Top of the Falls

So the next stop on the agenda was Niagara Falls but not before stopping at Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. Hey, you can’t expect me to go through Pennsylvania without stopping for chocolate now, can you??? To tell you the truth, we were there only long enough to do some damage to the pocketbook. We took the free tour (yep, there’s that cheap thing again) which reminded me a bit of the ride, Astro Blasters at CA Adventure Park, only without the space guns. Everywhere we looked was chocolate and there’s a heavy aroma of chocolate clinging to the air. It was a chocolate lovers paradise and yep, I was in heaven. But surprisingly enough, I didn’t buy myself anything. Not to say we didn’t get out of there without loads of the dark, gooey stuff, I just wasn’t in the mood to pay the premium prices they were asking for what I could buy at Sam’s Club or Costco for half the price. The treasures we walked away with were gifts for the grandkids and some old fashioned, black licorice for Brian. What can I say, he’s a big kid at heart!

We both decided that Chocolate World is more geared toward the little ones so got back in the 5’er and headed up to Niagara Falls. Now, Niagara Falls is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit but never thought I’d get the chance to do so. Face it, a girl from California, transplanted to Alaska, Colorado, Arizona and back to Colorado and never traveled farther northeast than Kentucky never thought she’d ever see one drop of water rushing over Niagara Falls. So needless to say, I was more than thrilled when Brian started talking about seeing Niagara Falls when planning this adventure. And I was not disappointed when we stepped up to the edge and looked over the falls.

On average, Niagara Falls carries almost 4 million cubic feet of water over the crest line every minute and is the most powerful waterfall in North America. In other words, that’s a lot of water! The falls are divided into the Horseshoe Falls, which are located on the Canadian side, and the American Falls, which, you guessed it, are on the American side. Although not exceptionally tall, the Niagara Falls are very wide. The Horseshoe Falls have a height of about 173 feet while the American Falls varies between 70 to 100 feet because of giant boulders at its base. And it’s because of the humongous boulders at the base of the American Falls that no one that has ever gone over the falls and survived.

We arrived mid-morning and bought our Discovery Pass tickets which includes admission for all of the attractions at Niagara Falls State Park on the U.S. side. Since we had some time before the next trolley arrived, we decided to hit the Aquarium of Niagara first. Maybe I’ve become spoiled with Sea World but thank goodness we didn’t have hours to kill because frankly, the aquarium is really not worth the time spent on the long walk from the Niagara Falls information center to the aquarium itself.

You can ride the trolley all day hopping on and off wherever you choose so our first stop was at the falls themselves. The path leading to the falls follows the river and I was amazed at the color of the water. Not sure what I expected but certainly not the beautiful turquoise blue that was rushing before me. And the falls themselves are absolutely breath taking. Niagara Falls has always been famous for honeymooners and I can certainly understand why. They are beautiful and in my opinion, somewhat romantic. Course, Brian wasn’t seeing it the same way but what does he know, he’s a man!

Now when you go to Niagara Falls, you must certainly take the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The Maid of the Mist has been operating for more than 150 years and will take you to the base of the falls and caveat emptor, you will get wet! Upon boarding, you are issued a flimsy rain poncho and some of the most ugly plastic sandals I’ve ever seen. I’d have to say, I’d put them in the same category as Crocs but they do serve a purpose (slip resistant) and it really makes you feel somewhat better since everyone else is wearing the same God-awful sandals.

The view from the base of the falls is a lot different than the view from above. You really get a sense of just how much water comes pouring over the falls and just how powerful the falls can be since the river leading to the falls edge is quite calm. In fact, if you were out for a leisurely boat ride, you’d never know the falls were there until it was too late.

Yep, that's Brian
under all that water

And then there’s the Cave of the Winds which is another must. If you didn’t get wet during the Maid of the Mist boat ride, you will certainly come away from the Cave of the Winds feeling like you just got out of the shower. There are stairs and various platforms leading to the base of the American Falls and we took them all. It was really quite fun. In fact, I’ve already decided I want to return one of these days and visit Niagara Falls again.

Horseshoe Falls

The next day we left the American side of the falls and drove over the river to the Canadian side. I’ve always heard and read that the view from the Canadian side of the falls is much better than the American side and I’d have to agree. While on the Canadian side I started talking to a man who had migrated from Scotland and was there for the day with his brother who was visiting from their homeland. In fact, he had only been there for an hour or so and was ready to drive the 2 hour trip back home. I couldn’t understand why, but he just wasn’t that impressed with Niagara Falls. Ok, I’ve never been to Scotland so have no idea his comparison but I suppose that’s one of those things I’ll have to see for myself. Do I see a trip to Scotland in our future???

The American side offers the Discovery Pass and the Canadian side has the Adventure Pass which is admission to various “attractions.” They’re pretty much the same with the exception the Adventure Pass costs a few extra dollars but I would say it’s definitely worth it. The Adventure Pass includes admission to tunnels behind and at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls. Since the tunnels behind the American Falls caved in long ago the Canadian side is your best bet and has more to offer.

One last thing, when you do visit Niagara Falls, make sure you have lunch at the Top of the Falls restaurant on the American side of the falls. Their fish and chips are to die for!