Day 1 We contemplated taking a few days and driving to Niagara Falls, but opted for flying. We left from Savannah, Hilton Head Airport, which was so simple. We probably could have left the house an hour later than we did, but being there early saved stress cause later in the morning we knew traffic would get bad.
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| Tiki is ready to go |
We flew into Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. and again it was an easy smooth transfer. We landed at the Buffalo, N.Y. airport, retrieved our luggage and got the rental a good hour earlier than we thought we would have. Both flights took off a few minutes earlier than expected and landed close to 10 minutes ahead of schedule.
We had no trouble getting the rental car and driving to our Home Away from Home. Driving around the Niagara Falls area was also way easier than we expected. Traffic was easy and Google Maps got us right to the driveway. The place we stayed at a charming two-story house in Tonawanda, that was built in the 1920 called Comfortable and Charming, booked on booking.com.
I am really glad we did not stay in Niagara Falls City. It would have been closer to the Falls and all the fun stuff, but it sure looked sketchy. The main streets through the city are mostly abandoned buildings and neglected sidewalks. Someone is trying to make it look better with lots of really great looking murals, but it's just paint on top of dilapidated buildings. We stayed in Tonawanda, which seemed like a much nicer, cleaner, and safer location.
We found the local Walmart and stocked up on milk, eggs, bread, bacon and a few other things to munch on. And of course we found the nearest liquor store!
Day two
The next day we took and easy 15-minute drive to Niagra Falls. Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park holds the distinction of being the oldest state park in the United States. The creation of the park marked a significant milestone in conservation history. As we approached, we could see the mist from the falls, shooting high into the air. From a distance it looked like the steam from a factory smokestack or smoke!
Parking was only $10 and from the parking lot it was a quick walk to Terrapin Point and Horseshoe falls. Now, we've seen waterfalls before - but this was not like any we have ever seen before! It was almost hard to see the falls for the mist!
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| The mist coming off the falls could be seen from miles away |
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| Tiki still gets mad that, ever since a close call on a mountain top in North Carolina, we won't let him near the edge of anything he can fall too far off of. |
Tiki could get out and watch the falls from a distance. Ever since he nearly tumbled down a mountain in North Carolina we don't trust him at the ledge of anything!
Next, we headed up the walkway to American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Luna Island, but before we go there it started raining! Piece of advice, if you are planning on visiting the falls - take a poncho with you! We stopped at the little shop and paid $20 for two ponchos -- not complaining though! That was a well spent $20.
Despite the rain we had a great time! Tiki stayed safe and dry but when we headed over to the Cave of the Wind, he had to get out and explore.
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| Hold on tight - I don't know how to swim |
We went during the winter season so the Cave of the Wind tickets were $14 per person. Honestly, I was hesitant at first. My thought was, "Why pay that much just to get a different view of the falls. However, it also included the museum, while small was very educational.
I found it really interesting that the falls at one time was surrounded by privately owned land and was heavily industrialized. Factories and mills crowded the shoreline, detracting from the splendor of the Falls. Fences obstructed public access. Visitors were forced to pay fees to access the best viewing points. One of the black and white movies in the museum demonstrates that.
People from around the world protested this state of affairs. Eventually influential people like landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, New York State Assemblyman Thomas V. Welch, and Hudson River School artist Frederic Church spoke out. Writers, artists, and early conservationists took up the cause and the Free Niagra Movement was started.
Together, these influential advocates created the Free Niagara Movement. Their goal was to restore the splendor and magnificence of the Falls and make it accessible to everyone, through public campaigns, speeches, and writings and decades of dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the falls paid off. Wouldn't it be nice if the mega millionaires of today would care more about conservation than the all-mighty dollar.
The museum included information about the crucial role Nikola Tesla, a Serbian immigrant, made to the creation of the Niagara Falls Hydroelectric power plant, which was based on his patents for generating Alternating Current (AC) Electricity.
