There are plenty of options to get close to the water on foot with the White Water Walk. Viewing platforms and a wooden boardwalk offer an up close look at the trillions of gallons of water that make the Niagara River’s Class 6 white water rapids. Rising above you are the walls of the Niagara Gorge, cut down by the power of the river to reveal 410-million-year-old rock layers. The views you will get on your walk next to the raging waters are breathtaking and like none you will see anywhere else. It’s also a lovely stroll, one that anyone at any age can take.
If you are looking for a different angle to view the river, try the Whirlpool Aero Car. Over a century old (just celebrating it’s centennial in 2016) the trip takes you over 3,500 feet across the Canadian side of the Niagara River. You will cross the international border between the U.S. and Canada during your trip. From the antique cable car, you look down over the Niagara Whirlpool, like seeing the eye of a storm from above.
Get a peek behind the running water with a visit to the tunnels of the Journey Behind the Falls attraction. You can feel the mist as Horseshoe Falls crashes down from 13 stories above. There is an upper and lower observation deck at the foot of the falls, just be prepared to get wet. In spring and summer, free souvenir rain ponchos are given out to protect you from the moisture kicked up in the air as water thunders past going 40 mph.
Wondering how Niagara Falls became the wonder that it is today? Take a look at “Niagara’s Fury,” a 4D, 360-degree movie that will dazzle and engage all your senses. This is a bit different then other tours, as it’s not out “in” nature, but brings nature in to you. The ground beneath you moves as the history of Niagara Falls unfolds. As the story is told, water mists down on you and your family as you journey through 10,000 years of time, ending up in the present day. Take your souvenir (biodegradable) parkas with you when you leave, you never know when you will need one again.
You can take a break from getting wet and visit the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens just 10 minutes north of the falls. It is easily one of the most beautiful spots in the area, one that might be passed up due to the overwhelming draw of the falls themselves (but should be on your “to see” list). A highlight is the Butterfly Conservatory taking you to a world of tropical plants and colorful butterflies. Flying loose, they float in the air and decorate any leaf or flower they land on. Also available from May to mid-October are guided tours of the botanical gardens by horse-drawn carriage.
You can get deals and packages and save quite a bit by doing so. If you plan on visiting multiple locations and attractions, or if you are staying for a few days, the Wonder Pass is a pretty good idea. There are also bus passes and more to choose from — visit the Niagara Parks page for more information and to choose what suits your family’s needs.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
Just 30 minutes from Niagara Falls is the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, the town has a story dating back to the 1790s when it was the original capital of Upper Canada. If you want a cool title, get elected here and be addressed as lord mayor. Fort George has been restored to the original condition when it played a role in the War of 1812. The costumes and re-created lifestyle of the time period add to the immersion into local history.
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