The Canadian Niagara Parks pass is the better deal.

If you’re comparing annual passes, the Canadian side wins easily—more attractions, free parking, and it actually covers entry to the main sights. The US side’s annual pass (Discovery Pass) only covers a handful of attractions and does not include parking.

The US side of Niagara Falls is free to enter—you can walk right up to the falls without paying a cent. Their annual Discovery Pass gets you into the Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Aquarium, and a few other things. That’s fine if you plan to do all of those, but parking will still cost you.

The Canadian Niagara Parks Annual Pass covers entry to Journey Behind the Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, the Floral Showhouse, and free parking at any Niagara Parks lot. That last one is huge—parking on the Canadian side is expensive and scarce. The pass also includes the WeGo transit system, which saves you from driving between attractions.

If you live nearby and visit more than twice a year, the Canadian pass pays for itself quickly. The US pass is mostly for tourists doing a one-day trip.

Don’t buy either pass unless you’re actually going to use the attractions. If you just want to see the falls, both sides are free.