Niagara Falls

During our forthcoming trip to Boston and New York, part of the itinerary is a trip to Niagara Falls. With the greatest will in the world, there is no way on God's green earth that I will get the present Mrs Treelo on the 'Maid of the Mist' [:0] She gets ill just thinking about the Swan Boat ride at Alton Towers. However, it seems a waste of time to go all that distance and not get up close (to the Falls that is )

Question: have any intrepid v-flyers partaken of the behind-the-Falls tour, and what is the general opinion [?]

[Nottingham Nick]

We have been to Niagara Falls, several times as we had friends in Buffalo.

They are an impressive sight, even if you don't go on the Maid of the Mist. Go over into Canada for the best views though.

Never done the behind-the-falls tour, so can't help you there.

Nick

Did Behind the Falls (Canada) a couple of years ago and Cave of the Winds (USA) about 18 years ago. Although time can change things i think Cave of the Winds is much the better experience.

Behind the Falls

Damp tunnels and a concrete platform close to the largest Horseshoe falls. But you don't realy get close enough to the water to feal the effect of the falls. Behind the falls you look down a tunnel to see the water falling at the end and are keep well back form the water. A bit disapointing.

Cave of the Winds

Breath taking... literally. The wind generated by the water at the bottom of the falls leave you short of breath. The American falls are more interesting close up, more variety, not just a large wall of falling water. You get to walk around on timber walkways over the rocks at the bottom of the falls and can get very wet.

In many respects, the Maid of the Mist tour is overrated - purely, I think, because once you get to the falls, all you can do is hear thunderous noise, while at the same time the 'mist' is so intense and heavy, you can't open your eyes to see anything! That plus getting soaked, naturally!

Did the behind the falls tour - it was OK
It was in march though so much of it was frozen!!

The canada side has better views IMHO

I also did the chopper flight (that was very cool)

The canada side has better views IMHO

I also did the chopper flight (that was very cool)

Have to agree,
I don't think you can beat standing right on the rail on the canadian side watching the water disapear over the edge.

I too suffer really badly from sea-sickness/motion sickness with boats, rides etc (sometimes feeling sick for a couple of days after). However, I have done the Maid of the Mist and did not feel sick at all. Even better though is the Whirlpool jetboat rides which you pick up from Niagara on the Lake which is a few miles from the Falls. The movement feels completely different to a normal boat but it is a lot of fun although you will get absolutely drenched right through to your underwear even wearing the waterproofs that they give you.

I've done the Behind The Falls tour and it was excellent I thought - you get a lot closer to the water and the spectacle is amazing from the large platform low down. As for the Maid of the Mist, it is not THAT rough really, nothing like being on the sea. There will be one or two major jolts that are deliberate as the boat turns. My advice would be to watch other people from near the top (its like a seaside promenade) and then decide.

I didn't do any of the helicopter rides or anything - you get really close on foot even without going on the behind the falls tour.

There is also a walking tour on the US side but it did not look that thrilling so I did not bother - the Canadian side is better.

I like that area, and Toronto, it remins me of San Francisco for some reason.

TTFN

Paul

Enjoyed the Behind the Falls trip when I stayed in Niagra a few years ago.View from the hotel room was incredible (Sheraton).Be prepared to get damp/wet even staying on Terra Firma.If the sun shines there are spectacular rainbows.IMHO the comments about the Canadian side are spot on -we crossed over into the USA and were disappointed with the view from that side.Recommend you take any photos etc from the Canadian side.
Julie

We walked right up to the lip near the visitors centre and you get an awsome view where the water goes over the edge. You can can get very close to the edge which surprised me as only a wall seperated you from the water flowing over the falls. The ladies also got very wet from the mist and looked like pandas from running mascaras. They informed me their hair also frizzed??
We didn`t bother with the mist maid thing. Village of Niagra on the Lake was well worth a visit as is very quaint.

Originally posted by Paul H
We walked right up to the lip near the visitors centre and you get an awsome view where the water goes over the edge. You can can get very close to the edge which surprised me as only a wall seperated you from the water flowing over the falls. The ladies also got very wet from the mist and looked like pandas from running mascaras. They informed me their hair also frizzed??
We didn`t bother with the mist maid thing. Village of Niagra on the Lake was well worth a visit as is very quaint.

Agree Paul - Niagara itself is rather like Southend on Sea but more upmarket. NOTL is lovely - stayed ina b & b there which was excellent.

Village of Niagra on the Lake was well worth a visit as is very quaint.

The prince of wales is good for a drink;)

Originally posted by catsilversword

Agree Paul - Niagara itself is rather like Southend on Sea but more upmarket. NOTL is lovely - stayed ina b & b there which was excellent.

a B&B in Southend or Niagra:D

I can also recommend the Sheraton at the falls great views; my room had floor to ceiling glass views and a jacuzi bath tub!!

Originally posted by Jonathan

Originally posted by catsilversword

Agree Paul - Niagara itself is rather like Southend on Sea but more upmarket. NOTL is lovely - stayed ina b & b there which was excellent.

a B&B in Southend or Niagra:D

Oh god no, not Southend LOL [}:)] Sadly, I live close enough to Southend to knwow how bad that area is!

Thanks for the advice guys. We are visiting Niagara as part of a tour from Toronto and all the comments have really 'wetted' (sic) my appetite [8D]

39 days and counting:D

Must have been the same type of room Jonathan.It was a bit of a shame to leave the room as the view and amenities were fab.