NIAGARA FALLS ATTRACTIONS

Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds is no longer a cave. It is a series of walkways that lead to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls, the smallest of the three Niagara Falls. There used to be a cave but it collapsed. Powerful wind caused by the falling water can be felt.

American Falls
The American Falls is one of three waterfalls that together are known as Niagara Falls on the Niagara River along the Canada-U.S. border. Unlike the wider Horseshoe Falls, which is shared between the United States and Canada, American Falls is completely within the U.S. state of New York.

The falls receive approximately 10% of the flow from Niagara River, with most of the rest going over Horseshoe Falls, from which it is separated by Goat Island. It has a straight line crest width of about 253 m (830 feet). If measured along the jagged lip of the falls, the crest is about 290 m (950 feet) long. The torrent of water passing over the crest of the falls is about 0.6 m (2 feet) deep.

The falls are viewable from a steep angle on the American side, where it is possible to approach to within several meters of the edge of the falls. One can view the falls from the bank of the river, as well as on Goat Island, which is accessible by a pedestrian bridge that crosses the rapids of the Niagara river upstream from the falls. The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Horseshoe Falls
The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, is a waterfall on the Niagara River, situated on the Canadian side of the border with the United States. It is located between Terrapin Point on Goat Island in New York State, and Table Rock House in Ontario.

The name is derived from its curving, horseshoe-shaped crest that is 671 metres (2,200 ft) in width. At the centre of the Horseshoe Falls the water is about 3 metres (10 ft) deep. It passes over the crest at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph). The falls is 53 metres (173 ft) high, has an average crest elevation of 152 metres (500 ft) and faces northwards. The depth of the river at the base of the falls is actually higher than the falls itself, estimated at 56 metres (184 ft).

The Horseshoe Falls is considered to be the most impressive of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. Approximately 90% of the water of the Niagara River flows over Horseshoe Falls, while the other 10% flows over the American Falls.

The falls continually produces a large amount of mist which renders viewing the falls difficult. The amount of natural mist has been reduced since the early 20th century by the diversion of most of the water from the Niagara River for hydroelectricity. It is observable at a direct angle from the Canadian side, and at a steep angle on the U.S. side on Goat Island. The Maid of the Mist boat offers tours which approach the base of the falls.

Goat Island
Goat Island is a small uninhabited island in western New York in the United States. It is located in the middle of Niagara Falls on the Niagara River, between Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. The island offers some of the most spectacular views of the falls available from the U.S. side. It is accessible by foot and automobile traffic by several bridges from Niagara Falls, New York. The island is largely wooded and is interlaced with foot trails. It is a popular destination for tourists visiting the falls on the U.S. side. An elevator on the island provides access down to the foot of the falls and to the Cave of the Winds. In 1885 it was included in the Niagara Reservation State Park which is the oldest state park in the U.S.

Flower clock
A clock made entirely of flowers, near the Whirlpool

Niagara Botanical Gardens
(at their best in the summer)

Butterfly conservatory
Lots of butterflies in an enclosed space

Clifton Hill
A hill, and a street, full of gaudy (but fun) tourist attractions such as wax museums, Ripley's Believe it or Not, haunted houses, and little shops.

Imax theatre
Has a great movie about the history of the Falls

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
A splendid Vegas style Casino

Casino Niagara
The old but nice casino near Clifton Hill

Skylon Tower
The Skylon Tower, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is one of two towers that hover over Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Construction began in May 1964 and was completed October 6, 1965.

Standing at 160 m (520) feet and 236 m (775 feet) from the bottom of the falls, the tower required air regulation approval from Canada and the United States due to the proximity to airports in the area.

It was originally owned by Canadian Company, the Niagara International Centre and operated by Canadian Pacific Hotels. From 1975-1986, the tower was owned by CP Hotels and then sold to two local hotel interests. In 1988, one of the hotel owners, George Yerich, purchased the tower and the surrounding complex.

Konica Minolta Tower
Konica Minolta Tower was built in 1962 and is one of two towers with a view of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side with height of 325 m (525 ft). The tower's window is specially treated by Eastman Kodak to allow people to take photos from the inside.

It boasts a unobstructed panoramic view of the Falls and the city. Like the nearby Skylon Tower, it has a restaurant, the Pinnacle. As well, there is a chapel at the Tower for weddings.

Maid of the Mist
The Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. (The actual boats used are each named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral in each case.) The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls. The tour is available starting from either the Canadian or US side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

Spanish Aerocar
he Spanish Aerocar is a cable car from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Opened in 1916, it takes passengers over the whirlpool in the Niagara River. The name comes from the fact that it was designed by a Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo.

Despite what appears to be a risky adventure, the Aerocar has not had a single fatality of any kind in the nearly 90 years it has been operating.

Flight of the Angels
Flight of the Angels is a commercial balloon tour of Niagara Falls. The balloon ascends to a height of 30 meters.

Water jet rapids
The water jet rapids are the tours on either open or closed boats that take people to the extremely dangerous whirlpools of the Niagara River.