Few places live up to the word iconic quite like Niagara Falls. It’s one of those landmarks that feels familiar from films and photos, yet nothing prepares you for its sheer power and scale in person. As part of our East Coast USA road trip, we took a detour to see both sides of this natural wonder – and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our journey.
First Impressions – The American Side
Our first stop was the American side of Niagara Falls. It’s set within a state park, with neatly maintained walkways and viewpoints that get you close to the water. While we were certainly impressed, it did feel a little like a theme park attraction rather than a raw, untamed force of nature. Still, the sound alone was unforgettable – a constant thunder that vibrates through the ground beneath your feet.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
After exploring the park, we decided to cross the Rainbow Bridge into Canada on foot. The plan was to get our passports stamped and enjoy the experience of walking between two countries. Unfortunately, the queues were enormous, so we only made it halfway across before turning back. The view from the bridge, though, was fantastic – a panoramic sweep of the falls framed by the mist and the rising sun.
Undeterred, we collected the car and drove across instead. At Canadian passport control, we were asked why we’d left the US just ten minutes earlier without entering Canada. After explaining our half-hearted bridge attempt, we were waved through and finally drove into Canada properly.
The Canadian Side – Power and Beauty
Once we parked and walked over to the viewing areas on the Canadian side, everything changed. This was Niagara as we’d imagined it – vast, breathtaking, and alive with energy. Standing just metres from the edge, you feel the spray on your face, hear the roar of millions of gallons of water crashing below, and realise why it’s considered one of the world’s great natural wonders.
We spent more than an hour taking it all in, cameras constantly clicking, clothes steadily getting wetter from the mist. Even so, it was impossible to leave. The falls draw you in with their hypnotic rhythm – a reminder of just how small we are next to nature’s scale.
A Little History
Niagara Falls straddles the border between Ontario, Canada and New York State, USA, and is made up of three separate waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (the largest and most powerful), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Combined, they send more than 700,000 gallons of water tumbling over the edge every second. The falls were first harnessed for hydroelectric power in the late 19th century and continue to supply electricity to both countries today.
Souvenirs, Coffee and the Road Ahead
After drying off a little, we headed into the visitor centre for a coffee and to browse the gift shop. With a few souvenirs in hand, we got back on the road for the short drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake, our stop for the night. It was a peaceful contrast to the roaring falls we’d just left behind.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Niagara Falls is something everyone should experience at least once. There’s nothing quite like it in the UK – and for us, it ranked right up there with seeing the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley for the first time. Whether you view it from the American side, the Canadian side, or both, it’s a reminder of how extraordinary our planet can be.
