admire the falls cloaked in the mist that often forms a rainbow above the brink. After nightfall, this same observation area offers VIP viewing of the nightly light show that bathes the falls in colors inspired by the sunrise and sunset, aurora borealis, and rainbows.
Prospect Point Observation Tower, a soaring steel-and-glass structure located slightly downriver from Terrapin Point, is the other major Niagara Falls viewpoint on the US side. In addition to the observation deck, Prospect Point is home to the park’s visitor center and the Niagara Adventure Theater. The Maid of the Mist river cruise boats and Niagara Scenic Trolley both depart from here.
