Journey Behind the Falls
Journey Behind the Falls
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- Joan&DennisLINYPatchogue, New York108 contributionsBest view of the Falls!Must see view from the edge of the Horseshoe falls and behind the falls. We’ll organized, wear your ponchos! The view from the edge is a must see, but the spray is insane! Fantastic angle of the falls going over below table rock. Also the cuts under the falls! Highly recommend.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 October 2023
- Courtney A4 contributionsWonderwalls? No, ThunderFalls!! Yay!Great experience! I had read about the tunnels being opened up to the public and we both though it was so cool! The sounds, the sight from observation decks, the lookouts right behind the falls had been made for Wishing!! We tossed in for our special wishes and they came true! We had an amazing trip thank you Niagra Falls for new experiences every time!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- 14jkcPittsburgh, Pennsylvania389 contributionsbetter than boat tripOur initial plan was to do Maid of the Mist, but I think this is better. It was really neat to walk through the tunnels and be behind and in front of the falls. It would be nice to have a guided tour with some history, but I don't think the space would support it. You can get some great pics on this tour. No need to go on a crowded boat.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- BetteWVCharleston, West Virginia292 contributionsDon’t miss this attraction!They WILL give you a poncho and you may get damp, but not really wet. It is worth a wait, if there is a queue, as you step up right under the falls, feeling the power and force. A unique way to see the falls, through man made tunnels. It is an experience!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 October 2023
- dbinhou7511Houston, Texas1,638 contributionsSee water from the other side!Interesting trip to go behind Niagara Falls and see the falls close up. A bit expensive and no narration. A few signs along the way to tell you about the construction of the tunnels. They do give you a poncho to help keep you dry.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 December 2023
- sheila270Toronto, Canada3,844 contributionsWorth seeing onceWe paid $49 for 6 things to do in Niagara Falls Wonder pass. Before going on the elevator the staff wants you to take a picture which later they want you to buy for $44. The employee gave us a poncho. We got to explore on our own. We walked down a tunnel to see the observation deck. It’s amazing to see. We saw two cut out windows showing the falls along the ways. It’s worth seeing at least once.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 December 2023
- ASBWolverhampton, United Kingdom61 contributionsWorth a quick visit for a different falls experienceIn around 20mins you can see behind the falls, hear the thunderous roaring (no wonder indigenous people traditionally thought the falls were home to a Thunder deity!) and just experience a completely different angle. In winter the outdoor observation deck is closed but it was still worth a quick visitVisited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 4 February 2024
- peter rSheffield, United Kingdom112 contributionsFeel the power.We recently did this tour and enjoyed it very much. We were lucky to go when it was very quiet and got to enjoy asgd spend as much time as we wanted. I can imagine that this would be chaotic when busy. To be able to feel and see the power of the falls, so close up was amazing. We thought this was fantastic value for money.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 February 2024
- Rachel & Andy393 contributionsCrowded but good views at the bottom of the Falls.We visited 26/05/2023. 'Journey Under the Falls' was okay but not what we thought, they put a lot of people down there all at once. It can be very crowded. You WILL get wet, put the poncho on over your bags. When you get down, there are two main tunnels (left and right). If you go right - there are 3 smaller tunnels to see behind the falls. There was a huge queue for one of the 3 tunnels, which we didn't realise was a hole in the wall exactly like the the two we had seen. There is definitely nothing down there worth queuing for. If you take the left main tunnel, it takes you outside for the views beneath the falls and you will get wet! Make sure you wear the ponchos!Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 April 2024
- Lisa TAlpharetta, Georgia76 contributionsGood, wet funVery nice experience. Easy for all levels. Is rather do this than the boat. Good to buy the couples 2 pack price. Photos for $45?. Come on. Maybe $10. That's crazy price for a souvenir photo. No one buys it for that. You'd get bulk at a better price point.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Richard White
Toronto, Canada2,321 contributions
Jul 2021
For years I have been trying to get back behind the falls and it was very much worth the wait!
When I arrived at Table Rock Point, I immediately went to the Journey Behind The Falls there would be a massive line like in previous years. I was surprised to see no line and immediately got in.
It was pleasant to see that there was no lines because in most years (pre-pandemic) the lines were prohibitive. In other years, it would be severely lined up with timed entry into the attraction.
Upon entering, there was no more than a 5 minute wait to get into the elevator and head down to the base of the falls along with our complimentary yellow poncho.
Once there, it was quite damp as to be expected. The walk to the portals and viewing platform was quite wet so do make sure to hold onto something if your shoes are without good traction.
The Cataract Portal was nice, it was directly behind the falls and from here you can really see the true power of the falls. The water is crashing into the tunnels and the water pools everywhere so watch your step!
You will get wet and do keep an eye out for people taking photos. You will encounter people standing there taking selfies by the falls.
Next up, head to the viewing portal for the true experience. On the lower level of the viewing portal you can stand right next to the falls. The mist is substantial so make sure anything that can be damaged by water is kept under wraps.
From the lower level of the viewing portal you can get the most incredible views that make any trip to Niagara Falls worth it.
The price was $53 for two adults and I was happy to pay more. It would have been worth it.
