A natural wonder of the world and a popular tourist destination for over 189 years, Niagara Falls is an interesting place for an affordable weekend getaway or an extended holiday. Once a popular honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls is now a family oriented holiday playground with something for everyone.
Straddling the international border between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is actually three water falls; Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three waterfalls dropping approximately 170 feet (52 meters), it is 2,600 feet (792 m) wide and is located on the Canadian side of the river in Ontario.
Both American Falls and Bridal Falls are located in New York State. American Falls is between 70 and 100 feet (21 m) tall and 1,060 feet (323 m) wide while Bridal Falls drops a total of 181 feet (55 m) is 56 feet (17 m) wide and falls into the Maid of the Mist pool. During the peak season (late spring, early summer) anywhere from 100,000 cubic feet (2,832 m³/s) to as much as 202,000 cubic feet (5,720 m³/s) of water goes over the falls ever second making it the most powerful waterfall in North America.
Niagara Falls has an interesting history that dates back almost 12,000 years when the falls were first formed at the end of the last ice age but Niagara is most famous for the daredevils that have gone over the falls in various ways. From the “Yankee Leapster” who jumped from a tower into the gorge at the bottom of the falls in 1829 to the 15 people have gone over the falls in barrels and other devices, Niagara Falls has attracted dare devils looking for their 15 minutes of fame for over 150 years.
Going over the falls is illegal but visitors can take in the “chameleon colored waters of the Niagara river” and view these spectacular falls from either the American or Canadian side of the border although the view is better on the Canadian side of the river. The Maid of the Mist boat tours operate on both sides of the falls. Try seeing the falls from the sky in a helicopter or take the antique cable car, the Whirlpool Aero car, designed by a Spanish engineer and sometimes referred to as the Aerospanish car, which has been operating since 1916 and view the Niagara whirlpool from above.
If you want to get up close and personal with the falls, take the elevator to the “Cave of the Winds” a series of decks and platforms located at the base of the falls. Visitors can see the falls plummeting down on top of them. Or take a Journey Behind the Falls and explore two tunnels that take you to an observation platform that provides a great view looking up towards the falls. Be prepared to get wet on either of these excursions as you are right under the gushing waters of the mighty Niagara Falls.
After you view the Falls, visit one of the 60 plus wineries in Niagara or play a round of golf, you can choose from over 40 local golf courses. Stay in a 4 star hotel resort and enjoy fine dining in one of the many restaurants in the area. Every weekend at 10 pm from May to October, enjoy free fireworks over the falls.
Clifton Hill on the Canadian side offers several family oriented activities including a Mystery Maze , Brick City, a miniature city made of toy bricks, a haunted house, the Guinness World Records Museum, and the Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum. Try your luck at the Fallsview Casino on the Canadian side with over 180,000 square feet of gaming and an indoor water park for the kids.
For a really amazing view of the Falls and surrounding area, travel to the top of the Skylon tower, 775 feet (238 meters) above the falls, where the Canadian and American landscape and skylines can be seen for 80 miles in all directions. Have dinner in the 360o revolving dining room or at the Summit Suite buffet, a family style dining room at the top of the tower.
So whether you spend your honeymoon at the Falls, take a family vacation, or a seniors getaway, Niagara Falls has something to entertain and amuse people of all ages.
