Niagara Falls is a well-liked attraction that BI’s reporter discovered to be much less glamorous than it seems on social media and in advertisements.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
- I spent a few days in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for the primary time in August 2022.
- I discovered the fact of visiting Niagara Falls did not match my expectations from social media.
In August 2022, I took my first journey to Niagara Falls. On the iconic landmark of huge waterfalls on the border of the US and Canada, I anticipated to take epic hikes and savor breathtaking views and peaceable moments in nature.
However that is not fairly what occurred.
Whereas I used to be fully in awe of how huge, stunning, and loud the falls have been, the atmosphere felt extra like an attraction than a nature getaway. I trudged by a crowded boardwalk and noticed the falls from viewpoints obstructed by glass and different obstacles. I spent extra time than I anticipated ready in strains and searching on the backs of individuals’s heads.
Niagara Falls Tourism did not reply to Business Insider’s request for feedback concerning crowds and lengthy strains at points of interest.
Once I arrived, I anticipated to view the falls from climbing trails since that is how I’ve seen different waterfalls previously. Nevertheless, I used to be solely in a position to view Niagara Falls from a protracted boardwalk lining the Canadian aspect or an attraction.
Folks stroll in the direction of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
In the course of the day, between 10 a.m. and seven p.m., I went backwards and forwards between the boardwalk, my close by lodge, and the points of interest surrounding the falls.
Whereas on the boardwalk, I discovered it almost unattainable to squeeze right into a spot on the sting the place I might see the falls with out different individuals’s heads obscuring my view.
A busy viewpoint in Niagara Falls. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The one manner I might get a spot on the sting was by ready straight behind different viewers, like a casual line.
Once I received a spot alongside the sting, individuals on a zipline, one of many native space points of interest to see the falls, dropped into the view each quarter-hour or so.
Zipliners experience above the falls. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
It was cool the primary time, however having my views continually obstructed by wires and people received a bit annoying.
After 12 p.m., I seen the boardwalk was flooded with individuals, so I made a decision to attempt some points of interest.
Crowds at Niagara Falls throughout a day in August. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
It felt like what I think about Occasions Sq. is like on New 12 months’s Eve.
First, I attempted the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes guests in an elevator all the way down to a more in-depth vantage level than the boardwalk. However the line to enter stretched by your entire heart it was situated in.
Strains for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I used to be anxious I would not have time for extra actions if I waited, so I skipped it.
Subsequent, I went to Skylon Tower, an remark tower in Niagara Falls that provides 360-degree views of the falls and metropolis.
Skylon Tower (L) and a view from the highest (R). Joey Hadden/Business Insider
It was a few 10-minute stroll from the boardwalk, and I did not have to attend too lengthy to get to the highest — solely about half-hour.
However whereas slipping my digicam by the fence received me a pleasant image, the precise view from the remark deck seems to be extra like this.
Folks take a look at Niagara Falls from the highest of Skylon Tower. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
A lot of the Skylon Tower deck was crammed with individuals, so I needed to await others to depart to get a front-row spot.
Again down under, strolling away from the falls, I assumed the city of Niagara Falls felt extra like a carnival than a typical metropolis. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited in an hourlong line to experience.
A line for the Ferris wheel (L) and crowds on the carnival-like avenue (R). Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The town was stuffed with arcades, funnel cake stands, and crowds of individuals.
I assumed the Ferris wheel would provide a grand view of the falls. However once I received to the entrance of the road, I noticed the carts have been fully enclosed.
A view of Niagara Falls from the Ferris wheel. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Though I assumed the view was cool, I in the end did not assume it was definitely worth the worth and hourlong wait to see the falls by a window.
For extra of a thrill, I paid $30 to take a ship tour by way of Niagara Metropolis Cruises.
A ship approaches Horseshoe Falls. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
This attraction will get individuals the closest to the falls, and it is so common that it was featured on “The Bachelor” in 2022, in accordance with Niagara Falls Overview.
I booked a 6 p.m. time slot, which is after peak hours, in accordance with the Factors Man. However I nonetheless needed to wait in line for nearly an hour, whereas the boat experience itself was solely 20 minutes.
Folks wait to board the boat. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
When everybody piled on the boat, it was so crowded that I assumed it felt like nobody else might match.
Crowds fill the highest deck. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
On board the boat, I had entry to 2 decks. I went to the highest deck for a better vantage level.
Being inside toes of the falls and feeling the mist on my face was epic, but it surely was robust to completely get pleasure from it with so many different individuals on board.
Passengers take pictures of the falls. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
On the similar time, I assumed the boat had an excellent vibe as a result of everybody was so excited to be there. It felt like a giant social gathering and was definitely worth the worth, for my part.
Whereas I used a easy ramp to board the boat, passengers needed to take an elevator to return to the boardwalk after the experience.
Folks wait in line for the elevator. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I waited in one other lengthy line for my flip within the elevator.
Whatever the crowds and lengthy strains, I assumed seeing Niagara Falls up shut was wonderful and entrancing.
The American Falls behind a rainbow. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I believe everybody ought to see them no less than as soon as.
To me, it felt like I used to be witnessing a robust pressure of nature commanding individuals’s consideration.
Niagara Falls seen from a ship. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
In response to the Factors Man, Niagara Falls tends to be much less busy in early spring and late fall. I’d love to return to Niagara Falls when it is much less crowded to get pleasure from a extra peaceable second to myself in entrance of the falls.
