Niagara Falls - The Prettier Side

2011-11-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Since i was stuck in Canada i decided to explore the area and decided to drive up to Niagara Falls. My mom was with me in Toronto for the first week of my ordeal, she kept me company for a few days in Toronto and while we visited Niagara Falls.

A little background information about Niagara Falls.

I personally feel Canada is known for two things namely Justin Bieber and Niagara Falls with the latter being the more famous of the two. The city of Niagara Falls is about a 2 hour drive from Toronto, depending on traffic and how fast you drive you can get there in an hour and a half. Although there are day trip tours available from Toronto to Niagara Falls (tickets for which can be purchased online or at any Korean Deli in downtown Toronto next to every shady alley), i would recommend driving to the falls and spending a night there if possible, since the free night show is a good way to see the falls at night. The first thing you notice when you arrive to the falls is the fresh air and the amazing quality of the air around the falls, breathing around the falls is very refreshing. Its a nice thing that smoking is banned in the vicinity of the falls, which helps preserve the natural air quality. There are 2 sides to the falls the American Side and the Canadian side, i had been to the American side in High School but must admit the Canadian side is way better than the American side. Although you can see both sides from either sides, being on the Canadian side to view the horse shoe falls has a different experience in itself. The Canadian side of the fall includes the more picturesque horse shoe falls where as the American side has the smaller bridal veil falls.

Even amateur photographers like me..

Can't take bad pictures of the falls

At night with white lights.

TT: Parking at Niagara Falls is pretty expensive the closer you get towards the falls. If you do decide to see the Falls at night do so after 7:00 as the closest parking lot to the Falls doesn't have any parking attendants after 7:00 p.m. so you can park for free after 7:00 and save the $14 parking fee. With the 14$ you save you can use it towards purchasing a maid of the mist boat ride ticket or send me the $14 ;)

What i did ?

There are a lot of things you can do at the Niagara Falls national park but majority of the people come to see the falls and that is exactly what i did. It is an amazing sight to take in as the water falls and it seems like every second the appearance changes of the falls. Unlike man made things there isn't a opening and closing time, however sometimes when it got dark i would rush to go see the falls as i thought the water would stop flowing after 7:00 p.m. which obviously wasn't the case it is 24/7 - 365 unless it is frozen.

Trick photography.

Major Hadouken.

Diving is strictly prohibited, Kids don't try this i am a trained professional.

Maid of the Mist

I was at Niagara falls for 2 days and in all honesty 2 days is enough time to spend at the falls. If you do go to the falls the thing to must do is to sit in the Maid of the Mist boat, which gives you an experience like no other. There are other more expensive ways to see the falls from the sky by helicopter or a plane but no other way gives you the same kind of experience as sitting in the boat and feeling and tasting the water of the falls, which doesn't taste bad and is very refreshing and fresh. The tickets are reasonable under $20 which is money well spent as the boat ride in itself is 30 minutes. The boat takes you through the American side of the falls and then towards the more exciting Horse Shoe Falls. (TT: Try to sit in the lower level if you can find a spot.) Being on the boat while going towards the horse shoe falls makes you feel like you are in some adventure movie going towards a mystical island to find King Kong or Godzilla. Be prepared to get wet and soaked if you aren't careful (TT: If you don't have a water proof camera, protect it well).

American Side of the Falls.

Canadian side in the distance.

American side from the boat.

The rainbow was perfect.

I just ate Skittles before taking this picture, Taste the rainbow.

Before driving back to Toronto, i decided to take one last spin near the fall and see it one last time, but it was crazy misty and i would have needed an umbrella as it felt like it was raining (TT: Keep the maid of the mist ponchos handy in the car so if you do encounter the same situation as me you can use the ponchos).

Crazy misty.

Conclusion: Niagara Falls is perhaps one of the most well known waterfalls in the world and perhaps one of the top 10 most visited natural wonders in North America. Whether you are a nature lover or not, seeing the water flow over the falls is definitely bound to take your breath away and make you say wow almost as if it was a programmed instinct. If you do get the opportunity to see the falls in person it is a worthwhile investment.

Canad-aye

Niagara Falls - The Prettier Side