A day at Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls

Today is a bucket list day at Niagara Falls. It is absolutely stunning and mind boggling at the amount of water that falls everyday 24/7. Without a drone we are unable to capture how broad the falls are so we take a picture of a picture. The American Falls are on the left with Bridal Veil Falls basically a part of them but on the right end.  Horseshoe Falls is on the right and 90% of it is in Canada :)

Above the falls the Niagara River splits with the majority of the flow going over the Horseshoe Falls and the remaining 10% going over the American and Bridal Veil Falls. 

Lots of tourists from all over the world! Apparently we are here on a slow day where only about 5000 people take the Hornblower Boat ride into the falls. Summer peak days around 10,000 per day step on board. Talk about a money machine as it cost $97 for just the two of us. 

After the falls we head up to Clifton Hills. We had no idea this entertainment district existed in Niagara Falls. It's a carnival-like atmosphere with a wide variety of attractions, restaurants and shops. 

We listen to some live music and walk the streets.

Chris loves this guys guitar- Gibson Jumbo made of Maple

Clifton Hills entertainment district

Skylon Tower

Eventually we land at the Skylon Tower where we have a dinner reservation at the top :)

Built in 1964, it stands 160 meters (520ft) tall and goes 11 meters (50 ft) under ground. On a clear day you can see 129kms (80 miles)

This tower was the first major structure in the world to use 'Slip Form' building techniques. Basically concrete was poured 1" every 10 minutes around the clock for 38 days straight. Wow. 

The 'Yellow Bug' elevator seen just at the bottom of the tower goes 152 meters (500 ft) per minute so it takes us about 1 minute to get to the top. 

Various vessels that attempt to go over the falls

Just before we head up the tower we poke our heads into the Daredevil Museum room that showcases actual barrels and the stories of individuals who attempted to go over Niagara Falls. Some make it out alive while others have perished. 

Horseshoe Falls from top of Skylon Tower

We couldn't have a better table with an amazing view of Niagara Falls right out our table. Horseshoe is the largest of the three major waterfalls collectively known as Niagara Falls, clearly taking its name from the long curved shape. It's 820 meters in length and the falls are over 50 meters high. Impressive.

Great meal and craft beer :)

After supper we head out onto the viewing platform just in time for the sunset. Perfect end to our Skylon Tower experience.

Sun still illuminating the USA

When we leave the tower, the sun is still hitting the tops of the buildings in Niagara, New York, USA and the The American Falls. 

Horseshoe Falls lit up at night

It's been a busy day so we head back to Table Rock where we started our day from. Table Rock used to be a large rock slab that jutted out over the gorge. It has long since collapsed but the name still remains as a main viewing area of Horseshoe Falls. The falls are lit up by now so it's a fitting good-bye.

Colors change regularly