Quick Detour to Niagara Falls Behind the Falls

This post was last updated on January 28th, 2018 at 08:16 pm

My Canadian grandmother had nine brothers and sisters. Each of her siblings had two or more kids. Their kids had kids and so on. So what does that mean? It means I have a boat load of Canadian cousins, eh! One of my cousins was recently married in Toronto. And, if you’re traveling to Toronto, I recommend you make a quick detour to Niagara Falls, that’s after filling up at Timmies (Tim Horton’s for you yanks.)

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is a 1.5 hour drive (depending on weather) from Downtown Toronto, along Queen Elizabeth Way, which is the major highway connecting Toronto to Niagara Falls. While there are many gems along the route like Niagara on The Lake, which is perfect for a lunch stop, the actual town of Niagara Falls is touristy.

Niagara Falls Behind the Falls

There are many opportunities to view the falls up close and personal. I chose the Journey Behind the Falls.

Courtesy: Google Earth

The Journey Behind the Falls

The Journey Behind the Falls is a year around, self guided tour that begins the minute you step off the elevator after descending 150 feet though bedrock. Everyone is given a souvenir poncho. Be sure to put it on before venturing through the tunnels. Also, the tunnels are moist, so unless its summer, I would advise you skip the flip flops.

One of the tunnels behind Niagara Falls leading to an observation area. Notice the person at the end wearing a poncho?

From the Observation Deck

I visited Niagara Falls in November. It was so cold only the upper observation deck was open. The lower observation deck was closed due to ice. As you can see and hear in the video, the power of the water coming over the falls is incomparable.

Niagara Falls is spectacular, but so are the ever present rainbows on even the sunniest of days.

Tunnels to the Portals

The tour continues down this tunnel which leads to two different portals. Let me just say, you are in for a real treat. By the time you reach the second portal, you are more than one-third of the way behind the massive sheet of water.

The Cataract Portal Behind Niagara Falls

The Great Falls Portal Behind Niagara Falls

Bucket List – Niagara Falls

Unfortunately Niagara Falls is not one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but it should be. If it’s not on your bucket list, you should add it. I’ll tell you something else. If you search Niagara Falls on google and zoom in just above the falls in the rapids on the Canadian side you will see another really cool bit of Niagara Falls history.