How’s your summer going? In my books it’s still summer until September 21. Those pumpkin spice lattes can take a back seat to chilled glasses of rosé for the time being.
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As you’d expect from a travel writer, I flitted around quite a bit this summer. However, there was one place that was such an unexpected hit, I wanted to share it with you because it’s also pretty fabulous in fall.
Can you guess where I’m talking about? It’s Niagara Falls, Canada. Yes, really! It’s my second year in a row heading here in summer (by far its busiest time of year) and I’m still smitten. Here’s why.
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Location, Location, Location
There are a few iconic, must-see sites in Canada, and Niagara Falls is one of them. Fortunately, it’s super easy to get to from a major metropolis. From Toronto International Airport, I just hop on a shuttle bus and I’m dropped at my hotel in Niagara Falls, usually within 90 minutes.
Vibes
What struck me most this visit was the atmosphere. You’d think that at Canada’s most visited attraction, the vibes would be similar to other popular spots, but that wasn’t the case. Even when I was surrounded by LOTS of people all trying to get that perfect shot of those iconic waterfalls, there was no sense of pressure. Everyone seemed… happy.
This totally surprised me. Think about it. When you’re at say, Disneyland or waiting in line to go up the Eiffel Tower, not everyone looks happy. Babies are crying, couples are short with each other, and teens are stroppy. But not at Niagara Falls. Not on my watch.
It reminded me of when I went on a safari in Africa with my toddler. When you see amazing natural wonders, you can’t help but feel good. That goodness morphs into joy, and joy is just grateful to be able to witness these curtains of water pummelling down into the Niagara Gorge.
Tips for What to Do in Niagara Falls
There’s lots of ways to experience the falls, and here’s a few of my faves. But a new attraction just opened, and I think you should experience it FIRST because it’ll set you up nicely for the rest of your visit.
Niagara Takes Flight
This very first thing you should do is Niagara Takes Flight, which is a flying theatre. This means it’s a flight ride where you strap into a seat, then float along a 56-kilometre aerial journey of the Niagara River corridor. You’ll fly over everything from swirling rapids to steep rock faces to dense forests. There’s also a nod to historical battles that changed the course of history. Who knew the War of 1812 took place here?
I think every visitor to Niagara Falls should experience Niagara Takes Flight as soon as they arrive. Why? Through the cutting-edge cinematography, you’re gonna see spots that you never knew existed. And this will help you plan your visit.
Maybe upon arrival, you intended to do X, Y, Z, but after seeing Niagara Falls through this new perspective, it’s quite likely you’ll want to change your plans to explore a few corners that weren’t previously on your radar. For me, that meant going to…
Niagara Glen
Anytime I can go on a hike that’s both spectacular and without serious incline, I’m there! Niagara Glen feels like stepping into a fairytale world without the drama. There’s loads of hiking loops to pick and choose from, all of which take you deeper into the Niagara Gorge.
The Glen is an old-growth Carolinian Forest, so there’s lots of leafy trees like oak, ash, walnut, and maple. There’s also ginormous boulders left over from the ice age to shimmy around. Unlike the hiking I’m used to in Alberta, there was so much greenery growing miraculously on the rocks.
Best was that there’s plenty of viewing points for the Niagara River. That aqua-coloured water rushes through deep gorges and past the Flintsone-esque rock formations, making it an insanely cool backdrop for all those pictures and videos you’re going to want to take.
If you stop in the Niagara Glen Nature Centre before your stroll, you can nab a devise for an Indigenous audio tour of the Glen. Or hit that link to download it on your phone. It’s cool because you learn about Indigenous connections to this land, which provides a deeper understanding and sense of place.
Best of all, the hiking and self-guided tours are free.
Top Tips For Visitors
Niagara Takes Flight is open until 9:30 pm, finishing just in time for the nightly fireworks.
It’s located in Table Rock Centre, right downstairs from Table Rock Wine Bistro. The bistro hosts a 3-5 pm Happy Hour, so I’d probably time my next visit to coincide with that. But I’m saucy that way.
Do not wear heels! To get to the Niagara Takes Flight theatre, you’ll walk along a few metal ramps to get into the theatre, and stilettos could definitely get caught.
Where To Stay In Niagara Falls?
This past trip, I stayed at The Brock, a historic hotel that also welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe. It recently reopened after a $50 million renovation and offers fantastic views of the American Falls.
Many hotels aren’t this close to the water. Not only are you within easy walking distance to the major viewpoints, but also all the entertainment. Yep, you’ve got direct access to the casino here.
Your resort fee includes a beer tasting at the Niagara Brewing Company for two guests, and a spirits tasting session at Niagara Distillery—both on Clifton Hill.
My king room was spacious with a mini fridge, robe and towels on the bed fashioned into a bunny.
Where to Eat in Niagara Falls
I was super happy with The Brock’s in-house restaurant Prime Steakhouse, which overlooks the American Falls. It feels very glam at night with all the lights projecting onto the falls.
Meal-wise, this is the spot for a blowout steak dinner with all the fixings. My steak was perfectly charred, just how I like it: tender, juicy, and pink.
The asparagus wasn’t at all overcooked and was topped with delightful little black balls. At first, I thought it was caviar, then I realized they were pearls of balsamic. OK, not as exciting as caviar but delicious nevertheless. I probably didn’t need to demolish an entire slice of the “10 Storey” chocolate cake all by myself, but I’m glad I did.
I’m also a huge fan of Table Rock House Restaurant, where I polished off a fantastic veg curry that I added chicken to. Also, I had a seriously massive shrimp cocktail at Queen Victoria Place Restaurant that I’d definitely order again.
And for outdoor views, it’s hard to do better than the patio at Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar. Their beet humus is gorgeous, yummy and great value.
Have you been to Niagara Falls recently? I’d love to hear your top tips.
