The boat glides past the American and Bridal Falls, idling right next to the crashing spray of Horseshoe Falls. Unless you've brought your barrel and lack of fear, it's the closest you'll get to the thundering waters; looking straight up into the endless surge of green offers a perspective unlike any other.
If you can't stand to relinquish your land legs, there's always Journey Behind the Falls ($11), an eerie network of tunnels that take you down and behind for a peek at Horseshoe Falls. Or check out Cave of the Winds ($10), a rickety-looking series of wooden platforms and walkways at the base of Niagara Gorge, offering a breathtaking, almost-within-reach view of Bridal Falls.
Once you've dried off, it's time to explore the Canadian side of Niagara.
O Canada
Head north alongside the Niagara River to take in more views from the steep cliff's edge. You can bike or drive on the Niagara Parkway. Just be sure to stop off at Whirpool Rapids for a look at another stunning natural phenomenon.
Or -- and not for the faint of heart -- take a breathtaking ride on the nearly century-old Whirpool Aero Car (C$11), which suspends three dozen passengers in a open cable car, up to 250 feet above the swirling rapids.
Continue north to the 100-acre Botanical Gardens. The blooms of summer may have faded, but there's still spectacular fall color throughout these uncrowded grounds, and a surprisingly lush butterfly conservatory (C$11) inside -- which may be the only place you can experience tropical warmth in Canada.
