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  4. I saw Niagara Falls from 9 places. Here's how each viewpoint ranks from worst to best, including the one with the fewest crowds.

I saw Niagara Falls from 9 places. Here's how each viewpoint ranks from worst to best, including the one with the fewest crowds.

Joey Hadden   

I saw Niagara Falls from 9 places. Here's how each viewpoint ranks from worst to best, including the one with the fewest crowds.
Niagara Falls can be viewed from boats, parks, towers, rides, and hotels.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • Niagara Falls is among the most epic sights I've ever seen, and there are many ways to view it.
  • I viewed the falls from the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, Skylon Tower, and seven other places.

I took my first trip to Niagara Falls in August and viewed it nine different ways over three days.

I took my first trip to Niagara Falls in August and viewed it nine different ways over three days.
The author views Niagara Falls from the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel (L) and Fallsview Trail (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

Niagara Falls borders the US and Canada and consists of three massive waterfalls that are world wonders: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls borders the US and Canada and consists of three massive waterfalls that are world wonders: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls.
A map of Niagara Falls shows the US and Canadian sides.      Google Maps

To come up with this ranking, I considered the angle of each viewpoint, the crowds or lack thereof, and the overall feeling I had in each place.

To come up with this ranking, I considered the angle of each viewpoint, the crowds or lack thereof, and the overall feeling I had in each place.
The author photographs Niagara Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To me, the first and least compelling viewpoint was the Niagara Falls Observation Tower on the US side.

To me, the first and least compelling viewpoint was the Niagara Falls Observation Tower on the US side.
The Niagara Falls Observation Tower in New York.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Niagara Falls US Observation Tower charges $1.25 to enter the deck, which extends into the Niagara Gorge just north of the American Falls.

The Niagara Falls US Observation Tower charges $1.25 to enter the deck, which extends into the Niagara Gorge just north of the American Falls.
A look at the observation deck.      Joey Hadden/Insider

From this deck, I could see all three sets of falls, but its location to the right of all three made it difficult to get a good look at any of them, since I could only see them from the side.

From this deck, I could see all three sets of falls, but its location to the right of all three made it difficult to get a good look at any of them, since I could only see them from the side.
A view of the falls from the observation deck.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the same time, I thought the observation tower was one of the more peaceful places where I viewed the falls, since there were very few people there when I visited around 5:30 p.m. I didn't feel rushed or have to deal with crowds during my visit.

At the same time, I thought the observation tower was one of the more peaceful places where I viewed the falls, since there were very few people there when I visited around 5:30 p.m. I didn
Few people view the falls from the observation deck.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My next viewpoint, the Rainbow Bridge, which connects the US and Canada, offered a slightly better view, I thought, because I got a better angle of the falls.

My next viewpoint, the Rainbow Bridge, which connects the US and Canada, offered a slightly better view, I thought, because I got a better angle of the falls.
Rainbow Bridge viewed from the US side.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Rainbow Bridge, like many viewpoints on this list, is free to walk through on the US side. I saw a handful of other pedestrians when I visited around 7 p.m.

Rainbow Bridge, like many viewpoints on this list, is free to walk through on the US side. I saw a handful of other pedestrians when I visited around 7 p.m.
The US side of Rainbow Bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I first started walking across the Rainbow Bridge from the US to the Canadian side, I thought the views were similar to the Niagara Falls US Observation Tower, except I was positioned even further away.

When I first started walking across the Rainbow Bridge from the US to the Canadian side, I thought the views were similar to the Niagara Falls US Observation Tower, except I was positioned even further away.
A view from the US side of the bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But as I walked closer to the Canadian side on the bridge, I watched the views improve and was able to see the front of the falls.

But as I walked closer to the Canadian side on the bridge, I watched the views improve and was able to see the front of the falls.
A view of the Canadian side of the bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There was also a set of binoculars on the bridge to get a closer look at the falls, which I avoided touching out of my own personal fear of germs.

There was also a set of binoculars on the bridge to get a closer look at the falls, which I avoided touching out of my own personal fear of germs.
Binoculars on the bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The next best view, in my opinion, was from Skylon Tower on the Canadian side.

