Some people wish their whole lives for the chance to see the greatness of Niagara Falls, but fortunately for us, we are just a road trip away and have been blessed to see the rushing water many times.
I’m sad to say that, up until now, the most interactive we’ve gotten with the falls is to stand on the pathway above and pose for the customary “we visited Niagara Falls” photo.
On a recent visit during the last days of Summer, we decided to get up close and personal, to show our boys what Niagara Falls was really all about.
It was one Wet & Wild adventure!
The Best Ways to Experience Niagara Falls
Hornblower Niagara Cruises
The best way to get to know Niagara Falls is to get as close to it as possible and Hornblower Niagara Cruises, puts you right into the action!
You’ll pass the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and journey right into the very heart of the famous Horseshoe Falls! Wondering if you will get wet? You’re kidding right? You will get soaked! lol Don’t worry, you will be given a plastic raincoat with hood to wear on the ride, so put it on and tie it up tight! You’ll catch some of the best views of not only the waterfalls but also, Skylon Tower, the Peace Bridge, and be on the lookout for rainbows in the mist!
If you are an early riser, you can start your day with a sunrise tour, otherwise, the boat departs every 15 min throughout the day. Spaces are available on a first come first served basis, so it’s still best to arrive in the morning to avoid long line ups.
The Hornblower is a luxury catamaran with space both above and below to catch a view. Small children are perfectly safe, but may not enjoy getting wet. There are two areas on the below deck that have glass walls that will protect you from the mist.
Journey Behind the Falls
Inside the Table Rock Welcome Center you will find the entrance to Journey Behind the Falls.
This is one of Niagara’s oldest attractions and this year marks their 125th anniversary! If you didn’t quite catch how powerful the Falls are on the Hornblower, you’ll definitely experience it here on one of the two observation decks. It sounds like thunder as over 2,800 cubic meters of water ours over the edge every second, traveling 65 kilometers per hour!
The tunnels are a little eerie and it made me wonder if there were any good ghost stories from down there! Take your time and read some of the informational signage along the hallways, it’s great fun to learn about the daredevils who attempted a ride over the falls, accidents that people survived and famous visitors to the same spot such as Princess Diana and her Boys.
There are two portals to view about one third of the way behind the falls, and an upper and lower observation deck to experience the falls. You will be given a plastic rain poncho to wear here as well. Again arrive earlier in the day or if you have an Adventure Pass, reserve your time to avoid long line ups.
Niagara’s Fury
This is a little different activity, but still involves a plastic raincoat!
Much like a 4D theatre, Niagara’s Fury puts YOU into the making of Niagara Falls! Enjoy a short film starring Chip the Beaver and his pals, then enter this state of the art room with screens all around you and floors that move! The temperature drops, wind picks up, it starts to snow even, but that’s nothing, the wrath of Mother Nature lets loose with spraying water and rocky shores! Lights do go out and the kids were not fond at all about this part. They were cold, wet and it was a little scary. They did love the movie beforehand though and my son even picked out a stuffie of the polar bear as his souvenir.
Skylon Tower
The best view of Niagara Falls is without a doubt seen from the top of Skylon Tower!
From 775 Feet in the air you have a birds eye view of not only all three sets of waterfalls but the awesome city of Niagara Falls! We had fun picking out our hotel and restaurants we had eaten at, but also if you look you can spot the Toronto skyline and Buffalo as well. Landmarks and special attractions are well marked to help you spot things along your way around.
The outside deck is extremely windy and cool, but worth it for the great view! There are three elevators on the outside of the tower that will take you all the way to the top in less than a minute!
Nighttime at the Falls
Okay so you’ve seen this amazing wonder from the side, from behind, from below, from above and even right inside the mist and fury of the Falls, and just when you think there’s nothing else to see….the sun goes down!
As darkness creeps in, you are able to view the Falls in a new and wonderous way!
Each night at dusk Niagara Parks illuminates the Falls into a rainbow of colour! It’s spectacular! But that’s not all, Niagara Parks hosts Canada’s longest running fireworks series, with 81 shows a season! They are stunning and it was so special to cuddle on the grass and watch colours explode over Niagara Falls as a family! A pretty special memory to hold! Check the Niagara Parks website for a full schedule.
We received complimentary Adventure Passes in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Adventure of a Lifetime!
Because you want to do more than peek at the Falls from the sidewalk, take advantage of some awesome savings with the Adventure Pass and see it all!
During our visit, we saw Niagara Falls like we’ve never seen it before and gave our boys an in-depth look at this great wonder of the world!
Save 30% with the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass!
Includes Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, Niagara’s Fury and the all-new Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat tour. You’ll also get two-day WEGO transportation and over $55 in coupons for other Niagara attractions.
The WEGO is fun to ride and gets you around to all of your attractions and back to your hotel. For our small town kids, riding the bus was one of the coolest things we did! They never lost interest in hoping on board, especially when their feet got tired of walking! The two-day WEGO pass is a huge bonus and will save you on parking fees and the stress of trying to find somewhere to park, take advantage!
Don’t miss checking out or fun short video we captured with the GoPro!
