Wow! Niagara Falls is the Real Deal!
A visit to Niagara Falls is an unforgettable memory because of the sheer magnitude of its massive size and its breathtaking beauty.
What struck me most was its natural power and a sound that stops you in your tracks. The only way to describe it is a deafening “thunderous roar” that you’d swear can be felt on the ground beneath your feet.
You’ll want to view Niagara Falls from multiple angles … every different angle is captivating. The cascading water, spraying mist, and oftentimes a colorful rainbow effect reflects uniquely from different vantage points. However, no matter what view of Niagara Falls you see, it’s truly awe-inspiring and unforgettable. The volume of water crashing over the falls every second is staggering.
Here are some facts about Niagara Falls:
:: Located about 20 miles from Buffalo, New York and 80 miles from Toronto, Ontario.
:: Niagara Falls consists of 3 waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls.
:: The 3 waterfalls overlap the international border between the U.S. and Canada.
:: The water flowing over Niagara Falls comes from four of the five Great Lakes – Erie, Huron, Michigan. and Superior.
:: The height of Niagara Falls is approximately 167 feet.
:: Over 3,000 tons of water flow over the falls every second.
:: The average depth of the water below Niagara Falls is 170 feet.
:: Horseshoe Falls which lies mainly on the Canadian side, is considered most photogenic.
:: Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors each year.
Your visit to Niagara will not be complete unless you see the falls beautifully illuminated in vibrant colors after dark. This must-see experience at night really allows you to appreciate the continuous cascading of water in all its splendor.
Planning a 2-night Stay in Ontario, Canada to See the Falls
Before I describe two days of outstanding activities around Niagara Falls, I want to tell you about the first moment we saw the falls. We took the advice of other travelers and booked a hotel on the Canadian side because apparently it offered better views. That advice was 100% accurate as we booked a room at the Mariott on the Falls Hotel. And we didn’t just book any room. We booked a Superior “Fallsview” High Floor room on the 27th floor, huge windows overlooking a clear view of Niagara Falls.
While the amazing, breathtaking view in our hotel room is hard to describe in words, we were also impressed that our modern, luxurious, and spacious room had been recently renovated. In addition to the contemporary décor, the comfortable sitting area was put to great use as we simply stared at Niagara Falls before we even stepped one foot outside to explore the area. The view from the bed or window chair was that good!
This high-rise hotel features 31 floors and 400+ guestrooms and suites. There was a coffee/tea station, mini-fridge, large mirror, closet, walk in shower, 49-inch LCD TV and WI-FI. Onsite hotel amenities include a restaurant, a Starbucks® coffee shop, a cafe, a heated indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.
Waterfall Views Plus So Much More to See and Do in Niagara Falls
Marriott on the Falls is located at the south end of the Niagara Park tourist area in Ontario. It sits on the hill above Horseshoe Falls. The hotel’s location is steps from the falls, located in the heart of the Fallsview Boulevard district, and minutes away from area attractions, entertainment venues, dining, shopping, casinos, and more. Beyond admiring the view of the falls, there many things to do on both the U.S. and Canadian sides.
From scenic overlooks and observation towers to adventurous boat rides into the fall’s mist and tunnels behind the water, there are multiple ways to enjoy viewing Niagara Falls.
A MUST-DO Tour: Maid of the Mist Boat Tours
The Maid of the Mist Boat Tour basically takes you as close to the falls as safely possible. Prepare to get wet, very wet, despite wearing the free poncho that the tour provides. With the massive wind blowing from the powerful cascading thunderous waterfalls, you’ll get smacked in the face with water as soon as the boat leaves the dock. The closer you get to the falls, you’ll feel like you’re driving through a car wash with no car. You will be soaked by the end of the boat ride. However, the experience is worth the damp clothing!
Maid of the Mist tickets are $30.25 for adult tickets. Boat rides run from the beginning of May through the beginning of November. Boats run during the daytime, but hours vary.
One suggestion: View the falls from along the river before you go on the boat and get wet. And women, be sure to wear waterproof mascara or you’ll have mascara running down your face and racoon eyes after the boat ride.
