Niagara Falls is a popular attraction that BI's reporter found less glamorous than it appears on social media and in ads.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I spent a couple of days in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for the first time in August 2022.I found the reality of visiting Niagara Falls didn't match my expectations from social media.I spent much of the trip battling crowds, waiting in lines, and standing on my tippy toes.
On a boat tour of Niagara Falls, I spotted a rainbow from behind a sea of heads in hot-pink ponchos, stretching their arms in an attempt to get an unobstructed shot of the natural wonder. The picture or video may not capture their honest view of the roaring white water, but it's sure to do well on Instagram.
In August 2022, I took my first trip to Niagara Falls. At the iconic landmark of massive waterfalls on the border of the US and Canada, I expected to take epic hikes and savor breathtaking views and peaceful moments in nature.
But that's not quite what happened.
While in awe of how massive, beautiful, and loud the falls were, I thought the environment felt more like an attraction than a nature getaway. I trudged through a crowded boardwalk and saw the falls from viewpoints blocked by glass and other barriers. I spent more time than I anticipated waiting in lines and looking at the backs of people's heads.
Niagara Falls Tourism didn't respond to a request for comment regarding crowds and long lines at attractions.
I visited Niagara Falls on a Monday and Tuesday in August.
I thought the area would be full of hiking trails, but there was a lengthy boardwalk instead.
People walk toward Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls.
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When I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other nature destinations. However, I could only view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or from an attraction.
During the day, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., I went back and forth between the boardwalk, my nearby hotel, and the attractions surrounding the falls.
While on the boardwalk, I found it nearly impossible to squeeze into a spot on the edge where I could see the falls without other people's heads obscuring my view.
People document Niagara Falls on their phones.
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I could only get a spot on the edge by waiting directly behind other viewers, like an informal line.
When I got a spot along the edge, people on a zipline, one of the local area attractions to see the falls, dropped into view every 15 minutes or so.
Zipliners ride above the falls.
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It was cool the first time, but having my views constantly obstructed by wires and humans got a bit annoying.
By noon, I noticed the boardwalk was flooded with people, so I decided to try some attractions.
Crowds at Niagara Falls during an afternoon in August.
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It felt like what I imagine Times Square is like on New Year's Eve.
The first attraction I pursued had a line so long that I decided to skip it.
Lines for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.
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First, I tried the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes visitors in an elevator down to a closer vantage point than the boardwalk. But the line to enter stretched through the entire center where it was located.
I was worried I wouldn't have time for more activities if I waited, so I skipped it.
Next, I went to Skylon Tower, an observation tower in Niagara Falls offering 360-degree views of the falls and the city.
Skylon Tower and a view from the top.
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It was about a 10-minute walk from the boardwalk, and I didn't have to wait too long to get to the top — only about 30 minutes.
While slipping my camera through the fence got me a nice picture, the actual view from the observation deck looks more like this.
People look at Niagara Falls from the top of Skylon Tower.
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Most of the Skylon Tower deck was filled with people, so I had to wait for others to leave to get a front-row spot.
Back down below, I thought the town of Niagara Falls felt more like a carnival than a typical city. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited an hour to ride.
A line for the Ferris wheel and crowds on the carnival-like street
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The city was full of arcades, funnel cake stands, and crowds of people.
I thought the Ferris wheel would offer a grand view of the falls. But when I got to the front of the line, I realized the carts were completely enclosed.
A view of Niagara Falls from the Ferris wheel.
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Although the view was cool, I ultimately didn't think it was worth the price and hourlong wait to see the falls through a window.
For more of a thrill, I paid $30 to take a boat tour via Niagara City Cruises.
A boat approaches Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls.
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This attraction gets people the closest to the falls, and it's so popular that it was featured on "The Bachelor" in 2022, according to Niagara Falls Review.
I booked a 6 p.m. time slot, but I still had to wait in line for almost an hour, while the boat ride was only 20 minutes.
People wait to board the boat.
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Niagara City Cruises didn't respond to a request for comment from BI about the wait times.
When everyone piled on the boat, it was so crowded that it felt like no one else could fit.
Crowds fill the top deck.
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On board the boat, I had access to two decks. I went to the top deck for a higher vantage point.
Being within feet of the falls and feeling the mist on my face was epic, but it was tough to fully enjoy it with so many other people on board.
Passengers view and document the falls.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
At the same time, I thought the boat had a great vibe because everyone was so excited to be there. It felt like a big party and was worth the price.
When the ride was over, I waited in another long line for my turn in the elevator.
People wait in line for the elevator.
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While I used a simple ramp to board the boat, passengers had to take an elevator to return to the boardwalk after the ride.
Regardless of the crowds and long lines, I thought seeing Niagara Falls up close was amazing and entrancing.
The American Falls behind a rainbow.
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I think everyone should see them at least once.
It felt like I was witnessing a powerful force of nature commanding people's attention.
Niagara Falls seen from a boat.
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According to The Points Guy, Niagara Falls tends to be less busy in early spring and late fall. I would love to go back to Niagara Falls when it's less crowded and have a more peaceful experience.
