Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation

Family Trip to Niagara Falls with Trendhim & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #234

I promised last week this post was coming after I shared the first day of our family weekend trip to Buffalo, New York, to experience Jurassic Quest. The following day, we had a leisurely morning, waking when we pleased, enjoying breakfast at the hotel, and then we packed up, checked out, and headed to Niagara Falls which was about a 20 minute drive from the hotel.

Jeff and the boys were so excited about seeing the falls. None of them had ever witnessed the magnitude of this natural wonder of the world. I was very excited to be with them to witness their reactions to the astounding beauty of what we were going to see.

Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation

I had gone to Niagara Falls about 13 years ago on a solo trip to see Beth Hart in concert. The show venue was about 40 minutes from Niagara Falls so I added a day of tourism into that concert weekend. It was the most amazing trip for me, especially going solo, but I ended up touring all around the falls for the day with a kind family from India who sort of adopted me as a travel partner. Their three young children adored me and I think the parents welcomed my helping hand as we navigated our way through the very slippery Cave of the Winds.

We missed out on the Cave of the Winds this time, however, because a certain child of mine apparently got too tired to do another thing, making it very frustrating to carry on. But we will leave that one alone for the time being and focus on the good parts.

As soon as we arrived at Niagara Falls, it took a bit to find parking because the place was flooded with tourists. I really hadn’t anticipated such huge crowds this year. Maybe they weren’t even huge crowds by Niagara standards, but I haven’t gone very many places around people in quite some time so they sure did feel like huge crowds. We decided to do the Maid of the Mist boat tour right away and I am glad we did because the child meltdown happened shortly after the boat road. The Maid of the Mist takes you right into the center of the falls where you can feel the power of 600,000 gallons of water falling per second.

Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation, Trendhim backpack
To the ticket booth!
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Heading up to the observation deck. I have no photos from up there because I am so terribly afraid of heights that I can’t even look out from that height without getting tunnel vision and shaking.
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Geared up in rain ponchos!
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Waiting in line to get on board the Maid of the Mist.

As the boat goes further into the falls, the winds and the blowing mist are so intense that you feel compelled to shield your face which makes viewing the falls rather difficult. They are much better viewed from above or further away, but the experience of all that mist in your face is pretty incredible. It makes you realize just how small and powerless we humans are compared the magnificent powers of nature.

Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Oh hello! There are our Canadian neighbors! It is customary for everyone to wave at each other.
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation

Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation
Niagara Falls Road Trip, Shelbee on the Edge, family vacation

It really is an amazing thing to witness in real life. I am hoping that the next time we get the opportunity to explore more of the tourist experiences in and around Niagara Falls.

We took advantage of this opportunity to break in Jeff’s new Lemont Green Foldable Backpack from Trendhim. We women are always talking about feeling and looking our best in our clothing and making a statement with our personal style choices, but I think we often forget that men also want to share their stories through their personal style choices as well. Trendhim wants to help every man tell his story. And they do this with their extensive collection of quality men’s accessories which are offered at very affordable prices suitable to most budgets. They currently carry 13 different brands in men’s accessories and add several new collections each year so they are always keeping abreast of the current trends for men.

Trendhim was founded in 2007 by two high school students in Denmark, Sebastian and Mikkel, who were young, energetic, and naive enough to run with their idea. They began with two ideas for a start up company, a bread delivery company or an online shop for men’s accessories. Deciding that waking up at 4:00 a.m. to bake the bread was not really for them, Trendhim was born. It really is a fascinating story about two young men refusing to fail regardless of all the risk warnings offered by friends and family.

When Trendhim reached out to me for a collaboration, I asked Jeff if he was interested. Needing a new backpack, he jumped right on board and chose this really cool foldable backpack in olive green.

Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge

The backpack was perfect for Jeff to pack all of his things for a weekend trip. It was also great for carrying what we needed as we toured around Niagara Falls.

*The backpack was provided to me for purposes of this post. I received no other compensation and all thoughts and opinions are completely my own (and Jeff’s).

Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge

Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge
Lemont Green Foldable Backpack, Trendhim, Shelbee on the Edge

Jeff is super happy with this high quality stylish backpack. He promptly tossed his old beat up camouflage backpack that I think belonged to one of our children at some point. We parents, and especially dads, need some spoiling, too. And what better way to get spoiled then with a new accessory that was created with men and their style needs in mind. They have a wonderful collection of men’s bags as well other accessories and jewelry. Stay tuned for my upcoming post about our new Belt Hole Puncher as well. I am very excited to get punching new holes in all of my belts that have become too large as my waist has shrunk this past year.

Trendhim is offering a $35 gift voucher to one of my readers. I am using a Rafflecopter giveaway below. Just follow the prompts to enter. This giveaway is limited to the continental United States. So I do apologize to all of my international and overseas friends. The giveaway is open for 3 weeks. I will announce the winner at that time.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now let’s get on with this link party.

