Niagara Falls

Back on November 3 J and I took a little day trip up to Niagara Falls. Neither of us had been there and he kept saying it was on his list of places he wanted to visit. I have always been fascinated with famous landmarks that you learn about in school - hence why I lived in Russia - and Niagara Falls was always of those places that felt bigger than life. Surprisingly I have never been to Niagara Falls or Canada before even though they are both just a few hours away. It was also my first time in New York state. One of the stipulations I made for myself for leaving Russia was that I would take more road and day trips because I felt that if I was going to move back to a place I didn't really want to be that I would explore it more and maybe find the same love for the USA as I did for Russia. Unfortunately, I haven't done much of that, but this quick trip I think sparked something.

We picked the perfect time to go! I'm not a fan of heat at all, so the fact that it was cold made it much more manageable. We also went on the last day the Maid of the Mist was running which meant it didn't take us long at all to get on the ferry. I can only imagine how terrible it would be sitting in the scorching sun. Also, if you couldn't tell by my photos it was the perfect time in fall when the trees are all different colors. The whole drive up was absolutely amazing. Even more, on the drive from Ohio you get this really beautiful view of Lake Erie while driving through Pennsylvania. I really don't know why I don't travel to New York or Pennsylvania more often.

The drive there felt super quick, and we didn't really do much except walk around playing Pokemon Go (because I'm 7) and go on Maid of the Mist. My one regret was not dressing slightly warmer. If I remember correctly it was either warmer in Ohio or it was winder in Niagara than I expected so I only had my windbreaker on. I also have a bad habit of planning out fictional trips but never actual trips, so when I get to a place I have no idea what to do and I don't do the research for those off beat places that I love. I think that was fine for the first trip anyways because J hadn't been to Niagara and I think it's important for him to do the touristy things as well.

I'd love to go back in the spring before it gets too hot and explore a little more of the area. I'll definitely be going back with a list of things I want to see. A teacher told me that there's a cute little town in the north called Niagara-on-the-Lake that I'd love to visit as well as checking out the Canadian side if J gets a passport.

If you'd like check out this video J made with his iPhone from that trip.

Do you have any suggestions of things to see or do near Niagara Falls (preferably the American side)?