I have wanted to see Niagara Falls for as long as I can remember, so when we decided to drive across the country this past summer I knew we needed to build in a detour to visit the Falls! We even decided to cross over to Canada because we had heard that the view from that side was spectacular. I’m so glad we did – the view was amazing, a memory of a lifetime!
Getting there was a bit painful! We drove across Rainbow Bridge, which would have been fun in the daytime (you can see all of the falls). Unfortunately, we got there after dark, so we couldn’t see, and then spent four hours in traffic! Luckily the view when we woke up in the morning made it all worth it!
Niagara Falls is actually made up of three different falls! Here is a close-up of Horseshoe Falls:
Tourists on a Maid of the Mist boat ride tour of the Falls – getting very wet!
A view of the entire Horseshoe Falls – it is HUGE!
Rainbow Bridge, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls (the thin waterfall to the right of the American Falls):
And a view of all three: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the very beginning of the Horseshoe Falls off to the right:
Here you can see the US-side observation deck where tourists go to get a better look at the falls:
Because we were on a very tight time schedule and our kids are so small, we opted to view the falls from afar, rather than ride on a boat or go out on an observation deck. We spent our money on a hotel room with a view instead! I hope we can take the kids back for a closer look when they are a little bit older!
While I was taking photos of the falls, my kids pointed out this much smaller natural masterpiece – right outside our hotel window, and covered with mist from the falls!
Here’s a little video to give a better idea of just how much water goes over these falls Sorry if it’s shaky – I needed a tripod!
Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? What is a part of the world that you would love to see?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Niagara Falls is quiet amazing, I was born and lived there for the first 19 years of my life before going off to school. If you ever, go back some of the attractions around can be a little tacky in the main falls area, however drive out to Niagara on the lake it is beautiful and has many educational and fun things to do with children; Laura Secord’s Homestead, Mackenzie Printery, Fort George, Queenston Heights and much more. Or check out attractions such as the butterfly conservatory, the floral clock, Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Station for a tour. Hope you can go back, once you move a bit away from the direct falls area there are lots of things to discover!
Thank you for these tips! I do hope to go back someday and if I do I will definitely check out these sites!
What stunning photos – I’ve been once but only to the U.S. side for a very quick peek. I’d love to go back with my family.
I hope you do get to go with your girls, someday! I hope we make it back when we have a little more time, and can stop and see the US side as well. I’m very happy to have the photos to remember this visit by!
I’ve been several times. Once during my consulting gig in Toronto I took an evening tour, and it included the place where they send colored lights over the falls in the evening. So I can say that I lighted the Niagara Falls – I even had a certificate proving it :)
That sounds like fun! And I didn’t know you worked as a consultant in Toronto!
I’ve been once. So, so beautiful!
It’s incredible!
My sister lives in upstate New York (about an hour from Niagara Falls), and I have been to both sides of the Falls with Tyler, but my younger three have yet to go. I hope to go with them next time we visit her! Your pictures are amazing.
Thanks, Christy! I was so excited that we made it there to see it live!
WOW!! Great pictures!!! I loved taking my kids there…but I didn’t capture the awesomeness like you did! Wow!!!
Thanks! I was thrilled with how these photos turned out!
I have such a long list of places I’d like to go, I’ll never make it to all of the places in a million years.
The pictures are gorgeous, and yes that is on my list of places to go.
I hope you make it there!
Stunning – thanks for sharing. Whenever I hear the words “Niagara Falls”, I am always reminded of a Three Stooges movie I watched in my childhood. These are much better images!
Thanks, Norah!
We have been to the Canadian and American side of Niagra Falls and we like the Canadian side a tad more. We did the same Maid of the Mist tour and it was amazing but I think once is enough. It’s a little honky tonk for me.
It’s nice to hear you’ve been to both and prefer the Canadian. Hopefully we will make it to the American side as well, someday.
These photos are amazing! I’ve never been there.
Thanks! It’s pretty incredible in real life, and I was glad to get these pictures.
I have visited Niagara 3 times as beautiful as it is,the tackiness around it is,so disappointing. I recently watched a documentary about the national parks. The makes made at Niagara were one of the key reasons for establishing them. I’m really looking forward to visiting them.
The tackiness is a shame. At least the falls themselves are beautiful!