Niagara Falls has long been one of the world's top travel destinations. Seeking a break and some relaxation, we decided to plan a trip to this iconic natural wonder. Recently, I visited Niagara Falls with my friends. We packed food from home to avoid eating out and started our journey from Union Station, taking the Lakeshore West GO train, which has Niagara as its final stop. The GO train, a public transport service, efficiently connects cities over longer distances. We opted for a $40 CAD pass for three people, boarded the train, and enjoyed the scenic ride. On our way, we passed through Hamilton, St. Catharines, and several other locations in Ontario. The train route circled part of Lake Ontario, offering mesmerizing views of the lake and its surrounding ports. Along the way, we also saw small ponds, large farms, and lush, forested areas that resembled rainforests.

Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest, with a height of around 167 feet (51 meters), while the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls have drops ranging from 70 to 110 feet (21 to 34 meters). The water feeding the falls comes from the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Erie, flowing into the Niagara River before continuing toward Lake Ontario. The falls handle a massive water flow, with Horseshoe Falls alone carrying about 90% of it. The water flow is carefully regulated to maintain the natural beauty while supporting hydroelectric power generation.

Upon reaching Niagara, we took a complimentary shuttle bus to Table Rock Point. From there, we explored various viewpoints to admire the falls. Our first stop was right at the edge where the water plunges downward. The turquoise water looked like flowing jelly, and the sheer power of the falls was overwhelming. "Behind the Cave" viewing area, offers a perspective from below, near a small cave here. There were other attractions like zip-lining and ferries that take you closer to the falls.

We saw two ferries—one for the U.S. and one for Canada—both packed with tourists. From above, the Canadian ferry appeared like a basket full of cherries. As we walked around, we even met some adorable puppies named Lola and Maggie. We then found a meadow to sit down and enjoy our home-packed lunch. We relaxed, lay on the grass, gazed at passing clouds, and listened to the soothing sound of the falls. After resting, we watched squirrels, pet dogs, and birds before heading towards Niagara’s downtown.

The downtown area was just 500 meters from the falls. We explored the game zone, admired the Niagara SkyWheel, and checked out attractions like the dinosaur park, Frankenstein, and wax museums. We visited some shops and eventually went to the inverted house, where everything is upside down for both inside and outside.

After grabbing coffee, we decided to walk the 2.6 kilometers back to the GO station instead of taking a bus, as we wanted to explore more on foot.

During our walk, we passed the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Canada and the U.S., and admired some graffiti beneath it. Continuing, we saw beautiful mansions and gardens filled with flowers like dahlias, roses, cannas, lavender, and large hibiscus blooms.

Following Google Maps, we walked along the scenic Niagara River, which flowed gently alongside us, making the trek even more enjoyable. We also encountered new plant species and enjoyed the local countryside atmosphere.

When we reached the GO station, the next direct train wasn’t available for another four hours, so we took a GO bus to Burlington instead. The bus route passed by Niagara College, St. Catharines, and Hamilton Bridge. The driver was kind and pointed out interesting views along the way in his announcement. The bus also circled part of Lake Ontario before reaching Burlington, where we transferred to the Lakeshore West GO train back to Union Station in Toronto. The entire trip took around two hours each way. The day was incredible—we learned, relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyed our one-day trip to Niagara Falls.
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