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Why Niagara Falls
is special
It is one of the mightiest falls on earth. Although Niagara Falls is smaller and
less breathtaking than Iguazu Falls in South America and Victoria Falls in
Africa, it is awe-inspiring in its own right.
Niagara Falls
is the collective
name of three
separate nearby falls
 Horseshoe Falls
- By far the most spectacular of the three falls. Its shape gives it its name
(see photo). Horseshoe Falls is also known as Canadian Falls because it is
situated entirely on the Canadian side.
American Falls
- Less grand than Horseshoe Falls because nine times less water flows over it.
Also, its brink is linear, not curved, thus less visually striking.
Bridal Veil Falls
- Tinier and less remarkable than the Horseshoe and American Falls. Like
the latter, it's on the American side.
Niagara Falls
sightseeing
 There is no shortage of organized Niagara Falls tourist attractions. Many are
not worth the time or money. These are some of the worthy attractions:
 Maid
of the Mist - For
a close look at the falls, take the 15 minute Maid of the Mist tour boat ride.
If you look hard, you will see the boat in the photo above. Boats leave
frequently from both the Canadian and American sides. You disembark where you
embarked.
Journey
Behind the Falls - This walking tour takes you behind the
plunging Horseshoe Falls. It literally gives you an insider's perspective.
Illumination
of the Falls - Niagara Falls on both sides of the border are lit at night.
The colors change during the presentation.
Observation
tours - Both the Canadian and American sides have tall observation towers
provide a bird's eye view of the Niagara Falls.
IMAX
- The IMAX theatre presents an awesome yet educational cinematic perspective of
Niagara Falls on a super-sized screen.
Note: I did not include the Cavern in the Wind tour because the somewhat similar
Journey Behind the Falls tour is much more interesting.
Best and
worst times to
visit Niagara Falls
Summer
is best in terms of water fall strength. The greater the volume, the more
spectacular the viewing experience.
Unfortunately,
summer is also the season when the lion's share of the 15 million annual
visitors come. Crowds can be overwhelming and line waits unbearable.
Winter
is the least desirable time to visit. It can be bitterly cold, a major factor
considering that watching the falls is primarily an outdoor standing
activity.
Moreover,
in deep winter, layers of ice can hide the falling water.
The
two best compromise times are early May and late September.
Other Niagara Falls
tips & insights
Book
a hotel on the Canadian side. It offers better views of the falls.
During
the peak tourist periods, avoid long lines by scheduling your visits to the
popular attractions in the morning (before 10:30 a.m.) or late afternoon (after
4:00 p.m.). And, if possible, avoid weekends.
Niagara
Falls was once grander. Since the middle of the last century, about half of the
upstream Niagara River water is diverted for use by two hydroelectric plants.
That water bypasses Niagara Falls by being channeled underground directly into
the Niagara River downstream of Niagara Falls.
Niagara
Falls is renowned for daredevil exploits. Over the past 100 years, 15 people have
gone over the falls for fame or fortune in or on a device like a barrel, kayak
or ski jet. Scorecard: 10 survived, 5 died.
In 1960, a seven year old boy
accidentally went over the falls. Happily, he lived.
Niagara
Falls is famous as a honeymoon destination for amorous Americans and canoodling
Canadians.
View my other gold,
silver & bronze medal
winners in the USA
 
View my other gold,
silver & bronze medal
winners in Canada
 
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