It was our second day in Canada, and we planned to go to Niagara Falls on a day trip through Air Links Travel. I was very excited to see the mighty Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.
We had our breakfast at the hotel restaurant and took a cab to Bay Street, which was the pickup point for our day tour to the falls. I observed that most of the cab drivers in Canada were Pakistanis and were very polished and well-mannered.
As we went quite early and our pickup time was at 10.30 am, we decided to cross the road and have a look at the harbour.
Bay Street is Toronto's primary north-south financial and media hub and houses the headquarters of Canada’s major banks and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Originally named "Bear Street" due to frequent bear sightings in early Toronto, the street was renamed in 1797, after it was extended to connect to a bay at the Toronto Harbour.
We stepped into Harbour Square Park, which was on the Toronto harbor. It is next to the Harbour Square condos, the Jack Layton Terminal, and the Westin Harbour Castle.
The park was opened as part of a planned 85 million dollar waterfront project started in 1964, and was completed in the early 1970s at 250 million dollars.
The park was very pleasant, filled with huge trees and long stretches of green lawns with a waterfront boardwalk. Located next to the Jack Layton Ferry Docks and on the shores of Lake Ontario, Harbour Square Park offers downtown folks a spot to sit and watch the ferries travel back and forth to Toronto Island.
We felt very serene sitting on the benches and had beautiful views of the downtown skyline.
There was a life-sized bronze statue of an old man, depicting the beloved former NDP leader and ardent cyclist Jack Layton riding a tandem bike. The piece is affectionately called "Jack's Got Your Back" and was created by artist David Pellettier. It featured an empty front seat where visitors are encouraged to hop on and take photos.
There was a Sundial Folly, a bisected, hovering concrete orb located in a reflection pool in Harbour Square Park West.
At 10.30 am, the bus arrived, and it looked very small, but once we climbed inside and got seated, we felt comfortable.
Our guide for the trip was one Mr Haroon, who was very efficient and helpful, he greeted all of us, briefed us about the tour, and explained the timelines to be followed.
The total travel time was about an hour and forty-five minutes from Toronto.
Our first stop was at Niagara Whirlpool for a quick restroom break and to stretch our legs. This is a spot where all the tourists stop to have a beautiful preview of the Niagara Falls ahead.
The Whirlpool Rapids Lookout points on the viewing platform and surrounding Whirlpool Gorge area offer views of some of the most intense, dangerous water channels in the world from 250 feet above the water, which rushes through the narrow channel at 48 km per hour.
The name "whirlpool" arose because, located about 4 kilometers north of the main falls along the Niagara Parkway, the river drops 15.8 meters in a short stretch, creating massive 3-to-5-meter standing waves and a violent counter-clockwise vortex.
Rapids are rated as Class VI Rapids, which is the highest possible danger rating and the water completely is un-navigable.
However, those who have time and energy, can take an elevator 70 meters down through the Cliffside to a quarter-mile wooden boardwalk right at the river's edge.
We saw the Whirlpool Aero Car, an antique cable car suspended directly over the swirling center of the vortex. It was traveling through the air between two points on the Canadian side, crossing the US border line four times along the way. I wanted to go in it, but the queue was too long, and we were on a tour.
Just a 5-minute drive from the falls, we came to the 20,000-square-foot Canadian-themed Maple Leaf Place. It had welcome signs designed specifically for tourists to park and take a landmark photo easily.
The admission was free, and it included a tour and tasting at a real maple factory, an expansive souvenir gift shop, and an art and culture section featuring local Canadian artists.
Giant Canadian Icon Statues, like oversized outdoor and indoor figures, including a massive Moose statue and Mountie icons, were scattered throughout the place.
Our group was welcomed and taken to a rustic barn-like setup, and sleek flight boards with small sampling cups of golden, amber, and dark syrups were offered.
The maple syrup experience was an exciting journey into one of Canada’s most iconic traditions.
We discovered the history of maple syrup, watched the fascinating process of production, and tasted a variety of pure and infused syrups.
From learning how sap is transformed into liquid gold to experiencing the rich flavours that make maple so special, this hands-on adventure blends education, storytelling, and indulgence.
The place also offered a chocolate factory experience with a fun and creative look into the art of artisanal chocolate making.
From the viewing area, where massive factory windows allowed us to watch the precise process of crafting premium treats, we saw firsthand how chocolate is transformed into edible art. We also enjoyed a guided tasting of gourmet chocolates and unique confections.
Those who were hungry could step onto the outdoor patio and enjoy some of Niagara’s best wines, beers, and spirits under the shade of a giant canoe that was right across the street from the roaring Niagara River.
The "Over the Fall" illusion station was a playful backdrop where we could pose and pretend that we were plunging over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
A glittering, artistic tree installation was in the main showroom area, and there were plenty of souvenirs for tourists to take back home.
Our next step was Niagara Falls, Hurray! At last, we were about to finally see them.
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