The Border Beautiful: Welcome to Niagara Falls

It’s been a site for daredevils and wedding couples, but now take a closer look at where both Canadians and Americans come to marvel.

Niagara Falls is about two hours from downtown Toronto, and conventional wisdom suggests that the best time to visit is during the late spring to summer months. Visit in the winter, and your hands will be so cold you won’t even want to pick up a camera, let alone try to feel your fingers snap the shutter. On the upside, hotels can be as much as 50% cheaper during those frigid days.

Niagara Falls is a famous border junction between the United States and Canada, and it’s no secret that the view from the Canadian Side is much more picturesque than the stateside view. So if you have the option and the time, it’s well worth it to cross the border to see the most eye-popping views.

There are a variety of hotels surrounding the falls, but they’re nothing as majestic as the views that make their bread and butter. Because the falls are such a bustling tourist business, many hotels are run down and lack in sophistication or classy design. Think cheap Vegas deals and you’ll have an idea of just how well-used and unkempt they can be.

Lastly, while this sounds incredibly touristy, you should definitely ride the Maid of the Mist, which is a spectacular boating experience that takes you close to the waterfall – so close,
you can feel the power of the falls and its mist (and you’ll be soaking wet if you’re outside). The tour is reasonably priced at $18.25, which is actually an impressive bargain.

There are many other activities around Niagara like Zip Line, Cave of the Winds (where you can
go behind the waterfalls and literally touch the water) and the whilrpooll boat ride (not for the faint of heart)

Enjoy new highlights of travel photographer Edwin Santiago’s journeys each week.