Every time I look at that picture of the falls I mentally give myself a pat on the back. It was taken on my iPhone 7 (which is no longer with us, RIP) but it looks like it a was taken on a proper camera right?
I was in New York City for a family holiday and we decided it would be nice to spend a few days in Canada and visit Ontario for the Niagara Falls and Downtown Toronto for CN Tower. The latter didn’t happen as we ended up spending just over a day in Canada so we used that time to explore the amazing natural wonder that is the Niagara Falls.
‘Road trips are fun’ they said. Who knew the drive from NYC to Ontario would be so long?! We thought it would be a 6 hour drive but with all the stops we took, it turned into 9 hours.
If you’re driving into Ontario from New York, as you approach the falls, you’ll come into a cheesy looking area called ‘Clifton Hill’. It reminded me of a small-scale budget Disneyland with its brightly coloured buildings and themed amusements. We arrived there in the evening and it wasn’t too dark so we could still see the falls. However, we were all so tired that we went straight to sleep after settling into our hotel and having dinner. The following morning, we started off with breakfast at IHOP to energise us for the day ahead and then went to get tickets for some of the attractions.
The Niagara Falls are made up of 3 waterfalls: the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The Horseshoe Falls is the only one on the Canadian side. You don’t have to pay to see the falls as it’s in a public location and there’s plenty of great viewing points. It’s only the surrounding attractions that aren’t free.
We chose to see some of the attractions and bought the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass. It included the following:
Hornblower Niagara Cruise
If you want to get up close and personal with the falls then you’ve got to do this short cruise! It’s a 20-25 minute boat ride into the heart of the falls. Seeing them so close is breathtaking and it’s insane how wet you get from the mist alone! I did a semi-full face of make up in the morning (deffo didn’t think that one through) and by the end of the cruise one of my false lashes was on my cheek. Also be prepared for the noise of the falls, the best way I can think of describing them would be that they sound like a thunderous roar.
Journey Behind the Falls
We went through a series of tunnels behind the falls to get to the observation deck located near the bottom of the Horseshoe falls. We were provided with plastic raincoats which came in handy on the deck otherwise our clothes would’ve been drenched.
There were posters on the tunnel walls that gave you information and fun facts about the falls.
Did you know that the first person to plunge over the falls was a 63 year old woman? In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor attempted to become rich and famous by going over the Horseshoe Falls in a homemade barrel. She survived it but didn’t make much money from it. Awks.
Niagara’s Fury
This is aimed at kids and is a simulator ride combined with a short 4D film that shows how the falls were formed in a fun, multi-sensory way.
White Water Walk
About a 5 minute bus ride from the falls is the powerful Niagara Rapids. It’s a self guided walking tour with information about the class 6 rapids and the nature surrounding it.
So are the Niagara Falls worth visiting?
In my opinion, they are. It’s a breathtaking wonder and you won’t realise just how huge the falls are until you see them for yourself. They’re a reminder that there are many awe-inspiring creations on our planet and just how powerful nature can be.
As always, peace, love and flights.
Tolu x
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