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Journey Behind the Falls
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for Journey Behind the Falls
23 reviews in English
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Review from Robin L.
8/21/2011
You can't visit Niagara Falls without doing the Journey Behind the Falls! It's the closest you can get to the Horseshoe Falls. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera for pictures! Anything else will get soaked & be ruined.
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Review from Cat C.
8/2/2011
It was amazing, and the only reason it's not 5 stars is because it's a little disappointing, besides the observation decks. The portholes were not nearly as awesome as I'd hoped they'd be (they take you literally right behind the falls, but it's not very large and you can't see anything anyway).
The observation decks, though. Whew! That's the area where you definitely need your poncho. You're right next to the falls, and getting splashed with all sorts of mist. It's loud, just as loud as it is in the tunnels under the falls. It's epic. -
Review from Wang Treecy E.
8/12/2011
This was a good experience, I came here last June so I don't remember much. All I remember is walking through tunnels which kind of creeped me out. There were a lot of history signs (which I'm not interested in) but my boyfriend enjoyed it.
There is this dock where you get to see the waterfall. Lucky us, we came at such a great time, we saw a gigantic rainbow! It was a miracle! That was the only great part.
Oh remember to write/scratch on the big wall of rock on the dock to the left with another rock for good luck! My boyfriend and I wrote W (heart) T, If you still see it there let me know! -
Review from Monica M.
10/12/2011
This tour was absolutely terrible! There are two "holes" that you can see out of. It took us a total of 10 minutes to complete the tour. Not worth the wait and definitely not worth the money.
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Review from Alena B.
6/2/2011
This is nice but it's kind of the geriatric way to see the falls. It is somewhat of a backstage pass and if you aren't into the Maid of the Mist wetness nor the slickery boardwalk that is the Cave of Winds this might be a good option for you. You can get pretty wet here and the nocho that they give you is seriously a must...I don't know how we kept so dry considering how wet that poncho was.
I didn't find the caves and portals that exciting personally. You can get a better view of the falls from the topside than from them but the main platform is pretty cool. I'd definitely recommend the Maid of the Mist or the Cave of Winds more if you are into that kind of extreme experience, but if you are a little older...have kids that are a bit younger or just plain don't feel like working for the view this is the way to go. -
Review from Matthew A.
9/22/2010
Not as exciting as the Maid of the Mist, but still fun. The observation deck is the best part.
Note of Advice: Wear your poncho!! You will get wet on this tour.
The deck is like being in the worst hurricane ever experienced.
The roar of the falls is deafening. The wind, the spray, the FURY is awesome.
The caves and portals are not as exciting. A letdown compared to the deck. 2 portals take you out behind the falls. You see white water and a lot of it, violently thrashing down in front of you. Many of the portals have water damage and some cement is missing. You wonder how they will repair it and if it really is indeed safe.
Also too many people in the WAY! Move PEOPLE! (Close Quarters) -
Review from Andy C.
4/5/2011
I've done the Journey a few times. My most recent time there was the very first weekend in April when it was still quite chilly, so take my three star review with this grain of salt.
Location: 4 out of 5
When you get to Niagara Falls, one of the things that you'll be inevitably sucked into doing is going to the Table Rock Welcome Center. In that center, there are a variety of restaurants (Tim Hortons, Elements, etc.), souvenir and trinket shops, and of course, attractions. The two main ones that you can access via the welcome center are Journey Behind the Falls and The Fury or Niagara Fury or something like that.
Price: 3 out of 5
Well - when I went that first weekend in April, the current special was 25 CAD for 3 attractions: Journey, Fury, and the Butterfly/Botanical Gardens. I don't think any of the tickets have expiration dates, which can be useful if you live close by. I had driven past the Botanical Gardens earlier that day, and didn't think it would be worth it to drive back. Considering that we did two attractions, we still got a break with the package price. Not a big one (1 - 2 CAD each), but it was still something. And if I'm ever up there again, I can check out the gardens when the weather is nicer.
