Sightseeing in Niagara Falls
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Niagara Falls, bordering Canada on one side with Horseshoe Falls and the U.S. with American Falls, is noted as a source of power to the practical of mind. But to the romantic, it has always been the ultimate honeymoon location. For the adventuresome such as Sam Patch and Annie Addison Taylor, it has been a source of daredevil fetes as they made their jumps and survived. For Hollywood, the falls have been a source of subject matter and background in such movies as Niagara with Marilyn Monroe and Superman II. Niagara Falls is a main attraction in itself, however there are many ways to see and experience these phenomenal cascading white waters.
Niagara Falls Visitors Center is the place to start while visiting the area. You’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about the falls and then some. The visitors center also includes restaurants, gift shop and Adventure Theater. The Adventure Theater shows a 40 minute overview of the fall’s history, the daredevils, and other Niagara Park attractions. 
photo credit: Mini D
Prospect Point Observation Tower is the fullest way to get a complete view of the American Falls. The deck of the tower reaches over the Niagara Gorge allowing you to see the falls below. At 282 feet it is constructed of steel, aluminum and glass with 3 glass elevators. Located in New York, it is open spring, summer and fall of every year. It’s a great vacation budget point at only a $1 entrance fee for children 6 or older and adults with children under 6, free.
Maid of the Mist boat ride loads at the base of the Prospect Point Observation Tower on the U.S. side of the falls. However, the ride is also available on the Canadian side. Starting the ride at a very calm location, the boat takes you past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the misty Horseshoe Falls curve. There are 7 Maid of the Mist boats numbered with Roman numerals and lastly The Little Maid which can be seen on the docks of Niagara River in Canada. This boat has had it’s Hollywood moments in Bruce Almighty and Superman II.
Cave of Winds Tour is for the adventuresome at heart. You will get wet. But, don’t worry they supply you with rain ponchos and sandals. First, you will start with an elevator ride that takes you deep into the Gorge. From there you trail your guide over wooden walkways to the Hurricane Deck which just happens to be 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. While being completely sprayed with falls water you’ll get a chance to see the falls from a location others rarely do.
Niagara Scenic Trolley takes you on a ride exploring 6 of the state parks attractions. A guide will narrate informative Niagara Falls material during the 3 mile ride. The ride only takes a half hour and you are allowed to leave the trolley and explore at any of the 6 locations. The trolleys are part of the Niagara State Park “green” project as they run on natural gas which is environmentally friendly. The ride will only cost adults $2 and children over 6 $1.
Whirlpool Jetboat Tours will take you where no one else can, to the stone-walled canyon, the legendary whirlpool and the rough-riding rapids. The open-air boat will have water spraying you up and down while the closed Jetdome will keep you dry and comfortable. The boats run from April to October.
Niagara Falls Aquarium is located just outside Niagara Falls State Park. The aquarium features over 1,500 aquatic animals originating from the Great Lakes to the Corral Reef. The “Whaling Wall” is just outside of the aquarium and takes the visitor into a water dreamland. Open year round except Christmas and Thanksgiving there is a $9 fee for adults and $5 fee for children over the age of 6.
Old Fort Niagara is a national historic landmark located in New York. It features 18th century military collections along with living history events, programs and exhibits. It stands at the entrance to the Niagara River. The fort played an important role in the struggle over the Great Lakes by France, United States and Britain. This is a good family learning destination while enjoying the beauty of Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Biking, cross country skiing and fishing are just a sampling of the sporting fun at the oldest park in the United States. There are no shortage of walking and hiking trails with the most spectacular being the Niagara Gorge trail which will give it’s viewers the most spectacular views of the both the gorge and the falls.
Goat Island can be found in the middle of Niagara Falls, between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. At the northern end of this green island a gangway takes you to smaller Luna Island. Goat Island is where the adventuresome trek of Cave of the Winds is located.
Sightseeing in Niagara Falls
Whether you are a bit more timid at heart or the true adventurer type, there’s something for everyone at Niagara Falls State Park. You may see these magnificent falls as a border between the United States and Canada or you may see them as a binding power that connects us and draws us together. Both may be true, yet both countries work together to maintain and preserve the beauty that abounds at Niagara Falls.
Print This Post
Email This Post
RSS Feed