Niagara Falls (Part One)
A highlight of my 2025 road trips was the day my cousin and I spent in Niagara Falls.
Previously, my only visit to Niagara Falls was New Year’s Eve 2001 when my uncle, his friend, and I decided to take a day trip from Toronto before ringing in New Year 2002. While a lake-effect snow event dumped 70 inches of snow on nearby Buffalo, it was simply a deeply freezing winter wonderland in Niagara Falls, ON. We visited Journey Behind the Falls on the Canadian side; it was so cold one of the openings was completely frozen shut.
Since then, I’ve always wanted to see Niagara Falls in summer, and I have to say it’s a far better experience. We joined a tour then returned on our own; the nine miles we walked per my activity monitor meant we saw a lot.
Part One covers our adventures on the Deluxe American and Canadian Day Tour, while Part Two tells the story of our evening return to the falls.
Horseshoe Falls from Niagara Falls, ON
Entry into Canada and the United States
Know before you go! Learn more about entry requirements for both countries:
Canada Entry Requirements (U.S. State Department)
United States Entry Requirements (Government of Canada)
And We Begin the Tour…
Before we left Pennsylvania, my cousin and I decided to join a day tour of both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. We booked through Get Your Guide, and our tour guide, Jessica, was amazing! I don’t normally enjoy tour groups, but this one was very enjoyable and convenient. We were allowed to leave our food and bags securely on the bus when we were out touring, and getting into Canada was a breeze because they do this every day.
As Jessica told us: America has the attractions, Canada has the views.
NOTE: For the American side attractions, we were advised to bring water shoes.
Maid of the Mist
Our first stop of the day was a ride on Maid of the Mist, an experience that makes any visit to Niagara Falls complete. The free blue poncho you get when you board the boat is really a promise—you will get very wet. Maid of the Mist takes you by the American and Bridal Veil Falls before holding steady at Horseshoe Falls, slowly turning in place to guarantee a drenching from every angle. The roar of the falls and the mist slapping my face were the sensory overload I came for.
Cave of the Winds and Bridal Veil Falls
Our tour guide recommended we keep our ponchos from Maid of the Mist because they were better quality. I was glad to heed that advice; since you can get right underneath Bridal Veil Falls, the downpour graduates from mist to a deep-tissue water massage.
You access Bridal Veil Falls through Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls State Park. Though the original cave no longer exists, an elevator carries you 175 feet down into a small museum with exhibits on the history of Niagara Falls, including a short orientation film.
From there, you follow a series of wooden decks to Bridal Veil Falls, offering dramatic ground-level views. The pinnacle is the Hurricane Deck, where roaring water is louder than your thoughts. It delivers the best back massage of your life (no tipping necessary). Make sure that poncho is on tight if you want any hope of staying dry.
Onward to Canada: Maple Leaf Place
After ditching the water shoes, we headed into Canada. Since it was lunchtime, our first stop was Maple Leaf Place, home to a fantastic gift shop and The Hungry Moose Food Court, which even features beer from a local brewery.
Maple Leaf Place includes maple and candy factories where you can sample locally made treats. For maple lovers like me, the maple factory offers a variety of maple products plus a tasting room. You also can watch chocolatiers at work through kitchen windows as they craft artisanal fudge and candy.
I still had some Canadian money left over from my last trip in 2023, so I was able to spend it all here. I also had leftover postcard stamps from Canada Post, so I picked up postcards for my parents and mailed them right away using the Canada Post box out front. Win!
Niagara Whirlpool
We made a very quick stop at the Niagara Whirlpool Aero Car to quickly glance at the Niagara Whirlpool. We did not have time to ride the Aero Car, which crosses into the United States side, but travels between two Canadian points, so you never exit in the United States.
The most memorable part for me was discovering Ruffles All Dressed potato chips, which are only available in Canada. Jessica had figured out I am a foodie and insisted I buy some. I obeyed and picked up two bags, which I slowly enjoyed throughout the day. They are amazing! “All Dressed” is a uniquely Canadian flavor (or, more appropriately, flavour) that combines salt, vinegar, ketchup, barbeque sauce, and sour cream & onion.
Falls Viewing Area and Skylon Tower
After a quick visit to the falls viewing area and drive through the Clifton Hill entertainment district, we headed to Skylon Tower. Standing tall over the Niagara Falls viewing area, Skylon Tower offers a 360-degree view of the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls and the surrounding region from the observation deck 775 feet over the falls. Though the tower has two restaurants, many visit for the view, which can be up to 80 miles on a clear day.
At the base, there are a few gift shops and a Starbucks, where I bought this interesting bottle of rose water to drink. I usually can’t stand Starbucks, but I had to try this interesting…something. I finished it, but I don’t think I’ll go out of my way to get it again. It was nice to try while waiting for the elevator to the observation deck.
Back to the United States
After a fantastic tour of the American and Canadian sides, it was time to board the bus and return to New York. Around this time, I started thinking about asking my cousin if she wanted to stay another night and come back on our own. Learn more about our return in Niagara Falls (Part Two).
Top of the American Falls, Niagara Falls State Park, NY, 2 July 2025