After the museum, which was well worth the visit, we took a 30-second ride down the elevator. The elevator shaft itself was interesting. It was cut through the rock of the cliff, no dynamite was used. Workers cut into the side 170 feet, then up 170 feet, or 17 stories. The shaft was constructed from 1922 to 1924.
Because we went during the winter season (May 1) the lower staircase and ledge was not there. Apparently, they dismantle it in the fall before the ice moves in, then they rebuild it in the spring. But, we had a great view of America Falls and Bride Veil Falls. The sun peaked through occasionally, letting us briefly see a rainbow, but it didn't last long enough to photograph and the splashing water from the falls were soaking us and the phone cameras!
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| Tiki tried to make friends with the Ring Billed Gulls, but they were nesting and didn't want to be disturbed. |
There were literally millions of these birds. They were pretty cool though; there were many of them sitting on nests and their male partner brought nesting material to their mate.
A few fun facts about the Ring Billed Gull:
- Scientifically speaking, no bird in the gull family is actually called a seagull
- Monogamous Pairs: They often form monogamous pairs that may stay together for multiple breeding seasons.
- Nesting Sites: They prefer to nest in colonies on the ground, often near water bodies.
- Egg Laying: Females usually lay 2 to 4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents.
- Chick Rearing: Both parents are involved in feeding and protecting the chicks after they hatch.
- Territorial Behavior: Males may exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season to defend their nesting area.
- Nesting Material: They use a variety of materials for nesting, including grass, twigs, and debris.
- Site Fidelity: Many ring-billed gulls return to the same nesting sites year after year
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| I would have liked to get a little more information but the buy at the information booth was less than helpful |
After a quick bite at the little cafe (overpriced mediocre food) we took cover while another shower passed through. Then we walked the 3/4 mile round trip to the Three Sister Islands. The Sister Islands were named after the three daughters, Asenath, Angeline and Celinda Eliza, of General Parkhurst Whitney, an American commander during the War of 1812. Later he became a very successful businessman and owned a hotel in Niagara Falls. There apparently is a fourth island, named after their Little Brother Solon.
What probably surprised us the most was that although the temperatures were in the 50s and it was rainy and cloudy, we were not miserable! The ponchos helped a lot and all in all Day Two was awesome.
It ended with dinner at Polish Nook. It wasn't bad, but to be honest, it wasn't anything we would rave about. The sausage was good, I think I make a better pierogi, the potato was probably the best part of the dinner and the sauerkraut was better than what we are familiar with - the American and German style.
Day 3 Welcome to Canada
Fortunately Tiki didn't need a passport - different rules for people and squirrels
We crossed the Rainbow Bridge today -- no, not that one -- the one that took us into Canada. It was kinda funny, well not funny, more irritating. Going through the Canadian checkpoint, the guy at the gate spoke perfect English, and it took about 60 seconds to get through. Leaving Canada, the American immigration guy spoke with such an accent we had to ask him to repeat himself several times, and then he sarcastically asked if we understood English -- yes, sir, we understand English, wish you knew how to speak it. He was holding our US passports and asked if we were US citizens, well, duh? And it took much longer to get through.
But that aside, the day was awesome. If you have ever heard that the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is better than the US side, well, you heard right.
The view was better because of the angle, you could see the horseshoe. The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Fall, on the American side we got an upfront and close up look at it when we went through the cave but from the Canadian side we could see the entire thing.
The Horseshoe had a much better view
The American Falls and the Bridal Veil could also be seen in their entirety. On the other side, you have to be so close to it, you can't really see just how expansive and powerful it is. This rainbow was taken from the Canadian side but the previous day a smaller rainbow appeared on the American side to the great delight of two young ladies who saw it as a sign to affirm their love for one another.
After hanging out at the falls, we walked into the town. It was very touristy but fun. There was Ripley's Believe It or Not, zombie hunting activities, miniature golf, arcades, crazy mirror rooms, and so much more. Their Burger King had a rollercoaster on top of it. Touristy, yes -- fun, yes!
