Day 2 - Thursday 5/4/2023 - Journey Behind the Falls / Whistle Blower / Niagara On The Lake Wineries
Woke up at 7 or so, which was 6 back home (oddly early). We lounged and took it easy until breakfast came at 8:30. It was a beautiful spread of ham, spinach and mushroom omelet, hash browns, toast with strawberries and orange juice. We were very impressed with the breakfasts here and the AirBnb as a whole! It was located on York Rd near the Lewiston - Queenston bridge and boarder crossing on the 405 highway. If we ever do Niagara again, we would stay here in a heartbeat! Excellent airbnb and excellent location for doing both Niagara Falls and the Niagara On The Lake wine area.
We didn’t end up leaving until 9:30 or a little after and got to parking lot A by 10 or so. Parking lot A was closest to table rock restaurant and we would say the main lot for those wanting to focus on the falls and the Table Rock area. It was the most expensive lot we saw but its location was worth it.
We first did the Journey Behind the Falls. It is a tunnel which goes into the rock behind the horse shoe falls with two openings that go out and allow you to see the falls from the back; which was neat! The attraction started in the table rock building with the customary attraction photo and then an elevator down. The tunnels were probably 7 ft tall in the middle and four people wide. Not too tight but you didn't have much room. There were two openings out to see the back of the falls. The falling water caused a good breeze to come through the tunnel! There was also another tunnel that went to a observation platform that got you pretty close to the front of horseshoe falls. They gave you ponchos but you really didn't need them unless you were just really careless on the observation platform. All in all, it was a neat experience and we would recommend it.
We didn’t end up leaving until 9:30 or a little after and got to parking lot A by 10 or so. Parking lot A was closest to table rock restaurant and we would say the main lot for those wanting to focus on the falls and the Table Rock area. It was the most expensive lot we saw but its location was worth it.
We first did the Journey Behind the Falls. It is a tunnel which goes into the rock behind the horse shoe falls with two openings that go out and allow you to see the falls from the back; which was neat! The attraction started in the table rock building with the customary attraction photo and then an elevator down. The tunnels were probably 7 ft tall in the middle and four people wide. Not too tight but you didn't have much room. There were two openings out to see the back of the falls. The falling water caused a good breeze to come through the tunnel! There was also another tunnel that went to a observation platform that got you pretty close to the front of horseshoe falls. They gave you ponchos but you really didn't need them unless you were just really careless on the observation platform. All in all, it was a neat experience and we would recommend it.
By the time we got done with Journey Behind the Falls and the gift shop it was 11 ish, so the experience and the gift shop took around an hour or a little under. We ventured outside which was right at the top of horseshoe falls but the mist / rain was too much. We retreated back inside and got our favorite drink when in Canada, London Foggs to warm up. We attempted to wait the rain out until 11:45 ish before we just went for it. Turns out, the rain was just mist from the falls. The wind was taking it right to Table Rock and we thought it was rain the entire time… it became a joke all trip.
We walked down the river and enjoyed the sites with our next goal of doing the Whistle Blower. Whistle Blower is the Canadian version of Maid of the Mist which is on the American side. Both boats take people up the river from their launch point and into the middle of Horseshoe Falls. At the time of the year we went, it was not extremely crowded and we didn't have to wait for a boat. Do note that Whistle Blower has two boats running this time of year and I believe up to four boats at the peak times of the summer. Maid of the Mist on the American side only had one boat running and I am not sure if more join the circuit during the peak season. I was timid about getting wet but they do provide ponchos and we do recommend wearing them. We stood on the very front of the boat and let the solid railing help keep our pants and shoes dry. This worked all right but our hands were freezing by the end (it was early May after all). Most of the people on the boat chose to go up to the second deck but didn't venture up there as we were told you do get more wet up there. Our views from the front of the boat were spectacular and again, we would recommending do this for those in the area.
We walked down the river and enjoyed the sites with our next goal of doing the Whistle Blower. Whistle Blower is the Canadian version of Maid of the Mist which is on the American side. Both boats take people up the river from their launch point and into the middle of Horseshoe Falls. At the time of the year we went, it was not extremely crowded and we didn't have to wait for a boat. Do note that Whistle Blower has two boats running this time of year and I believe up to four boats at the peak times of the summer. Maid of the Mist on the American side only had one boat running and I am not sure if more join the circuit during the peak season. I was timid about getting wet but they do provide ponchos and we do recommend wearing them. We stood on the very front of the boat and let the solid railing help keep our pants and shoes dry. This worked all right but our hands were freezing by the end (it was early May after all). Most of the people on the boat chose to go up to the second deck but didn't venture up there as we were told you do get more wet up there. Our views from the front of the boat were spectacular and again, we would recommending do this for those in the area.
It was now 1:00 when we got done with Whistle Blower. On the walk backed to Table Rock and the car, we took in the sites of the sidewalk by the Niagara River. It was overcast but the clouds were starting to lift and we got great views of all three falls that make up Niagara Falls. At Table Rock, we grabbed a bite for lunch; chicken nuggets and a Canadian favorite of poutine. We were back at the car by 2:00 and headed to the Airbnb to change to hit some wine tours.
