It was in the 1990's when I first viewed David Copperfield's stunt over the Niagara falls. It was silence that gripped the room with an unknowing result for minutes if he would survive. It was surely not an easy task for any human being trying to deal with cold rapidly flowing water to come out alive. To see what I am talking about click on
David's stunt link. Thinking about this event, 19 years later reminds us of our memorable visit to Niagara Falls in 2009. One cannot imagine what the falls look like till you see it. Pictures and videos do not do justice. You must experience it yourself.
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| Horseshoe Falls from Skylon Tower |
If you are in the Canadian Niagara Falls and Toronto area the following are our recommended MUST DO's:
1.) MAID OF THE MIST:
For timings of the tour and pricing
click here. The boat ride to the bottom of the falls is an experience by itself. After purchasing the tickets, we took an elevator to the dock.We took a late June afternoon around 3 pm tour which wasn't crowded and no wait time which was great! We were provided with a complimentary poncho. Though this may not help to keep your shoes and trousers dray. The American falls from the boat was very pretty and unique. The breathtaking view was when we reached the base of the Horseshoe falls. Be prepared to get sprayed; in fact you will be drenched. The sound of the falls was so thunderous that we couldn't hear each other. The experience cannot be described in words! For more details on the Maid of the Mist
click here.
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| View of the Maid of the Mist with Horse Shoe Falls |
2.) BEHIND THE FALL TOUR:
Viewing the falls upfront and experiencing it first hand was great! How about extending that feeling to go behind the falls? Yes there is a tour for that too. Get your tickets early in the day as they are first-come, first -serve and are timed. The ticket would have you a reserved time slot. The wait at the entrance can be long so be prepared for this. Strollers are not allowed inside. [Our notes are from our 2009 visit and not sure if the process is still the same now.]
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| Behind the falls tour |
Once inside, you will have to walk through a long tunnel. Interesting notes of information of the falls are mentioned along the way. You will be able to hear the falls that are pretty intense and loud. The best part of this tour is the observation deck. This is another spot where you will get drenched. Ponchos were provided, however again they don't help a lot. This is probably the best place to experience the falls up-close apart from the Maid of the Mist boat trip.
3.) SKYLON TOWER:
Okay, so you have experienced the fall from below and the sides, now how about from the top? A 20 minute walk from the Journey behind the falls to the Skylon tower can be the next step. The view from top of the tower gives you a birds eye view of the American Falls & the Horseshoe falls from 775 ft above. The ride in the exterior yellow bug elevator takes 52 seconds from bottom to the observation deck. Be prepared for the trill once in the elevator! For more information and pricing
click here. Dining in a revolving restaurant, 3D\4 D movies are some things that you can do once up. The views are phenomenal you can take memorable panoramic pictures of the falls.
4.) FALLS VIEW AT NIGHT WITH FIREWORKS:
View the falls during the day and at night! At night, there is a spectacular display of fireworks over the falls.
Click here to view the current schedule. The falls are lit up in special colors in support of charity organisations! Got that from the event website page. Didn't know that till now. Its beautiful!
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| Falls View at night |
5.) CLIFTON HILL:
Take a leisurely walk or want to have some more fun.
Check this link for restaurants, movies, casinos, nightclubs and more.
6.) QUEEN VICTORIA PARK:
Here is the link for flowers in bloom during the year. Get some beautiful pictures of the flowers and the American Falls, stroll along the beds or just relax with the landscape around you.
Some general thoughts we had after we completed our trip.
1.) Stay near the falls and book a room facing the falls. You may want to upgrade your room to a higher level. The views are amazing and its so worth it seeing the falls at night or sipping a cup of hot coffee in the morning overlooking the scenic view.
2.) Take a waterproof camera for the maid of the mist and the behind the falls tour. You will surely want to take loads of pictures and memories home without having your expensive camera destroyed.
4.) Visit the
Butterfly Conservatory.
5.) View amazing floral displays at the
Niagara Floral Showhouse
6.) Enjoy a romantic horse carriage ride along the falls.
Click here for details.
7.) Many may have varied opinion on which side American or Canadian is the best. Having to view both the American and the Horseshoe falls is one vacation you will never forget for years to come.
7.) CN TOWER:
Another unforgettable memory when in Toronto is to be able to see the entire city from the top of CN Tower standing tall at a height of 1122 ft! Located at 301 Front St. West ( & John St ).
For detailed information on parking and how to get there, check the website link here.
To get to the top, the elevator takes less than a minute ( 58 secs ) to reach a height of 1100 ft. The high speed glass elevator provides picturesque views of Toronto. Once up, you will have the opportunity to stand on a glass floor ( facts from CN Tower website : glass floor: 2 1\2 inch thickness and view 1122 ft straight down below. It was the most scariest thing I've done ever in my life! It took me a good 15 mins to finally mentally prepare myself that I was going to do this. After plucking up courage I inched my way forward slowly and stood on the glass floor peering down 1122 ft below me watching the cars parked below that looks like ants! This is what it looked like..
The outdoor sky terrace will also give you and idea of how powerful the breeze can feel right up 1122 ft! Great experience and unforgettable moment standing on the glass floor!. For all the information needed here is the link. CN Tower
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| CN Tower from the freeway ( the tallest building ) |
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| CN Tower Glass Floor |
