My 2019, solo travel list has officially taken me international!
This past weekend I flew into Buffalo for the sole purpose of seeing Niagara Falls – a bucket list experience that’s been on my mind for quite some time. After arriving in Buffalo, I learned the next bus that would take me to the falls wouldn’t leave for another 2 hours, so I opted to take a cab.
TIP: If you’re low on money, I would try working this more into your schedule as the cab cost $70 and the bus would’ve cost me about $10.
Niagara Falls is actually the name of the town that the falls resides in, I don’t know – I found this so interesting! And Niagara Falls is more than just a waterfall, it a free state park. There were tons of food stands, hiking trails, caves to explore and of course the Maiden of the Mist.
The Maiden of the Mist is the iconic boat tour that gets you up close and personal with the falls. They give you a complimentary, very fashionable, poncho because make no mistake – you will get wet.
TIP: You don’t necessarily have to buy tickets online; a boat leaves every 15 mins so there will always be plenty of room. Plus, people who did buy online were still waiting in the same line as me to retrieve their tickets!
Next, I WALKED TO CANADA. That’s just fun to say. I made my way across the rainbow pedestrian bridge and customs didn’t take very long at all. From the Canadian side, you get another great view of the falls and can see the spectacular Horseshoe Falls.
The Canadian side also has a very touristy vibe, as it is home to “Clifton Hill,” an area of Ripley’s Believe it or Not, souvenir shops, bowling alleys, American restaurants and a Ferris-Wheel.
When I finally found a place, I thought was a) not going to have a lot of children and b) not something I could get in America, I rushed in. A quick meal later and I was off to my motel – the Fullerton Manor Inn!
The inn was very quaint and cute but I will admit it was a little out of the way for someone who didn’t have a car. Overall, I really enjoyed my little weekend getaway and was happy to check another item off my bucket list! √
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I used to live in Buffalo NY – passing the falls each time I would head home to Detroit, MI for the weekend. They’re so beautiful!
they are SO beautiful! thanks for reading 🙂
It’s such a fun waterfall to see.
I have to admit, when we visited the Canadian side, it was very touristy (and we had the worst food we’d ever had in Canada) BUT I still loved it just for seeing that cascading crazy amount of water!! <3
Brought back some memories! I visited Niagara Falls during my first trip to the States in 1982 – I’m sure the surrounding area has changed a lot since then. I visited out of season – January- and the falls was small and the place was deserted. Still fun though.
haha that’s crazy how much things change over time!
Welcome to Canada! I love that you got a kick out of “walking to Canada”. It does sound pretty cool. It sounds like you had a great time seeing Niagara Falls.
thank you 🙂 i can’t wait to explore more of the country one day!
I hope you enjoyed your time in Niagara Falls. I havent been to the US side to see the falls, but I live fairly close to the canadian side and go several times a year. Winter is my favorite time to visit, it’s not near as busy. Which side did you like better?
wow how fun to live so close to there! and that’s a tough one, but I think I did like the Canadian side better 🇨🇦
Awesome! You will have to come back and spend more time
It’s a great idea to do it in 24 hours – I never thought about flying to Buffalo. It’s an incredible natural wonder, but I wouldn’t spend more than a weekend in the area. Great photos!
yes it was a very easy and manageable trip! thanks 🙂
My family use to go to Niagara Falls all the time but I don’t remember much. i think i need to make a trip there and see it now. Such a great post!
thank you !! and yes, i think it’d be fun to see how much has changed from what you do remember
I haven’t been to Niagara Falls since the mid-80s, and it was just a quick stop to peer at the falls and say “did that”! My daughter lives in Syracuse, 2.5 hours from Niagara Falls – I’m totally roping her into a day trip the next time I visit. It would be so fun to walk to Canada from there 😀
yes you definitely should! and let me know how much it’s changed since the 80s!
We visited Niagara Falls last summer and it was amazing! I think the Maid of the Mist is a must-do activity!
i agree, i LOVED the maid of the mist tour
My Niagra Falls growing up. I actually did one spring break in college because the drinking age is only 19 in Canada haha. The Maid of the Mist is such a highlight, I’m glad you did that and got to walk over the Rainbow Bridge! I take it you didn’t go over the falls in a barrel?
haha i did not go over the falls in a barrel but i did have a lot of fun on the maid of the mist tour!