For years, my wife and I had dreamed of visiting the breathtaking Niagara Falls. This time, we finally made it happen, combining our adventure with a visit to friends and family in Toronto. And the best part? I got to fly us there, soaring through the skies and taking in the stunning view of the Falls from above!

Our journey began at Crystal Airport, MN, on a beautiful morning. I flew the Piper Archer, a slightly smaller plane than I typically use for long trips, but it was available and reliable. The Archer can fly for about 3.5 hours before needing to refuel, so I planned a quick stop along the way to break up the 6-hour flight to Niagara Falls.

At 9 a.m., we took off, excited for the adventure ahead. After about 3 hours of smooth flying, we landed at Mason County Airport (KLDM) in Michigan for a quick fuel stop and restroom break. Within half an hour, we were back in the air.

As we approached Niagara Falls, the view from above was absolutely incredible. Seeing the immense rush of water from the air was a moment I’ll never forget.

We landed at Niagara Falls Airport (KIAG) in the late afternoon, but not everything went according to plan. I had arranged a rental car to be waiting for us, but due to a mistake, Enterprise had canceled my reservation. It was Sunday evening, and their office was closed, leaving us stranded without a car. Not wanting this to spoil our evening, we grabbed an Uber and headed straight to the Falls. Walking along the edge, with the thundering water in the background and a beautiful sunset over the Rainbow Bridge, we managed to turn the setback into a special moment.

The next morning, we finally got our rental car and headed off to Toronto. We were staying at an Airbnb and spent the next few days catching up with friends and family—some of whom we hadn’t seen in almost 30 years! Toronto offered a delightful mix of culture, food, and vibrant city life. We indulged in some amazing cuisine, the kind that you just can’t find in Minneapolis, and made the most of every moment.

After three days of exploring Toronto, it was time to head back. We wanted to spend a little more time at Niagara Falls, this time from the Canadian side. On the way, a friend suggested we stop at Niagara on the Lake, a charming town known for its beautiful scenery and wineries. We took the detour, and though we didn’t have time to fully explore, the town was so picturesque that we promised ourselves we would return someday to walk around and enjoy it properly.

Once we arrived at Niagara Falls, we decided to take the famous boat ride. While getting up close to the falls was thrilling, I realized that the sheer power of the falls is better appreciated from afar. We got drenched by the mist, but it was all part of the fun!

By the time we were ready to head back across the border, traffic at the immigration checkpoint had built up, and we arrived at the airport later than expected. As dusk set in, I knew the majority of our flight back to Minnesota would be at night. Luckily, my past night flying experience kept me comfortable in the air.

Our first stop on the return was again at Mason County Airport (KLDM), located right on the edge of Lake Michigan. I felt a sense of reassurance knowing we’d have full fuel while crossing the lake at night—just in case we encountered any unexpected weather or needed to divert.

As we flew over the lake and into Wisconsin, rain started to move in from the west. Timing was everything. Had we been just a little later, we would have flown straight into the storm over the lake. To avoid it, I made a long detour north, adding about an hour to our flight time and requiring an additional fuel stop in Taylor County (KMDZ), Wisconsin.

By the time we finally touched down in Crystal, MN, it was past 2 a.m. It had been a long, eventful journey—one filled with surprises, beautiful scenery, and a few challenges along the way. But as we looked back on the trip, we couldn’t help but smile. From the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls to reconnecting with old friends in Toronto, it was an adventure we’ll remember for a long time. And we’re already planning our next visit!