Niagara falls has been one of the top tourist attraction in Canada and USA for locals and travellers around the world, and in my last visit to Canada I was able to kickoff this natural wonder of world from my bucket list. Located on the international border between Ontario Canada and New York state USA , Niagara falls is actually composed of 3 water falls, the most famous and largest one is Canadian falls called Horseshoe fall, second largest is the American fall and smallest one is the Bridal veil falls. Even before seeing the falls you can hear the roaring water and see the misty fog from miles away, and the moment you see the Niagara river rumbling towards 170 feet water falls at 68 miles an hour speed your mouth will drop. In this article I put a list of things to do and a small guide based on my personal experience. Hope you like it and add this place to your itinerary. xx
Everything You need To Know about Niagara Falls !!
How to get there?
Niagara Falls is a perfect day trip from Ontario Canada or if you travelling in between united states and Canada. From Toronto you can take the Train or Mega bus to Niagara falls which will take about 2 hours, but its a lot easier by car which takes around an hour to an hour and half depending on traffic. From new York state its around 10 to 12 hours drive and bus ride or you can fly from Buffalo airport to Niagara falls international airport.
which side of the Niagara falls to visit?
Niagara fall is located at the USA and Canada border many tourist get confused which side to visit. you can actually view the falls from both Canada and USA side however i prefer the Canadian side because Canadian fall is magnificent and has best and most epic view.
Things to do in Niagara falls:
Here is a list of things and experiences you can have at Niagara fall.
Get up close & personal with the falls:
you can experience the thrill of these magic falls closely by boat ride, the Hornblower cruise ride from Canadian side and maid of the mist from american side.The best one is Canadian falls and it gets more intense as you get more closer making you feel like you are in a superhero movie. I took Hornblower 30 minutes boat ride which takes you past the base of American fall, bridal veil falls and then up close and personal with horseshoe falls. They also give you a cool rain poncho to avoid getting wet, it was one of the most epic experience I’ve had feeling the fall so closely.
COST: around $25 for adult & $15 for children (cad + taxes )
Experience Journey behind the falls:
Journey behind the fall offers unique view of fall from below and behind. you have to descend around 150 ft by elevator where a short tunnel lead you to an observation deck and 2 portal decks, cataract portal & great falls portal located right behind the fall. Here you can experience an amazing view of one fifth of world’s fresh water crashing and thundering down at speed of 65 km per hour. as you walk through from the observation deck to portal you will see many information posters detailing the history and evolution of the falls. journey behind the fall is an amazing and an iconic experience you don’t want to miss. The total experience of journey behind the fall takes around 40 minutes to an hour depending on what you want to explore. For more information click HERE.
COST: Adult (aged 13 +) – $17.30 + tax , childrEN (6 to 12 ) – $11.25 +tax children 5 & under are free .
Niagara falls light show:
Every night around sunset the Niagara falls are transformed in to an incredible, multicoloured water and light masterpiece. Thousands of LED lights are used to illuminate the Niagara fall housed in 3 different locations in gorge of Niagara falls to create breathtaking spectacle not to be missed. The Schedule of light show varies throughout the year with the timing of the sunset. you can check the Niagara fall illumination schedule HERE .
Get adventurous & Try Zipline to Niagara falls.
Mist rider zip line also called flight without feather is another coolest experience you can enjoy at the Niagara falls, there are 4 parallel zipline that face the american and Canadian horseshoe falls from a precarious 67 meter high vintage point. This zip line can take you to breathtaking ride in to gorge towards the base of Canadian fall at a speed of 70 + kmh along the edge of vast Niagara river. For more information contact HERE.
COST: for single ride is around $50 Canadian + tax .
Niagara fire works:
Niagara fall host one of the longest fire work series at the edge of Niagara river which creates an unforgettable view above the powerful falls. you can catch this spectacular fireworks display every day at 10. p.m. during the summer and the best place to witness the firework is Queens Victoria park.
Explore the Clifton hill:
Last but not least explore and get lost on the world famous ‘Street of Fun’ by the Falls with wax museums, arcades, themed restaurants, souvenir shops, haunted houses and more, everything is within a walking distance.
Falls view water park:
Those who are travelling with family and kids can visit falls view water park , Niagara’s biggest water park located just few minutes walk distance from the falls. the playground is filled with 16 water slides, beach play area , outdoor pool, sundeck and big wave pools overlooking the falls.
Where to stay ?
A perfect Niagara gateway is not completed without resting at perfect place for the night. Niagara falls have plenty of luxury hotels and resort with a fallsview, B&B’s, Clifton hills with water park, or an affordable hotel walking distance from everything depending on your style and budget. I stayed at the Crown plaza falls view hotel with one of the best view of both American and Canadian falls.
When to visit Niagara falls?
Niagara fall is 4 season destination but Summer is definitely the best time to visit. however months between June to august is peak season and it gets too busy. If you don’t want to get stuck in crowd and an unending ques you can visit in September when weather is till warm and prices for most of the attraction drop by at least 25%. In winter this natural wonder transforms into a winter wonderland like no other with guaranteed subzero temperature every year. According to Niagara falls records the fall completely froze in 1848 due to buildup from ice glacier stopping the flow of the falls. since then fall have never frozen, though in January 2018 the falls was half frozen.
For my part I travel for Travel sake, To discover and experience new places and cultures. I believe Traveling is more than sight seeing and exploring the world, It’s change that goes on, deep and permanent in the idea of living. I hope I can inspire you to travel and visit new places.
🙂 P.S Travel safe Stay Blessed 🙂
