TIPS FOR VISITING NAGARA'S CATARATS (AND NOT FALLING IT)

The Niagara Falls They are one of the great wonders of Canada and the world. Its spectacularity lies not so much in its height, but in the amount of water that falls. And they have a record: they are one of the largest waterfalls in the world, with more than 2.5 million liters of water every second! It was our first stop in Canada from New York and the truth is that we liked them much more than expected. In this post we are going to give you a few tips to visit Niagara Falls (and not screw it up).

The Niagara Falls are, as the name implies, in the Niagara River, which acts as a border between Canada and the United States in its 56 km of length. But how can such a short river carry so much water flow? The reason is simple, this river acts as a natural transfer channel between two lakes: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. So the water flow is constant and regulated, being the same throughout the year (do not expect to find more water in the time of thaw and less at the end of summer).

Although in some places it says that there are 3 waterfalls, in practice you will see two: American falls and the Horseshow Falls. Both are separated by the island Goat Island, on the American side and both are freaking out! If you are visiting the Canadian part, from the walk that runs parallel to the river you can see the American Falls on the other side, and reach almost touching the Horseshoe Falls a little further on, near the Table Rock Welcome Center information office.

To make the visit, you can stay in either country, although from our experience we believe it is better do it from the Canadian side. Seeing them is completely free and it is not necessary to pay to enjoy its beauty, although being a popular tourist destination, in its surroundings have been born as mushrooms parallel attractions, related or not to the falls. We anticipate that you will arrive at what is known as Las Vegas of Canada, so you can imagine ... Below we tell you the main places of interest.

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The first thing you have to know is that there are two cities called Niagara Falls: one on the side U.S (in the state of New York) and another on the side Canadian (in the province of Ontario). The one that interests us is the latter, so make no mistake! There are several places to reach this beautiful place. The most common are from New York or from Toronto:

- Get to Niagara Falls from New York: the best and direct way is to take the train number 63 to the town of Niagara Falls (Ontario), in the so-called Maple Leaf Train. It leaves at 07:15 am from Penn Station and arrives at Niagara Falls (ON) at 16:33. Eye, because the previous stop is Niagara Falls but from the part of the United States, do not get off at that one! We pay 88USD per person. We tell you how to travel by train between the United States and Canada (coming soon). More info about the train on the official Amtrak website.

There is also the option of arriving at bus Direct with Greyhound (night or day), or go by bus to Buffalo, overnight there, and take another bus to Niagara Falls (ON).

If you enter Canada from the United States via land (by bus, car or train), NO need to take the ETA. Yes it is necessary if you arrive via air.

- Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto: It is a journey of 2 hours and a half by bus. There are several companies that do it like Megabus, Go Transit or Greyhound. We did the reverse route and paid 19CAD each. There is also the 98th train that leaves at 08:20 from Union Station and arrives at Niagara Falls at 10:16.

In summer season the WeGo Train which for 30CAD includes the round-trip train from Toronto and the unlimited WeGo tourist bus pass to get around all the attractions for 2 days. More info.

Also, of course, there are day tours from Toronto. We recommend you to visit for free (and may be in several days) but if you have little time and want to go in a group it is not a bad idea. An example of a tour is this (includes wine tasting!).

There are two areas to look for accommodation: in the downtown from Niagara Falls and the edge of the river towards the falls, where there are mostly hostels and bed and breakfast, or in the area of Clifton hill, which is the part called “Las Vegas de Canada”, and where the most important hotel chains, restaurants and the city are concentrated.

We stay in the HI Niagara Falls, a family-run hostel that we liked a lot thanks, especially, to the human warmth with which they received us and to the ecofriendly philosophy they have. It is in the downtown, about 3 km from the falls, and very close to the train and bus stations. They include breakfast, they have bicycles for rent and they are a charm! We recommend it 100%!

If you need to move around the different attractions that are concentrated along the Niagara River, these are the best options:

- Rent a bike. For us it is the best way to get around here, and also in an ecological way! The route is almost completely flat (except in a process in the direction of Niagara on the Lake), there is not too much traffic and if you dare to reach Niagara on the Lake you will find a great and very nice cycle track. We rented bicycles at the hostel where we stayed (HI Niagara Falls), but we saw several shared bike stations scattered around some places. It is a new idea and is being implemented now, but it sure works very well! You can see more info at zoombikeshare.com

- WeGo bus network: They are tourist buses with several lines (differentiated by colors) that lead to the main points of interest. The price for a trip is 6CAD, although it is advisable to take the unlimited 1-day pass for 9CAD or the 2-day pass for 13.50CAD. Three lines deal with the part of the Falls and the attractions along the river, and a fourth that reaches the beautiful town of Niagara on the Lake. This line is orange and is called Niagara on the Lake Shuttle, but it is not included in the pass. It costs 7CAD one way (14CAD round trip). Tickets cannot be purchased on buses and you will have to do so at one of the points of sale, which are at the main stops. The 2-day WeGo is included in the Niagara Falls Wonder Pass. More info about buses. In the buses you can ride two free bicycles in the front.

