All you need to know about Niagara Falls

1. Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in North America, and in fact one of the most stunning one.

2. Niagara Falls is actually three falls. American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lies on the American side whereas Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three, straddles the international border between the Ontario and New York. The Niagara River drains water from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls name can also refer to the state park or one of the cities, Niagara Falls, NY in the United States or Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Canada.

3. The Mist that rises from the falls can be seen from miles away. The mist looks extraordinary, but unfortunately, it will make you wet when you move close to it. The Maid of the Mist (a boat that gets you up close to the waterfalls) and Cave of the Winds (an elevator that takes you behind Bridal Veil Falls) are must-do activities when visiting the falls. You can also consider taking Journey Behind the Falls at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, in the Table Rock Welcome Centre.That said, you will get wet while doing these activities, even though you will be given a brightly colored poncho for protection from the mist. 

If you don’t have a waterproof camera, don’t worry. You can take stunning family or landscape pictures from the Observation Tower. Admission to the tower is included with a Maid of the Mist ticket.

If you’re planning on visiting many ticketed attractions at Niagara Falls, consider getting a USA Discovery Pass.

For these who have extra dollars to spend, there is a helicopter tour available. It cost over $100 per person and last about 12 minutes, but the views are supposedly stunning.

4. The falls are easily accessible from both the US and Canadian sides. The Niagara River marks the border between the United States and Canada. We’ve seen the falls twice, first from the US side and the Canadian side. Both times we had a great experience, but many say that the best views are from the Canadian side. It is possible to visit both sides of the Falls in one day by crossing the Niagara River via one of two bridges (the Rainbow Bridge or the Lewiston—Queenston Bridge), but passports are required.

It’s easy to get to the falls by car, but parking is limited, so be ready to pay the $10-$15/vehicle fee.

5. Every evening falls are lit in the colours of the rainbow. Every evening, at dusk, the falls are lit in the colors of the rainbow. You can check the schedule here: falls illumination. In addition, on the weekend nights during the summer, Niagara Falls puts on a fireworks show. If you plan on staying until late night, bring a sweater—it can get chilly there due to the mist.

6. Niagara Falls power plant can power about 3.8 million homes. The first major hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls—also the first in the world—was built in 1895 by George Westinghouse and engineering genius Nikola Tesla. You can learn more about hydroelectric power and the history of the plant by exploring the Niagara Power Project Visitors Center.

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