After we changed, we had been noticing a scenic overlook on the escarpment near our airbnb. It was now sunny out so we decided to stop by take in the view of the Niagara River!
We then headed toward Niagara on the Lake and our first stop was the Riverview Cellars Winery. It was a pretty property but a quiet setting. Not bad but not our favorite of the day. They had a rose that was more red forward that I liked. The area in general is known more for their white wines as well as the region specialty of ice wine. As we drink red wine primary, most of our comments are based on that.
Next we hit Reif Estate Winery and enjoyed it immensely. It was probably our favorite of the trip. Not only was the wine excellent but the lady working the bar was awesome. We had an excellent time visiting with her. We got a reserve flight to split and got three red wines in it. I then admitted that I had never tried an ice wine before. Ice wine is a wine the area is known for when the grapes are picked below freezing and processed still frozen. This makes for a very sweet wine. So she then poured me their ice wine. She then let Emily try their liquor and then added Champaign to the liquor twice. We ended up buying a bottle of one of their reserve reds and a half bottle of the ice wine. We really did enjoy their wine, enough that I kept asking if we could go back and buy another bottle to carry home, but the experience at the wine bar was second to none to boot.
Next, at 4 ish, we tried to go to Pellers but they didn’t have any more tours today and that was our goal. We booked a 3pm tour for the next day. We then headed to Bella Terra. On the way, Emily figured out that Peller charged us for three tours instead of two so we turned out and headed back to get that straight. We got to Bella terra at 5:30 or so. A little close to their 6 closing but we still got a tasting in. The guy serving us was the owners son and pretty good. We ended up getting a bottle of their red blend. Bella Terra was a nice lower key winery with some good red wine. We would recommend a visit!
We then headed toward Niagara on the Lake and our first stop was the Riverview Cellars Winery. It was a pretty property but a quiet setting. Not bad but not our favorite of the day. They had a rose that was more red forward that I liked. The area in general is known more for their white wines as well as the region specialty of ice wine. As we drink red wine primary, most of our comments are based on that.
Next we hit Reif Estate Winery and enjoyed it immensely. It was probably our favorite of the trip. Not only was the wine excellent but the lady working the bar was awesome. We had an excellent time visiting with her. We got a reserve flight to split and got three red wines in it. I then admitted that I had never tried an ice wine before. Ice wine is a wine the area is known for when the grapes are picked below freezing and processed still frozen. This makes for a very sweet wine. So she then poured me their ice wine. She then let Emily try their liquor and then added Champaign to the liquor twice. We ended up buying a bottle of one of their reserve reds and a half bottle of the ice wine. We really did enjoy their wine, enough that I kept asking if we could go back and buy another bottle to carry home, but the experience at the wine bar was second to none to boot.
Next, at 4 ish, we tried to go to Pellers but they didn’t have any more tours today and that was our goal. We booked a 3pm tour for the next day. We then headed to Bella Terra. On the way, Emily figured out that Peller charged us for three tours instead of two so we turned out and headed back to get that straight. We got to Bella terra at 5:30 or so. A little close to their 6 closing but we still got a tasting in. The guy serving us was the owners son and pretty good. We ended up getting a bottle of their red blend. Bella Terra was a nice lower key winery with some good red wine. We would recommend a visit!
We left just before 6 and went to Niagara on the Lake to have sushi. We kept getting told to go to Masaki Sushi and it won't disappoint. We are from Houston, Tx which is a foodie town so we normally not overly impressed with places but we were here. It was some truly good sushi and in the small tourist town of Niagara on the Lake of all places. Truly some of the best for the price! We had geyoza, two rolls and a beef and rice hot bowl!
Upon leaving dinner at 7:15, we considered calling it a night but wanted to see the falls lit up at night so back to Niagara Falls we went. Each night, they light up the falls with banks of LED lights to create an amazing site. We ended up parking in lot B near the floral showcase and got to the falls just after 8:00. It took til 8:30 or so to really see the lights on the falls but we only bought parking through 8:50 (and didn't know how lenient they were on that). It was beautiful with it getting more and more so the later it got. We really wished we just would of bought another hour to stay even later. Though it was cold in early May! I did regret not having a tripod with me of any kind so I was forced to hand hold some shots or try to set the camera on the railing.
We got back to the airbnb by 9:30. Showered but didn’t get to sleep until 11. Very long but fantastic day!
Upon leaving dinner at 7:15, we considered calling it a night but wanted to see the falls lit up at night so back to Niagara Falls we went. Each night, they light up the falls with banks of LED lights to create an amazing site. We ended up parking in lot B near the floral showcase and got to the falls just after 8:00. It took til 8:30 or so to really see the lights on the falls but we only bought parking through 8:50 (and didn't know how lenient they were on that). It was beautiful with it getting more and more so the later it got. We really wished we just would of bought another hour to stay even later. Though it was cold in early May! I did regret not having a tripod with me of any kind so I was forced to hand hold some shots or try to set the camera on the railing.
We got back to the airbnb by 9:30. Showered but didn’t get to sleep until 11. Very long but fantastic day!
