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

Closest ski area to metro Chicago, the Four Lakes Ski and Snowboard Area is an ideal place to bring the family. It's all located within a cozy 20 acres of terrain.

Cranmore, to put it mildly, is a classic.

Skiers & riders visiting Crotched Mountain for the 12/13 Season will discover “The Rocket”, Southern New Hampshire’s only high-speed detachable quad chairlift. Now with access to over 1000 vertical feet and 100 acres.

A North Michigan winter is like no other. On a rise above the Betsie Valley, and a short trip away from massive Lake Michigan, is Crystal Mountain, a favorite among Midwest skiers and riders.

Dartmouth Skiway is well known for low rates and short lift lines. The old area always has drawn a good combination of students, faculty, and the general public to its slopes. The area has contributed close to 100 members of U.S.

Dry Hill Ski Area is a small Ski Area located in Watertown, NY. The ski area features snowmaking on 50% of its 11 ski trails, as well as night skiing on those same trails.