Initially I had planned to venture into Canada land with maple syrup suckers in hand while wearing a red poncho to explore behind the raging falls of Niagara, but life happened and plans changed. Instead of bailing on the falls altogether, Lily and I decided to visit the American side in Buffalo, New York.
There are few words to describe the magnitude of these falls, but I’ll do my best through photos.
A sign for the falls, next to a sign for death. Should we be concerned?
Playing tourist is something I’ve become quite good at. Perhaps it’s something I should add to my resume. In an attempt to fit the tourist persona, Lily and I went straight for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The boat took us right up to the falls, so close that we had a momentary white out due to all the mist.
It was like standing inside a cloud.
Despite the fact that I was given the most fashionable blue poncho to protect my $9 tank top from the moisture of natures beauty, I still managed to walk off the boat with the look of a freshly showered alpaca. It was in that moment that I knew I wouldn’t be meeting my future husband on this day.
The boat ride was awesome, Canada on one side, America on the other, us in the middle of international waters ready for anything. It was great, but we wanted more.
More water, more views, more ponchos.
The Canadian Maid of the Mist – red ponchos!
Canada!
Next up: The Cave of the Winds Boardwalk. This took us within feet of the falls, so close we were gifted brand new sandals to allow the rushing waters to flow over our exposed toes. The sensation was similar to what I imagine it feels like to walk on a pool of thinned out mint pudding – cool and refreshing.
This attraction was called Cave of the Winds, but alternatively it should have been called seagull cesspool island. Never have I seen so many birds in one spot, squawking, shrieking, and another messy activity that starts with s…
Just when I thought I filled my quota for ridiculously good looking outfit attire, I got another poncho. Yellow this time.
I thought I was wet after the boat ride, well this took me from bathed alpaca to drenched musk ox.
After three hours of visual stimulation it was time to continue our journey, and to fill our bellies. Destination wedding was in full pursuit. Someday I’ll go to the Canadian side of the falls and wander into the caves, but for now I have great New York memories, new sandals, and an unexpected annoyance of seagulls.
Q: Did you know that you can get legally married on the Maid of the Mist boat because it takes you over international waters? It’s a shame I didn’t find any bachelors.
Blissfulbritt 
59 thoughts on “Niagara Falls ”
SincerelyLily
http://www.weddingsandmore-hcn.com/MaidoftheMist.html
Seriously. Let’s renew our friendship vows – blue poncho style.
Brittany
😂😂 I’m so fascinated by this!!! I’m in. 👍🏻
SincerelyLily
FYI I wore my cave of the winds sandals yesterday on the row boat (whilst drinking a margarita b/c it doesn’t make me FULL) and pretended I was Pochantas. Cory was like ‘You are literally scaring all the fish away with your singing…..STOP.’
If only you were here, you would have embraced my identity crisis.
Brittany
Hahaha I miss you oh so much!
Andrea Weidel
Love this post so much (I’m biased for sure, but eh). I’m glad someone else finally realizes how terrible the seagulls are in this area. My dad calls them ‘rats with wings’ because that’s literally what they are. Anyway – I’m so glad you were able to explore our side! The Maid of the Mist/Cave of the Winds are so much fun. I’ve probably done it two or three times and it never gets old! And gorgeous pics, btw. You wonderfully captured how beautiful it is there (even if the city itself (Niagara Falls, not Buffalo) is a serious drag.
Brittany
Thank you! I love exploring new cities and find them all magical in their own way, Buffalo included! Those seagulls were insane, and I normally love ALL animals. These birds though, NO!
Josie @ Literature Mistress
That would be such a cool spot for a wedding! ❤
And: No need to worry about a dress / hair style, etc. Simply throw on a white poncho et voilà: you're good to go. 🙂
Brittany
I know!! I could totally see myself doing this. 😂
kathy @ more coffee less talky
in all my life of being a canadian, i have never been on maid of the mist! next time venture to our neck of the woods where the moose are abundant, the hockey is in full swing year round and we drink maple syrup straight from the trees. Just kidding, none of that actually happens. well, maybe the hockey thing.
Brittany
I wanna see a moose though!!! Can you make it happen? I’ll bring the maple syrup.
kathy @ more coffee less talky
….. did you even get my last comment??
Brittany
Yes, had to approve it for some reason! SCHWEIRD.
Rebecca@RunningFoodBaby
You were so close to me 🙂 Like 6 hours close! Niagara Falls is such a popular field trip for elementary students – I went a few times (I went to school in Toronto). Niagara was also fun when you become legal age – so many field trips to the falls – but for casino purposes. We took my son last year and he was all amazed. He is still mad that I did not take him on Maid of the Mist, lol. We then snuck over to the US for Trader Joes/Cheesecake Factory!
Brittany
What a fun spot for a field trip! Smart lady heading to TJ’s!!
Boo boo scadoo
The most beautiful alpaca I’ve ever seen maybe not the best smelling before the bathing but def after. Eligible bachelor here
Brittany
😂😂 OHHH G-money. You’re too kind.
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
everytime i see maid of the mist i think of the office…my husband loves that episode. looks like you still have a great time on the american side!
Brittany
Lily was talking about that episode! I think of Bruce Almighty. Haha.
