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Nature's beauty - NIAGARA
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Whatever man achieves, he has to bow to the nature's wonderful creations. Mother Nature is the biggest truth and is full of hidden secrets. Mountains, forests, caves, sea and waterfalls are all nature's wonderful gifts. Thundering and misty, the falls are truly a natural wonder. Niagara Falls is one such wonder.
Niagara, river, in western New York and southeastern Ontario, forming part of the U.S.-Canadian boundary.
Niagara Falls consists of two cataracts: the Horseshoe Falls, or Canadian Falls, on the Canadian side of the river, and the American Falls, on the United States side. The two waterfalls are separated by Goat Island, New York. From the Canadian side it looks better than the American side. Because the main powerful waterfalls is horseshoe waterfalls and is on the Canadian side. The Horseshoe Falls rise 167 feet with a brink that measures 2,500 ft wide. On the US side American falls, rising some 176 ft above the gorge with a 1,100 foot-wide brink. The other falls on the American side is The Bridal Veil Falls, which is the smallest of the three, is named for its resemblance to the train of a bridal veil. The falls may be viewed from parks located on either side of the river, from observation towers, from boats, from Goat Island, and from the Rainbow Bridge, located a short distance downstream which separates US and Canada.
Waterfalls are great escapes from the humid, hot and sweaty summer. Just thinking of cool and misty waterfalls makes us feel better. This summer we had been to Niagara Falls, a great tourist attraction, which lures millions of tourists each year. It was a wonderful experience. According to our plan, we went to the Niagara Falls State Park, where most of the falls attractions exist. There is a parking fee of $5, which is valid for whole day in all the three parking lots inside the Goat Island.
Our first stop was Visitor Center, where we purchased Master Pass
($ 24) and walked around the shaded and beautifully landscaped park. Then
we headed for observation deck. From the base of the observation tower you
will be taken to the Maid of the Mist tour. Cave of the winds and Maid of
the mist are the two major attractions you don't want to miss and are worth
experiencing.
Maid of the mist: This is one of the popular attractions of Niagara Falls. From the deck of the boat we visitors can feel the gorging Niagara fall's experience in a new perspective. Clad yourself in a hooded plastic jacket (provided) and cruise to the base of the Horseshoe and American falls. As the ship approaches the cascading water, we are totally sprayed with the cool mist of the falls. As we reach near and near the falls, it's deafening roar, cool spray falling against our face make this trip an unforgettable experience. It's really a fantastic experience.
Cave of the winds: This is another thriller, especially for young people. My husband loved it so much; he was the last person to leave the hurricane deck in our group. For this tour they will give you special kind of booties (looks very ugly) and hooded jackets (you have to return both). As the name tells, you will be taken to the base of the waterfall passing though a tunnel. The guide gives you the brief history, but it seems like everybody is interested in reaching the base.
When I stood in front of the gorging waterfall, I forgot myself and felt
how powerful the nature is. It's roaring sound is like music and we human
beings are just nothing in front of the falling river. Hurricane deck is
the last point where you are totally soaked. People go crazy as the water
falls on their head. As it is once in a lifetime opportunity to touch and
feel the cascades of water from so near, one should not miss this tour. It's
really a great experience.
After visiting museum and aquarium, we were able to find one Indian restaurant (which is at a walkable distance from the park) and finished dinner. It was a small restaurant, but food was good with rotis and three types of gravies, salad, iced tea and it was a buffet. Then we headed to watch the illumination of Niagara Falls. There is a daily illumination at 9pm(depends on season) and fireworks show on every Friday. So if you want to see fireworks plan ahead. In colored lights Niagara looked beautiful. (To view illumination, Canadian side is the best place. Because American falls are illuminated from the Canadian side).
More Information on Niagara:
NIAGARA RESERVATION STATE PARK: 4 miles west of I-90 via Robert Moses Pkwy. at Prospect Point. New York's oldest state park opened in 1885.Visit the Niagara Festival Theater at the Visitor Center. More Info
GOAT ISLAND: in the Niagara River, accessible by foot or bridge. Spectacular views from the edges of both falls. Closest views of falls and upper rapids.
NIAGARA VIEWMOBILE: departs from Goat Island. See the entire park with convenient stops of six scenic spots during this three-mile a guided tour of Niagara. (Stops at Prospect Park, Cave of the Winds, Terrapin Point, and Three Sisters Islands)
FESTIVAL THEATER: at the Visitor center. See the history of Niagara on the giant screen.
PROSPECT POINT OBSERVATION TOWER: Take the panoramic view of Niagara Falls descend by the elevator to the base of the American Falls. Observation tower is a 282-foot structure of aluminum, glass, and steel rises 100 feet above the cliffs.
CAVE OF THE WINDS TRIP: located in Goat Island. Elevator takes visitors 180 feet through the Niagara escarpment. Follow wooden walkways to within 25 feet of the base of the falls.
MAID OF THE MIST: departs from dock at Prospect Point on American side and from dock at Clifton Hill St. on Canadian side. Passes directly in front of the falls and enters the Horseshoe Basin. More Info
SCHOELLKOPF GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: 1/4 mile north of the Rainbow Bridge, accessible from Robert Moses Pkwy. or from Main St. Watch a clip on history of Niagara Gorge and the Falls.
AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA FALLS: Whirlpool St. and Pine Ave. Performing dolphins and sea lions. More than 2,000 marine creatures.
THREE SISTERS ISLANDS: lies in the rapids, accessible by footbridge.
LUNA ISLAND: lies between the American and Bridal Veil Falls, accessible by footbridge.