This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
When I arrived at Table Rock Point, I immediately went to the Journey Behind The Falls there would be a massive line like in previous years. I was surprised to see no line and immediately got in.
It was pleasant to see that there was no lines because in most years (pre-pandemic) the lines were prohibitive. In other years, it would be severely lined up with timed entry into the attraction.
Upon entering, there was no more than a 5 minute wait to get into the elevator and head down to the base of the falls along with our complimentary yellow poncho.
Once there, it was quite damp as to be expected. The walk to the portals and viewing platform was quite wet so do make sure to hold onto something if your shoes are without good traction.
The Cataract Portal was nice, it was directly behind the falls and from here you can really see the true power of the falls. The water is crashing into the tunnels and the water pools everywhere so watch your step!
You will get wet and do keep an eye out for people taking photos. You will encounter people standing there taking selfies by the falls.
Next up, head to the viewing portal for the true experience. On the lower level of the viewing portal you can stand right next to the falls. The mist is substantial so make sure anything that can be damaged by water is kept under wraps.
From the lower level of the viewing portal you can get the most incredible views that make any trip to Niagara Falls worth it.
The price was $53 for two adults and I was happy to pay more. It would have been worth it.
This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vadougie
Scotland, UK80 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
This is an excellent attraction which gives an opportunity to experience the raw power of nature first hand.
The vantage points beneath the falls are impressive.
Unfortunately an equally lasting memory is the time spent queuing unnecessarily. We bought tickets online which on other attractions means you proceed straight to entry and have a QR code scanned. Simple.
Here, you queue in the general queue to redeem for tickets, although those who have prebooked could be hanfled quickly everyone is together. After at least an hour you join another queue to enter behind the falls. This queue has no barriers and is littered with people waiting for family who are in the other queue. Then follows a queue for ponchos and photos.
As i say its good, but if on a timescale other attractions manage the queues well and this would be one to miss
The vantage points beneath the falls are impressive.
Unfortunately an equally lasting memory is the time spent queuing unnecessarily. We bought tickets online which on other attractions means you proceed straight to entry and have a QR code scanned. Simple.
Here, you queue in the general queue to redeem for tickets, although those who have prebooked could be hanfled quickly everyone is together. After at least an hour you join another queue to enter behind the falls. This queue has no barriers and is littered with people waiting for family who are in the other queue. Then follows a queue for ponchos and photos.
As i say its good, but if on a timescale other attractions manage the queues well and this would be one to miss
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doctorfoxtrot
Taguig City, Philippines13,164 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The closure of the observation deck during winter time serves as a drag and turns out to be anti climactic. Just go through the tunnels and have some history taking and review. Appreciate somehow the power of the falls. But for me , the unavailability of key areas led to a waste of time and money .
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bk19
Toronto, Canada165 contributions
Dec 2021
Went with the family recently and was a little underwhelmed. As the temps were cold in Dec, they closed the lower observation deck access and only allowed from the smaller observation deck on top level.
The higher observation deck needs a little reno as the concrete walls seems to be in rough shape. I understand that the constant water from the falls can make it hard to stay dry.
The behind the falls part had 2 small tunnels....to show the water. It was not busy when we went in DEC, but could imagine the line ups in small tunnel in summer or when Covid restrictions are lifted fully.
While, the view gave a little different perspective of the falls in terms of photo ops, not sure I would wait and pay the $fees charged when the Covid restrictions are eventually lifted
The higher observation deck needs a little reno as the concrete walls seems to be in rough shape. I understand that the constant water from the falls can make it hard to stay dry.
The behind the falls part had 2 small tunnels....to show the water. It was not busy when we went in DEC, but could imagine the line ups in small tunnel in summer or when Covid restrictions are lifted fully.
While, the view gave a little different perspective of the falls in terms of photo ops, not sure I would wait and pay the $fees charged when the Covid restrictions are eventually lifted
Written 23 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason G
66 contributions
Aug 2022
Even though we purchased tickets online for Journey Behind the Falls, we still had to wait in the long ticket line to have the barcode on our email scanned and exchanged for paper tickets.
Elevators then took us 185 feet down to the tunnels behind Niagara Falls. The tunnels were hot and humid and packed with people. We stood in line for about 45 minutes before we saw the first "window" behind the falls. It was OK. There were more observations further down the tunnel, but we just didn't want to wait in line any longer.
In my opinion, the best part of the Journey Behind the Falls experience was the observation deck yards away from the waterfall. We got some beautiful photos.
If you can only choose Journey Behind the Falls or the Niagara City Cruise, definitely choose the cruise. Given how crowded Journey Behind the Falls was on a Wednesday morning, I think our experience would have been even worse on a summer weekend when it must be packed shoulder to shoulder.
Elevators then took us 185 feet down to the tunnels behind Niagara Falls. The tunnels were hot and humid and packed with people. We stood in line for about 45 minutes before we saw the first "window" behind the falls. It was OK. There were more observations further down the tunnel, but we just didn't want to wait in line any longer.
In my opinion, the best part of the Journey Behind the Falls experience was the observation deck yards away from the waterfall. We got some beautiful photos.
