Niagara Falls, spectacular and tacky in equal parts
Marilyn Monroe behind Niagara Falls. How deluded he had us. If for years you managed to stay away from the news about the illustrated tacky that invaded Niagara Falls because of her, reaching that place that rivaled the Blonde Temptation in beauty will almost certainly be a disappointment. Even the people there call him “Mini Las Vegas”: huge hotels, Ferris wheel, casinos, arcades, all the fast food chains you want … And surprisingly it was not the Americans, but the Canadians who, since the 1960s, managed to make that place more fashionable than ever and those who have been building giant glass hotels, panoramic concrete towers (The Skylon Tower) and areas dedicated to gaming and eating and drinking in inhuman quantities.
But don't despair, the falls are still worth it. When you're under them on the classic Maid of the Mist (there since 1846) or go down to The Cave of the Winds and take a free shower, you will curse whoever let you build that, but the power of the water will be more impressive. And besides, there's still plenty around that will remind you of Monroe.
Despite everything, they are worth it
To get started, stay on the Canadian side, where there are more possibilities and from where there are the best panoramic views. You can see all three here: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls on the US side, and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. If you get a room on the top floors of one of the hotel towers (Oakes Hotel Overlooking, Embassy Suites, Hilton, Sheraton…), fine, but if not it's better to stay away at the Bed & Breakfasts along the river road: old wooden houses now converted into charming accommodation (Greystone Manor, Two Rivers, Always Inn…).
But what can be seen at the falls? This is a problem. The oversupply of attractions is more of a pawnbroker than anything else . The Adventure Pass (for 47 dollars) in which they offer 'a complete' is not worth it. The best thing is to take the Maid of the Mist from the US side and go down to the pier, surrounded by Smurfs or blue aliens (that raincoat!) with the American Falls at your side.
Cable car over Niagara
After the **impressive excursion (if you don't mind getting wet, the best place on the boat is the first floor, bow and starboard) **, still in the American zone, it is convenient to continue through the park that borders the falls, crossing Luna Island to see how the water rushes, to then enter the Cave of the Winds with your own raincoat, plus the one they will give you (here yellow, plus sandals), if you don't want to come out dripping: it is one of the most impressive sights from the force of the falls, which will fall on you directly.
A shower?
Seen this, get out of there. In a hurry. By bus, by bike or by car. But get out of Niagara Falls. Along the River Road that will later become Niagara Parkway you return to the nature that Marilyn must have seen. First stop: the Spanish Air Whirlpool (Whirlpool Aero Car), a cable car over the Niagara River designed by Spaniard Leonardo Torres y Quevedo . Second stop: Niagara Glen, a nature reserve since 1992 , a beautiful park in which to spend a pleasant morning cycling and walking. And finally, Niagara-on-the-Lake, a cute town at the corner of the mouth of the Niagara River in the immense Lake Ontario. This town is full of beautiful 19th-century log homes, (finally) tasteful shops and gourmet restaurants, with food and wine from local producers like Treadwell, and more ice cream parlors than there are people. Everything on the main street, Queen Street, which takes you to Ontario, where sitting on a bench, looking at the infinite lake, you will remember Marilyn again... even if you don't see the falls.
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