Niagara Falls is an exciting international destination. If you bring your passport, you can take advantage of fun activities in the US and Canada!
Day 1: The Falls (of course!), Burning Springs Spa, the Skylon Restaurant
A few weeks back, my partner started planning a surprise trip, and she asked me what my passport number was. I was curious, so I tried to guess where she was planning. I guessed all sorts of places like Mexico and Costa Rica. Well, she was a little nervous, to say the least when she finally told me we were going to Niagara Falls!!! As it turns out, early October is a great time to visit Niagara Falls!
On our first day, we drove from our AirBnb to Niagara Falls State Park on the United States side. We walked along the Niagara River and we walked to the falls. The power and steady flow of the river was awe-inspiring. The massive falls, the mist, the natural beauty was absolutely incredible.
The geology and history of the falls is amazing, and you can spend most of a day in Niagara Falls State Park.
However, we had plans, so we crossed over the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. It was super cool to walk over an international border and get a stamp in my passport.
From there, we walked to Burning Springs Spa. If you are visiting Niagara for a special occasion like a wedding or party, you need to book some time at Burning Springs.
The Spa has a number of thermal pools, a sauna, and a crystal sauna. They also serve delicious food and drinks – what more could you ask for? Grab a couple of towels, a couple of drinks, and let the stress melt away…
After Burning Springs, more surprises were in store for me as my girlfriend had made reservations at the Skylon Restaurant. The Skylon is at the top of a tower and the restaurant makes a 360 rotation every hour. By eating at the Skylon, you can take in the full panoramic view of the falls and the surrounding country-side for miles. As the sun sets in the evening, it is an especially beautiful and once in a lifetime spectacle. The food was good, too!
Once it is dark, the falls light up and the cities on each side of the border come alive with amusement and attractions.
Day 2: Hiking Downstream along the Gorge
My partner and I both enjoy hiking, so we spent most of day 2 hiking downstream from the falls. There are a variety of trails and since it was a beautiful day, we took our time hiking down stream, sitting in the sun, and then hiking back upstream. We were so tired from walking and hiking all day, we slept really well that night.
Day 3: Maid of the Mist
Our third and final day of the trip was dominated by our ride on Maid of the Mist. With it being October, it was not peak visitor season, so we did not have to wait very long in line. During peak travel season, you will need to wait in line. Just be ready for this. I am not sure if you book with a tour, if this gets you on the boat faster. You should look into the tours to see. If the tours with Viator help you skip the line, it is very very much worth it. Just waiting can take a long time, but as long as you are prepared, hopefully that will help make the wait easier.
We were given thin plastic ponchos and we boarded the boat. The boat played interesting historical facts, and once we got close to the falls, chaos ensued! The good kind of chaos. There was mist and water spraying us from all directions. It was truly magical and unbelievable to be so close to the largest waterfall in North America. It was an unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend this experience if you are visiting.
After that, it was dinner time, so we went to the Red Coach Inn, on the US side. Apparently, this is where Jim and Pam from ‘The Office’ had dinner in one of their wedding episodes. So it was a great place to visit.
No matter the time of year, Niagara is a stunning wonder for everyone! It is also incredibly romantic and relaxing and the perfect place for a special event or a simple getaway.
Are we ever going to take major action on Climate Change? With Hurricane Helene causing unheard of damage thousands of miles away in North Carolina,
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