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The Best Way to See Niagara Falls

Yesterday, on a whim, we drove for 6 hours to see Niagara Falls. We were in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and figured we were about as close to Niagara Falls as we would ever get, so why not?

Niagara Sky Wheel. Best way to see Niagara Falls
Niagara Sky Wheel the best way to see Niagara Falls

We arrived fairly late on the USA side of the falls, near Buffalo, New York State and took a quick look and some snaps like these.

Niagarra falls in winter USA side
Niagara Falls from the USA side

Then we thought about booking a room for the night. Our first port of call for hotel bookings these days is Priceline, we’ve found some amazing bargains. Staying on the Canada side was  looking a bit cheaper than staying on the USA side, so we drove over the bridge.

That’s really all there is to it, just drive over the Rainbow Bridge that spans the vast Niagara river, have a nice chat with the passport control officials and you’re in Canada. How cool is that? We were in a new country that we hadn’t even planned on visiting!

It was dark by the time we arrived in Canada, but even by night, we could tell this was the fun side of the falls. Lots of lights, eateries and fun attractions lined the streets as we drove to our hotel.

Next day, we wandered down to the edge of the falls and had our breath totally taken away by the views from the Canada side.

Niagara falls frozen from Canada side
Frozen Niagara Falls from Canada

But there’s more!

THE Best way to See Niagara Falls, The Niagara Sky Wheel.

The Niagara Sky Wheel, pictured up top, gives you an even more incredible view of the falls.

I should mention here that I am scared of heights, really scared, I struggled terribly with the ropes and climbing course of our cruise ship and all those swinging bridges on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal were my worst nightmare. The Sky Wheel was going to be a challenge!

Niagara Sky Wheel

Little pods were going to take us 175ft up over the falls. Like the falls aren’t high enough already.

Thank goodness they were heated, the day was freezing but we stayed warm in the sky.

The wheel rotated not once, but 4 times, giving us incredible views each time, by the second time around I could open my eyes and move enough to take photos, by the fourth I was pretty cool with it.

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My husband, Chef, and the kids loved it and wound me up for the rest of the afternoon about being a “scaredy-cat”. Hey, at least I’m not scared of monsters in the bathroom, kids!

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The views of Niagara falls were just incredible and worth confronting my fear of heights for. We’re so glad we crossed to the Canada side, too, it does give you a much better view of the falls. Plus of course, being in Canada is cool!

Tickets for the SkyWheel are around $11 for adults $7 for kids, or you can buy them as part of a Clifton Hill Fun Pass that gives you a bundle of attractions at a lower price. We tested out the other attractions too, I’ll tell you about them in another post.

We’re loving Canada so far!

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Shikha (whywasteannualleave)

Friday 7th of February 2014

The falls look beautiful! I'm going to Iguazu later this year but then Niagra will have to be next on my list after that!

Marysia @ My Travel Affairs

Thursday 6th of February 2014

The sky wheel looks cool! I have only seen the falls from Canadian side so no chance for the wheel, maybe some other times! :)

alyson@worldtravelfamily

Thursday 6th of February 2014

The Sky Wheel is in Canada Marysia.

Suzi Hansborough

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Way to go on riding in the Sky Wheel. I just did the same Saturday with my girls in TN, in the Blue Ridge Mtns. Those pods are really great. My girls loved it. Your pics of the falls are beautiful.

Ingi (@ingidefygravity)

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

So with you on the heights thing, Alyson! So well done on the Skywheel! Thanks for the amazing pics - everything looks so COLD...

Amy

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Looks amazing, are you staying in Canada for a while? I cannot wait to get over there but it looks like it'll be a another year and a half in Asia before we make it over there! Excited to hear more.