I went on my annual Niagara Falls trip recently, and while things took a misfortunate turn at the start of the trip, we still made it. Albeit about 2 hours late which cut into our time spent in Niagara, but we still had some fun!
As some of you may know, I like visiting Niagara Falls every summer (or I try to) to spend a day away from Toronto and decompress from a year of school/work/etc. This started when I was younger, and my parents and I would drive down to Niagara and spend a day there before driving back into the city at night. I discovered that there was GO train service between Toronto and Niagara Falls around 2021 or so, and I’ve been trying to go on Niagara trips since then.
To be honest, the train ride takes longer than driving down there so if you’re hoping to get there faster I say opt to drive down. However, the GO train service is very convenient for those without access to their own car, or those who don’t want to deal with parking when in Niagara. I’ve had no problems with this service thus far, and some tickets also get you access to their WEGO busses at Niagara which is very convenient for those who can’t walk as much or people with children.
This year’s trip had an unfortunate start though, where our first GO train and then the replacement one both faced some mechanical issues that couldn’t be fixed. All passengers were asked to disembark the train at Burlington, and replacement busses would be sent to take us the rest of the journey into Niagara. Another option would be to return back into the city because they anticipated extremely long wait times for the replacement busses.
My group and I opted to wait since it was still fairly early in the day. It took about one hour and three to four buses before we could board. During the wait, it was very sunny since we had to line up outside in the sweltering sun, and it was frustrating as well when some rude people tried to cut in line. Ultimately, we were dropped off at Niagara around 1 p.m. or so. Unfortunately, we weren’t dropped off at the main GO stop but at one of the GO bus stops where you enter Niagara Falls. I assumed it was because they were still hammering out the details of where the passengers were to be dropped off, but my group was lucky we wore comfortable shoes for the walk to Clifton Hill.
When we finally got to the falls and the Table Rock Centre, I went ahead to get our bus passes while the rest of the group got food, and refreshments and made use of the AC inside the Centre. I started off with some ice cream, it tasted like the bubble gum ice cream from my childhood, just without the bubble gum pieces. I don’t remember the name of it, maybe it was like Moon or something? I do recommend it though.
The highlight of this trip would probably when we ventured under the Falls via Journey Behind the Falls. It’s about $25 per adult, which I considered expensive but the entire group was alright with going together. It was an experience that I think everyone should try once.
You’ll be given ponchos and guided to take an elevator down 125 feet (almost 40 metres), into the tunnels underneath the Falls. There are two portals to watch and feel the falls and then this observation deck beside the falls for the best pictures. Like the previous year, I was super lucky to have been given another chance to see some rainbows that day and capture them with my very amateur photo-taking skills lol.
I think my group spent close to an hour or two just taking pictures, chatting and appreciating the new scenery since this was the first time any of us went behind the falls. I do have to mention that you will likely get wet, or be a little damp after this attraction. It’s inevitable with the water from the falls splashing and misting all over the observation deck. The little “tours” run every 30mins so there may be some wait before you get to experience things, so that should give you some time to waterproof some belongings with a bag or two on top of the poncho.
If you’re staying until dark, I recommend checking out the tunnel and observation deck that’s part of the Power Station attraction. It’s a little more pricey in comparison because the Power Station is like an interactive museum, but the show and the lights at night are supposed to be spectacular. You’ll also be able to fully enjoy the lit-up falls too, since Journey Behind the Falls only runs until 7-8 pm and The Power Station at Night starts at 5 pm. Based on the pictures, you’ll be further away from the falls using The Power Station’s tunnel so I’m not too sure the view would be better than Journey Behind the Falls.
While I didn’t manage to pull another Niagara on the Lake trip this year, I do still recommend going for that option if you choose to follow this GO train trip and book those tickets.
