Disappointing photos show what it's really like to visit Niagara Falls in Canada

Joey HaddenJul 2, 2024, 22:59 IST

Niagara Falls is a popular attraction that BI's reporter found to be less glamorous than it appears on social media and in ads.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent a couple of days in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for the first time in August 2022.
I found the reality of visiting Niagara Falls didn't match my expectations from social media.

In August 2022, I took my first trip to Niagara Falls. At the iconic landmark of massive waterfalls on the border of the US and Canada, I expected to take epic hikes and savor breathtaking views and peaceful moments in nature.

But that's not quite what happened.

While I was completely in awe of how massive, beautiful, and loud the falls were, the environment felt more like an attraction than a nature getaway. I trudged through a crowded boardwalk and saw the falls from viewpoints obstructed by glass and other barriers. I spent more time than I anticipated waiting in lines and looking at the backs of people's heads.

Niagara Falls Tourism didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comments regarding crowds and long lines at attractions.

I visited Niagara Falls on a Monday and Tuesday in August.

Crowds at Niagara Falls in August.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other waterfalls in the past. However, I was only able to view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or an attraction.

People walk towards Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other waterfalls in the past. However, I was only able to view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or an attraction.

While on the boardwalk, I found it nearly impossible to squeeze into a spot on the edge where I could see the falls without other people's heads obscuring my view.

A busy viewpoint in Niagara Falls.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got a spot along the edge, people on a zipline, one of the local area attractions to see the falls, dropped into the view every 15 minutes or so.

Zipliners ride above the falls.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After 12 p.m., I noticed the boardwalk was flooded with people, so I decided to try some attractions.

Crowds at Niagara Falls during an afternoon in August.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

First, I tried the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes visitors in an elevator down to a closer vantage point than the boardwalk. But the line to enter stretched through the entire center it was located in.

Lines for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

First, I tried the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes visitors in an elevator down to a closer vantage point than the boardwalk. But the line to enter stretched through the entire center it was located in.

Next, I went to Skylon Tower, an observation tower in Niagara Falls that offers 360-degree views of the falls and city.

Skylon Tower (L) and a view from the top (R).Joey Hadden/Business Insider

But while slipping my camera through the fence got me a nice picture, the actual view from the observation deck looks more like this.

People look at Niagara Falls from the top of Skylon Tower.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Back down below, walking away from the falls, I thought the town of Niagara Falls felt more like a carnival than a typical city. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited in an hourlong line to ride.

A line for the Ferris wheel (L) and crowds on the carnival-like street (R).Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Back down below, walking away from the falls, I thought the town of Niagara Falls felt more like a carnival than a typical city. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited in an hourlong line to ride.

I thought the Ferris wheel would offer a grand view of the falls. But when I got to the front of the line, I realized the carts were completely enclosed.

A view of Niagara Falls from the Ferris wheel.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For more of a thrill, I paid $30 to take a boat tour via Niagara City Cruises.

A boat approaches Horseshoe Falls.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a 6 p.m. time slot, which is after peak hours, according to the Points Guy. But I still had to wait in line for almost an hour, while the boat ride itself was only 20 minutes.

People wait to board the boat.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a 6 p.m. time slot, which is after peak hours, according to the Points Guy. But I still had to wait in line for almost an hour, while the boat ride itself was only 20 minutes.

When everyone piled on the boat, it was so crowded that I thought it felt like no one else could fit.

Crowds fill the top deck.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Being within feet of the falls and feeling the mist on my face was epic, but it was tough to fully enjoy it with so many other people on board.

Passengers take photos of the falls.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While I used a simple ramp to board the boat, passengers had to take an elevator to return to the boardwalk after the ride.

People wait in line for the elevator.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Regardless of the crowds and long lines, I thought seeing Niagara Falls up close was amazing and entrancing.

The American Falls behind a rainbow.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To me, it felt like I was witnessing a powerful force of nature commanding people's attention.

Niagara Falls viewed from a boat.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I sailed on Silversea's new ultra-luxury cruise ship and was blown away by all the perks you get for $650 a day

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Disappointing photos show what it's really like to visit Niagara Falls in Canada

I visited Niagara Falls on a Monday and Tuesday in August.

When I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other waterfalls in the past. However, I was only able to view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or an attraction.

While on the boardwalk, I found it nearly impossible to squeeze into a spot on the edge where I could see the falls without other people's heads obscuring my view.

When I got a spot along the edge, people on a zipline, one of the local area attractions to see the falls, dropped into the view every 15 minutes or so.

After 12 p.m., I noticed the boardwalk was flooded with people, so I decided to try some attractions.

First, I tried the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes visitors in an elevator down to a closer vantage point than the boardwalk. But the line to enter stretched through the entire center it was located in.

Next, I went to Skylon Tower, an observation tower in Niagara Falls that offers 360-degree views of the falls and city.

But while slipping my camera through the fence got me a nice picture, the actual view from the observation deck looks more like this.

Back down below, walking away from the falls, I thought the town of Niagara Falls felt more like a carnival than a typical city. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited in an hourlong line to ride.

I thought the Ferris wheel would offer a grand view of the falls. But when I got to the front of the line, I realized the carts were completely enclosed.

For more of a thrill, I paid $30 to take a boat tour via Niagara City Cruises.

I booked a 6 p.m. time slot, which is after peak hours, according to the Points Guy. But I still had to wait in line for almost an hour, while the boat ride itself was only 20 minutes.

When everyone piled on the boat, it was so crowded that I thought it felt like no one else could fit.

Being within feet of the falls and feeling the mist on my face was epic, but it was tough to fully enjoy it with so many other people on board.

While I used a simple ramp to board the boat, passengers had to take an elevator to return to the boardwalk after the ride.

Regardless of the crowds and long lines, I thought seeing Niagara Falls up close was amazing and entrancing.

To me, it felt like I was witnessing a powerful force of nature commanding people's attention.