Our very last stop in Canada was at Niagara Falls. It’s such a classic destination that I was excited to finally get my chance to take a look. And let me be very specific when I say, the falls were amazing. I mean, 5.7 million liters of water go crashing over the falls each second*… you can’t not be impressed.
We spent some time taking in the massive falls and enjoying such a wonder of nature. Mike’s parents generously treated us to a trip on the Maid of the Mist. (But we didn’t pull a Pam and Jim.)
I kept wondering what it would be like if the area around the falls had been left undeveloped. I mean, the view was gorgeous. In the absence of the surrounding hotels and casinos, it would be truly incredible.
Because really, the not-so-amazing feature of Niagra Falls… is the town. Oh boy. I had been warned but I’m not sure anything can really prepare you. The place was tacky. Ok, it was mostly just the main tourist road…but it was bad (and slightly gratifying that it was on the Canadian side!).
I suppose most tourists need something else to hold their interest after seeing the falls, but it’s too bad that couldn’t be hiking or some other outdoorsy non-Ripley’s Believe It Or Not pursuit.
That night Mike’s parents reserved all of us a room in a nice hotel overlooking the water. It was a pretty special place to be. Not only did we have a great view, but Mike got to spend his last night in Canada with his family.
Early the next morning his parents drove us to Buffalo and off we went to Los Angeles for the next stop on our North American extravaganza!
xo, jill
*at peak flow
Great use of the word “tacky.” Super relevant.
the color of the water is gorgeous! love these photos. i’ve never been to niagra falls, but i can’t wait to see them some day soon!
The shots of the falls are spectacular – particularly with the rainbow striking the boat. But I see what you mean about the town. It shouldn’t be allowed
this sums up my thoughts exactly!!!! tacky town all the way.
I remember seeing photos from when you went…! I thought they prepared me for what it would be like… but I think you have to see the tackiness (so close to such a natural beauty) to really get it!
Thank you!
Oh, thank you! I wonder if there’s a pot of gold somewhere on the boat!
And you’re right. It’s too bad there wasn’t better city planning when the town was being developed. There might be rules in place to protect the integrity of the falls, but it should doesn’t seem like it!
Thanks!
Oh, Niagara Falls. It really is one of those things that is larger than life, and until you see the falls and that main drag, you really cannot know what it is to be there in person. I’ve been there so many times now that I can’t divorce the falls from that tacky strip anymore… they feel like two peas in a pod!
(And the first time I went to Gatlinburg, TN to see the Smokey Mountains, I proclaimed “This is so tacky! It’s just like Niagara Falls!”)
It really is a shame!