When I told people that I’d be getting the Megabus to Niagara, they generally winced a little. It’s not the chic option, apparently, but in the absence of any ViaRail trains running on the line, with the GOTransit service running only at weekends, it was the only way to Niagara from Toronto on a Thursday. Thanks to @Monkeychopples for the tip. In the end it was absolutely fine. And cheap. I boarded from the new Bay Street Bus Terminal, where people checked that everyone was wearing their mask properly.  I’d paid a bit extra to buy the seat next to me and make sure I was socially distanced. Booking a few days ahead meant that I was able to choose the front seat on both the outward and then return journeys and drive the bus.

Niagara Falls Bus Terminal is about 4km away from the Fallsview strip, a collection of fugly casinos and mass market restaurants which, in my view, spoils this quiet and pretty wine-growing town. This is Canada, after all, and not its brasher neighbour to the south where, perhaps you’d expect it. 

I stayed at the Marriott on the Falls, rather than the Fallsview Marriott, where my confused taxi driver took me initially. It’s a common mistake, apparently.

The villages around looked quite wealthy – it’s a major wine-growing centre

It was a beautiful day and I went straight out to view the falls, which was just as well because the weather the following day was cloudy and dull. Although the afternoon was warm, I was glad of my hooded raincoat when I later ate an ice cream outside in the sunshine whilst simultaneously being pelted with spray from the falls.

The Journey behind the Falls attraction is a walk underneath and behind the Horsehoe Falls, and well worth doing. I learned that the Niagara River’s rate of flow over the Falls is controlled and that there are strict limits on extraction for the purposes of irrigation and electricity generation in the toi using season to make sure there’s something for tourists to see. 

I viewed the illuminations in the evening from my hotel room but they are probably best seen from further into town. 

Here are some more facts about the Falls. Enjoy the gallery!