Journey Into Niagara Falls…Ontario…Canada!
Journey Into Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls. Located a short hop, skip and a jump…or if we’re being more realistic close to an hour long car ride from Toronto airport. That’s of course if you get lucky and hit no traffic. As I grew up in Southern Ontario, Niagara Falls is a place I have visited many, many times with both friends and family. The summer months are often busiest as crowds gather from around the world to enjoy the warm weather and take in the spectacular views. Niagara Falls can be definitely labelled as a tourist trap, but I love it anyways.
A Not So Long Time Ago…
As a child, my family would visit the falls and nearby attractions such as the wildlife exhibits. As a University student, it was a cheap place for a quick, mini-vacation with friends. We would pool our money for gas and split a reasonably priced hotel room. Niagara Falls is a place you can explore on foot while enjoying the many local watering holes. As with anything you see frequently, the novelty eventually wears off. Niagara Falls became a place evoking a “been there, done that” attitude. This does not ever stop me from recommending it to first-time visitors to experience the mystique and excitement of the falls from a fresh perspective.
Experience It With Your Own Eyes…
For instance, I had the experience of watching Chris view Niagara for the very first time when he visited my family for a week, when we were still dating. I wanted to take him around and share with him all the things I experienced while growing up. Niagara Falls was one of those places. When we reached the falls, I was blown away by how awestruck and full of wonder he was. To me, it had just become a place I normalized, but to him it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. This statement took me back and made me revaluate my experience and allowed me to see the falls through another set of eyes. That trip will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank goodness we took some pictures as it always reminds me of how happy we were that day!
Niagara Falls Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about Niagara Falls that maybe you didn’t know….
- The falls are 323 meters wide and 54 meters tall
- Approximately 568,000 Liters per second travel over the falls
- There are three falls: American Falls, Bridal Falls and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls
- Two hydroelectric plants draw water before the falls
- The falls are 12,000 years old (WOW!)
- The falls have claimed the souls of over 5,000; 15 people have survived going over the falls, some in barrels!
Take A Tour!
To get the full experience you must book a trip on the “Maid of the Mist” or the “Hornblower Niagara Cruises.” The Maid of the Mist is the ferry that runs from the American Falls side in Niagara Falls, New York whereas Hornblower Niagara Cruises covers the Canadian side out of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. If I give you one piece of advice, make sure you wear the poncho provided! The ferry starts out from the dock and circles near to the falls, coming in close enough so you can experience the exhilarating spray of the falls. The total tour duration is only about 20 minutes long. It’s truly a magical and surreal experience, being that close to something so vast and powerful.
Are you ready to go to Niagara Falls yet? Make sure to pack your camera and get ready to have the journey of a lifetime.
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Carolynne
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