Niagara Falls is a popular attraction that BI's reporter found to be 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 my time battling crowds, waiting in lines, and standing on my tippy toes.
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 I was completely in awe of how massive, beautiful, and loud the falls were, the environment felt more like an attraction than a nature getaway. I trudged through a crowded boardwalk and saw the falls from viewpoints obstructed 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 Business Insider's request for comments regarding crowds and long lines at attractions.
I visited Niagara Falls on a Monday and Tuesday in August.
Crowds at Niagara Falls in August.
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According to the Points Guy, this is one of the busiest months to visit. This is probably because kids are out of school in the summer, I thought.
When I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other waterfalls in the past. However, I was only able to view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or an attraction.
People walk towards Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls.
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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.
A busy viewpoint in Niagara Falls.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The only way I could get a spot on the edge was 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 the 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.
After 12 p.m., I noticed the boardwalk was flooded with people, so I decided to try some attractions.
Crowds at Niagara Falls during an afternoon in August.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
It felt like what I imagine Times Square is like on New Year's Eve.
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 it was located in.
Lines for the Journey Behind the Falls attraction.
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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 that offers 360-degree views of the falls and city.
Skylon Tower (L) and a view from the top (R).
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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.
But 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.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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, walking away from the falls, 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 in an hourlong line to ride.
A line for the Ferris wheel (L) and crowds on the carnival-like street (R).
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Although I thought 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.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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, which is after peak hours, according to the Points Guy. But I still had to wait in line for almost an hour, while the boat ride itself 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 I thought it felt like no one else could fit.
Crowds fill the top deck.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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 take photos of 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, in my opinion.
While I used a simple ramp to board the boat, passengers had to take an elevator to return to the boardwalk after the ride.
People wait in line for the elevator.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I waited in another long line for my turn in the elevator.
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.
To me, it felt like I was witnessing a powerful force of nature commanding people's attention.
Niagara Falls viewed from a boat.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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 to enjoy a more peaceful moment to myself in front of the falls.
