Niagara Falls

ErichSpiez's picture

Location

Ontario
Canada
43° 4' 42.996" N, 79° 4' 34.968" W
CA
General info: 

An unstoppable flow of rushing water surges over the edge with thunderous force. The mist rises for hundreds of meters as the waters collide. Niagara is not the tallest waterfall but it is the most powerful one in North America and among the three most powerful ones on the globe. Every second a whopping 7000 cubic meters (or more than a million bathtubs) of water plummets downward.

Despite the raw power of the falls, they are one of the easiest to access and view from all sorts of angles. The Niagara Falls consist of three separate waterfalls. From largest to smallest they are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.

The natural beauty of the Niagara Falls can sometimes be forgot due to the huge tourist industry around it. Nevertheless, these are one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world.

Getting there: 

OWN CAR
There are several parking lots on Canadian and US sides. Parking costs $3 to $20 a day on either side of the falls.

BUS
The Bus Station is right across the street from the Amtrak station, about 3km from the falls. 4555 Erie Ave; 7am-10:30pm. There are several daily connections to Niagara Falls from the major cities.

TRAIN
Amtrak station is about 3km from the falls. Daily trains from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, Toronto and New York City ($63, nine hours).

PLANE
Niagara Airbus connects Niagara Falls to airports in Toronto($62 - 1½ hours) and Buffalo ($71 - 1½ hours) with frequent door-to-door coach service.

Costs: 

On Canadian side there is no fee to see the falls. On the US side the Niagara Falls State Park entrance fee is $36 for adults and $29 for children. 5 yrs and under for free.

There are loads of different activities around. Some examples with prices:
Maid of the Mist Steamboat cruise- Adults $17.00 US - Children $9.90 US
Grand Lady Lunch Cruise - Adults $45.00 Children $23.00
Rainbow Air Helicopter - 10 minute flight - Adults $105 US - Child $90 US (minimum two per flight)

Interesting places nearby

Gunstock's tradition of family skiing began during 1937, when the first snowtrains arrived at Laconia.

Hidden Valley is a four-season resort with 700 vertical feet. It has 28 runs covering 140 skiable acres serviced by one quad, two triples, three doubles and two surface lifts and four handled tows.

Hidden Valley offers slopes for every skill level. There's also a terrain park. The existing double chairlift and rope tows have been upgraded and supplemented by two additional rope tows.

The highest point between Milwaukee and Madison, Highlands of Olympica Ski and Snowboard Area has a 205-foot elevation and a 2,550-foot runout. The hill features two double chairlifts, one rope tow, and lighted runs.

Holiday Mountain Ski & Fun Park offers convenience and a scenic drive into the mountains, just 90 minutes from New York City. Holiday promises a friendly, relaxed atmosphere that families enjoy.

Holiday Valley has 53 trails marked 35 percent for beginners, 27 percent intermediates, and 38 percent advanced skiers. Free WI-FI is available in all base lodges.

BASE: 1500ft
SUMMIT: 2250ft
VERTICAL DROP: 750ft