The next best view, in my opinion, was from Skylon Tower on the Canadian side.
Skylon Tower viewed from Rainbow Bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Skylon Tower

For $19, visitors can take an elevator to the top of the Skylon Tower, which is 775 feet above the falls.

For $19, visitors can take an elevator to the top of the Skylon Tower, which is 775 feet above the falls.
A close up of the tower.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the top, there's an indoor and an outdoor observation deck that has 360-degree views of the falls and surrounding city.

At the top, there
A view from the top.      Niagara Falls from Skylon Tower

I thought this view from Skylon Tower was great because I was able to get a look at the front of all three falls.

I thought this view from Skylon Tower was great because I was able to get a look at the front of all three falls.
Horseshoe Falls viewed from the top of the tower.      Niagara Falls from Skylon Tower

But since Skylon Tower's viewpoint so high up, I felt like the falls were less compelling than from closer viewpoints, where I thought I could view it in more detail.

But since Skylon Tower
The American and Bridal Veil Falls viewed from the top of the tower.      Niagara Falls from Skylon Tower

Plus, finding a spot to stand was tough with the large crowds when I visited around 4 p.m.

Plus, finding a spot to stand was tough with the large crowds when I visited around 4 p.m.
People look out from the top of the tower.      Niagara Falls from Skylon Tower

Next up was Niagara Skywheel, a Ferris wheel overlooking the falls on the Canadian side.

Next up was Niagara Skywheel, a Ferris wheel overlooking the falls on the Canadian side.
Niagara Skywheel viewed from Rainbow Bridge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Niagara Skywheel was crowded when I visited around 5 p.m. It cost $15 and required about an hour of waiting in line.

The Niagara Skywheel was crowded when I visited around 5 p.m. It cost $15 and required about an hour of waiting in line.
People wait in line to ride the Niagara Skywheel.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But I was glad I waited. Even though I couldn't see Horseshoe Falls well, I thought the Ferris wheel provided unique views since it moved in circles, bringing me up and down in the sky.

But I was glad I waited. Even though I couldn
The American Falls viewed from Niagara Skywheel.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I enjoyed a cart to myself and the ride circled three times. The Ferris wheel is certainly one of the more unique ways to view the falls, in my opinion.

I enjoyed a cart to myself and the ride circled three times. The Ferris wheel is certainly one of the more unique ways to view the falls, in my opinion.
The author enjoys her ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I determined that the next best way to view the falls was from Oakes Garden Theatre, a park on the Canadian side near the border, adjacent to the falls.

I determined that the next best way to view the falls was from Oakes Garden Theatre, a park on the Canadian side near the border, adjacent to the falls.
Oakes Garden Theatre viewed from the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel.      Joey Hadden/Insider

This park was free to enter and I found it to be full of plants and unique landscaping.

This park was free to enter and I found it to be full of plants and unique landscaping.
A view of the falls from the entrance of the gardens.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I noticed shaded benches lining the outer rim of the gardens with exceptional views of the falls.

I noticed shaded benches lining the outer rim of the gardens with exceptional views of the falls.
People enjoy the falls from the gardens.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I went to Oakes Garden Theatre multiple times during my stay. It was always calm and never crowded, in my experience.

I went to Oakes Garden Theatre multiple times during my stay. It was always calm and never crowded, in my experience.
A view of the falls from a bench inside Oakes Garden Theatre.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the next best view of the falls was from Fallsview Trail, a boardwalk lining the falls on the Canadian side.

I thought the next best view of the falls was from Fallsview Trail, a boardwalk lining the falls on the Canadian side.
People zipline above Fallsview Trail.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Facing Niagara Falls directly, the trail provided one of the clearest, closest views I could find because it positioned me in front of them and was free to explore.

Facing Niagara Falls directly, the trail provided one of the clearest, closest views I could find because it positioned me in front of them and was free to explore.
A view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls from Fallsview Trail.      Joey Hadden/Insider

However, it's also worth noting that in my experience, Fallsview Trail was incredibly crowded during the afternoon.

However, it
Crowds at Fallsview Trail.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Some of the best spots to view the falls from on the trail were lined with people, so I had to wait around to get the most amazing views.

Some of the best spots to view the falls from on the trail were lined with people, so I had to wait around to get the most amazing views.
People crowd the edge of Fallsview Trail.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But I thought waiting to stand at the front of the Fallsview Trail viewpoint was more than worth it...

