I am a frugal traveler. I’m always looking for the cheap route, the unknown freebies, the fine print that says “recommended donation” instead of “required admission.” But once in a while, you absolutely should pay for the full tourist experience.

Niagara Falls is one place where I would highly recommend paying for the added attractions.

Niagara Falls State Park is free. You have to pay $10 if you want to park on the property, but there’s no charge to walk around and look at the magnificent falls. As far as freebies go, this is certainly a good one.

Niagara Falls, New York

However, if you limit your visit to the free view, you’ll miss out on a big part of what’s available. There are two paid attractions worth ponying up cash for: the Maid of the Mist boat ride and the Cave of the Winds hike.

Maid of the Mist

Heading into Horseshoe Falls on the Maid of the Mist

The Maid of the Mist is the legendary boat tour that takes you past the base of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls and into the Horseshoe Falls. This boat ride is the only way to experience the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls from the American side. It’s a thrilling ride and really puts the power of the rushing water in perspective.

Cave of the Winds

Close enough to touch!

The Cave of the Winds used to let people hike behind the falls, until a cave collapse in the 1920s forced that part of the attraction to close. Today you walk a wooden stair case to the base of the American falls and up along the side. The highlight of the trek is the Hurricane Deck, a platform that gets you so close you’ll be drenched by water and whipped by wind. Don’t expect great photos, but do expect to be amazed by the power of this natural wonder.

How much will these extras cost? My family of four spent about $80 to do both attractions and then enjoyed dinner at the Top of the Falls Restaurant for about $50. We had no regrets about the expense at the end of a fabulous day.

Photos: Britt Reints