For other sites to see besides the falls while in the area, check out this post – Beyond Niagara Falls
PIN ME!
Just look at that rainbow! What a great shot! I am embarrassed to say also that we have never journeyed behind the falls. Mind you when Ainsley was little we were worried to take her too close to the falls because her impulse control is not great and hubs was terrified she’d just jump right in. My favourite thing to do at the falls every time we go is to stay up late and go for the fireworks displays. My kids love that and we have managed to do it probably three times at least. Once for Canada Day and at least twice for Victoria Day weekend.
the fireworks were great and it was just so special to see it as a family over Niagara Falls! Canada Day must have been amazing!
Wonderful! The photos are amazing. I bet this is just the coolest thing. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Candy, I was really happy with the photos we got from the experience! So many different view points!
LOVE that rainbow picture! Journey Behind the Falls sounds awesome. This is on my To Do in Ontario List for sure. (I have technically “been” to Niagara Falls, My dad took us there as kids… drove 4 hours, stood at the railing at stared at the waterfall for five minutes, ate lunch, drove home. Seriously.)
oh no! that is not enough time at all for Niagara Falls! I think a lot of people go a long way to see it and seriously do that though, just stand there and look at it and that’s it. Taking in the tours and activities for the Falls, was the best way to really experience it all!
Great review Jen! I love Niagara Falls. My parents took me there when I was 8 years old and I’ve never forgotten what an exciting trip that was for me. I’ve only been back once as an adult and would love to visit again. So beautiful there! Great pics…and great video!! Glad you had fun!
My oldest is 8 and I hope he remembers it! This is their second visit but they didn’t remember the Falls or even Marineland! Good thing we have photos I guess!
My family experienced the Maid of the Mist two summers ago, I would love to do the Journey Behind the Falls and Niagara’s Fury but hubby is claustrophobic, he doesn’t like caves, so I think I might not be able to do that. Niagara Falls is truly breathtaking, it’s just an amazing creation of God and I am happy and thankful that my family and I have experienced it and got to see it. I just used to see and read about it in my books back home in the Philippines… and now, I am just an hour and a half away from it! Amazing!
He should be okay for Niagara’s Fury, but may not like the tunnels behind the Falls. They aren’t small, but they can get crowded.
WOW Jennifer your pictures are breath-taking! The rainbow seriously is beautiful. Looks like your family had a wonderful time there. It is one of our favorite places to travel as a family!
Thanks Tammy, we are so fortunate to live close enough to visit!
Niagara Falls is such a beautiful place to visit, I’ve been there many times.
I just love Niagara Falls. I’m so happy that we live so close to it. I would love to do the Maid of the Mist ride one day when my boys are a little older.
wooooo…u are professional photographer. All the photos are gorgeous.
Thank you!
We go to Niagara Falls several times a year. We love it. Never tire of it either.
There’s so much to do in the area, I can’t wait to go back!
Always love visiting the falls. The other day I saw it from a jet that was landing in Toronto, we flew over on a clear sunny day
Thank you so much for the picturesque language and the marvellous pictures of the falls. You did a wonderfully descriptive post on them. I could imaging being under them. ‘they are certainly a wonder of the world.
I am planning on taking my kids to Niagara Falls in the spring. It is beautiful there I know they will love it.
We visited Niagara Falls earlier this year as a family and had a wonderful time. There was so much to see and do beside visiting the Falls.
I have never been to the falls but would love to go 🙂
Thats for the review, there are so many fun things to do here! I am getting married here in July of 2015
I liked your Experiencing Niagara Falls from Above, Below and Behind! #FamilyTravel post.
It looks like you and your family had a great time.
I want to go to Niagara Falls someday.
wow this looks like a fun place
I’ve always wanted to visit Niagara Falls! You’re so lucky that you’re only a car trip away! 🙂 It looks like your family had a wonderful time.
I go to the Falls’ for business several times a year. I always take time out just to admire the beauty of the falls themselves.
Sure is a beautiful place , i was there many years ago and i will go back again , i love the falls at night all lit up , totally amazing 🙂
Niagara Falls is so incredibly beautiful!!
Gorgeous pics! This is also one of my favourite places to visit.
Very pretty! I’ve never been to Niagara Falls before, looks like you had a great time.
I was there when I was young and would really like to see again!
wow what breathtaking pictures! What a great experience! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Niagra Falls once before. Great shots!
The thing I remember most about Niagara Falls is the time we were there looking down from above, it was dark and my youngest spit out her pacifier and off it sailed into the water far, far below. No replacement so you can imagine what the night was like, still she was cured of needing one after that.
oh my gosh! what are the chances! that’s one way to give up the soother! lol
The photos are amazing
Never been to Niagara Falls, but would love to go!
Niagara Falls has always been on my to do list. But now that I am married can’t wait to take my husband as soon as I can get.him here!
I have never been to Niagara Falls but after this post i know its somewhere i would love to visit someday,the photos are amazing!
I don’t know if I would want to go on one of the Hornblower boats or not. The pictures, both real and oral, give a scary picture of the Falls and their power. It would be a ride one would not forget, that’s for sure.Thank you for the thorough post about your visit.