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Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a 40 something Army wife and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats named Dave and Frankie. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

74 Comments

  • Amy Johnson

    Well this sure brought back memories for me. I remember it being super crowded when I was there many years ago, much more crowded than your pictures show. I also think it’s super crowded everywhere right now. I’ve never isolated myself once the original three month lockdown ended. I’ve traveled all over the country, gone to state fairs, outdoor concerts, etc. and everywhere I go is packed with people. People are anxious for all this nonsense to end and just want to be out and enjoying life.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Amy, thanks so much for commenting! I isolated very much during the whole lockdown stuff. But it was mostly because people were frightening me! The whole world went so crazy that I had to go into hiding for the sake of my mental health. Haha. But I am definitely enjoying the freedom to get out and do things. I guess the crowds at Niagara weren’t bad at all since we had no wait to get on the Maid of the Mist. We stopped at a burger place for lunch and there was a bit of line there and at all of the lunch spots in that area. But it probably is much crazier in non-pandemic times. I am glad that we decided to go this summer! I am sure the crowds will grow exponentially by next summer.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      I agree with you completely that this experience is worth it at least once in a lifetime. I know that we went to the falls when I was very young as well, but I have zero recollection of it. It really is a breathtaking experience and I am glad that I got to do it twice in adulthood. That is so crazy that people would attempt to go over those falls. I was getting anxious just being on the boat afraid a kid would go overboard! They would never survive in the crazy surf that is created from the falling water.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michele Morin

    So honored to be featured here this week!
    And I have to share my family’s Niagara story: the falls were our first stop on a cross country trip. We landed there on July 4th so it was a mob scene, but we repurposed those Smurf blue slickers as ground covers for watching the spectacular fire works that night.
    Then, 2 weeks ago, our youngest son, remembering all that fun, took his bride to Niagara on the way home from their honeymoon. ❤

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Oh wow, Michele, what a fabulous Niagara story! I love that you repurposed your blue ponchos for ground coverings! And I bet the fireworks display over the falls was absolutely spectacular! I was happy to see that they have bins for recycling the blue ponchos, too. I believe they had them when I was there 13 years ago but that is a tiny detail to remember accurately after that many years. Haha. And so awesome that your son took his new bride to see this breathtaking natural wonder. Congratulations to them both on their recent union as well!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Anne M Bray

    I’m two weeks late writing my Patreon post about when I experienced Niagara Falls in 2014, so this post is very, um, timely! Haha.
    I saw all that I could that didn’t require $$ and thanks for the warning about the observation pinnacle.

    Next time (2024), I plan to see it from the Canadian side. Those hotels look like they have an awesome view!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Yay for a serendipitous post…just as you are contemplating your Niagara trip! I love when that happens! Some of the stuff is rather pricey so I understand looking for the free stuff to do. It was around $80 for the 4 of us to go on the 20 minute boat ride. And would have been approximately the same if we had walked through the Cave of the Winds. So maybe it’s not such a bad thing that there was a kid meltdown preventing that part of the tour! I would love to see the falls from the Canadian side. Perhaps one day I will make that happen. Those hotels do look like the view is amazing!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

      • Anne M Bray

        Part of my cheapskate viewing was that I had just come off of a high school reunion that was super $$$ and I was only halfway through my US circumnavigation. Plus I’m never one to do “crowd” things.

        I’ve hit a “roadblock” with my Patreon posting and better find an alternate route (haha).
        I didn’t yet write the journal entries for this latter part of the trip, seven years is a long time ago for remembering things.

        Canadian Niagara – maybe we can do a girls meetup! I’ll spring for the room!
        And we can take a Canadian boat!

        • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

          Oh, I totally understand the need for budgeting things especially when you were on your cross country trip! That could not have been a cheap experience even doing it as cheaply as possible! Oh that darn Patreon. You know I gave up on that platform as quick as I got on it! Haha. And absolutely, I would be up for a Canadian girls’ meet up at the falls! We can split the room and take the Canadian boat and wave at the American boat when we pass it!

