We spent most of the day today walking, standing and wearing ponchos. It appears that's what you do at Niagara Falls.

We purchased a day pass that gave us access to the main attractions in and around Niagara Falls, as well as to the tourist bus system.

We started with a walk through a series of tunnels behind the falls, that also has a viewing platform about mid way down the falls (yellow poncho required). The view of the falls from here was amazing. You are standing only metres from one side of the falls with the water rushing down past you - the sound was incredible. There are also two smaller tunnel openings that literally open up behind the falls. It is amazing but you don't actually see too much other than a wall of white water hidden behind a curtain of white mist!

After this we walked about 15 minutes along the river to the next attraction. Every time we turned around we got a different view of the falls and it was also breathtaking. We headed to the Hornblower ferry which took us right to the foot of the falls (red ponchos required). We got properly soaked because you are taken extremely close to the falls and the amount of spray is amazing. This cruise only lasts 30 minutes but in that time you can see and hear the power of this waterfall in a way that words can't do justice. We loved this so much that we did a second turn on the ferry later in the afternoon (second set of red ponchos).

We decided to have some "traditional" Canadian food for lunch so we headed to a Poutinery (yes, apparently that is a word). Poutine is a dish created in Quebec in the 50s - french fries topped with curds and gravy.

We then caught one of the tourist buses to the White Water Walk. After being pretty calm, the Niagara River gets angry again a few kilometres after the falls, forming about 1.5km of Class 6 rapids (which is considered "unrunnable"). It is now illegal to try to run the rapids. The walk along the rapids is quite good - you get some different views of the river and cliffs and there are some information boards to read along the way.

After a quick rest in the hotel, we headed back out for our second ride on the Hornblower. After that drenching, we decided we might as well get drenched again so headed to the last attraction on our tickets, which was called "Niagara's Fury". We weren't quite sure what to expect as the advertising was pretty vague - just something about a 4D experience where you will get wet. It turns out you watch a short kids film talking about how Niagara Falls was created, then enter another room and get on a platform. You are surrounded by a circular screen and there is a pool of water under you. The screen shows a "movie" of you travelling in, on and over the river/falls and you occasionally get splashed, rained on, snowed on or sprayed. The whole thing didn't make much sense or really tell you how the river and falls were formed but was an experience.

After a long day of walking and standing we were a bit tired but headed out to dinner. We decided to try a four course dinner, thinking that the courses would be smaller. Well not quite. The two appetizers we each had were filling and then Damien was served a plate of pasta that could have fed a family (well at least two people). We both left about half our mains untouched, trying to leave room for dessert. Unfortunately the desserts should have been brought out by forklifts and our brave attempt to finish them was in vain.

After another rest to try to digest dinner we headed to a spot just outside the hotel to view the falls at night. They light up the falls from behind, which looks amazing.

Niagara Falls is incredible. We have been lucky to see some amazing places but we think this might top them all.