Niagara Falls calls and you can follow in Marilyn Monroe’s footsteps by taking a tower trip for awesome views
Check out one of the world's most iconic landmarks Niagara Falls and tour Ontario for beautiful views of Canada
NOTHING can prepare you for the power and majesty of Niagara Falls.
I’d wanted to see them since a relative had brought me back a souvenir snowglobe when I was a kid.
I wouldn’t get to see them in all their deafening glory until more than 30 years later — but it was worth the wait.
What’s more, I got to see them in Canada’s big birthday year.
The former British colony was founded 150 years ago, in 1867.
The Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the border, are “the biggest and best falls”, my Canadian cabbie boasted as he drove me from my hotel to the Hornblower Niagara Cruises embarkation point.
The Canadians love to get one over on their American neighbours and at 188ft high and 2,600ft wide, the Horseshoe Falls are indisputably bigger than the American Falls (around 100ft high and 1,060ft wide).
The Falls have been a tourist attraction since the 19th century when road and railway made them accessible.
They have been visited by everyone from Charles Dickens to JFK, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana — make sure you book an early morning cruise to avoid the crowds.
You can also visit the Journey Behind The Falls and take a lift down to the tunnels 150ft beneath Horseshoe Falls.
On my visit, a handsome 20-something American dropped to his knee to propose to his Juliet while the waters cascaded just yards away.
There was a round of applause after his fair-haired sweetheart replied “Yes!” and flung her arms around his shoulders.
Personally, I’d give the tunnels a miss and take the super-fast outside elevator to the top of the landmark Skylon Tower instead, where you can enjoy a truly awesome view of the Falls 775ft up from the observation decks or revolving restaurant.
Another must-see is the Niagara Daredevil Exhibit at the Niagara Falls’ IMAX Theatre which tells the story of those who sought fame and fortune (although rarely got rich) by going over the Falls in all manner of unusual contraptions.
The first person to bid for such glory was former school teacher Annie Edson Taylor, 63, who went over the Falls in 1901 in nothing but a wooden barrel — and survived.
Others, including 46-year-old Greek-American chef George A. Stathakis were not so lucky.
The 1,000lb wood and steel barrel he used back in 1930 is among the exhibits on show.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
Away from the Falls themselves, Niagara Falls, Ontario has its own entertainment district, Clifton Hill.
So after you’ve seen the Falls up close from above and below, you can let your hair down with a round of mini-golf at Dinosaur Adventure Golf, with its 50ft-high flame-spouting volcano, or try “Niagara’s most terrifying experience”, The House of Frankenstein, before of course buying that all-important souvenir Niagara Falls snowglobe for the folks back home.
GO: Ontario
GETTING THERE: Return flights to Toronto from Heathrow with Air Canada start from £740 (including taxes).
Air Canada Rouge also operates a summer seasonal service from London Gatwick to Toronto, with return flights starting from £517 (including taxes).
For further information or to book a flight, visit or call 0871 220 1111.
STAYING THERE: Canadian Affair’s Classic Ontario Circle tour gives you one night’s accommodation in Toronto, nine days’ motorhome rental and return flights from Gatwick from £837.
Suggested itinerary includes Niagara, Muskoka, Huntsville and Blue Mountain. Available on selected dates until October 31.
See or call 020 3424 6306.