Colorful Clifton Hill Tourist Area, Like a Theme Park in the Streets
Clifton Hill is the main entertainment tourist area of Niagara Falls on the Canada side. It can only be described as a super fun area filled with “quirky” tourist attractions and a lively atmosphere. There you’ll find arcades, museums, restaurants, shops, and tiny amusement parks.
Here are just some of the fun Clifton Hill attractions:
:: Niagara Sky Wheel
:: Niagara Speedway
:: Niagara Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
:: Dinosaur Adventure Golf
:: Zombie Attack 6D Theatre Ride
:: Movieland Wax Museum
:: Strike Game Zone Bowling
:: Capitan Jack’s Fun Center (Play glow-in-the-dark mini-golf)
:: Toy Store 4D Ride
:: Carnival Chaos Ride
:: Ghost Blasters Dark Ride
:: Mystic Maze of Mirrors
:: The House of Frankenstein
:: Niagara Zipline
With so much entertainment, it’s a fun experience for all ages.
Journey Behind the Falls Attraction Offers a Unique Perspective of the Falls
On the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, you’ll want to see the Journey Behind the Falls attraction. It offers you a unique perspective of the falls by exploring tunnels carved behind Horseshoe Falls. In fact, you stand on a platform observation deck right next to the thunderous wall of cascading water. You take an elevator inside the bedrock to the base of the falls to get to the observation deck. It’s a year-round, self-guided tour that takes approximately 45 minutes.
Skylon Tower
Skylon Tower is the popular, very high observation tower that stands 775 feet high in the air, offering panoramic views of Niagara Falls. The tower’s observation deck offers both indoor and outdoor views of the falls in addition to two restaurants. The Revolving Dining Room Restaurant rotates 360 degrees every hour and is a fancier dining option. The Summit Suite Buffet Dining Room Restaurant is more casual and affordable.
Niagara SkyWheel
The Niagara Sky Wheel in Clifton Hill is a Ferris wheel that stands 175 feet high, offering riders unique and breathtaking views of Niagara Falls and surrounding areas. Rest assured, the Sky Wheel features fully enclosed gondolas that are climate controlled. That means you can ride day or night during any season as the Niagara Sky Wheel is open year-round. The ride takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
Tips For Visiting Niagara Falls
To really get the most out of Niagara Falls, plan a 2-night stay at the Marriott on the Falls hotel. Be sure to book your reservation for a room or suite on a higher level with a view of the falls. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the hotel as much if we had not had that water view.
While a day trip to Niagara Falls will allow you to take many photos and do some of the tourist attractions, you risk missing out on some key highlights of the area. A 2-night stay will allow you to enjoy seeing the falls during the day and at night, along with taking advantage of riding the Maid of the Mist boat cruise. Plus, you can explore other Niagara Falls attractions at Clifton Hill like the amusement-type rides, museums, and other activities.
The peak tourist season is during the summer months when the weather is warm. This is an ideal time to take advantage of the boat rides and other fun outdoor activities. However, during the summer months you should expect much larger crowds and higher prices on hotels.
If you’re wondering about grabbing an Uber or Lyft ride, no need. Most of the Niagara Falls attractions are in close proximity so you can explore the area on foot.
And speaking of feet, be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. The water spray from the falls makes most walkways, especially on the boat ride, slippery. And since you know you’re going to occasionally get wet as the mist from the powerful cascading water is ever present, be sure to carry a water-resistant backpack. You’ll want to keep your cell phones, wallets, passports, snacks, and other essentials dry. You may even want to pack a towel and a change of dry clothing.
Getting Drenched in Niagara Falls Was So Worth It!
The Maid of the Mist boat ride is something that all boat passengers will talk about for years to come. The power of the cascading falls combined with the deafening roar is an experience like no other. Imagine trying to maneuver on a rocking boat as you’re being sprayed in the face with a hose nozzle on full jet strength as the wind is whipping at you. Rather than feeling scary, it’s more like a comedy skit full of hysterical laughter. Let me reiterate that a boat ride in Niagara Falls truly lives up to the hype. I always say that when I’m feeling down about something, all I need do is look at my free poncho from the Maid of the Mist boat ride and I start laughing at the memory.