If you can only choose Journey Behind the Falls or the Niagara City Cruise, definitely choose the cruise. Given how crowded Journey Behind the Falls was on a Wednesday morning, I think our experience would have been even worse on a summer weekend when it must be packed shoulder to shoulder.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karri D
Fort Wayne, IN28 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
I would suggest just doing Maid of the Mist instead. We went at 1:00 pm on a Wednesday. Parking was very difficult to find and we ended up in an overflow lot (which was still $30) and had to walk a good 15 minutes to get to the building. I don’t mind walking for a good experience, but overall we spent almost 2 hours walking to and waiting in line for about 10 total minutes of viewing the attraction. Unfortunately you can’t actually see anything from the portals behind the falls, it’s just a wall of flowing water at the end of a long tunnel. The line took forever because everyone was just taking pictures at the front of the line. The observation deck was cool as it is very close to the falls, but overall we didn’t think it was worth $24 pp plus $30 parking and 2 hours of mostly waiting in line.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Backpacker59
Crawley, UK122 contributions
Jun 2022
We were given the Journey Behind the Falls as a substitute for the Hornblower boat right that they just decided not to run. I was excited to get up close to the falls but this was super underwhelming and disappointing. There are two little holes/caves behind the falls you can walk up to. The water rushes past in front of these holes but you can't see anything and you can't get that close. There are huge queues and crowds trying to get a picture. There is an outside area you can go out on to take pictures. This is where you get wet from the spray of the falls. This part is much cooler, but it still very crowded and you'll only spend a few minutes there getting a photo. Overall it's absolutely not worth the money, there is little to see, you spend very little time actually enjoying it and a lot of time queueing to get the lift up/down. I got much better pictures of the falls from the road.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle S
3 contributions
Dec 2020
Went December 2020 on a Friday, the place was empty and it was really cool to have a tourist destination all to ourselves. I think we only saw one other group in the tunnels behind the falls. The experience was neat, I do think it's a must-see if you're going to Niagra Falls, but I have one major issue with the experience. They take a souvenir photo and offer to sell it to you for $40 (which is outrageous, but whatever, the photo and price don't bother me) it's the fact that they PRINT the photos (x2 large photos) just to show them to you and then they just toss them out if you decline to buy them. That strikes me as incredibly wasteful and left me feeling disappointed in an otherwise great experience. So gross and wasteful, they could easily be shown on a screen, or if you're going to go through the trouble of printing them they should just give them to you as a souvenir.
Written 11 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CraigandBeckie
Walden, NY12 contributions
Jan 2020
This tour was one of the highlights of our visit. The pure power of the falls is experienced from behind the curtain of water. It is unbelievable. A must see. The sound is so full of power. I would love to visit each season to see the different types of beauty offered.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter d
Toronto, Canada1,558 contributions
Feb 2020
The view from the observation plaza is fabulous. In winter the outside deck is closed - but you still get great views from the building with open windows. Be prepared to get splashed at times with water from the falls - but it was a lot of fun and the photos taken there are outstanding
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has this tour been effected. By the air quality? I’m due to travel in a week and half.
Written 8 June 2023
As of today, the air quality is at 3 ("low risk"). I don't think the venue itself is a problem. It's the long lineups upstairs for tickets and downstairs for the elevator. If we're talking 10+ ("extreme") like early last week, then I might be concerned. Just bring along an N95 mask and keep a eye on Environment Canada, just in case things go smoky again.
Written 12 June 2023
My mum is 83 and not great at walking long distances. Can we hire a wheelchair? How long is the walk? Are there seats to rest on?
Written 3 June 2023
I did not see one using wheelchair. You may have to enquire at the counter. The walk is not very difficult and hence does not have any place to sit on the way. You csn view the amazing fall from the upper deck and avoid going to the lower deck, which requires you to climb down some steps.
Written 5 June 2023
Should I pre purchase my tickets for Journey Behind The Falls to avoid the ticket line and get right in line for when it opens at 10 am?
Written 27 March 2023
I'm of the opinion that the more venues for which you can pre-purchase tickets, the better. Most places during the high season are crowded and I suspect that people start lining up somewhat before the open. Pre-purchasing means you can skip about 50% of the wait time. The only real downsides to pre-purchasing is that you can't do things on the spur of the moment and if it's a weather dependent thing (like the helo ride), then the weather may not co-operate...
Written 9 April 2023
Is there any luggage storage option at the reception or around?
Written 23 March 2023
We didn't see any. We just left our luggage at the motel. They held it even after we checked out.
Written 8 April 2023
Yes there is a large car park
Written 22 February 2020
If you arrive right at opening is there a wait?
Written 18 July 2019
Preparing to be there right at opening should be little to no wait. Enjoy it!
Written 19 July 2019
If we are buying the pass that lets us go on the hornblower cruise and also do journey behind the falls, which should we go to first? Also are they at the same location? Or do we have to take a bus back-and-forth between the two?
Written 12 July 2019
First do the boat. The falls have a lengthy line and usually a time assigned.
Both attractions are about 1km apart from each other. I recommended walk and enjoy the view.
Written 22 July 2019
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