
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.
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