After an eventful time in Toronto, we set off in the early afternoon for one of North America's greatest natural wonders – Niagara Falls. Although the distance is only about 130 kilometers, the drive took us almost two hours. Heavy Sunday traffic and the approaching Victoria Day – a Canadian public holiday – meant the roads were very busy.
Our room overlooking Niagara Falls at the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton
After arriving in Niagara Falls from Toronto, we checked into the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton. The reception was friendly, and as is customary at DoubleTree, we were greeted with warm cookies. The hotel itself was located somewhat away from the tourist crowds. No garish neon, no excessive kitsch – instead, rustic charm reminiscent of a Canadian mountain hotel, with natural stone, wood, and warm colors. Thanks to an upgrade, we got a room on the 14th floor with two queen-size beds and a fantastic view of the Niagara River. Through the window, we could see the tops of Niagara Falls, which further heightened our anticipation for the evening and the next day.
An evening at Niagara Falls: colors, fireworks, and many people.
For dinner, we opted for a quick solution: pizza from Domino's – perfect for a relaxed start to the evening. As darkness fell, we set off with the stroller towards the promenade. However, the paths there were anything but family-friendly – steep streets or lots of stairs. In the end, we chose the stairs to get down faster.
Once we reached the bottom, a colorful spectacle awaited us: the "FALLS ILLUMINATION." Every evening, Niagara Falls is impressively illuminated in constantly changing colors. On the official website of Niagara Falls You can find out about the times. The fireworks display, which lasts about ten minutes and is probably in celebration of Victoria Day, is particularly spectacular. Because of the crowds and barriers, it wasn't easy to find a good spot – but in the end, we still managed to get a reasonably clear view.
Between garish commercialism and breathtaking nature – our morning at Niagara Falls
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we set off on foot for the falls in the morning. Our route first took us through the Niagara Falls amusement park – a garish mix of neon signs, rides, mini-golf, and a huge casino. Nothing here resembled a natural wonder; instead, it felt more like a mini Las Vegas – loud, colorful, and completely overcrowded.
Arriving at the promenade, the hustle and bustle slowly gave way to the thunderous roar of the waterfalls. First, we marveled at the American Falls, where zipliners bravely soared across the gorge and the famous Maid of the Mist boats plied their way through the spray. The closer we got to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the more impressive the natural spectacle became. Standing right at the edge of the precipice, where millions of liters of water plunge into the depths, was a moment of pure awe – powerful, loud, and beautiful all at once. Personally, we much prefer Niagara Falls from the Canadian side to the American one. They are somehow more impressive and captivating.
We took the cog railway back down at a leisurely pace. For CAD 2.75 per person (children free), we were back at the top in just a few minutes. The short ride offered beautiful views – and saved us the strenuous climb.
A short detour to the Niagara Whirlpool
Before leaving Niagara Falls, we drove a little further downstream – our destination was the Niagara Whirlpool, a huge whirlpool that forms where the Niagara River makes a sharp bend. Along the way, we stopped at several small viewpoints offering fascinating views of the river and the natural spectacle. The view of the Whirlpool Aero Car, a historic cable car that has been hovering above the whirlpool for over 100 years, was particularly captivating. Even though we didn't ride it ourselves, it was thrilling to watch the small cabin glide seemingly weightlessly over the roaring water.
After that, we set off back towards the USA, our next destination: Michigan. The drive to the border was long – we were on the road for almost three hours. Shortly before the border bridge, we made one last stop: In the duty-free shop, we bought a 1-liter bottle of Absolut Lime for the equivalent of 12 euros. A small souvenir for the Absolut collection back home.
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