Rejoining our tour, we headed north on the graceful Niagara Parkway, which runs alongside the river between estate homes, scenic parks and sprawling vineyards.

About half way between Niagara-on-the-Lake and The Falls, we climbed the Niagara Escarpment. This is the ridge, running 700 kilometres from western New York state, through southern Ontario and into eastern Michigan, over which the Niagara River runs, creating the Falls. We stopped at the top, near the imposing monument to General Sir Isaac Brock, a great hero of the War of 1812. The view is splendid with the River meandering back towards Niagara-on-the-Lake in the distance.


The Parkway continues along the edge of the Niagara Gorge and Courtney points out a bevy of attractions along the way, including a large Floral Clock, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Niagara Botanical Gardens, the new Totem Pole Park and the Spanish Aerocars. A stop at the Aerocars was worthwhile for the exciting view of the rushing Niagara Whirlpools 85 metres below.

The Whirlpools also mean we’re getting closer to the Falls. As the motels rise up and become hotels and the souvenir shops quicken, I know to keep eyes left for the first glimpse. The scene seems more surreal each time I visit and it is difficult to describe. Across from high-rise hotels and casinos, there appears an immense wall of white water, roiling over a 60 metre cliff and thundering into rocks below – relentlessly.

As Courtney pointed out, Niagara Falls are actually three water falls, the first ones we saw are the American Falls, with the Luna Falls, more popularly known as the Bridal Veil Falls, immediately to the right. Further along, shrouded in a cloud of mist are the enormous Canadian (or Horseshoe) Falls. I couldn’t believe my good fortune when Ian, our coach driver, eased us up to park about as close as any 56 passenger vehicle can get to…Table Rock!

Our tour included either a visit to the Journey Behind the Falls or an excursion on the Maid of the Mist, the famous tour boat that takes you to the foot of the Canadian Falls.

We chose the Journey Behind the Falls and didn’t regret it. After being issued with biodegradable rain gear, which is ours to keep (at least until it biodegrades!), the Journey begins with an elevator ride down into the bedrock beside the Canadian Falls. Leaving the elevator, it’s a short walk through a brightly lit tunnel to an outdoor observation deck at the foot of the Falls. Coming from the tunnel into the open and looking up at 14 floors of thundering water falling mere metres away, while being bathed in mist, is awe inspiring.

Continuing along the tunnel, we came to portals that open to the back of the Falls, putting us seemingly within arms length of the rushing water and making it feel like we are “inside” the Falls. The entire Journey Behind the Falls was quite exciting and it really must be experienced first hand.

Back on top it’s finally time for Table Rock. Fortunately, the crowds were not large and I was able to sidle up easily - and there I was, again at the edge. I don’t know what it is; how close you are; the translucence of the water at the precipice or the sheer volume, speed and power – but for 40 years, from early childhood to middle age, it has never failed to leave me breathless.

With two hours of free time, we decided to see and do a few things we hadn’t done before. First was lunch at the Table Rock Restaurant. Fortunately we got a window seat and ate overlooking the Falls and my favourite spot.

Following lunch, we took a two-minute ride on the Niagara Incline Railway up to the Fallsview Casino and Resort. This is a first-rate facility with a hotel, theatre, fine dining, boutique shopping and, of course, the casino. Before we knew it, two hours had disappeared and it was time to rejoin our tour.

On the way home, I asked Courtney why he felt people keep coming to Niagara Falls. “It’s a magical thing to see the Falls,” he began, “there’s something about the water that soothes you – even the smell of the mist. But there’s more than just the Falls, there’s history, geography and heritage. The entire Niagara Parks System is a protected environment, so they’re preserving the natural heritage too.”

As Courtney and I chatted, some of our traveling companions joined in. “The Falls are absolutely phenomenal, very impressive,” said one, while another felt Niagara-on-the-Lake “was very Old World, really quite nice.” Courtney added, ‘what it says on the Ontario license plates is what I tell visitors about Niagara. It’s ‘Yours to Discover’”.

By Stephen Da Cambra

Niagara Falls Tour Providers

Tours of Niagara Falls from Toronto are available through these online tour providers:
www.eTours.to
www.niagaratours.ca
www.torontotours.ca

The tour providers above have been verified by www.Tourism.to.