  • Suzy

    Oh what wonderful photos, Shelbee! It certainly looks like you all had the most amazing time..The Falls are so freaking amazing, right?!
    And what a fab rucksack…it looks perfect for your hubby!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Suzy! It was really difficult to take photos with all the mist blowing up in our faces! Haha. But it truly is quite an experience to witness the power of these falls up close and personal. And isn’t this rucksack really cool?! It is perfectly suited to Jeff’s style and needs.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Amy Christensen

    In all my years growing up right near Buffalo, we went to the Falls many times, but never did the boat tour. We finally ventured into the Cave of the Winds a number of years ago, when my dad was still around. Most of our trips to the falls were filled with walking and exploring, both the paths around the falls and the downtown areas, mainly on the Canadian side. That was in the days you could just walk back and forth across the bridge without having to have a passport or special ID. Glad you had fun! – Amy
    https://stylingrannymama.com/

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Oh wow, Amy, thanks for sharing your experience with the falls. I do remember the days when no passport was needed to cross the border! I really want to get back to the area with a better plan and more energized children so we an explore all the paths and trails around the falls. Jeff and I have been discussing a weekend to Niagara Falls without the kids for exactly that purpose! We love to explore and sometimes it is more enjoyable without the kids in tow.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Christina Morley

    Oh, I love family road trips! Thanks for linking the Jurassic adventure on my blog. I haven’t been to the Niagra Falls but I have been to the Victoria Falls on both sides (Zimbabwe and Zambia). We had 3 little kids in tow. I think 2 were too young to remember. That experience will stick with your boys. I’m sorry you couldn’t do more but, like you said, there’s always another time.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Aw, thanks so much, Tina! I would absolutely love to see Victoria Falls in person! How wonderful that must be! We are only just now starting to do trips like this with the kids. I kind of always felt like it was a waste to do these things before they were old enough to remember…and also, we didn’t have the budget for too much when they were really young. This is the perfect time all around to start exploring the world around us with my children! I hope you are having a fantastic week!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Ellie

    How fun that you got to take the boys to Niagara Falls and everyone looks like they’re having lots of fun! We visited the Canadian side twice many years ago before we had kids. The boat tour was my favorite part, the hoarder I am kept those “rain ponchos” somewhere in my souvenier box. LOL. Back then the Maid of the Mist operated on both sides I think now it’s a different company on the other side. Wanted to go back in the past few years but it never happened, so sadly my kids have never seen the Falls.

    The backpack does looks fantastic and I love the olive color! It’s so perfect for hiking and nature trips!
    Thanks for the linkup!
    Ellibelle’s Corner

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Ellie, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the falls! The rain ponchos crack me up! I think I may have kept mine from my previous trip in a souvenir box somewhere as well. I really liked that they had recycle bins for the ponchos, too. Apparently, they recycle them right back into new ponchos which is fantastic. My husband is really pleased with his new backpack! It is perfect for weekend getaways and basically any time he needs a backpack. I hope your week is going well, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Katie! It was a wonderful experience. I am so glad that the kids and husband finally got to see the beauty of it all up close and personal. I don’t know if I knew you were originally from Buffalo! How fun is that!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Jess! We really did have a wonderful time. It truly is an amazing experience! But yeah, any kind of heights for any experience, you can leave me out! I hope your week is off to a great start.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Renee Open

    I may be going to Niagara Falls for the first time ever at the end of this month!!
    (And, trying to figure out if there’s a way to meet you this trip 😉 )

    Thank you for hosting as always friend! Now, I’m off to check out your favorite, featured non fashion post! <3

  • Dee | Grammy's Grid

    Enjoyed seeing your pics!! As I told you earlier, I went with my grandparents across the border as a child. If I ever find the the old pic of me in the barrel, I’ll be sure to let you see it! Thanks so much for linking up with me at A Themed Linkup 67 for Weekend Trips. Pinned!

  • Nancy

    Oh my gosh, that is impressive. But very busy too. I didn’t realise there would be so many tourists. You could have waved to Sheila!

  • Mica

    Looks like such a fun trip, even if you didn’t get to do everything you had hoped to!

    Thank you for the link up!

    Hope your week is going well! We are in lockdown here, 16 cases yesterday which is crazy! Higher than this time last year!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Mica! It was a great time and we made lots of wonderful memories. Jeff and I have been talking about planning a weekend in Niagara without the kids so we can really do all the cool stuff that requires lots of walking…without the whining of the children. I am so sorry to hear that you are in lockdown. I hope things return to normal soon for you!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb

    Oh Shelbee this really took me back… I did the same trip on the Maid of the Mist with my family when I was about 3 or 4, I actually remember the feeling of all the spray and wearing the waterproof jacket (that’s 45 years later, how lovely that some things never change)!!

    Thank you so much for this trip down memory lane for me… so glad you had a wonderful time 😀

    Catherine x

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Oh wow, Catherine, that makes my soul smile to know that my little post took you on such a wonderful trip down memory lane. We made some great memories on this trip and I hope my kids remember them all fondly (we will eventually forget about the kid tantrum, but if we don’t, it is still just part of the memory!). It is so nice to see that some things, especially things that make us feel good, are still the same 45 years later! I hope you get to visit that part of the world again some day!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Tamar! I am going to let Jeff know that he has A+ modeling skills! LOL. He is so funny and gets so silly when the camera is flipped on him. We laugh so hard every time.