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
ha! I totally forgot about Bruce!!!
jess
Love it!! I road-tripped in college from North Carolina to Niagara, and loved it then! Great shots, it looks like you had awesome weather.
Brittany
Wow, what a fun drive! I get antsy in the car for a long time, but as I get older I love seeing the country on road trips!
Kristy from Southern In Law
What a fun day! Niagara Falls is definitely on my must-visit list!
Brittany
Yes, you must go at least once. 👍🏻
Amy
Somehow Niagara Falls hasn’t made it onto my bucket list… But after reading about your adventure and seeing your photos, that definitely needs to change. I love playing tourist, especially when it comes to places with nature’s stunning beauty! And… When you come visit, I’ll take you to a baseball game so you can see just about as many seagulls in one place at the same time again. 😉
Brittany
I hadn’t thought much about Niagara Falls either until Lily mentioned it. I’m SO glad she did because it was amazing! I want to go to a baseball game just because it’s your element, the seagulls were horrifying. Hahaha.
Amy
I’ll take you to as many baseball games as you want — no joke!! I nearly came up to Seattle for a game at the end of June but Dad and I had to cancel… I would’ve called you if we went!! ❤️
Ellie
Gotta love the rain poncho. Did you find any good eats in Buffalo? I love that city (hence why I ran a race there haha)
Brittany
I did not! It was a brief visit passing through, and I had leftover eats from the market in PA when I scored alllll the vegan things.
P
That is so cool you got new sandals! They look like they are top quality, are they?
And that seagull baby, so cute!!!
Brittany
Definitely not top quality (the ticket for the cave of the winds was $17) but they are comfortable! They’re prob like $5 to make, if that haha.
Anthony
Always love to hear about your adventures–and thanks for introducing me to your friend Lily’s site–she rocks too.
Again, sorry you couldn’t make it across the border, but there is always some day.
I watched Reese Witherspoon’s movie Wild and luckily got to think of you and all your hiking adventures.
Enjoy the summer.
Brittany
That movie was so fun, I loved it. I daydream about an adventure like that…what guts that woman had! Nowadays thru hiking the PCT is quite common.
Anthony
Do you have a dream hike? Is there some long hiking goal you have?
Brittany
I have a few smaller “dream hikes” in my area such as the Enchantments, but big long term not yet. I do want to bite off a solid chunk of the PCT or the Appalachian Trail though!
dave379
What a great primary color poncho party 🙂 I hope to make it to the falls one day too.
Brittany
Haha it was a blue blast indeed!
danaelizabethx
Love it there!! Seagull cesspool is the funniest thing I have heard! LOL glad u had a fun time!!
Brittany
It’s so true though! They are gnarly birds there!
Jessica
You were so close to me! The next time you venture to Canada-land, hit me up! 🙂
Brittany
Deal!!! Ahhh so close.
An Unrefined Vegan
You did the Falls justice – even if you weren’t able to cross over into the Canadian side (my memory of it is that there’s a shit ton of touristy crap, but that’s probably true of the US side, too.). When I was a kid I refused to put on the yellow raincoat before getting onto the Maid of the Mist – until a very wise woman gave me a lollipop. It always comes back to sugar, doesn’t it?
Brittany
Hahaha oh man, sugar really does make everything sweeter. Those ponchos were very uncomfortable though so I don’t blame you!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Love!! Oh I want to visit Niagara Falls someday. The blue poncho reminds me of The Office, when Pam and Jim get married. 🙂
Brittany
Haha you’re the third person to comment about that, I thought of Bruce Almighty!
Josh dV
Quite the damp trip! I guarantee you despite the wet animal references, you were getting checked out. You were just too busy having fun and thinking up smelly animals to notice.
It’s OK, we’ve all been there.
Brittany
Ahhhaha. Best comment on the post.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m so glad you got to explore my former neighbor and come see me. You can forget to renew your passport anytime. Although if you do go to the Canadian side, you have to try the jetboat tours. They’re so much fun, and I’ll even join you.
Brittany
I think we need to add this to our list of “to do’s!”
millerle77
Niagara Falls looks amazing! Did you bring the Ponchos back to the Pacific NW? I think I want to venture out to Maid of the Mist and sport the drenched alpaca look!
Brittany
I didn’t, I THOUGHT about it, but they were so uncomfortable I wanted nothing to do with them when I was done hahaha.
stateeats
BWHAHAHA, I have 4 pairs of those sandals! Have been to the falls about 10Xs having grown up in NY State, it never gets old. Maid of the Mist is the bomb. Looks like you had a blast. -Kat
Brittany
That’s awesome!!!
Sophie33
What a cool fun post, my friend. You look great! What an experience!
Brittany
Thank you. ❤️❤️
Rach @ This Italian Family
This is awesome!! I so want to go to Niagra Falls someday! Love all of your wet animal comparisons too. Those made me laugh. 😉
Brittany
Bahaha it was such a beautiful trip.
Allie Zottola
Ahh, love all the pictures from your trip! Niagara Falls is beautiful! I have been on the Maid of the Mist and did the Cave of the Winds. Both are the experience of a lifetime for sure!
Brittany
Yes! So glad someone knew what these were all about.
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