2-day itinerary: Niagara Falls and Lake Erie

We wake up in Toronto and decide to go for brunch to get our strength back before exploring Niagara Falls.

We hire a car and set off for the town of Niagara Falls, in Canada. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and we discover the Niagara Falls, which are much more impressive in reality! There are three Niagara Falls:

• Horseshoe Falls or Canadian Falls: the largest and most photographed falls.
• American Falls: these 34-metre falls are in New York State, in the United States.
• Bridal Veil Falls: 55 metres high, also in the United States.

At 57 metres high, these falls are not the largest in the world. However, they are by far the most powerful and certainly the most impressive on the planet, due to their exceptional daily flow.

Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes were created when the ice melted after the Wisconsin Ice Age around 18,000 years ago. The lakes, valleys and rivers were carved out 12,500 years ago by a huge glacier that melted and moved.

When they were discovered by Europeans, the falls were privatised. Unscrupulous commercial practices took place on this exceptional site, without any controls. In the 1800s, faced with this threat to their natural heritage, the United States and Canada succeeded in buying back the land and founding the current national parks to ensure their preservation.

We opted for a free solution. We went to Queen Victoria Park and admired the falls for free. In the evening, they are beautifully lit up, which is quite splendid. Otherwise, you have a huge choice of ways to visit the falls. You can see the falls from boats, helicopters, bridges or even tunnels under the falls.

We leave Niagara Falls in the morning, heading south towards Lake Erie. To admire one of the 5 great lakes, we go to Turkey Point, a quiet little village on the north shore of the lake. The journey takes 2 hours and we follow the shores of Lake Erie.

Turkey Point Provincial park: peace and quiet after the hustle and bustle

We arrive at Turkey Point Provincial Park, where there is a beach and several cottages for rent along the lake. It's a place well known to tourists and locals alike for sports and adventure. We relax in this small, quiet family town, restful after the crowds of Niagara Falls.

Relaxing on the beaches of Lake Erie

Depending on the season, it may not be possible to take a dip in this Canadian lake. However, the scenery is remarkable and you can always dip your feet in after a moment's rest on the sand.

Hiking or cycling

The nature park is famous for its trails along the shores of the lake and in the surrounding hills. You can also go wild camping or pitch your tent on a pitch at one of the local campsites.