Review: Niagara Falls

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?
Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive natural phenomena in North America, with more than six million cubic feet of water rushing over three separate falls every minute. The two sides to the falls are split between Canada and the United States, and each offers a different experience. Canada lucked out with the more impressive view—you can see the whole horseshoe created by all three falls—but the U.S. side allows you to get much closer to the falls. The area around the water is very built up, so you won’t necessarily feel like you’re in a grand natural environment, but it doesn’t detract from the impressiveness. Plus, it makes seeing the falls from the comfort of a walkway or a rooftop quite easy—there’s no need for a strenuous hike to get the perfect photo.

Fun! Any standout features or must-sees?
The falls themselves are the main attraction, of course—the only thing you have to decide is how to experience them. The iconic Maid of the Mist and Hornblower Niagara Cruise boats ferry you right into the falls; the Skylon Tower in Canada provides a bird’s-eye view; and a number of different tours—including the excellent America’s Cave of the Winds tour—on both sides bring you to the edge on foot. If you want to hike, stick to the American side, which has the best trails.

Got it. Was it easy to get around?
Because it's a wildly popular—read: crowded—tourist attraction with an excellent infrastructure, Niagara Falls is easy to navigate. There are signs everywhere and plenty of food and drink vendors.

That sounds cool. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
Niagara Falls can be as cheap or expensive as you’d like; you can see them at absolutely no cost, or you can splurge on expensive tours and other experiences. Bottom line, though: If you’re within driving distance, you should absolutely see the falls once in your life, even if it's just to snap a quick photo.