7-31-2017

Niagara Falls (part 1)

One of the tips from a blog I follow suggested getting to the falls early to avoid the crowds and secure a good parking spot.  We left the campground at 7am for the one and a half hour drive to Niagara.

We found a great parking spot at the Niagara Falls State Park Visitor Center.  Because we are camping at a New York State Park our parking was free.

We purchased a Discovery Pass that included admission to the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Adventure Theater, Discovery Center and unlimited rides on the Scenic Trolley.

On our way to the entrance for the Maid of the Mist we got our first glimpse of the falls.

 

We put on our souvenir rain ponchos and made our way to the top level of the double-decker boat.

 

 

Everyone was jockeying for a spot along the railing but really anywhere you stand you have a good view of the falls.

 

The ride starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge.

 

 

 

It travels past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After disembarking we took the short path leading to a set of stairs that go up along the falls where we did get wet.  (Should have kept our ponchos on!)

 

 

 

The views, including a spectacular rainbow, were well worth getting wet.

 

The attractions exit is through a gift shop.