Niagara Falls....slowly I turned, step by step and Ontario Canada

Glenda and I continued our trek west after our incredible time with Steve and Debbie from Down the Road with a stop in Niagara Falls, NY. Seeing the falls has been on our bucket list for some time so we made sure to plan a couple days there as we moved west. We reserved a site near Niagara Falls at Daisy Barn Campground. Our site was actually a back in site however it was an end site and the manager who lead us to the site took us out into a grassy lawn area so we could pull through. Due to the size of our rig it made it much easier to get into the site that way and they had no problem letting us drive on the grass.

Like most campgrounds in the NE, it had mostly seasonal folks with more permanent set ups for longer term stays. This was a convenient campground for our visit to Niagara Falls.

The campground was near the Niagara Falls Scenic Byway into the downtown area. We were able to score a parking space fairly quickly even with all the tourist activity in town. Our first stop the Visitor's Center to get the lay of the land. We had heard about the Maid of the Mist boat tour so we found the ticket booth and got our tickets. A boat leaves every 15 minutes and the ticket is good for all day any day so no rush to get on the boat. Glenda and I took a walk out on the observation deck about 200 feet or 20 stories above the river. 

Glenda is afraid of heights so she didn't venture too close to the railing. I, however, enjoyed the scenic view from above.

Views from above on the Observation Deck

Looking up at the Observation Deck

After a few photos and after we got over our awe at the views, we headed down the elevator to the boat dock. Of course there was a line but the boats hold a lot of folks. As we walked down the ramp there we people handing out plastic ponchos to wear. OK...We're going to get wet.

A boat came in and unloaded very quickly and on we got. The tour consists of the boat heading along the front of the American Falls and Bridals Veil and then pushing as hard as possible again the current of water coming off the Horseshoe Falls. That's when you really feel the power of the water and tons of mist. Hence the name of the boat tour MAID OF THE MIST.

Coming up to the American Falls

American Falls and Bridal's Veil Falls

Enlarge the photos for best viewing 

Horseshoe Falls

Panorama of Horseshoe Falls

Folks walking out on the wooden stairs to the Hurricane Deck on Cave of the Winds and feel tropical-storm like conditions as they stand underneath the Bridal Veil Falls.

There are so many ways to experience Niagara Falls....Boat tour, walking under the falls or follow the walking path throughout Niagara Falls State Park, it was designed by landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted with over 400 acres of natural, lush terrain and protected wildlife.

As we motored up close to Horseshoe Falls the thundering water was close to deafening. It felt like a heavy rain of water and a roar like no other I've heard. Very exciting and intriguing. 

After our ride we took some additional time to get close to the falls and see it from the top side too. 

This was everything we had expected and more. In addition we decided to take a walk across the International Bridge to Niagara, Canada for a quick look and some dinner. We had the opportunity to go into Canada with Steve and Debbie from Down the Road while in Maine and since we still had our passports....lets go. 

On the American side you just walk through a revolving gate and begin your walk across the bridge. Then on the Canadian side you hand over your passport and answer a couple questions and on you go. 

International Bridge

Ontario 

Everyone told us the views of the American Falls from Canada were spectacular too and they were.

Such a different perspective of the massiveness of the falls. 

Incredible

Horseshoe Falls with Maid of the Mist boats

We walked by the downtown tourist area of Niagara, Canada on our way to the restaurant a few streets away. Glenda found the Sand Stone Grillhouse on Victoria Ave. The food and service were wonderful and casual. Glenda had Salmon and I had a pasta dish. After our dinner we headed back to the tourist area near the falls and took in more of the views. We also stopped in the Hershey's Store and the Coca Cola Store. 

Of course we bought some chocolate and Glenda had a Diet Coke to go. 

As we walked along the Canadian side downtown there was an outdoor shopping area with street performers and a Zipline that took riders along the Canadian side from the downtown toward Horseshoe Falls. It looked like a fun and exciting ride. 

Shameless selfie

Ready, Set 

GO

Glenda enjoying the Falls view

It was a long day and we did a lot of walking and it was time to see if we could get back into the USA.

Before we crossed back over, we stopped into the Duty Free store and bought a few gifts and souvenirs. They had to carry the items back to the customs area at the border and then they gave them to us. A first for us. 

In any event, they let us back in and we made our way back to the truck with our thoughts still on what we had witnessed that day. Getting close to the end of our Northeast adventure. 

We did some geocaching and took a walk/hike on the Devil's Hole Trail along the Niagara River the next day. I'll cover that next time. Thanks for following along.