Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? I have many times with my family. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I lived two hours away by car. My parents could not afford expensive vacations; consequently, we all piled into our car and headed for Niagara Falls. A trip to Niagara Falls was always an adventure.

The most memorable trip I made was about sixteen years ago. My sister and her family, along with me and my family were visiting my mother. I had not been to Niagara Falls in twelve years. I was excited, we all were excited our family was together and we were going to Niagara Falls!

None of us could sleep that night it seemed we were up all night wandering around. We were going to start on our trip about 8:00 a.m. in the morning but for some reason the troops were restless. My mother's house was tiny and people and suitcases were strewn everywhere.

Somebody suggested at 4:00 a.m. why don't we leave now, we won't hit any traffic. All eight of us loaded up in my van and off we went. It was a great idea, traffic was definitely light. Unfortunately, nobody thought ahead at what time we would arrive at the falls.

We drove across the Peace Bridge linking the United States to Canada. When you approach the customs station, there are cars lined up a mile long. The wait usually isn't very long. The custom's official will ask you questions.

(1) Where were you born?

(2) How long will you be staying in Canada?

(3) Do you have anything to declare?

(4) Is everybody in the car carrying some kind of identification?

We arrived at Niagara Falls at 6:00 a.m. We had the pick of the parking spots and parking was free. When we all ambled out of the car we all realized at the same moment, we were completely alone and nothing was open. Not even a gas station. You can imagine how that put an instant decrease in the excitement.

We walked around and window shopped the numerous souvenir shops up and down the sidewalk. The souvenir shops are all located on steep hills. We really received our exercise that day. At 8:00 a.m. a restaurant opened and we were once more happy campers.

As you approach the falls, you experience emotions that you probably have never felt. The sheer magnitude of thousands of tons of water gushing, wildly down the mountains is mind blowing.

The closer you come to the falls, you automatically cover your ears with your hands. The ground literally vibrates from the tons of water exploding around you. Prepare to get soaked, it goes with the thrill of standing in front of one of the Seven Wonders Of The World.

When you turn around, you will be facing green grass and beautiful flower arrangements. The flower arrangements follow you everywhere. Benches are placed around the grounds for the sightseer's convenience. The setting is so calming and refreshing, if you love the outdoors this is where it all happens.

THE MAID OF THE MIST:

Before you step onto this boat you must put on an ugly raincoat. Once on board the Maid of the Mist, you get to experience the foaming, churning water first hand. The boat gets tossed around, and be prepared for a wild wet ride. You will be very happy to be wearing your ugly raincoat.

JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS:

Once again, you must dress in an ugly raincoat. The next step, is to enter one of two elevators that take you down behind the falls. This is Mother Nature at her best. You stand in a group with the deafening noise of the falls crashing just a few feet from you. There is only one wall separating you from the falls. Again, you will be happy to be wearing the ugly raincoats or you would be drenched to the skin.

Since, we were all tired from not getting any sleep the night before, my mother, sister and daughter fell asleep on a park bench. I can still picture them in my mind sound asleep oblivious to their surroundings.

After we had taken in the above tours, we are all ready for food. There are many restaurants to choose from. For lunch my family always had a spaghetti dinner. It has become a tradition.

We try to time dinner with the lightening of Niagara Falls which is at sundown. There is a wonderful restaurant directly across from the falls. If you time it just right, you have a seat and can watch the falls change all the colors of the rainbow. The light show if you have never seen it before is breath taking.

This was my daughter's first trip to Niagara Falls since she was a baby. It was wonderful to watch the emotions on her face, as she watched the falls change breath taking colors for the first time.

It is a fantastic sight, watching thousands of people from every state and country in this world, lined up at the guard rails spreading out onto the lawn watching the light show.

After the light show, we are tired and start trudging up the steep hill to get to our car. We are usually loaded down with souvenirs and very happy to see our car again.

There is so much to do and see in Niagara Falls, you will need more than one day.

Niagara Falls is also known for their honey moon hotels and for their fantastic wedding chapels.

Niagara Falls has a little bit of everything for everybody. If you are planning a trip, think about going to Niagara Falls.

For me Niagara Falls was a time spent in an adventure with my family. My sister and I have memories, we cherish when we spent time exploring Niagara Falls together.

I hope, you enjoyed this article. Feel free to check out my other articles. Let me hear from you.

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler