Niagara Falls in Canada is known as being a honeymoon destination; there are loads of things to do and after reading this blog you'll even have time to visit the city of Toronto too!
The Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, from the Skylon Tower
Take a flight for example, arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport, rent a car from any of the car rentals that the airport has to offer (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty) and take the 1 hour or so drive to your hotel at Niagara Falls. There are many hotels to choose from so the decision can be quite tricky - do you go for a reasonably priced hotel, one with good facilities, all inclusive, or one with the best view? I stayed at the Sheraton On The Falls Hotel and would really recommend it; prices vary throughout the year so just consider that when you're booking.
(Left to Right) Sheraton On The Falls Hotel, Marriott Hotel, Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton, Hilton Fallsview Hotel
Check out their websites:
Sheraton On The Falls: www.sheratononthefalls.com
Marriott: www.niagarafallsmarriott.com
Embassy Suites By Hilton: www.embassysuitesniagara.com
Hilton Fallsview: www.niagarafallshilton.com
What to do:
At Niagara Falls there are considered to be 3 waterfalls; the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls - but there is so much more than that!
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
Journey Behind The Falls
Cave Of The Winds
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour
Skylon Tower
Observation Deck
Rainbow Bridge
Whirlpool Aero Car
Clifton Hill
The Falls at Night
The Maid of the Mist is probably the most iconic attraction at Niagara Falls, taking a boat all the way to the foot of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Tours last for 30 minutes, boats leave every 15 minutes and are docked on both the Canadian and American sides. You may get a little bit wet but it's an experience you will never forget!
As a traveller I always recommend going on journeys but at Niagara Falls, I suggest taking the Journey Behind the Falls; walking through the tunnels behind the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Your visit here will take 30 to 45 minutes and starts as elevators descend 150 feet (45.7m) through bedrock leading out to viewing platforms behind the massive sheet of water.
The Cave of the Winds is a unique experience as you stand directly underneath the Bridal Veil Falls on the American side. If you're brave enough, take a step onto the 'Hurricane Deck' and feel the full force and power of the waterfall. Rushing waters crash upon you, soaking you with spray as you face the thundering falls head-on.
An aviators dream. What better way to see Niagara Falls than taking a helicopter tour, You'll take off just minutes away from the falls, first whizzing over the whirlpool then onto the Niagara Rapids and Rainbow Bridge, and then the grand finale - over the American and Horseshoe Falls before heading back over the city to land!
775ft (236m) above the falls, the Skylon Tower offers a spectacular 360 degree view of Niagara Falls. Zooming up in just 52 seconds, on a clear day you can see 80 miles (129 km), including the cities of Buffalo and even Toronto! If you fancy a bite to eat, the Revolving Dining Room rotates 360 degrees in one hour!
The New York State Observation Deck at Prospect Point Park allows you to stand inches within the American Falls offering unobstructed views. The Maid of the Mist boat tours are available at the bottom of the deck and just at the top, you can cross the Upper Niagara River and head to Green Island, Goat Island and the Three Sisters Island.
You can cross Rainbow Bridge by car, on foot or bicycle. There is a $1.00 crossing fee for pedestrians and is collected when departing Canada. Since it's an international border, you may be required to get a visa when crossing the Canadian-American border so please check online beforehand. But regardless, it’s also a great location for viewing the Falls.
The Whirlpool Aero Car suspends you above the rushing waters of the Niagara River. As you traverse across the 1km wire, you will have views of the Gorge and Rapids; the whirlpool is formed where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise, this abrupt change of direction creates a mesmerizing natural phenomenon.
Need fun for all the family? Somewhere to go for food? Then Clifton Hill is a great place to go. Clifton Hill is the “street of fun” in Niagara Falls with wax museums, arcades and lots of excitement! At night, take a seat on Canada's largest wheel, the Niagara Skywheel, then you can see the whole city illuminate in light.
The falls at night is a spectacle like no other. To me there are 3 special moments at Niagara Falls, seeing the falls in their natural beauty, frozen over in winter, and lit up at night. Every evening is unique, beginning at dusk and ending at dawn, Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-coloured masterpiece.
For all those tourist hotspots, take a look at the map below!
TORONTO
Follow the Niagara River and it will lead you to Lake Ontario where the city of Toronto lies on its shore. Here there's still plenty of things to see and do so I hope you enjoy!
Toronto's skyline at dusk; the CN Tower watches over the city as the lights reflect onto the waters of Lake Ontario
The CN Tower, Canada's tallest building can be seen from miles away, standing at 1,815 ft (553 m). The tower hosts the world's first glass floor, take a step onto it if you dare to walk on air! And at the top you can find the world's highest full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod.
If you're a sports fan then maybe you should visit the Hockey Hall of Fame: dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is a museum and a hall of fame. It has exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup. When I went with my parents, my dad loved it here, he even got his own ice hockey puck!
One of my favourite things to do in Toronto was something very unique; it was the first time I had ever done something like this - the Toronto Hippo Tour, a tour that starts sightseeing around the city by bus then transforms into a boat and enters the harbour. However I regret to say that as I'm writing this I discover that the Hippo Tours are apparently no more, I hope one day for the city, and for you, that these tours come back and offer you this unique experience because it's really something you shouldn't miss!
And there we have it. I only spent a weekend in Toronto as most the my trip was spent in Niagara Falls. If you have any questions or comments about either of these places then please let me know, otherwise, it's a bye for now!
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