NIAGARA FALLS, NEWYORK

Sharing a part of the international border between United States and Canada, Niagara Falls gives its
visitors a unique, natural, up-close experience to one of the natural wonders of the world . Niagara
 Falls is the collective name for three water falls viz. American Falls(US), Bridal Veil Falls (US) and
Horseshoe falls (major part in Canada ). Located on the Niagara river ( 36 mile long) halfway  is the
 falls themselves. This majestic, powerful  and beautiful natural  wonder is a destination for explorers
 daredevils and honeymooners alike.

There are differing theories as to the origin of the name Niagara. Some believe that the word Niagara
 is derived from the Iroquois Indian word "Onguiaahra" meaning the  "point of land cut in two" and
some argue that it came from the native Indians of the area known as "Niagagarega".The outside
world came to know about the existence of Niagara falls only after the expedition and in-depth
description of it by Father Louis Hennepin, a French priest in 1678. This made the region under
 the French hold and they built a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River, now known as Old Fort Niagara.

   As the Niagara falls straddle between USA and Canada, it can be viewed from both countries  by
just crossing a bridge, provided you have valid visa and passport. The port of entry to both countries
are situated on the rainbow bridge, that connect both countries. The Canadian side of falls gives a
gorgeous view of  the American Falls and the mighty Horseshoe Falls while in the American side
 one could enjoy all three components of Niagara Falls - Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls

The Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls connects the cities of Buffalo in New York, USA with Ontario,
 Canada. This  international steel arch bridge across the Niagara River gorge is a world-famous
tourist site. Those who visit the falls from US side get a pass called " Niagara USA Discovery
 Pass"  at 38% discount on all park attractions. The pass includes Niagara Adventure Theater,
Aquarium of Niagara, Cave of the Wind, Niagara Gorge  Discovery Center, and Maid of the Mist.

One of the greatest attraction at Niagara falls is the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Before the

construction of the Rainbow bridge, the boat ride originated as an actual ferry service between USA

and Canada.The service now turned to a thrilling boat ride on  boats  named Maid of the Mist. The

 boat starts off  near Rainbow bridge every 15 mts and takes about 300 passengers on board near  to

 American  and Bridal Falls and then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of Horse Shoe Fall.

 

This amazing  20 minute boat tour offer a lifetime experience to feel the splendor of Niagara Falls.

  Passengers on board are provided with a transparent blue rain poncho. As the boat moves, giant rock

 walls of the falls appears really close and almost frightening.This incredible experience is a combo

of  beauty, noise, wind, mist and spray .Peregrine falcons, bald eagles and many sea gulls and terns

  patrol the base of the Falls in large flocks looking for those unfortunate fish that are stunned by the

 falls and swim too close to the surface. Niagara river is a fishing mecca with wide varieties of fishes.

 As the boat reaches closer to the falls, only the roar and thunder of the  water can be heard .You cant

 even hear the person next to you. The power and sheer size of the water falls can be felt directly

when  the water and mist drench you with moist wind blows and water splashes. . Make sure to cover

 your camera when you are in the dense mist shower area. 

 Another major attraction at the falls is The Cave of the Winds. This was an original  natural cave
behind Bridal Veil Falls at the Niagara Falls. The cave was some 130 feet high, 100 feet wide and 30

 feet in depth. It was discovered in 1834, and originally dubbed Aeolus' Cave, after the Greek god of

 winds . The guided tour through the cave continued until  a rock fall in 1954.  Now, the journey only

includes walking on wooden decks and stairs right up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls areas.

 

 Cave of the wind offer a thrilling walk on Niagara Falls wild side which take visitors to a stormy
mist zone. The admission to the cave of the winds include an yellow rain poncho and special sandals.
 The   elevator  takes you down  175 ft deep into the Niagara Gorge and  to the side of the falls. The
 visitors  has to  follow a wooden walkway along Niagara River to the Hurricane Deck . Hurricane
deck with a railing is nearly 20 ft from the billowing torrents of the Falls.  

 

The water  coming over the falls will make you drenched and doused. On the Hurricane deck you can
actually get tropical storm-like conditions when water splashes and wind blows on you with a greater
force. The gushing water and strong spray of water  from above with force will make you really feel
 the natural power of water.Its like a dream to watch the permanent rainbow within your hands reach. 

Those who want a panoramic view of all  Niagara Falls, the clear choice is Prospect Point Park

 Observation Tower. Extending out dramatically over Niagara Gorge, this architectural wonder

constructed of aluminum, glass and steel  affords unobstructed views of the wild cascades of Niagara

Falls, as well as the raging whitewater below. Originally built in 1961, the tower stands at 282 feet

(86 m) with the base at the gorge level. The tower is visited by eight million tourists annually.

Terrapin Point located at Goat Island, next to Horseshoe Falls is another major observation area to
overlook  the falls and lower Niagara Gorge from American side . Before the second half of the 20th
century, Terrapin Point was a group of rocks on the brink of the falls and were known as the Terrapin
 Rocks because they resembled giant tortoises. The three sisters islands which can be accessed from
goat island also offers a great view of the upper rapids cascading over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

 The American Falls receive approximately 10% of the total flow from Niagara River. The  ledge of

the American Falls is shaped in a modified "W" form, caused by numerous rock falls over  past 150

years which have resulted in the huge mound of rock at its base. Luna/moon Island separates Bridal

veil falls, the smallest of the three falls from American Falls. The border between USA and Canada

over Horseshoe falls was first determined by the Treaty of Ghent. Horseshoe Falls with the shape of a

  horseshoe-shaped crest is the biggest among these falls  and constitutes 90% of the total water flow.