Quality of Attraction Amenities: 2.5 out of 5
Sigh...too bad that there was still snow on the ground. The lower plaza where you can actually go to walk around the falls was closed. Instead, there were three "portals" open. There are two off to the right that weren't worth seeing given the ice, and the main portal was nice, but the park district is doing some extensive remodeling, so it sort of looks like a clusterf*cks down there right now. The good news was that because it was April, it wasn't crowded at all!
Quality of Falls: 5 out of 5
Still love the Falls. Yes, the area is a huge tourist trap now. Yes, there are lots of theme parks, overpriced parking lots, fast food, "elegant food", casinos, themed restaurants, etc. etc. etc. but if you can just ignore that for a few moments, you'll realize that indeed - the Falls are quite beautiful. It's not a quiet beauty like you would get at a slow waterfalls...it's a POWERFUL beauty where all you can hear is the sound of the water rushing past.
Ease of Navigation: 2.5 out of 5
As others have alluded to, you can get your package tickets in the main welcome center, and then you follow a series of escalators and walkways until you get to the actual attraction ticket office. Walk straight in if you have the ticket already, and you'll be taken through a set of staircases, and then to a final elevator that takes you to the tunnels. I would suppose that if one were unfamiliar with how things were laid out, or if one had difficulties following minimalist signage, it could be a problem.
Customer Service: 3 out of 5
Fine. No one was pushy, aggressive, or "mean." They were nice enough, but not overbearing. Not entirely "helpful", but it's not like you really need help to walk around back there during this time of the year. I think that if my memory serves me correct - when the lower plaza is open, it's helpful to have people out there helping out in case people fall down.
Overall: 3 out of 5 in the early spring.
Would probably be better in the summer months, but still worth a look in the spring, even with snow on the ground. -
Review from Catherine H.
9/16/2011
Of everything we did in Niagara Falls, this is the one thing I think I'd skip next time around. For the price, it's just not worth it. You walk through a damp tunnel and look out through an opening blasted in the rock - at water. There isn't much to actually see. The observation deck is the only thing that saves this from a 2 star review. You're very close to the Falls, and you WILL get wet (even in that delightful poncho). The floors are really slippery, so this isn't for people with mobility difficulties.
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Review from Jennifer P.
6/17/2010
This was well worth the experience. The actual "behind the falls" is quite silly because it's just a mess of mist and white. The area where you can walk out, sort of beside the falls, rather than behind them, is an excellent close up view though!
I suggest wearing a baseball cap (esp. for the ladies), it makes your poncho hood stay on easier.Listed in: The 7 Wonders of Niagara Falls
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Review from Tony B.
7/12/2010
Well worth doing and it is included with the adventurer pass.
As everyone has said there is a great view of the falls from the viewing platform. -
Review from Denis S.
9/13/2009
I would definitely recommend skipping this attraction. You go underground and into three different tunnels that take you close to an opening where you can see the waterfall about halfway down. It sounds much more exciting than it is. When you're in that tunnel, all you see is a wall of white water. That's it...
The only redeeming quality is that you get to go out into an opening and have a better view of the waterfall. However, there are plenty of views of the falls without this attraction, so even that doesn't make it worth it in the end.Listed in: My Trip to Canada
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Review from Beck N.
9/2/2008 2 photos
While this attraction is on the must-see list of most people visiting Niagara Falls, it doesn't live up to its hype. First, we waited in line to purchase timed tickets -- for 2 hours later. Then, we waited in about a 30 minute wait once we arrived at our time.
Basically, you go down an elevator to be next to the Falls... there is a tunnel that you walk through to see behind the falls. It's not a hugely impressive sight since basically all you can see is rushing water, but it's alright. Just then, when you think you've just paid $12 for a tunnel of nothingness, there is a set of stairs you can descend to get even closer to the Falls. This part is a bit more exciting & great for taking photos of the Falls up close (as close as you can with all of the mist)....
Generally, I was unimpressed & wil not return, but had to check it out because of all the hype. -
Review from Greshka P.
11/24/2009
This should be on everyone's list when planning to visit the falls.
It takes you through some small tunnels to see "behind the falls". Ont the walls you will be able to read part of the history of the falls, and other facts on how all this was created.
