Niagara Falls

Oh Canada! So weird to be driving into a foreign country. Last Sunday (while in Buffalo, New York for my Grandfather’s 90th birthday) the whole family entered Canada via the Peace Bridge to visit Niagara Falls.

Canada sign on top of the customs plaza entering from the US
Canada sign on top of the customs plaza entering from the US

From there we drove up the Niagara Scenic Parkway, leisurely winding our way along the river to the Falls. Below is our first sight of the mist rising above Niagara Falls (and the plethora of hotels on the Canadian side).

First view of the Niagara Falls mist rising above the Horseshoe Falls
Mist visible above Niagara Falls

We found parking and made our way down to a spot just across from the American Falls. The little chunk of falling water on the right is actually a separate waterfall, the Bridal Veil Falls.

The American and Bridal Veil Falls of Niagara Falls (as seen from Canada)
The American and Bridal Veil Falls (as seen from Canada)

Then we walked over to view the Canadian side of the Falls, popularly known as “Horseshoe Falls” due to its iconic U-shape.

Canadian side of the Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls)
The world-famous Horseshoe Falls

Note: If you have any interest in buying a print of these photos, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.

I had no clue the Maid of the Mist basically “drove” into the bottom of the waterfall. Something we’ll have to do next time.

The Maid of the Mist approaches the base of Niagara Falls
Maid of the Mist approaches the base of the Falls

It was amazing that we could stand so close to the edge of the Falls. The lip was mere feet away. I could almost touch it.

Niagara Falls
At the edge of Niagara Falls

We all took an elevator down to the base of the Horseshoe Falls for the unbelievable views and deafening roar from below. Of course we also got unbelievably drenched by the mist.

Looking up at Niagara Falls from below
Looking up at the massive waterfall from below

Me and Stephanie in our yellow plastic bag “mistcoats.” Hawt. I mean haute.

Justin and Stephanie wearing yellow plastic bags (mistcoats) trying to stay dry at Niagara Falls
Trying (but not succeeding) to stay dry

Afterwards, Stephanie, Dad, and I drove downriver, north of the whirlpool, and hiked into the gorge created by thousands of years of the Falls eating away at the rock. I found it very interesting to learn that in the future:

the falls will eventually recede far enough to drain most of Lake Erie, the bottom of which is higher than the bottom of the falls. Engineers are working to reduce the rate of erosion to postpone this event as long as possible.

I had a faint and somewhat intimidating memory of doing a similar hike when I was much younger, so I was keen to revisit the scale of the whirlpool and the gorge. Turns out it wasn’t nearly so scary. I seemed to remember being afraid of getting sucked into the water. I’m sure at the time my parents strongly emphasized not going near the river—due to its strong and unpredictable currents.

Panoramic view of the river gorge below Niagara Falls

Panoramic view the river within the gorge (created with hugin)

Update, May 13, 2011: Due to the popularity of this post, I went back and cleaned up the text, wrote captions, and added the ability to enlarge the photos. Thanks for reading.

17 Comments

Updated the panorama with an uncropped and better blended version.

jj

Yes, because Canada is so foreign.

Well, as an American citizen who had to bring his passport to visit (or at least be let back in the US), yep, it’s a foreign country.

beatrice

omg gorgeous

sandra

I was in Canada, Niagara Falls Canadian side, went on the boat, it was awesome!

Queenie

I have never been to the Falls but I want to one day! It seems so nice…

shweta jaiswal

I love to travel and see places. I have not been to Niagara Falls, but would love to go one day. I hope it happens very soon.

Ryan

I’ve been there and loved Niagara Falls. It was fun and we stayed there one or two nights.

Eka

So so so beautiful!

patel L.R

AMAZING BEAUTIFUL

Really amazing to see Niagara Falls, there is always room at the top. Thanks, I wish to see Canada.

camila garcia

I just want to say the waterfalls are gorgeous

dominique

I went on the Maid of the Mist. It was awesome, but we got very wet!

augusta

In life surprises come from the least expected places. What a splendid gift of nature! Too awesome to behold. I LOVE NIAGARA FALLS TO BIT!

Kate & Anna

We love your photos!

Kate & Anna, so glad you enjoyed my post. You gave me the motivation to go back and add the ability to enlarge the photos, and also clean up some of the text. Thanks.

Stephen

Can I buy digital copies of your photos please? I did the same trip as you but have lost my photos! Thanks

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