Niagara Falls, Canada: Facing the Roar and Checking the Box
“Only the wind and the water, which you cannot imprison, are truly free.” James D. Redwood
8/25/20255 min read
Our first trip to Canada began with a visit to Niagara Falls. Jonathan had seen it from the U.S. side before, but everyone insisted the Canadian view was better. Not many things on that side of the border outshine their southern counterpart—except the falls themselves (that’s supposed to be a friendly jab at our northern neighbors).
The town around the falls had an odd mix of natural wonder and carnival-like tourism. On the main street we saw arcades, Ripley’s Museum, and rows of junk food restaurants. It reminded us of Myrtle Beach, full of bright lights and distractions. That style is not usually what we look for in a destination, but two nights here was enough for us.
To really enjoy the Falls, you need to take a guided tour. We booked the “Niagara Falls Tour: Boat Ride and Journey Behind the Falls” at 9:45 in the morning. The guide was professional and shared stories of the region’s history that added depth to the experience. At the dock we were handed red ponchos, which turned out to be essential. The boat was crowded, packed with hundreds of our new best friends, but the energy made it fun. Once the captain steered us toward the thundering wall of water, the spray hit with full force. Everyone was soaked, laughing, and staring up in awe. The raw power of the falls is unforgettable.
Afterwards, we walked to the Journey Behind the Falls portion of the tour. This attraction takes you down through tunnels carved into the rock where you stand in observation galleries behind the rushing curtain of water. Looking through those portals with the roar echoing in the stone felt surreal. It was a chance to see the falls from inside out, an angle that few natural wonders can offer.
The history of the falls is equally fascinating. For indigenous peoples, they were sacred long before European explorers arrived. By the late 1800s, the Niagara Parks Commission began protecting the surrounding land, making it one of the earliest public park systems in North America. The falls also became a cornerstone of hydroelectric power, channeling their strength into energy for nearby communities.
For us, this trip was all about seeing and feeling the falls up close. After a long day, we ended with dinner at Taco N Tequila, which allowed Crystal to continue her tradition of eating Mexican food in every country she visits. The food was authentic, the service friendly, and although prices leaned higher than average, it felt worth it in such a tourist town.
Our time in Niagara Falls was short but complete. We enjoyed what we saw, we experienced the heart of it, and we can check the box with no regrets. It is not a place we feel the need to return to, but it was absolutely worth visiting once in a lifetime.
Our first trip to Canada began with a visit to Niagara Falls. Jonathan had seen it from the U.S. side before, but everyone insisted the Canadian view was better. Not many things on that side of the border outshine their southern counterpart—except the falls themselves (that’s supposed to be a friendly jab at our northern neighbors).
The town around the falls had an odd mix of natural wonder and carnival-like tourism. On the main street we saw arcades, Ripley’s Museum, and rows of junk food restaurants. It reminded us of Myrtle Beach, full of bright lights and distractions. That style is not usually what we look for in a destination, but two nights here was enough for us.
To really enjoy the Falls, you need to take a guided tour. We booked the “Niagara Falls Tour: Boat Ride and Journey Behind the Falls” at 9:45 in the morning. The guide was professional and shared stories of the region’s history that added depth to the experience. At the dock we were handed red ponchos, which turned out to be essential. The boat was crowded, packed with hundreds of our new best friends, but the energy made it fun. Once the captain steered us toward the thundering wall of water, the spray hit with full force. Everyone was soaked, laughing, and staring up in awe. The raw power of the falls is unforgettable.
Afterwards, we walked to the Journey Behind the Falls portion of the tour. This attraction takes you down through tunnels carved into the rock where you stand in observation galleries behind the rushing curtain of water. Looking through those portals with the roar echoing in the stone felt surreal. It was a chance to see the falls from inside out, an angle that few natural wonders can offer.
The history of the falls is equally fascinating. For indigenous peoples, they were sacred long before European explorers arrived. By the late 1800s, the Niagara Parks Commission began protecting the surrounding land, making it one of the earliest public park systems in North America. The falls also became a cornerstone of hydroelectric power, channeling their strength into energy for nearby communities.
For us, this trip was all about seeing and feeling the falls up close. After a long day, we ended with dinner at Taco N Tequila, which allowed Crystal to continue her tradition of eating Mexican food in every country she visits. The food was authentic, the service friendly, and although prices leaned higher than average, it felt worth it in such a tourist town.
Our time in Niagara Falls was short but complete. We enjoyed what we saw, we experienced the heart of it, and we can check the box with no regrets. It is not a place we feel the need to return to, but it was absolutely worth visiting once in a lifetime.