The best part is when, still down in the tunnels, you are able to get outside and get a closer look at the Canadian falls.
It's an amazing view and experience.
Great spot to take pictures and admire nature.Listed in: Let's go to..., Oh Canada...
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Review from Jocelyn G.
2/26/2009
This is one of the only attractions open during the winter that allows you to get as close to the falls as possible. Because the lower section is frozen in the winter, you get a bit of a discount on your ticket. After buying your ticket, you are taken down in an elevator by an employee who describes how far down you are going and the set up of the viewing areas.
The top observation deck is enclosed on the sides with square holes looking out onto the falls and open in the front. I'm assuming on clear days, its quite an impressive view, but since it was snowing/raining/misting when we were there, we didn't see too much in the front. The icicles were awesome, though. Then, you can go to two different portals to look out onto the rushing water...or in our case, the frozen snow. Huge stones of ice and some pretty cool ice formations are blocking the portals and probably won't unfreeze till May or so.
Nice way to spend some time. When you finish up, you get to view the picture that they took of you "in front" of the falls. Ours was ruined since it was a summer scene and we had on wool hats, mittens, and heavy jackets. -
Review from Julie R.
2/18/2011
Sorry not a big fan only because I was almost running the entire time afraid that the falls were going to collapse on me. Of course I had to try it out because it was included in my handy activity package but I probably won't do it again. Gotta love the yellow panchos. So basically the tour includes you walking behind the falls meaning in the dripping cold tunnels they have build behind the falls in the rocks until you get to this observation deck. That part is pretty cool, because you are literally right by the falls (closer than the maid of the mist) but aside from that, the rest just has some random information pieces posted along the walls and it honestly is so loud in there that it feels like it will collapse on you. but.. worth a shot if its in your package.
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Review from Julie D.
11/14/2010
Okay, it's a little creepy back there..... Not the most exciting tour, but it's still interesting enough.
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Review from Tina D.
10/25/2010
This is worth doing! It is a lot of fun walking in the tunnels that go behind the falls, but it can get pretty crowded, so get there early! The signs to find the entrance are horrible, but it is in the welcome center on the bottom level. Even though you may have already purchased your tickets, you have to go in through the entry for ticket sales. You'll probably only be down there for 10 minutes, and you may get a little wet.
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Review from Angry A.
8/7/2010 2 photos
I'm not sure who said it, but life's a journey baby, so when you are in Niagara Falls pony up the cash, wrap yourself in a yellow garbage bag and start your mystical trip down some worn stairs and into a slippery dark tunnel with 100% humidity for a 2 second view of a lot of water. Yes, the "behind the falls" tunnels are more than a little odd (how do we KNOW we are behind the falls and not in an elaborate hoax), but the exterior viewing platform is cool and you can stay as long as you can stand it (or your wife will let you). Get and line and enjoy.
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Review from Austen T.
8/22/2010
I didn't find the Journey Behind the Falls to be all that entertaining. Granted, Niagara Falls is a bit lacking in legitimately interesting activities, so this might be something I'd suggest merely because of the lack of options. All you do is wait in a long line, walk through some tunnels underneath the falls, and look out a couple small openings at some water rushing by. The novelty is of being close to the fall, but really, the better views are to be had from the top and in the Maid of the Mist.
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Review from Steve G.
5/18/2009
A nice alternative to the Maid of the Mist boat tour. For $13.13 CAD, you can travel down below ground to get very close to the Falls. Be prepared to get wet because it is windy and you'll get splashed from all the mist. Unfortunately, the portals leave much to be desired. While it's impressive to hear and see the power of the water falling, you can't see much else.
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Review from Inigo M.
9/12/2010
The "portals" behind the water all looked the same-- white, loud, and underwhelming. The observation deck outside, near the water, was fun and different from the Maid of the Mist ride because you're much closer to the falls.
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Review from Dan E.
7/24/2010
This is one of those tours everyone should try at least once. I wouldn't do it again but I'm glad I went.
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Review from Liza M.
7/30/2009
this was pretty cool. walking through the tunnels and looking behind the cascade of water.
