Niagara Falls (1856) by Frederic Edwin ChurchOriginal Source: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT. Gift of Miss Barbara Cheney, 1971.78
Niagara Falls is a unique natural attraction that has to be seen (and heard) to be believed. A group of three waterfalls located at the end of the Niagara Gorge, more than 168,000 cubic meters of water drops more than 50 metres to the gorge below every minute. Here are five of the best places to watch it all happen.
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1. Skylon Tower
Besides the falls, this is probably the most prominent landmark in Niagara. Standing 236 meters tall, head up to the observation deck for a stunning view down over the falls and the rest of the city. You can see right down into Horseshoe Falls itself and it is a great place to get a good view without getting wet.
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Even if the weather takes a turn for the worse, there is an inside observation deck and even a revolving restaurant if you fancy a bite to eat.
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2. Nikola Tesla Memorial, Goat Island
A view of the thunderous Horseshoe Falls from the base of the drop. Make your way towards the Nikola Tesla Monument and the various viewing platforms there. The sheer noise of the falls here is incredible, as millions of litres of water drops from around 50 meters above.
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Expect to get wet as the spray flies up and drifts over a large area. This is about as close as you can get to the falls on dry land.
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3. Cave of the Winds
After taking an elevator down around 53 metres into the gorge, don your bright yellow poncho and take a walk along the Hurricane Deck to get up close and personal with the falls. At its closest, the deck is just 6 meters from the torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. On a sunny day, the air all around you glistens with rainbows as the light refracts through the spray.
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The Cave of the Winds itself is a natural cave behind the Bridal Veil Falls, discovered in 1834. It is about 40 metres high and 30 metres wide. It gets its name from the 68 mph winds that rip through the cave. Access is no longer allowed due to a dangerous overhang but the tours of the same name provide a superb view of the falls.
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4. A Boat Tour
Of course, for perhaps the clearest view of the falls, head out onto the water on a boat tour. There is a choice of tours available, with the famed Maid of the Mist leaving from the US side and The Hornblower Niagara on the Canadian side.
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You’ll feel like you’re sailing directly under the falls and the noise and sheer scale of water all around makes it an exhilarating experience. Again, you’ll need a poncho or waterproof as there is no avoiding getting a good soaking, even on good days.
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5. Queen Victoria Park
Being located on the Canadian side of the border, Queen Victoria Park gives you perhaps the best complete view of the American falls. This is a prime photo opportunity, especially if you would rather stay mostly dry (weather permitting).
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The Hornblower Boat tour leaves from here and the Skylon Tower is a short walk away too. A great all-round viewpoint and a lovely park in its own right.
Waterfall at Mont-Dore (1818) by Achille-Etna MichallonThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
Want to learn more about waterfalls?
If Niagara has captured your attention and you want to learn more about the world's great cascades, you can find out about 5 more here.
