Niagara Falls: Worth It If You Do It Right

Niagara Falls is one of those places that can feel overly touristy — but the falls themselves are still impressive. I drove from Toronto (~1.5 hours), arriving early in the morning before crowds built. The best views are from the Canadian side, especially along the Niagara Parkway. The Hornblower boat tour (formerly Maid of the Mist) gets you close to the falls — expect to get wet. You can also do the walk underneath the falls, walking through a tunnel until you see the falls cascading over you. Beyond the falls, nearby wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake offer a completely different, quieter experience. What I’d do differently: Combine with Niagara-on-the-Lake — it balances the trip.