My girlfriend and I started a bucket list of places and adventures we wanted to experience and visit. One of those places is Niagara Falls, USA. So on Memorial Day, we escaped Brooklyn for something a little different—Niagara Falls, USA. Together with her son, my 3-year-old daughter, my girlfriend, and others enjoyed two days of up close and personal experience exploring Niagara Falls, USA.
Now that box is checked, we’re scheming our return plans. Next up is Niagara Falls, Canada. Until then, I’m taking you on a small tour of Niagara Falls, USA, sharing our breathtaking experience.
Where We Stayed
There are a variety of places to stay in Niagara Falls, USA. From hotels to motels and bed and breakfasts, most lodgings are within walking distance of the falls. Our trip was impromptu, so we didn’t have hotel reservations. Something I wouldn’t suggest, especially during the holidays. We eventually got ourselves a traditional guest room with two Queen size beds at the Howard Johnson by the Falls, which is a 3 Key-Green Certified family-oriented accommodation. Our guest room came with all the standard amenities, including Free WIFI, a coffee maker with complimentary coffee and tea, Pay-Per-View Movies, a hairdryer, an iron/ironing board, an alarm clock/radio, a large in-room safe, and a complimentary movie channel. It was the best affordable choice that allowed us to be steps away from the falls. So close that our hotel view was the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Where We Ate
After checking in and freshening up, the first thing we set out to do was find food. There were many dining options. And you’d quickly notice that your dining experience is based on the region you’re exploring. The Falls region where we were, featured a lot of Indian cuisines. However, the new Niagara American Grill, located within the Days Inn at the Falls, offered extensive fresh home-style meals, house specialties, and classic favorites. Misty Dog Grill was another, which serves hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and more. We couldn’t get enough of their Buffalo-style chicken wings. Though I must mention that while they are affordable, if you’re in a hurry this may not be the place for you, as the wings are made to order.
Niagara Falls Maid In America Tour
Due to the long drive, we had no trouble putting the kids to bed. But not before getting a chance to enjoy the spectacular display of illumination and fireworks over the Falls.
We were all bright and early the following day, ready for our Niagara Falls adventures. We started the day with the Maid in America Gray Line Niagara Falls Bus Tour. And we’re glad we did! The Falls are one of the seven wonders of the world, and the best way to explore their beauty and get up close to the spectacle is with the premiere Niagara Falls Bus Tour. It was the perfect hands-on, up close, and personal experience of Niagara Falls, USA.
We paid $99.95 per adult, and the toddlers who are both 4 years and under were free. This was the most cost-effective way to tour the falls, including all the entry fees, and we didn’t have to worry about gas and tolls. You can book your tours online for a 10% discount or purchase your tour package upon check-in to your hotel and get a discount on your accommodations. You can also opt for the Canadian Rainbow or the Shared Wonder Tour (if you can’t choose between the Maid in America Tour or the Canadian Rainbow Tour).
Exploring the falls
Now, a few quick tips. Even though they give you plastic ponchos to help keep you from getting soaked, be prepared to get wet. It’s best to wear shorts and, if possible, a waterproof case for your camera. When taking the Maid of The Mist Boat Trip into the Falls, you’ll want to be on the bottom deck at the extreme front.
For our comprehensive 4-hour tour, we were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. Our awesome tour guide Rita who has been doing tours for 14 years, took our group on a wonderful tour of the American side of the mighty Niagara. She even imparted her tips and tricks learned over the years to ensure we had the best experience ever.
Rita made the experience of Niagara Falls even more enjoyable by injecting her humor into the incredible stories and history. From hearing the thundering roar of the 600,000 gallons of water to the crashing waves and seeing the breathtaking views… We plunged into the heart of one of North America’s most powerful waterfalls. This was the only way to experience one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Unfortunately, I could not capture and document the most incredible moments of literally being in the falls, but I do hope you enjoy the rest of the photos.
We started our exhilarating tour at Goat Island — Cave of The Winds,where I couldn’t help stepping onto the Hurricane Deck to get devoured by the Falls. On our tour, we enjoyed visiting the New York State Observation Tower, Upper Niagara River & Rapids, The Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Gorge, Whirlpool Robert Moses Parkway, and, best of all, the Maid of The Mist Boat Trip. We had so much fun! And we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide or a better group of people to share the experience with. Shout out to Terry, Dennis, and the others in our tour group who really helped to make the tour one that we’ll never forget!
If you’re up for a great heart-wrenching adventure, you’ll want to add visiting Niagara Falls, USA, to your bucket list.
