Mappin' Monday - Niagara Falls

This week, on Mappin' Monday, Bucketers presents Niagara Falls, USA side.

We found ourselves going to Niagara Falls during winter in Covid. This was a risky move that did not pay off for us. We took Amtrak from Albany. We bought first class seats one way, and coach the other. The way up was uneventful. The whole trip took about 8 hours.

Pros: No driving meant plenty of down time and chilling.

Cons: The food was abysmal.

In Niagara, we stayed at the Seneca Hotel and Casino. One of the risks that didn't pay off for us was going in the winter- it was bitter cold, but thankfully not snowing while we were there. The rooms were clean, but the hotel layout was a little wacky. You had to cross the casino back and forth every time we needed anything, which got annoying by the end of the third day.

Outdoors, the buildings on the American side were run down, and due to Covid restrictions, we couldn't cross into Canada the day we were there- things were still a little spotty at that time. We walked around quite a bit and did go visit the falls in the Niagara Falls State Park which was lovely, but again, lots of areas were closed while we were there. We looked longingly at the other side and decided we will be returning and staying in Canada, where it was bustling and the buildings weren't in shambles next time!

Pros: The falls were unbelievably beautiful. We stood there and stared as long as we could before hypothermia set in.

Cons: The American side had very little as far as food and public

transportation. Uber was our only option and took over 40 minutes!

Amtrak home was, lets say interesting, with a delay being announced over the speaker when we were in nowhere upstate NY, and the bar cart immediately was emptied out by passengers who were not going to wait out the 5 hour delay sober  #truestory We had no cell service most of the way and the wifi didn't work. Long day home.

Will we go back? Yes. Did we love the falls? Yes. Was the American side disappointing? Kinda. Would I go in December again? Absolutely not. Would I take the train again? Only if I was in a gambling mood!

One thing is for sure, though, we crossed it off our bucket list!

If you want to cross this spot off your bucket list as well, send us a message today and we will get you started!