Recently, I spent three days in Niagara Falls for the first time and found it to be magnificent.
The author takes pleasure in viewing Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is a world-famous monument noted for its enormous waterfalls located on the border between the United States and Canada. It is also the oldest state park in America. Three waterfalls comprise Niagara Falls: Horseshoe Falls (commonly known as Canadian Falls), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
I recently visited Niagara Falls for the first time during a train journey through Eastern Canada. I had never been or even seen waterfalls of this magnitude, so I did not know what to expect. But because the falls are so well-known for being a breathtaking scene, I was eager to witness them for myself.
Unexpectedly, seeing Niagara Falls up close was the highlight of my trip. Although I have seen numerous photographs of them, I did not anticipate being so captivated by them. But once I saw them for myself, I was able to appreciate their incredibleness.
I was awestruck by the enormity of the falls and thought them to be both beautiful and surprisingly noisy. I felt as though I was watching a force of nature capturing everyone’s attention.
The falls’ promenade reminded me of Times Square on New Year’s Eve due to the level of enthusiasm it generated.
Like many tourist attractions, I encountered a large number of visitors; yet, unlike other popular tourist destinations, Niagara Falls was so mesmerizing that when it was time to leave, I began to plan my return.
These five attractions of Niagara Falls have convinced me to return.
I slept at the Sheraton Fallsview on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls in a room with a view of the falls for approximately $500 per night.
American Falls as seen from the author’s hotel room.
The Sheraton Fallsview is a well-known hotel that overlooks Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, making it an ideal place to stay if you want to take in breathtaking vistas at every step.
However, not every guest room has a direct view of the falls, so I decided to upgrade my two-night stay to a premium room with a direct view. For $500 a night, as a first-time visitor, I enjoyed a front-row view of Niagara Falls from the time I awoke until I went to sleep, which was well worth the cost.
My room included floor-to-ceiling windows and a door, however there was no balcony, to provide a better view of Niagara Falls. When I opened the door, I could hear the sound of water falling.
Each morning, I jumped out of bed and opened the door to get ready to the sounds of the waterfall. I believed it was a tranquil way to begin the day. And once the sun had set, the magnificent environment put me to sleep.
Every evening, vibrant lights dazzle Niagara Falls. And from May through October, fireworks accompany the lights.
An explosion of fireworks over the lit Horseshoe Falls.
According to Niagara Parks, when the sun sets, the falls are illuminated by shifting colors projected onto the water by the Niagara Falls Illumination board.
According to Niagara Falls Tourism, the changing colors of the illuminated falls depict sunrises, the aurora borealis, rainbows, and sunsets.
According to Niagara Falls Live, the lights are accompanied by fireworks every night at 10 p.m. from late May to early October, which is when I visited.
Instead of watching television before bed, I placed a chair in front of the window and observed the light and fireworks display. I believed it to be magical.
That was a pleasant surprise to be able to view the fireworks from my bed, and I felt it made the $500 room even more worthwhile.
Stunning images depict the nighttime transformation of Niagara Falls with light shows and pyrotechnics.
I noticed rainbows in front of the falls during the day.
In front of the American Falls is a rainbow.
According to Niagara Falls Tourism, rainbows form in front of the falls whenever the sun is shining. According to the same source, the sun shines through drops of water, “reflecting light into the hues of the spectrum.”
I spotted my first rainbow on the Maid of the Mist boat excursion at Niagara Falls. Initially, I believed I had simply lucked out that my vacation coincided with a sighting. However, as time passed, I noticed that rainbows are abundant around Niagara Falls. I spotted three more the next day.
Rainbows are uncommon in my hometown of New York, so spotting one was always a wonderful experience.
I assumed a boat tour of Niagara Falls would be tacky, but it delivered the most breathtaking view of the falls that I witnessed during my vacation.
Visitors are transported around Horseshoe Falls by boat.
The views from the Maid of the Mist boat cruise on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls were the most awe-inspiring of all the vantage points I visited.
In high school, I first saw the Maid of the Mist boat excursion in an episode of “The Office.” From the television, it appeared to be a fancy tourist trap, but I’d still like to experience it once. Now that I have been, I am eager to return.
The boat tour brought us close to all three waterfalls for $25. And it was not the tourist trap that I anticipated. When I boarded the boat at 6 p.m., it was not crowded, making it simple to pick a seat near the edge. I was even able to roam around the boat’s deck and take in the most breathtaking vistas without having to dodge people’s heads.
At one point, I looked up and found myself surrounded by views of the U-shaped Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls. Unexpectedly, seeing the waves cascading down in front of me gave me a sensation of excitement during the boat journey. It made me want to return with my loved ones to witness their initial reactions.
The experience of viewing Niagara Falls from the top of Horseshoe Falls along the Fallsview route was remarkable.
From above the falls, a view of Horseshoe Falls.
Fallsview Trail is a boardwalk along the Canadian side of the falls. The paved path along the Niagara River on its northern bank.
The route provided one of the clearest views I could locate because it positioned me immediately in front of Niagara Falls and was open for exploration. Compared to other overlooks I’ve visited, I believe Fallsview Trail is one of the most accessible and convenient locations.
I believed that the best view was at the very end of the trail, just next to Horseshoe Falls. One of the best parts of my vacation was viewing the falls from just above the drop, when the mist was thickest and the falls appeared as like they may go forever. I felt the same excitement standing atop Horseshoe Falls as I did when on the boat excursion.
I’d love to return to Niagara Falls when it’s less busy so I can enjoy a moment of alone in front of the falls.
Niagara Falls at sunset.
When I visited Niagara Falls in the summer, there were a lot of people, making it difficult at times to capture the greatest views.
According to The Points Guy, Niagara Falls is often less crowded in early spring and late fall, when the temperature is cooler and certain attractions that bring guests near to the falls are limited.
Next time, I’d prefer colder temps in exchange for a less crowded, less noisy experience. I anticipate more tranquil moments, such as mornings spent in my hotel room with fewer people.
But most importantly, I want to return to Niagara Falls with someone who has never been there before, so I can witness their amazement as well.