Niagara Falls Canada - Harriet Tubman UGRR Tour

The guide was well versed in relaying the historical information associated with the guided tour. However, the tour was a bit overpriced for what we experienced. Overall, we enjoyed the tour.

We had a great time with Kevin, he's very informative and friendly. We didn't have a great understanding of history prior to the tour and he encouraged questions to ensure we understood the background. We really enjoyed ourselves, appreciated how engaging Kevin was and highly recommend! Book directly through Motherland Connextions - if you're buying through Groupon or Viator, you aren't going direct.

My husband and I are in Niagara Falls Canada for his work conference. Before we arrived, I booked this excursion for me to do on 9-5-19 via Viator.com. The representative from Viator did tell me that this tour is one of their top tours that sells out quickly. I soon learned that is a lie. I booked the tour that was on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 3pm. Representative stated that the operator of this tour would reach out to me via email to get my hotel information for pickup.

On Saturday, I still had not received an e-mail from the operator so I took it upon myself to call them to give them my hotel pickup information. Glad I called, the guy did tell me that as of right now I was the only one booked on the tour, but hopefully others would book by then or the tour would be cancelled. He said he wasn’t at a computer and told me to text him my hotel pickup information.

Fast forward to Monday, September 9, 2019 the operator text me at 11:46 saying that the tour was cancelled due to no one else booked and he could approve a refund if needed. I replied back asking if there’s a tour going on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 and if not then a refund could occur. I received another text at 4:37 saying they have nothing booked and gave me the number to Viator to call for a refund.

I am highly disappointed because I was ecstatic to do this tour while my husband was in his conference seminars all day. I love culture and wanted to indulge in something related to my ancestral heritage. I also understand that if not enough people book, then the tour is off.

I wish I could really believe the Viator representative’s statement that this tour was their top seller. Clearly the days I was available to go it was not.

Advice to those who are interested in this tour, make sure you’re not a solo traveler, or you’ll be left with nothing to do but write a disappointing review.

Mr. Kevin Cottrell was knowledgeable, courteous, accommodating, pleasant and had a refreshingly delightful sense of humor. It is sad that I am still learning about "My History"; yet Mr. Cottrell shared such jewels of information, we were enthralled and did not want the tour to end. This is a tour that everyone of all races, creed and culture should take. Understanding what my enslaved ancestors endured and hearing about their hardships and torture saddens me. However what Mr. Cottrell shared with us was inspiring and sheds light on the unquenchable human spirit that against tremendous odds and oppression fought for and deserved to be free. What a resounding message even in 2019.

Our family took the half day tour in Canada. We loved seeing places in Canada that were important to the history of the Underground Railroad. Very inspiring to see where Harriett Tubman worshipped and to hear stories of freedom seekers.

Kevin kept it interesting and showed us a lot of interesting places in addition to the railroad stops. A great half day!

One of the activities I planned was for this tour. In fact it was one of the main things I was looking forward to during my visit. However, unbeknownst to me, apparently as soon as I crossed the border from the U.S. I was no longer receiving cell service. As a result, the day of the tour, the operator who had been trying to reach me since the day before the tour was unable to (sigh). Meanwhile, the day of... I'm downstairs in the hotel lobby waiting for the tour bus and it wasn't until 15min later when they hadn't arrived and I decided to call them that I realized I had no cell service (DOH). I ended up using the hotel room phone, leaving them a message explaining the situation and waited for them to call - which they eventually did. Kevin (the owner/operator) couldn't have been more understanding. He provided all the information I'd need to procure a refund.

Apparently, the issue was he didn't have the location where to pick us up and neither of us realized that I wasn't receiving his calls. Side note: as soon as I left Canada and hit the airport (BUF) state's side waiting for my flight - all of these messages start showing up on my phone... sheesh, yeah, I know.

Anyway, I didn't take the tour. This review however is about the no fuss, professional and great customer service I received from the owner. We all know there are operators who will unfortunately make it difficult when the unforeseen occurs. Many thanks Kevin and yes I'm planning my return visit to take that tour.

We enjoyed this informal
Tour of the connection of the Underground Railroad to Canada. Very informative and Kevin the tour guide went over and beyond to ensure we got as much information as possible. We learned so much as well as got to see some major sites in this area.

This tour was beyond what we expected. The guide provided so much history as well as current facts about the area. He addressed every passenger's questions and interests.

The Niagara Falls Canada Underground Railroad Heritage Tour sounded like a great idea for us, given our interest in history and this issue.
We called twice and held for over 25 minutes only to have the call disconnected before speaking to a customer service representative.
We thought about booking it online, but given the poor customer service via phone, thought the better of it.

Excellent Tour with great information. Guide was excellent.
Lead up to the Tour was spoiled by misinformation given by Viator to the Tour Guide about our location - they advised him we were in British Columbia - we were Niagara Falls! This problem didn't get resolved until about 45 minutes before the tour was due to start - the guide went out of his way to get in touch with us to sort out the problem.

The Niagara Underground Railroad tour is worth the time and money. Kevin, the tour guide, is both knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman. We were able to visit the church where Tubman was a member. We learned a great deal.

This is an eye-opening experience. I never thought about the African American experience in Canada prior to this tour. Our guide, Kevin, was well-informed and focused. He covered nuances of history that textbooks still fail to cover. His driving was safe, even in the rainy conditions and he was prepared with an umbrella so that we could see sites on and off the van, comfortably. I highly recommend the tour!

very interesting place! Lots of information to read and you take your time to see things. Highly Recommended

I came across Motherland Connextions while searching for things to do in Niagara Falls. I enjoy history tours but didn't know what to expect. Kevin was professional and personable from the start. Once we got in the van and started the drive he began to educate us on history that I had not studied in school or on my own. My husband and I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Kevin was an outstanding tour guide full of information and good conversation. We truly enjoyed ourselves and learned so much from him. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in history to take this tour with Kevin.

Wish I had not gotten into the van provided for this tour. It was filthy. Windshield was cracked all the way across. Not a good start. We cut it short ,very short. CertainlyNot worth what we paid.

Kevin, our tour guide, picked our family up from our USA side hotel, took us through customs and brought us over for the tour. While you are riding Kevin is talking, offering tons of educational tidbits - as to be expected. We visited all the important Underground Railroad key sites, and we even met the great great great granddaughter of a former enslaved man who fled from South Caroline to St. Catherine’s - talk about emotional and spiritual. We visited Harriet Tubman’s church, which really could be a museum in its own right. Not only did Kevin feed our souls with the amazing stories of the Underground Railroad, he also gave us a tour of Niagara. Several of the sites on our list to visit, Kevin took us. He gave us tips for where to eat or not eat. This was our first part of the vaction and so glad it was, as we didnt need to pay for another tour. But the premise of the tour, Underground Railroad was just awesome! Job well done Kevin,

We booked this because we have an interest in history but we learned a ton on this tour! We were the only two people on our tour so we really got a great personal experience! This tour does have a lot of driving, but we learned so much and our guide had such wonderful information that the drives were very quick. We weren't able to go inside the Harriet Tubman church because the people were unavailable, but it was still great to see. We were also able to visit a winery at Niagara on the Lake, and learn more about the area.