- Taxi and Uber: There are lots of taxis and we saw that you can also find Uber, but the price seemed quite expensive (for example to go from HI to the falls cost 14CAD, about € 9).

As we anticipate, there are lots of things to do in this area of ​​Canada, some more interesting than others. These are our favorites:

1. Contemplate the Niagara Falls from the promenade that runs parallel to the Niagara River, from the Rainbow International Bridge to the Table Rock Welcome Center
2. Rent a bike and pedal the more than 20 km to the small village of Niagara in the Lake, on the shore of Lake Ontario. On the way to a winery to taste some of the wines of the region, among which is the peculiar ice wine.
3. If you are in the hot season and the cruise ships, you can't miss an approach to the falls on the ship of Hornblower Niagara Cruises. A brutal experience to feel the strength of the falls.
4. Ride in one of the most interesting attractions, such as the Whirlpool Aero Car that crosses the river, the Journey Behind the Falls with two tunnels that take you to a viewpoint at the base of the waterfall, the zip line Mistrider Zipline, or the 4D show of Niagara's Fury.
5. make a flight inhelicopter about the Falls, it sure is an experience you will never forget. You can book it here.
6. The night ends in one of the garitos of Clifton hills, the most lively and crazy area of ​​Niagara Falls.

And if you still want more, here are 20 things to see and do in Niagara Falls.

There are several passes that include the main attractions of Niagara Falls and with which you save a good money if you plan to enter all:

• Adventure Pass Classic: It is the one used in high season (from May to November), and includes: Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury, White Water Walk and two days of WeGo buses. It costs 65CAD.
• Adventure Pass Plus: Like the previous one, but the attractions of the Whirlpool Aero Car, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Floral Showhouse are added, in addition to the unlimited use for two days of the Incline Railway. The price is 90CAD
• Wonder pass: It works in the low season (from November to April) and this includes: Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara's Fury, Butterfly Conservatory, the Floral Showhouse and two days of WeGo buses and the Falls Incline Railway. Its price is 25CAD.

More information and purchase of passes here.

It is probably the best way to feel the imposing force of water falling. But did you know that there are cruise season? Ships can only circulate when all of the river's ice sheets have been undone. That can happen in early April or ... well into May! We, for example, went at the end of April and we were without a cruise -_- the truth is that it was a stick, but we guarantee that the visit is still worth it and, in addition, the views of the half-frozen river are amazing!

Cruises work since mid-May. The company that operates on the Canadian side is Hornblower Niagara Cruises, and the price is 28.95 CAD. More info. The mythical works in the United States Maid of Mist. More info.

If you prefer to visit this amazing place on an organized excursion, here are some interesting options:

• American side tour of Niagara Falls (in Spanish)
• Day trip from New York by bus (in Spanish)
• Full tour from Niagara Falls (USA) with pick-up (in English)
• Full tour from Toronto (in English)
• Niagara Falls Night Tour from Toronto
• Private Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto (with Spanish guide)
• From NY: 3-day tour to Niagara, Toronto and the Thousand Islands (in Spanish)

- Go ahead. The ideal is to stay at least two days complete: one dedicated to the town of Niagara Falls (see the waterfalls, walk along Clifton Hill, tour the Water White Trail, cruise the waterfalls ...) and another to rent a bike and tour the area to Niagara on the Lake (with stop at one or two wine cellars). Of course do not leave without trying the typical wine of the area: the ice wine.

- After having been, we do NOT recommend at all day tour from New York: They are expensive and will only give you time to get there, take your picture with the waterfalls and return dead to the city. Time and money lost.

- Did you know that Niagara Falls are border natural of USA and Canada? In fact they can be visited from both countries. Of course, if you have to choose a side, we have no doubt: go to the Canadian side. From there you will have the best front and side panoramic view of the Falls.

- The best time to visit the Niagára Falls it is from May to September, because of the cruises, although keep in mind that it is also high season: prices go up and tourists multiply.

- If you don't travel in summer ... take gloves and hat! We ended up buying them there because the scraper was too much for our Mediterranean hands when riding a bike.

- It can cross walking the rainbow bridge to see the falls from the American side. Just don't forget your passport since you will pass a border. And neither is the purse: you will have to pay $ 1 to spend.

- Visit Niagara Falls so much day and night: when the sun goes down they illuminate them, a whole show (something kitch but who resists some well-mounted LEDs? hehe).

- If you are passionate about photography and want to take some super nice photos, keep in mind that the best views of Niagara Falls are obtained from:

• Rainbow bridge
• Walk on the banks of the Falls on the Canadian side
• From the Cruise
• The viewpoint at the end of the tunnel in the Journey Behind the Fall (make sure the viewpoint is open)
• Goat Island (American side)

- Care with the phone data: If you come from the US like us and you have SIM there, roaming may play tricks on you.

- We found it a very good destination for travel with children (No, we do not have in mind to increase the peeeero family. We have a nephew and another one is on his way yaaaas), so if you have small children, do not hesitate to come.

We are convinced that a visit to Niagara Falls It is an ideal plan to include in every trip through Canada. We hope these tips help you plan your trip to Niagara Falls, and if you have questions or recommendations, you know: leave us a comment.

* Main Photocredit: Unsplash.