cc:  photo credit: flipkeat

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.

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 the these magnificent falls as a border between the United States and Canada or you may see it 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 there.

The closest airports to access Niagara Falls include Toronto’s Lester Pearson Airport on the Canadian side and Buffalo Airport on the U.S. side.   Looking for great rates on hotel deals in Niagara, Toronto or Buffalo?  Check out Hotels Cheap.

photo credit: wonkanerd

The following list of family attractions in Niagara Falls is an excellent tool to help you pick and choose the best activities for you and your family as you visit the Niagara Falls area.

Journey Behind the Falls

As long as you’re at Niagara Falls you should really take advantage of everything there is to see and Journey Behind the Falls is a great way to do that. The thunderous roar of the falls creates an air of excitement and thrill as you travel deep behind the curtain as the Horseshoe Falls crashes 13 stories above you. Elevators take you down 150 feet through rock to the Cataract Portal and the Great Falls Portal and then you’ll get to take in the view from the upper and lower observation decks. It’s an awesome spectacle as one fifth of the world’s fresh water is crashing around you. In the summer months you’ll get a free souvenir biodegradable rain poncho to protect you from the spray of the falls. But it’s the winter months that make this a remarkable sight you’ll never forget as the mist freezes into spectacular ice formations.

Maid of the Mist

Another great way to experience all that Niagara has to offer is by taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist. Not only are you getting the chance to experience the falls in an up close and personal way, but you’re also taking a ride on North America’s oldest tourist attraction which has been in operation since 1846. The tour runs past the Canadian docks to the base of the American Falls, on to the basin of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This thrilling ride is only open during the summer months and you can expect to get a little damp.

Niagara Falls Aviary/Bird Kingdom

Another historical landmark, the Bird Kingdom is housed in the old Spirella Corset Factory from 1907, one of the first poured concrete buildings ever made in Canada. The building went through a few transformations until 2000 when it grew an extension and became the Bird Kingdom. The huge collection of aviary friends is an awesome sight for guests of every age. There are a variety of areas to explore including the small aviary, nocturnal birds, java house, a reptile zone, a macaw market and much more. If you’re looking for a deeper experience, there are a number of programs that give you in depth information about the birds at the Niagara Falls Aviary including encounter, educational and specialty programs and there is a free flight bird show that everyone should experience.

Butterfly Conservatory

After the roar and pulse pounding excitement of Niagara Falls the soothing calm and gentle beauty of the Butterfly Conservatory is a welcome reprieve. More than 2000 dazzling tropical butterflies flutter through the exotic greenery. Spend your time meandering through the paths in the rainforest setting which includes a pond and a waterfall. Make sure you take time to examine the Emergence window where butterflies leave their pupae to emerge and take flight. A great way to cap off a day at the falls.

Marineland

Moving from the air to deep beneath the sea, Marineland is an exciting adventure park for the entire family. Whether you’re looking to be entertained by trained creatures from the sea, seeking an educational experience or hoping for a wild ride, you’ll be satisfied by your experience at Marineland. Perhaps the most adorable animal on the entire planet is the beluga whale, at Marineland you get the rare opportunity to interact with a beluga whale at a feeding and touching experience, if you ask me, this is worth the trip alone. In addition to a beluga whale exhibit there is a killer whale area which includes regular splash and jump performances. For more shows, the King Waldorf Stadium Show gives an exciting presentation with dolphins, sea lions, and walruses. In addition to many marine mammal and interactive animal exhibits there are a number of very exciting amusement park rides that you can ride over and over again.

Niagara Skywheel

For an unusual amusement park ride with a view that simply cannot be beat the entire world over, the Niagara Skywheel offers both. The Niagara Skywheel is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in North America at 175 feet. The view encompasses both the Horseshoe and American Falls and the surrounding Niagara River area. The cabins are completely enclosed and climate controlled so it’s not as frightening as it appears on first glance and on a clear day you simply will not believe the beauty that surrounds you.

Skylon Tower

Love the view from the top? Then head over to the Skylon Tower for a different view of the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, the Great Gorge, Niagara wine district, and the city skylines of Buffalo, New York and Toronto. The glass enclosed exterior elevators take you up the breathtaking tower in only 52 seconds, showing you more of the sights as you go. Once there, you can find a photo op at the indoor/outdoor observation deck. Atop the tower are two revolving restaurants so you can sit and enjoy the view from 360 degrees as you take in a fine dining experience.

Whether you’re visiting the falls from the Canadian side or the American side, it’s an incredible experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the awesome wonder that Mother Nature has to offer, with a total height of 176 feet and more than 150,000 gallons of water traveling per second, its one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Not just for couples seeking romance, the falls and surrounding area has something to offer everyone from historical and natural wonders to manmade fun and excitement.

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