Canada 2023 part VI - Niagara Falls

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The Niagara Falls

After we left Toronto it meant that we were coming near the end of our visit in Canada. But we still had one thing left in Canada we wanted to see - the Niagara Falls. Well, you might argue that the Niagara Falls is not in Canada but rather on the border between Canada and the United States. But since we thought that the view of the waterfalls were much better from the Canadian side than from USA we feel that it is more Canadian than American.



It is not often that Ake is overwhelmed by sites that he visits. But when he first saw the Niagara Falls he totally lost it and started to laugh because he found the site so amazing. The size and the amount of water and the scenery can't be described with words. It has to be experienced.



First when we arrived we did what everybody who visits the Niagara Falls for the first time do - we saw the falls from above. We spent quite a while there because it is not something you see in five minutes and then leave.



After that we had a bite to eat and we also made a reservation for a tour that we wanted to take - the Journey Behind the Falls. On the Canadian they have excavated a tunnel from the visitor centre down behind the falls. The tunnel has two openings out behind the fall thus allowing the visitors to get very close to the waterfall but still being totally safe. It was really fascinating to stand behind the Niagara Falls. The power of the water thundering down actually made the rock vibrate.



The Journey Behind the Falls also let the visitors enter a platform beside the waterfall. That was also a great experience. You come close to the waterfall that way and you can feel how mighty it is. You actually come so close that you get water spray over you. But that is all part of the tour so they provide the visitors with raincoats.





We learned that to many visitors the Niagara Falls is much more than just a place you visit to see the waterfalls. It is a place you stay in for a while and let yourself be entertained in many different ways. In town there are casinos, museums, exhibitions, amusement park rides and other kinds of entertainment venues. We did not visit any of those but we had to walk through the town and have a look at it. It felt a bit weird. It almost felt like we were in an amusement park and not a town.



When we felt that we had seen enough of the Niagara Falls we left Canada and walked across a pedestrian bridge to the United States. We passed immigrations and then we walked over to the viewing platform on the American side. You can see the Niagara Falls from the US as well but the view was not very good. We feel sorry for all the Americans who go to see the Niagara Falls and never go across to Canada to see the falls from there. They have no idea of how much better it is to see the falls from there.

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Photos

Horseshoe Falls
The largest of the three waterfalls at Niagara Falls is the Horseshoe Falls

Two falls in one
The large waterfall is the American Falls and the small fall to the far right is Bridal Veil Falls

Horseshoe Falls
It is not often that Ake is overwhelmed by sites that he visits. But when he first saw the Niagara Falls he totally lost it and started to laugh because he found the site so amazing.

Horseshoe Falls
The size and the amount of water and the scenery can’t be described with words. It has to be experienced.

Horseshoe Falls
First when we arrived we did what everybody who visits the Niagara Falls for the first time do - we saw the falls from above.

Horseshoe Falls
We spent quite a while at the Horseshoe Falls because it is not something you see in five minutes and then leave.

Above the Horseshoe Falls
It is a powerful experience to see the water flow to the waterfall and then disappear over the edge

The fall viewed from a platform
The Journey Behind the Falls let the visitors enter a platform beside the waterfall.

Water spray hits you
You actually come so close to the waterfall that you get water spray over you. But that is all part of the tour so they provide the visitors with raincoats.

Viewing platform from the American side
After we crossed over into the USA we walked over to the viewing platform on the American side

The Horseshoe Falls from the American side
You can see the Niagara Falls from the US as well but the view is not nearly as good as the one from the Canadian side

The Horseshoe Falls from the American side
We feel sorry for all the Americans who go to see the Niagara Falls and never go across to Canada to see the falls from there

The Horseshoe Falls from the American side
The people who only view the Niagara Falls from the American side have no idea of how much better it is to see the falls from Canada.

Behind the Horseshoe Falls
On the Canadian they have excavated a tunnel from the visitor centre down behind the falls. The tunnel has two openings out behind the fall thus allowing the visitors to get very close to the waterfall but still being totally safe.

Behind the Horseshoe Falls
It was really fascinating to stand behind the Niagara Falls. The power of the water thundering down actually made the rock vibrate.

A street, not an amusement park
We learned that to many visitors the Niagara Falls is much more than just a place you visit to see the waterfalls.

A street, not an amusement park
In Niagara Falls you can let yourself be entertained in many different ways. In town there are casinos, museums, exhibitions, amusement park rides and other kinds of entertainment venues.

Nicola Tesla statue
The scientist and inventor Nicola Tesla in honoured with a statue next to the Niagara Falls

Plaque on the bridge between the countries
The border between Canada and United States goes in the middle of the Niagara Falls. On the bridge spanning the river there is a sign marking where the border is.

Comments

[alex waring]

Niagara Falls
Thank you for confirming that the views are better on the Canadian side. I've only been to the Canadian side, and wondered what I was missing. I'm glad it's not that much! Yes, I remember the thundering power and awe you feel when there, particularly in the tunnel and openings behind the Falls. A true wonder of the world.

[Ake Och Emma]

Wonder of the world
It sure is a wonder of the world. Thankfully there are still plenty of those out there to explore. I will never run out of places to visit. /Ake

[Mumtraveller]

Winter at Niagara
I think it was a lot colder in winters when I lived in Ontario in the 60-70s , I was amazed that the Falls would freeze over , that was something to see !

[Ake Och Emma]

Winter would be a different experience
To see the Niagara Falls in winter would be a totally different experience I'm sure. I would love to see that some day. /Ake

[Andy (Yeti)]

Horseshoe
Love the header photo and yes, we agree, the falls are definitely better viewed from the Canadian side

[Ake Och Emma]

It is powerful
I like it too. I can almost sense the power of and hear the thundering from the water in that photo. Thanks for commenting on the blog. /Ake

[D MJ Binkley]

Canada wins by far
The view of the falls from the American side is not impressive although the river leading up to it is grand. Our first time at Niagara Falls we stayed at a Sheraton with a room facing the falls. It was spectacular as we could sit in our room with a floor to ceiling window and enjoy the show. Although nothing compares to getting up close and personal with the water. The power of water. I hate the tourist town that has grown around it but not much you can do to stop that sort of thing these days.

[Ake Och Emma]

To love or to hate tourist towns?
In Stockholm the old town may be described as a tourist town. In summer we avoid walking through there because of all the people. So to us locals the tourist invasion has somewhat damaged a part of Stockholm we actually love. But I have to admit that when I am in the old town in Tallinn I love the fact that it is a tourist town. I feel that it would have been less welcoming if it wasn't. So I have mixed feelings about tourist towns I guess. /Ake

[Rainyb]

Great shots!

[Ake Och Emma]

Thanks
Thanks. It was awesome to be there and see the falls. /Ake

[RENanDREW]

Wow!
I never knew this 'behind the waterfall' section existed. That would have been very exciting! :)

[Ake Och Emma]

It was awesome
It was such a cool experience. It was definitely a tour worth taking. /Ake