During the first weekend in June, I traveled to Ontario, Canada with my boyfriend and his mom to see Niagara Falls. Although it was a long trip (about 8 hours with stops) it was completely worth it. We stayed in a suite on the 26th floor of the Hilton Hotel, with a perfect view of the falls outside our window. We were even able to watch fireworks out the window on Friday and Sunday night.
Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls). Draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world. During the summer months, at least 100,000 cubic feet of water flow over the falls per second.
Niagara Falls straddles the border between Ontario, Canada and the state of New York. We were told to stay on the Canada side for a better experience, and it was definitely the right decision to make.
On our first full day, we went on a six-hour Niagara Falls Scenic Tour. It was the perfect way to see the very best attractions. The first stop was Niagara’s 4D Fury Theatre, where visitors experience the creation of Niagara Falls while standing on a platform surrounded by a 360-degree screen. The movie began in the ice age and progressed to current day Niagara Falls. It rained, it snowed, the floor tilted and trembled. It was a very unique start to the tour.
The next stop was “Journey Behind the Falls,” a tunnel running directly into Horseshoe Falls. The river exploded right before our eyes, falling more than 13 stories and splashing on-lookers as they observed. The sights and sounds were absolutely breathtaking.
Thirdly, we rode to the top of the 775-foot Skylon Tower to see the falls from a different angle. There was an indoor and outdoor observation deck, with spectacular views of the falls, the Niagara wine district, and the city skylines of Buffalo, NY and Toronto. It was an unforgettable view.
On our way to the next attraction, the bus stopped at Souvenir City for lunch and a little shopping. My favorite purchase was chocolate peanut butter fudge from Chocolate World. We also made a brief stop to see the Niagara Parks floral clock, which is made with 16,000 plants, and the Niagara Whirlpool, a natural whirlpool located along the US-Canada border that is 125 feet deep.
My favorite part of the day was our ride on the Hornblower (formerly known as Maid of the Mist). It was a half hour boat tour that has been bringing visitors to the falls for more than 150 years. We were first taken to the base of the American Falls where we saw a beautiful rainbow, and then to the basin of the Canadian Falls. Wearing fashionable rain ponchos, we got up close and personal, being kissed by the mist and feeling the thunder of Horseshoe Falls.
The following day we visited the Daredevil Museum, which holds various barrels and artifacts used by people who have thrown themselves over Niagara Falls. We also took a trip to Clifton Hill, a street of fun that includes mini golf, museums, shopping, bowling, 4D movies, and more.
On Clifton Hill, we went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium. The museum holds over 800 rare and amusing displays, including a moving statue of the world’s tallest man (he was almost 9 feet), 2-headed animals, and authentic shrunken heads. Following the museum, we visited Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks to have our picture taken with lifelike versions of Barack Obama, Oprah, and the Three Stooges, among many others.
During our three-night stay, we also spent time at the Fallsview Casino. The legal age in Ontario to enter a casino or drink alcohol is 19, which just so happens to be my age. I won money on the 50 cent slot machines and used it for drinks at the casino bar. We listened to a live band playing a wide variety of songs, including country and 80’s music (which are some of my favorites). It was a lot of fun!
Overall, the trip was an amazing experience. The best part was that I made unforgettable memories with two people that I care very much about. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
