An Unplanned, Long Overdue And Amazing Visit To The Famous And Spectacular Niagara Falls.

Usually, after checking in to a hotel on my travels ,  I quickly settle in my room  and am out the door exploring my new location.  But not on my recent visit to Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada. I entered  my room on the 11th Floor of the Marriot Fallsview Hotel and I remained there for about a half hour.

I was mesmerized  by the spectacular view from my window. It was an awe inspiring sight of the  rushing waters of the Niagara River as they cascaded  over the Horseshoe Falls,  creating a cloud of  mist. I was awe.   I sat on the sofa in front of the window and took in the captivating  beauty of the river and falls for a half hour.

I could have watched it longer but I was anxious to get a closer look.. So I finally left my hotel  made my way down to the falls. 

 Outside of my hotel there was an incline which would take you to the visitor center at the  Horseshoe Fall.   I wanted to explore the area and  so I walked   down  to the falls. 

I took a trail that  took me through a park with spectacular views of the Canadian Falls.

The  well maintained park had  many flowers blooming  along the path. The trail was crowded with tourists from all over the world, I heard many languages spoken on my walk. 

I walked past a busy casino, and followed the well maintained trails to Murray Street. 

I followed this busy street  down to the Niagara River Parkway and the Fallsview Trail  Here I came to  an overlook where I saw , for the first time, the “American Falls”.

Both the “American Falls” and the “Canadian Falls” are actually on the United States side of the Niagara River.   The Canadian town of Niagara Falls was closer to the larger, and more spectacular Horseshoe Falls which is where I was staying. 

I stood in middle of the large crowds of tourists and reflected on the massive “American” waterfall .

The falls  dwarfed the large building in the distance.

As I walked toward the Canadian Falls  I reflected on the first time I remembered  hearing about Niagara Falls. I knew it was before I was in grade school. I was watching a television show with my parents and I heard  a couple say they were  going on a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. I remember asking my dad what a honeymoon was and he told me about how it is what married folks do, and that he and my mom went to Washington D.C. on their honeymoon. That conversation seems like it were yesterday. 

Over the years I  watched many television shows, sitcoms. cartoons and movies with young and old folks traveling to Niagara Falls for their honeymoons or anniversaries. Visiting these famous falls was one of the first items on my bucket list. I had always imagined  visiting  Niagara Falls  with my wife on my own honeymoon.  So I  kept putting off a visit until I got married, However, at this stage of my life i realized that probably won’t happen so,  on my return from northern Ontario, I made the decision to visit  famous Niagara Fall. I am  now so glad I did. The  power, beauty and majesty of the falls is amazing. 

I walked with the crowds on the trail overlooking the Niagara River, glancing back and forth at the “American” and “Canadian” Falls  and the tourists boats in the river. 

I approached the Horseshoe Falls and was overwhelmed by the beauty of this wonder of nature. 

The mist from the falling waters created clouds that  rose  high into the clear blue skies. A rainbow appeared over the mists. It was a magical experience. 

Hundreds of seagulls were  flying above the Niagara River. 

The tourist boats were dwarfed and looked like toys as they approached the massive falls. 

It was a truly remarkable scene. 

I continued my walk to a point above the falls.  I loved this spot. I had a  view of the water as it cascaded over the edge of the cliffs that created the falls. This was my favorite view of the falls.

I could have spent hours watching the water falls. However, it was late afternoon and I had a 1 1/2 mile up hill walk to my hotel. I had walked five miles in the morning and was hungry and tired. 

So I began my hike  back up to the main street,  exploring the  shops, bars, restaurants and businesses along the way. 

I also walked through the casino and back along the trail above the falls,  When I returned to my room I again sat and watched the falls while I made some phone calls and edited some photos. 

I wanted have dinner  at the Skylon Tower.

It has a revolving restaurant which allows  for views of both falls while you dine . However there were no seats available so I decided to eat diner at the Morton’s Grille and Steakhouse at my hotel It was a good choice. I couldn’t  a window seat with a good view of the falls but the meal was delicious,  starting with a tasty loaf of bread,

I then had a Caesar salad,

and baked salmon and a baked potato. It was a good filling meal. 

It returned to my room and watched as  The “American ” and “Canadian ” Falls were  illuminated  as twilight came. 

 Both Falls would slowly change colors. It was a beautiful scene. 

I watched the beauty of the Falls until 10 p.m. I was told there may be fireworks, but there weren’t any. I wasn’t too disappointed the natural beauty of the Falls couldn’t be improved with fireworks. I have seen many beautiful sights on my travels around our planet. but watching the beauty o  Falls was a truly amazing experience.  I hope I can share the natural wonder with someone when I return. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos from my first visit to Niagara Falls. Canada Niagara Falls June 7 2023. 

All trembling, I reached the Falls of Niagara, and oh, what a scene! My blood shudders still, although I am not a coward, at the grandeur of the Creators power; and I gazed motionless on this new display of the irresistible force of one of His elements.— John James Audubon

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