But I thought waiting to stand at the front of the Fallsview Trail viewpoint was more than worth it...
A view of Horseshoe Falls from Fallsview Trail.      Joey Hadden/Insider

... especially next to Horseshoe Falls. Seeing the falls from just above the drop was one of the highlights of my trip.

... especially next to Horseshoe Falls. Seeing the falls from just above the drop was one of the highlights of my trip.
A closer look at Horseshoe Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next up was the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel on the Canadian side.

Next up was the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel on the Canadian side.
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel viewed from Oakes Garden Theatre.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Marriott

For roughly $500 a night, I stayed in a room with a view of the falls.

For roughly $500 a night, I stayed in a room with a view of the falls.
A look inside the author's hotel room.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My room came with floor-to-ceiling windows and a door for a better glimpse of Niagara Falls. When I opened the door to it, I could hear the water crashing down.

My room came with floor-to-ceiling windows and a door for a better glimpse of Niagara Falls. When I opened the door to it, I could hear the water crashing down.
A closer look at the hotel room view.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Although the hotel did not have not the closest view, it ranks high on my list because of how easily accessible Niagara Falls felt while staying here. I was able to watch the sun set and rise over them without leaving my room.

Although the hotel did not have not the closest view, it ranks high on my list because of how easily accessible Niagara Falls felt while staying here. I was able to watch the sun set and rise over them without leaving my room.
A view of the falls at sunset.      Joey Hadden/Insider

And each night, I had a spectacular view of the fireworks show over the falls from my bed.

And each night, I had a spectacular view of the fireworks show over the falls from my bed.
A fireworks show over Niagara Falls viewed from the Sheraton.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I enjoyed my hotel room view, I think that the second-best view of Niagara Falls came from the Niagara City Cruises boat tour I went on, on the Canadian side.

While I enjoyed my hotel room view, I think that the second-best view of Niagara Falls came from the Niagara City Cruises boat tour I went on, on the Canadian side.
A boat tour approaches Horseshoe Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For about $30, I boarded a boat that took visitors up close to all three falls. My tour took place around 6 p.m.

For about $30, I boarded a boat that took visitors up close to all three falls. My tour took place around 6 p.m.
People look around onboard a Niagara City Cruises tour.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I found the boat to be crowded, I thought the views were epic. Seeing the falls from just below gave me a better sense of how massive they are.

While I found the boat to be crowded, I thought the views were epic. Seeing the falls from just below gave me a better sense of how massive they are.
The author enjoys the boat ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Finally, while I thought the Niagara City Cruises boat tour on the Canadian side was memorable, I was the most impressed by the views from the Maid of the Mist Boat tour on the US side.

Finally, while I thought the Niagara City Cruises boat tour on the Canadian side was memorable, I was the most impressed by the views from the Maid of the Mist Boat tour on the US side.
A boat tour near the American Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For $25, this boat tour took a similar route to the Canadian boat tour, showcasing all three falls.

For $25, this boat tour took a similar route to the Canadian boat tour, showcasing all three falls.
The boat approaches Horseshoe Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But it was far less crowded when I visited, which was at 6 p.m. on a different day. I'm not sure if the Maid of the Mist is usually this empty or if I just got lucky.

But it was far less crowded when I visited, which was at 6 p.m. on a different day. I
The author enjoys the tour.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Either way, the lack of crowds made finding a spot on the edge easy. I even had enough room to walk around the deck of the boat and take in the most spectacular views unobstructed by human heads.

Either way, the lack of crowds made finding a spot on the edge easy. I even had enough room to walk around the deck of the boat and take in the most spectacular views unobstructed by human heads.
A rainbow appears during the tour.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After trying out nine different viewpoints at Niagara Falls on both sides of the border, I think that if you do one thing at Niagara Falls, you should take the Maid of the Mist boat tour. It brings you incredibly close, and, in my experience, without as many crowds.

After trying out nine different viewpoints at Niagara Falls on both sides of the border, I think that if you do one thing at Niagara Falls, you should take the Maid of the Mist boat tour. It brings you incredibly close, and, in my experience, without as many crowds.
A view of the American Falls from the boat tour.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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