With its renowned beauty the falls also has recreational, commercial, and industrial uses. The  power
   plants of USA and Canada together produce around 2.5 million kilowatts of Hydroelectricity from
  this valuable  source of hydroelectric power. Under the 1950 International Niagara treaty, the flow
 of water over the falls is reduced during night to allow more of the water to flow into intakes used
for  power generation. This plan ensures that the Falls’ natural beauty remains unaffected during
 prime  viewing hours. It also help to reduce the rate of erosion .

Niagara river is a legacy of the last ice age. It is estimated that over 12000 years ago when the falls
were formed , Niagara Falls extended seven miles down river to what is now Lewiston New York
and Queenston, Ontario. Until the 1950's when  the flow of the water began to be controlled , the
brink of the falls moved backwards at an estimated rate of three feet every year because of erosion. It
 is estimated that 50,000 years from now,even at this reduced rate of erosion, the remaining 20 miles
 (32 km) to Lake Erie will have been undermined  and the falls will cease to exist.

 Water  that plunges over Niagara Falls comes from four of the five Great Lakes that drain into the

Niagara River, (Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie) before emptying into Lake Ontario. These five

 Great Lakes make up almost one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply. The Great Lakes are the

world’s largest surface freshwater system and contribute about 18 percent of the world’s supply. The
water flows from streams and rivers, empty into the  Great Lakes through Niagara . From there it

flows to Lake Ontario and drains into  the St. Lawrence River and join with the Atlantic Ocean.

  Niagara Falls is the second largest water falls in the world next to Victoria Falls, a South African

natural wonder created by Zambezi river. The falls was formed when Zambezi river suddenly and

dramatically  crashes into the chasm and swallowed into its own riverbed allowing the visitor to walk

along its length, directly opposite to the falls, seperated only by a narrow gorge. The  title of worlds

highest falls in the world goes to "Angel Falls" in Venezuela, measuring 979 m (3212 ft) high. What

 makes Niagara Falls so spectacular from these famous falls is the combination of its height , shape and volume.

The most famous daredevil of Niagara Falls  who crossed the gorge on a tight rope was Charles

Blondin from France. From 1859 he crossed the falls17 times altogether . His adventures include

crossing the Falls blindfolded, pushing a wheel  barrow across the rope,  carrying his manager, Harry

 Colcord, on his back, traversing the tightrope while walking on stilts, taking photographs of the

crowd down below  and  balancing a chair on the  rope and standing on it. One time he even carried a

 small stove on his back and stopped at the middle of  the  rope and prepared himself an omelet and ate it.

The startling green color of the Niagara River is a visible tribute to the erosive power of water. An

estimated 60 tons of dissolved minerals are swept over Niagara Falls every minute. The color comes

 from the dissolved salts and "rock flour," very finely ground rock, picked up primarily from the

limestone bed but probably also from the sandstones under the limestone cap at the falls. Erosive

 forces include the action of frost from the spray and the dissolving action of the spray itself.

 Niagara whirlpool is a natural whirlpool located in Niagara gorge along the down streams of Niagara
 river. The whirlpool naturally spins in a counterclockwise motion when the river  takes a sharp turn.
 If you want great fun, opt for a jet boat ride on the whirlpool which is a  real blast. This roller coaster
 experience on water make you fly down the river  at over 50 MPH .The boat plunge directly into the
rapids and Hamilton turns, scooping up hundreds of gallons of water over you.. Those who visit from
 the Canada side can enjoy an Aero Car drive over the whirlpool. Private helicopter ride over the
 gorge and the whirlpool are also available, which gives a better view of the entire falls.

Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. They are  formed as result of  earthquake,

landslide, glacier or volcanos, which  create cliffs, cracks, faults and other changes in elevation. 

Waterfalls  are classified into various types and groups based on its  shape and volume. Niagara Falls

is a block or rectangular shaped waterfall belonging to class 10  based on volume. Once in history

(1848)  the flow of water to the  Niagara falls was completely stopped for few hours due to an

 ice jam in the upper river. It revealed  the river bed  for several hours and  people actually  walked

 and recovered  many artifacts from the river bed  .

Every evening beginning at dusk, the Falls are lit in the colors of the rainbow. Because of this

 spectacular light show of rich and ever-changing hues, Niagara Falls can appear even more dramatic

 after dark. The hours of illumination may vary depending on the sun sets and the season .

This unmatched light show will give you the feeling of standing in a fairy land.

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United State . It was created after the  Niagara
appropriations bill signed into law in 1885.This state park with brilliant floral gardens depict the

  Great Lakes region above the falls. It includes grassy areas in the shapes of Lakes Michigan,
Superior, Huron and Erie and also have a walkway that follows the course of the Niagara River.
The park  have  food concession, a movie theater, museum, gift shop, fireworks, hiking and nature
 trails, fishing, biking, picnic and  recreation programs 

Niagara Falls State Park of USA stretches over 400 acres, with close to 140 acres  under water.

 The Park has many parking options to choose from. Paid lots are offered closer to the Falls, and

many free parking options are available along the Niagara Parkway. Niagara Falls State Park has

 a number of food service outlets ranging from grab-and-go snack bars and cafes. This State Park is

 also a   great setting for special events including weddings, reunions and banquets.

Note: Cameras Used :-Canon Power shot A490, Canon Power Shot SD 400, nikon d5000

How to reach: 

By Air: Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (30 miles from the park).

      Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA) ( 8.4 miles to the park). 

By Train : Niagara USA is connected to East Coast destinations such as New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C via Amtrak ( rail service)

By Bus:  Service available  by Greyhound, New York Trail ways and various tour operators.

By Car: The region is  easily accessible from the New York State Thruway (I-90).

Address:332 Prospect Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Phone:716-278-1796