Niagara Falls is a popular attraction that Business Insider's reporter found less glamorous than it appears on social media and in ads.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI spent three days in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for the first time in August 2022.The reality of visiting Niagara Falls didn't match my expectations based on social media posts.I spent much of the trip battling crowds, waiting in lines, and standing on my tippy toes.When I reminisce about my boat tour of Niagara Falls, I think of the hot-pink ponchos.I spotted a rainbow from behind a sea of heads in these disposable, mist-shielding cloaks, stretching their arms in an attempt to get an unobstructed shot of the natural wonder. The picture or video may not capture their honest view of the roaring white water, but those who see it on Instagram will never know.This was in August 2022, when I took my first trip to Niagara Falls, the iconic landmark of massive waterfalls on the border of the US and Canada.I expected to take epic hikes and savor breathtaking views and peaceful moments in nature, but that's not quite what happened. While I was in awe of the gigantic and dramatic falls, I thought the environment felt more like an attraction than a nature getaway.I trudged through a crowded boardwalk on the Canadian side and saw the falls from viewpoints blocked by glass and other barriers. I spent more time than I anticipated waiting in lines and looking at the backs of people's heads."Niagara Falls draws people because it's different every time you visit, not despite the crowds, but because of the energy that comes with sharing something this powerful with people from all over the world," Adam Stiles, interim President and CEO of Niagara Falls Tourism, told Business Insider. "Summer brings that energy at its peak, and yes, that means lines. But the Falls are just as extraordinary in October."I visited Niagara Falls on a Monday and Tuesday in August.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderAccording to The Points Guy, this is one of the busiest months to visit. The town was full of families with kids on summer break."For anyone visiting during peak summer hours, we always recommend early mornings, evenings, and some of the timed entry where available to reduce the wait times during the peak times of the day and peak times of the year," Stiles said.I thought the area would be full of hiking trails, but there was a lengthy boardwalk instead.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderWhen I arrived, I expected to view the falls from hiking trails since that's how I've seen other nature destinations. However, I could only view Niagara Falls from a long boardwalk lining the Canadian side or from an attraction.During the day, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., I went back and forth between the boardwalk, my nearby hotel, the Sheraton Fallsview, and the attractions surrounding the falls.On the boardwalk, squeezing into a spot along the perimeter facing the falls took patience.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI could only get a spot on the edge by waiting directly behind other viewers, like an informal line.When I got a spot along the edge, zipliners obscured my view.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderPeople on a zipline, one of the local area attractions to see the falls, dropped into view every 15 minutes or so. It was cool the first time, but having my views constantly obstructed by wires and humans got a bit annoying.By noon, I found the boardwalk too crowded to enjoy, so I decided to try some of the attractions.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderIn the early afternoon, the boardwalk was as packed as an amusement park on a weekend.The first attraction I pursued had a line so long that I decided to skip it.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderFirst, I tried the Journey Behind the Falls, an official Niagara Falls tour that takes visitors in an elevator down to a closer vantage point than the boardwalk. But the line to enter stretched through the entire center where it was located.I was worried I wouldn't have time for more activities if I waited, so I skipped it.I had better luck at the next attraction — a 360-degree observation deck towering over the city.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderNext, I went to Skylon Tower, an observation tower in Niagara Falls offering 360-degree views of the falls and the city.It was about a 10-minute walk from the boardwalk, and I didn't have to wait too long to get to the top — only about 30 minutes.While slipping my camera through the fence got me a nice picture, the actual view from the observation deck looks more like this.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderMost of the Skylon Tower deck was filled with people, so I had to wait for others to leave to get a front-row spot.Back down below, I thought the town of Niagara Falls felt more like a carnival than a typical city. There was even a Ferris wheel, which I paid $15 for and waited an hour to ride.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderThe city was full of arcades, funnel cake stands, and crowds of people.I thought the Ferris wheel would offer a grand view of
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