What should I do first at Niagara Falls?

First thing: go straight to the Falls themselves. Don't waste time on the casinos or Clifton Hill tourist traps until later. Head to the Niagara Parks pathway along the gorge, right at the edge of the Horseshoe Falls. The best free view is from Table Rock Centre (the main visitor building) or the nearby Queen Victoria Place. If you want the iconic soaked-in-poncho experience, do the Hornblower boat tour (adults $31 CAD, runs April-November) as early as possible to beat the crowds. Skip the "Journey Behind the Falls" unless you love wet tunnels and a weirdly small window behind the water—it's fine but not a must-do.

After you've seen the main event, grab a quick bite at the Niagara Parks food court (overpriced but convenient) or better, walk to the Fallsview Casino food court for cheaper options. If you're feeling adventurous, book a helicopter tour (Niagara Helicopters, $160 CAD per person for 12 minutes)—it's expensive but the only way to really grasp the scale. Whatever you do, don't waste your first hour on the Skylon Tower or the Ferris wheel. Those can wait. The Falls are the star, so start there, get wet, and then do the silly stuff.