Charming Niagara Falls

I have always wanted to visit Niagara Falls; the adage “seeing is believing” resonates when I experience the falls up close on a recent trip. It’s mid spring, and the trees are almost blooming at Niagara on the lake. From a distance, the gushing sound of the falls beckons with plumes of mist rising high above the river, producing a beautiful display of rainbows. It’s not even midday, and crowds gather to watch the strange veil of water descending like a torrent.

Situated on the border of Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is accessible to visitors in the Province of Ontario and the town of Buffalo in New York State. Consisting of three Falls, two on the American side and one on the Canadian, Niagara Falls attracts visitors from all over the world.

Niagara’s waterfalls vary in size. From the largest to the smallest, they include the Horseshoe falls, also known as the Canadian falls, the American falls, and the Bridal Veil falls. The Horseshoe falls are about 167 feet high and 2,700 feet wide. The American falls are 110 feet high and 950 feet wide. The smallest waterfall in Niagara is the Bridal Veil falls, estimated to be 181 feet tall and 45 feet wide. Both the Horseshoe and Bridal Veil falls take their name from their shape and are a delight to see.

Boat tours regularly leave from both sides of the river. The Maid of the Mist departs from the American, while the Hornblower cruise departs from the Canadian. Long lines and crowds are a regular feature around the Falls, especially in summer. Families and people of all ages continuously gather to observe the stunning picturesque scenery.

On my recent trip, I had the pleasure of experiencing the majestic view of the falls up close. Around me, crowds were donning the red plastic raincoats that offer the necessary protection against the spray. The 20-minute boat tour floats through the river offering breathtaking views from the boat’s deck.

The boat’s engine slows its speed as we approach the Horseshoe falls. From a distance less than a mile away, the waters thunder over the lip of the Falls. Tensions heighten as we get close to the crashing waters, and it soon becomes impossible to take photos because of the wind and the violent spray that fills the air. The captain seemed to take forever as he kept edging the boat closer to the falls, where every minute, thousands of gallons flow over the crestline and crash down in front of us, an unforgettable experience indeed. 

Four of the five great lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie) drain into the Niagara River basin. The water then flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, where in its short journey, it produces hydroelectricity shared by Canada and the United States. It is estimated that 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara every second. This accounts for 75,750 gallons of water per second over the American and the Bridal Veil falls and 681,750 gallons per second over the Horseshoe falls.

The boat tour is one of many ways to explore Niagara. One can also explore the falls through a helicopter trip, a ride on the Niagara Falls SkyWheel, or the journey behind the Falls, which directly leads you under the waterfalls. 

Standing at the heart of Niagara under the waterfalls is an exciting experience. I took the trek down the Cliffside and through the tunnels leading directly under the Falls. You will need to descend below ground, which brings you in direct contact with the falls ahead. The tunnels can also be reached by elevators from the street level entrance. Walking through tunnels through the bedrock, you feel the thunderous vibration of the waterfalls, a thrilling experience, to say the least.

Another captivating way to see the falls is to ride onboard the Niagara Falls SkyWheel. Located in the Clifton Hill entertainment district, it is considered Canada’s largest observation wheel. A ride on the SkyWheel is captivating, it offers unobstructed views all year round. The enclosed climate-controlled cabins allow you to capture fantastic photos in every direction as you listen to the narration in the background.

Niagara Falls is also a delight to see in winter, large chunks of ice flow from Lake Erie into the river basin. Mist surrounding the falls carried by the wind freezes, and the frozen water from the falls sparkles in the sunshine. On a sunny day, combined with the snow-covered landscape Niagara Falls becomes a unique winter wonderland. The Ontario Power Generation holds its annual festival of lights each holiday season in Niagara. The Festival of lights illuminates the falls with an array of sparkling lights and animated displays throughout the Niagara parks area. The festival runs from November to January.

Given the sheer size of the falls and the number of visitors they welcome each year, Niagara seems like one big amusement park. For starters, consider a luxurious dining experience overlooking the falls at the Skylon Tower. Rising high above the Niagara skyline, it offers a bird’s eye view of the Falls. Located in downtown Niagara the 775-foot tower allows for breathtaking views. Its doors first opened to the public on October 6, 1965.

Skylon has two dining restaurants, the revolving dining room and the summit suite buffet, each offering spectacular views. You can spend a romantic evening with your loved one and dine at the revolving restaurant, which offers 360-degree panoramic views of the falls or enjoy a Sunday brunch with your family at the Summit Suite buffet overlooking the falls.

Thrill seekers can experience Niagara in a unique way by taking a ride in the Mistrider Zipline. Considered among the most popular attractions, this high-adrenaline ride isn’t for the fainthearted. The Mistrider zipline’s Flight without Feathers is one of the coolest ways to soar across the sky over the falls. The four parallel ziplines face the American and Canadian Horseshoe falls giving riders an exclusive opportunity to dangle from a precarious 67-meter (2,220-feet-high) vantage point. The fully guided experience adds thrill to the magnificent panorama as gravity floats riders at speeds of 70 kilometers per hour along the edge of the vast Niagara gorge to the falls observation landing.

There are plenty of places to stay in Niagara. Your options are varied whether you are on a budget or have much to spend. One of the most popular spots for honeymooners and visitors is the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel and Spa. The hotel has luxurious guest rooms with enticing views and state-of-the-art amenities like a luxury spa, swimming pool, and fitness center. As an alternative, consider the Skyline Inn, this family-friendly hotel caters to families with children and includes an indoor waterpark.

Niagara Falls is buzzing with activities all year round. Clifton Hill is Niagara’s most popular entertainment district. Located just a block from the Horseshoe Falls, it has an array of activities for families, couples, and sightseers, including a host of theatres, museums, roller-coaster rides, restaurants, and Niagara’s renowned SkyWheel.

When the sun sets, excitement doesn’t stop. At night Niagara’s skyline is converted into a spectacular panoramic view with colorful illuminations lighting up the sky. Launched from the Niagara gorge, the unique fireworks display takes place every night at 10:00 pm. The fireworks are a pleasure to observe, especially from an aerial view from the Skylon Tower.

The best time to visit Niagara Falls is in the summer, summer vacationers usually arrive from June to August, and the viewing areas are packed. From May to September, you can expect fewer crowds. The peak fall season from October to November has fewer visitors, and you can enjoy a variety of fairs and festivals, including farmers’ markets and harvest and wine festivals.

As my journey comes to an end, I reflect on my visit to Niagara Falls. Standing on the upper observation deck of the falls surrounded by the gushing waters, a gust of wind sprays mist on my face. It’s not just the excitement of the strong wind blowing mist that brings tears to my eyes, but an overwhelming sense of awe at the magnificent falls ahead, a mesmerizing and captivating sight to behold indeed!