I'm guessing the touristy city is why the Canadian side was MUCH more crowded and busier than New York side, which, outside of the park area itself, had nothing for tourists.
We walked A LOT and finally headed back toward the falls and stopped for a bite to eat at Table Rock Market. We just got a cheeseburger and a chicken "burger." These were in the top ten worst meals we have had in the past two years. The cheeseburger was a processed burger -- I suppose if you like McDonald's, you would like it. The chicken patty was also processed and flavorless. But the fries were actually pretty good, and I'm not usually a fan of fries.
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| Statue commemorating King George VI |
After that, we walked down the river sidewalk away from the falls. I am always amazed at the architecture of the early 1900s. The power plants are beautiful, even though they are not used anymore. As we headed back to the parking lot we walked through a floral garden that had beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. It was gorgeous.
After leaving the falls, we headed over to the Old Erie Beach. We wanted to at least see Erie Lake, the second Great Lake, we've seen. Tiki found a his-size garden to play in and even found Waldo.
As we walked down, we wondered what had happened to the area. We knew absolutely nothing about it. There were old sidewalks that were destroyed, pilings that were knocked over, it was obvious there had been some kind of structures and pathways that no longer existed.
As we walked down toward the beach we came across some writeups about the area. It had at one time, been a great "playground." There was a pier, a beach, shops, camel rides — people would ferry over from Buffalo with their picnic lunches. They could check them in at "The Casino" which was a dancehall rather than what we know as a casino, and keep them there until they went home. Unfortunately, the Erie Beach fell victim to the Great Depression. Labor Day 1930 was the last hurrah for a place that attracted thousands of people every summer.
When we went back to the US we went over the Friendship Bridge, which didn't have a toll like the Rainbow Bridge did, and was way closer than driving all the way back to the Niagara. We had thought about going back to the falls to see them illuminated but we were exhausted and decided to call it a night.
I was really glad we had some bacon and stuff for sandwiches rather than having to go out to eat. This is why I love the vacation rentals.
Day 4
While we saw a lot of the falls already, we hadn't been up to the actual Niagara State Park, which is the nation's oldest state park. So, we headed that way first. Unlike the day before, it was rainy and cool. We made use of the ponchos we bought.
After a lot of contemplation, we decided we would do the Maid of the Mist boat ride into the falls. We figured we were already getting wet from the rain so a little more wouldn't hurt. But also, the ponchos we got as part of the tour price were longer than the one's we bought in the store!
We were SO glad we took the trip! It really was a sight to see, much different view from right there at the bottom. Hearing the roar of 600,000 gallons of water crashing down every second and watching the power and intensity as the water slammed into the Niagara River.
Tiki did not want to come out and play, it was too cold and wet for him
The view of the falls from the boat were incredible. It was only a 20-minute ride, but sooo worth it!This boat tour has operated since 1846, but it was only a few years ago that they switched to all-electric, zero-emission boats -- the first of their kind in the United States. It provides a smoother, quieter and greener ride.
After the Maiden of the Mist we headed over to the "International Food Court" gift shop and "Tourist Center." I had hoped the tourist center would have had brochures and stuff, but it was just a place to buy tickets.
The food court was basically all fast food, but covered Asian, Mexican, Italian, American --- we got something from Kungfu Wok. It was certainly better than the day before. We got one combo to share and between the two of us we didn't finish it. I was trying to take it easy cause I knew what we were going to have for dinner!
We are in New York; this Yankee HAD to find real New York style pizza. However, we're not in New York City or on Long Island, and there is a "pizzeria" on every street corner. I posted the request on the local FB page for the best NY pizza in the area. I got lots of responses, read every one of them, checked out tons of FB pages and websites, and settled on Joe's. OMG, it brought me back to my childhood on Long Island.
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| Nothing like a real New York style pizza! |
After dinner, the sun was going down, but there was still one more thing to see at the Falls — the illumination of the falls after dark. I know it would have been better had we been on the Canadian side, but we didn't want to go all the way over there, and it turned out parking that late was free. The illumination of the falls originates from Canada (go figure, all the good stuff is over there). But what we could see was really pretty! Especially the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls that rotated through several colors.