      I am surprised that you have never been to Niagara Falls. You are so well traveled and it’s so not that far away! You should go there soon!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      It really is quite an amazing thing to witness in real life, Carrie! I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to go there. The ponchos are absolutely necessary because you get totally drenched! It’s like standing in a downpour for 10 minutes.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Darlene

    What a fun end to your trip! You would think that coming from that part of the country, I would’ve visited the falls, but never did. My parents went there for their honeymoon! Lol! The boat ride looks amazing!!! You are so right about our guys getting a chance to share what they like. Jeff is a good model and a great sport! The backpack is totally cool!! Thanks for sharing your fun family vacation.

    xx Darlene

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Darlene, thanks so much! I am actually a little shocked that you have never been Niagara Falls. Cheryl just commented about Niagara Falls being a popular honeymoon destination in the 1950’s so I totally laughed out loud when I read that your parents honeymooned there! Now you really do need to get there at some point because of that bit of your family history! Jeff is such a great sport when it comes to my blog. He enjoys receiving gifted items, too! He was getting all annoyed with me when the backpack arrived and I wouldn’t let him use it until I took some photographs. Haha. He has been exploring what his new “civilian style” will be in retirement so we are having some fun with that!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laura Bambrick

    Niagara Falls is a wonderful vacation destination! We went there as a babymoon when I was pregnant with my oldest. That backpack is really neat! I love that it is foldable!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks, Rena! Witnessing the magnitude of these falls is really something else! We did have a lovely time and made lots of wonderful memories. The child meltdown will just become part of the memories of our travels when the children were young! I totally used to judge the parents when I would see children act the way mine do sometimes in public. I guess it’s the universe’s way of reprimanding me for my ignorant judgements when I was young and didn’t know any better. Haha.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks, Cheryl! I didn’t really know that Niagara Falls was a popular honeymoon spot, but Michele just left a comment on this post that her son stopped there 2 weeks ago on the way back from his honeymoon…kind of part of his honeymoon, so I guess people do still go there for honeymoons! It is an amazing sight to see in real life. If you get the chance to visit, I do recommend it!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lisa Blair

    I would like to visit Niagara Falls one day. Thanks for sharing your trip, Shelbee.

    And thanks for the Trendhim review and recommendation, I’ve added the backpack, bodysling, and fanny pack to my Amazon wishlist. Great Birthday ideas for my husband. I’ll have to ponder which one would work the best for him.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, Lisa! If you can make it to Niagara Falls, I think it is a must see natural wonder. So breathtaking! I am glad that you like the bags from Trendhim, too. I hope you entered the giveaway for the gift voucher!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Sheila (of Ephemera)

    That looks like an awesome family vacation, Shelbee! I’ve also experienced the meltdown of a fellow traveler and it can be distressing and disruptive to the plans we have – I’ve also been the person who was the meltdown-ee, so no judgment! That’s part of what makes vacations so memorable – I can now laugh at my mom screaming at me about what a terrible daughter I am, on a beach in Italy, but at the time it was so horrible (and yeah, I don’t get into that stuff on my blog, so kudos to you for not “nice-washing” your post).

    I have never been to Niagara or Horseshoe Falls (on the Canuck side), but it looks…crowded, lol. It might be a “withdraw” place for me, so I’d probably skip it.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Thanks so much, my friend! No candy coating and nice washing here! I like to keep it real with all the nonsense that comes with life! Haha. I usually cringe and withdraw very quickly if crowds are too big so it wasn’t all that bad or else it may have been me in meltdown mode instead of my kid. I also get so nervous with my kids in tow when it is crowded. I am so afraid that I will lose them! But likely, they would be quickly returned to me as no one can control the meltdowns when they begin. While people did crowd all around the railings on the boat, there was plenty of room to move around and find space where people weren’t touching you. But yeah, if you already know that the environment could cause anxiety, then it is best to avoid it and just appreciate the falls from photos!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Joanne

    It is so true that it is so hard to not turn your head or hide from the wet and wind the closer you get to the falls! We stood at the very front of the boat and got soaked but it really was quite an experience.

  • Stephanie 139a

    Ah a happy memory prompt – I was lucky enough to visit at least 40 years ago, and at the time most probably didn’t realise just how fabulous a place it is. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      Aw, Stephanie, I love that this post has triggered some fond memories for many people! I went to Niagara Falls as a young child as well and definitely did not appreciate the magnitude of it until I was well into my adulthood.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Claire

    Oh wow, looks amazing here. I bet you had a great time. Somewhere I have always wanted to visit.

    Thanks so much for hosting and linking up with us 🙂

  • Michelle

    What a fabulous trip! I’ve never been to Niagara Falls. It’s breathtaking even on TV. Now I need to put it on my list as it might be more doable from NC than NV. Your descriptions are so good – I could almost feel the mist and hear the rumble from you boat ride.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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Shelbee on the Edge