Introducation of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a city located in Niagara County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 55,593. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario, both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. It has been considered part of the Buffalo, New York metro area.

The Maid of the Mist boat goes right up to the foot of the falls and departs from both the U.S. and Canadian sides. The Maid of the Mist cruises are famous the world over. The boat takes you first to the base of the American Falls and then on to the basin of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This is a spectacular experience. Giant rock formations stretch above you while waves crash against the rocks in the river as well as the boat. Raincoats are provided because at times, the mist is as thick as rain. For an aerial view from the Canadian shore, ride the elevator to the top of either the Skylon Tower or the Minolta Tower Centre. There’s also a cable-car ride that takes visitors out over the Niagara Gorge and the Great Gorge Adventure, a boardwalk along the water, downriver from the falls.

The Great Gorge Adventure is a marvelous trip. You walk along a boardwalk beside a raging stretch of white water while viewing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Next to the Falls themselves, this is the most magnificent view of the Niagara River. The waters of the Niagara River have cut through this gorge for thousands of years. Walk out onto the platform and see the wonders of this river up close. It is a spectacular sight to see nature at work in the narrowest part of the river.

For a bird’s eye view of the Niagara River, take a trip on Niagara’s Helicopter Rides. Since1961, Niagara Helicopters Limited has been flying enthused sightseers over the Falls as well as the attractions. This may well be the highlight of your trip.

When standing on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border and looking toward the Falls, you see the American Falls to the left. A smaller waterfall toward the center is the “Bridal Veil Falls.” To the right is the “Horseshoe” or Canadian Falls.

The height of the American Falls is 176 feet, though rock and rubble at the base changes the measurement to 70 feet. Each second, 150,000 US gallons of water fall into the beautiful Niagara River. The length of the brink of the American Falls is 1,060 feet.

The “Horseshoe” or Canadian Falls are somewhat larger. The length of the brink is 2,600 feet, with a height of 167 feet. Each second 600,000 gallons of water flows over the Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls is the second largest waterfall on Earth, the first being Victoria Falls in South Africa. In winter, water flows continually, though mist and water creates ice formations along the banks of the Falls. This ice bridge often extends for several miles.

On February 24, 1888, the local newspaper reported that 20,000 people watched and tobogganed on the ice bridge. Shacks selling photographs, souvenirs and liquor were plentiful. These activities took place every winter. On February 4, 1912, the ice bridge shattered, killing three tourists. A law was passed forbidding public access to the Falls.

On March 30, 1848, water ceased to flow over both the Canadian and American Falls due to an ice jam. The American Falls were blocked in 1969, to access whether or not the rock and rubble at the base could be removed. It was concluded that the cost of such a project would be phenomenal. The project was axed.

The Ontario side has three (yes, three) wax museums as well as a Guinness World of Records Museum, an IMAX theater and the Daredevil Adventure, which is dedicated to the brave and foolish souls who have gone over the falls.