For this summer’s RV adventure, we headed to Niagara Falls. I was skeptical because, as a child of the 1980s, I always thought of Niagara as a cheesy honeymoon destination for my parents’ generation. Fortunately, I was wrong.
To watch our adventure, Click HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkzC5W4BA_Y
Where we stayed
We wanted to experience Niagara Falls from both sides of the border, so we began on the Canadian side. For tips on how to cross the Canadian border with an RV, you can check out this post. We stayed at the Niagara Falls KOA. It had all the amenities one expects from a KOA, and the location was perfect.
For our stay on the US Side, we camped at HTR Niagara (formerly Branches of Niagara). This campground is beautiful, with a large pond, modern cabins, and many fun activities, and it is only a 10-minute drive to the falls.
The Canadian Side
Our first stop in Niagara, ON, was the visitors center. We purchased an Adventure Pass, which gave us price-reduced access to most of the available attractions on the Canadian Side. That included the Journey Behind the Falls, a tour of the Power Station and Tunnel, a ride on the Whirlpool Aerocar, and a stroll along the White Water Walk. We also could have visited the Butterfly Conservatory and the Floral Showhouse, but with only a few days on each side, we decided to forgo those.
Our pass also included three days on the bus system, which was perfect for us. Every day, we hopped on the bus in front of the campground and headed on our way.
We enjoyed all the Falls activities. The water was so powerful, and it was fun to put on a poncho and get very close. Our least favorite area was Clifton Hill. It reminded us of Gatlinburg, with its touristy wax museums and arcades. If you enjoy that kind of thing, I’m sure it’s great. It’s just not our vibe.
We also took a day trip north to Niagara On the Lake, a quaint village with specialty shops that reminded me of East Coast beach towns like Bar Harbor, ME, or Cape May, NJ.
The American Side
The American Side is less organized, offering no combination passes. You have to pay for each attraction separately, but they are each worth it. We rode the iconic Maid of the Mist right up to the falls and stood under the falling water at the Cave of the Winds. Our favorite activity came on the final day when we rode a jet boat to the whirlpool. The speed of the boat was thrilling, and the rapids were grand.
Because it was our last day, after finishing the jetboat ride, we stopped at Fort Niagara to learn some history of the area. After all, one of our trips would only be complete with a visit to a historical recreation!
Which side was better?
This is a tough call. We preferred the attractions on the American side. However, the tourist area on the Canadian side was much easier to navigate on foot, and the Adventure Pass made everything more convenient.
If you have a passport and the time, I recommend visiting both sides to get the whole experience!
