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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist


Niagara Falls is by far the most famous waterfall in North America. It has been the backdrop to many honeymoons, proposals, daredevil stunts, and even the history of the United States. If you haven't heard of this falls, it's time for you to get out and start exploring the world around you!

There's lots to say about this waterfall. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in...

ABOUT THE FALLS
Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall (by volume) in North America. The falls actually consists of three separate components - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Combined, the falls has an average discharge of a mind boggling over 7000 cubic meters per second. Over 90% of the volume is over the Horseshoe Falls.

The Niagara River marks the border between New York, USA and Ontario, Canada. The American and Bridal Veil Falls lies on the American side while the Horseshoe Falls is considered Canadian even though the political boundary splits the falls. But regardless of which country you're in, the falls are easily experienced from both sides.

The falls contributes a large amount of hydroelectric power to the power grid in the Eastern US and Canada. In fact, there's a statue of Nikola Tesla at the falls, who was the first to successfully turn the energy of falling water from Niagara Falls into electricity that was distributed for private and industrial use. Though hydroelectricity has been controversial in terms of the environment (and especially a bane for waterfalling), there's no denying the critical role it has played in allowing certain cities (and even whole economies) to be built up and thrive. The human intervention has also meant the flow of the Niagara River is regulated in a way that actually slows down the erosion of the falls and keeps the flow constant nearly year round (except for the coldest of winters when the river and falls are frozen over).

These waterfalls have been a tourist attraction since America's early years (the mid 1800s). So it's not surprising that over the next 150 years the attraction has become heavily commercialized. This means that you can experience the falls in numerous ways but you can expect to treat each waterfall "excursion" like an amusement park or carnival ride where you pay to do a particular experience and move on to the next if you're so inclined. You can read about these excursions here.

There are pleasant walks on both the American and Canadian sides of the falls which are free (outside parking fees). They're pleasant strolls allowing you to take in the scenery at your own leisure. And if that wasn't enough, you can also see the falls at night as they're floodlit with varying colors until midnight.

No doubt about it. The falls can be experienced and seen in countless ways. See the photos below for a sampling of how we've experienced Niagara Falls.

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PHOTOS OF THE FALLS
Looking down at Horseshoe Falls' brink dwarfing the people around itLooking down at Horseshoe Falls' brink dwarfing the people around it

Looking down at people by the base of Horseshoe Falls as part of the Journey Behind the Falls tourLooking down at people by the base of Horseshoe Falls as part of the Journey Behind the Falls tour



Bridal Veil Falls and rainbow with people on the Cave of the Winds TourBridal Veil Falls and rainbow with people on the Cave of the Winds Tour



Comprehensive look at both the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian sideComprehensive look at both the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side

View of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point on the American SideView of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point on the American Side

Profile view of American Falls towards Rainbow Bridge from the American SideProfile view of American Falls towards Rainbow Bridge from the American Side

Looking down at both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls from the Observation DeckLooking down at both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls from the Observation Deck

Looking down at Niagara Falls being floodlit at nightLooking down at Niagara Falls being floodlit at night

Looking down at American Falls from a Canadian hotelLooking down at American Falls from a Canadian hotel

Looking downstream at American Falls and the Rainbow Bridge from the Canadian sideLooking downstream at American Falls and the Rainbow Bridge from the Canadian side

Horseshoe FallsHorseshoe Falls

American FallsAmerican Falls

Floodlit Horseshoe FallsFloodlit Horseshoe Falls

Floodlit American FallsFloodlit American Falls

Viewers of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point on the American sideViewers of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point on the American side

Horseshoe Falls from the American sideHorseshoe Falls from the American side

The brink of American FallsThe brink of American Falls

Non-observation-deck view of American and Horseshoe FallsNon-observation-deck view of American and Horseshoe Falls

Walkers dwarfed by American FallsWalkers dwarfed by American Falls

Full rainbow as seen near base of Horseshoe FallsFull rainbow as seen near Horseshoe Falls

The catwalk beneath Bridal Veil FallsThe catwalk beneath Bridal Veil Falls

In-your-face view of American FallsIn-your-face view of American Falls

In-your-face view of the torrent of Horseshoe FallsIn-your-face view of the torrent of Horseshoe Falls

Behind Horseshoe FallsBehind Horseshoe Falls

Tell us about your experience with this waterfall. Click on the following link...



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