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| A gorgeous sunset led the way back to the falls |
Last dayIf the weather on all the days had been this cold, we might have tried to get our flights changed and flew home early, where it's in the 80s and my garden to producing. Speaking of that, although we hate the cold and wetness, we love what it does for the grass out here. Every single yard we see is green and lush, even where you can tell that no one is taking care of it. It is amazingly beautiful, but I'll take dry, hibernating grass with warm weather over this any day!
Today we debated, do we go to another state park, walk around downtown Buffalo, or check out some of the museums? Honest, if we did the museums, the only one I really would have liked to go see was the Pierce Arrow Museum, but they were closed. I love art museums and all, but I just wasn't into it. So, I was left with walking around downtown or walking an outdoor trail. We opted for going to Devils Hole State Park and Whirlpool State Park. Keep in mind we have walked a god-awful amount over the past couple of days we still thought, "Why not, how difficult can it be?"
We started the descent, in some ways it wasn't so bad, but I wonder if I have PTS from my fall down the stairs in St. Augustine. We made it to the bottom and came across a sign, "One mile to Whirlpool Trail Staircase. (or something like that, I can't remember the exact wording.)"
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| A little piece of the staircase that took you most of the way down to the Niagara River |
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| A view of the river as we descended |
Since we knew we wanted to go to Whirlpool State Park we figured we would go the mile and climb back up there, rather than climbing back up what we just climbed down and then going down and up again.
It was an easy-going trail, until it wasn't. We came upon a sign that said the trail was closed 100-feet ahead. Rick went ahead and checked it out. Two gates, which were pushed off to the side, flanked each end of some fallen boulders. After that, it looked like clear sailing. It was no trouble to get to the other side of the "supposed" closure.
We ran into someone coming the opposite direction and he said the rest of the trail was open all the way to Whirlpool, he lied -- sort of.
The trail narrowed and narrowed and was far from the "moderate" level the signs had indicated. At one point, I got scared. I'm talking legs shaking, heart beating, fear. The side of the cliff we had to walk across was too narrow for two feet to be side-by-side. The ground was a very soft peat-like gravel and both my feet were slipping as I tried to walk it. Rick had already made it, but saw I was having trouble. All I could utter was, "I'm scared." He came back and held onto me and guided me the last couple of feet. I don't think I have been that scared for a LONG time.
There was no backing up, that left me with two ways to go, somehow get over my fright and move forward -- or all the way down.
This gives somewhat of an idea of just how far "down" was. Only when it was safe, did we let Tiki out to take a look about! The rest of the way was somewhat easy, we got to a staircase back up - turned out to be 730 feet, according to another hiker. Then it was a mile hike back to the parking lot. I was adventured out! We drove up to the Whirlpool State Park and could see the whirlpools in the raging Niagara River.
There we saw the warning sign posted but we had not seen one on the other side of the trail. When we got back to the car we went to the trail head and sure enough, it was there but it was facing one way onto the trail -- we came in from a different direction and never saw it.
As we headed back to the vacation rental, we made one more quick stop. We had passed the Old Stone Chimney, several times and was curious as to what it was. Turns out the Old Stone Chimney was part of the original Fort Little Niagara and was constructed in 1750. It has been moved several times and now has a home on the Niagara Seneic Parkway.
We spent our last night nibbling on leftovers, doing laundry and just taking it easy.
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| Time to head home |
Tips for a trip to Niagara Falls
Stay outside of Niagara Falls City
Check out Joe's Authentic New York Pizza
Check out staying on the Canadian side of the Falls
If you don't stay on the Canadian side, bring your passport and plan a day over there
Do the Maiden of the Mist boat tour
If you don't want to go when there is a chance of things being closed because of snow and ice, plan your trip for late April, early May at the EARLIEST!
Wear comfortable walking shoes
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