Get to Know Bryce Canyon Country in Utah
Sponsored by Bryce Canyon Country in Utah. We have traveled our entire lives. As child, my parents told us to get in the car and we got on the road. A large part of...
A boat trip on the world-famous Maid of the Mist and a tour behind the Horseshoe Falls are just two of the many attractions at Niagara Falls. Each year 14 million tourists from around the globe visit the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls, collectively known as Niagara Falls. The three waterfalls are a sight to behold, however, many visitors aren't content with simply admiring the falls from afar and choose to partake in the variety of attractions enabling them to get even closer to one of the world's most impressive natural wonders. We hope this Things To Do in Niagara Falls NY USA post inspires you.
The original Maid of the Mist boat completed its maiden voyage in 1846, ferrying passengers between the US and Canadian sides of the Niagara River. It was only when business suffered due to the opening of the Whirlpool Rivers Bridge, that the Maid of the Mist was transformed into a tourist attraction, taking visitors closer to the Horseshoe Falls than ever before.
Today the boats depart from both the Canadian and US shores, first passing the American and Bridal Veil Falls before continuing upstream towards the Horseshoe Falls. From the top of the Niagara Gorge, the Horseshoe Falls may look impressive. However, from a small boat at the bottom of the gorge, they are simply awesome. As the boat floats in the rapids created by the force of the Horseshoe Falls, its passengers can feel nature at its most powerful. Dressed in blue ponchos to protect them from the water, visitors are deafened by the thunderous noise and drenched in the powerful spray emitting from the mighty waterfall.
The Maid of the Mist tour is an amazing opportunity to truly experience the force of one of Earth's most powerful elements. The memories of North America's oldest tourist attraction are sure to last a lifetime.
Located on the American side of the falls, the Cave of the Winds tour takes visitors down a 175-foot elevator to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Guests are provided with yellow ponchos to shield them from the spray as they make their way up the wooden staircases to the highlight of the tour, the Hurricane Deck. Standing on the Hurricane Deck, visitors are a mere 20 feet from the thundering torrents of Bridal Veil, the force of the waterfall is such that tourists experience winds up to 68mph simulating the effects of a hurricane.
Niagara is so packed full of tourist attractions that it seems every conceivable tour is now available to its 14 million visitors per year. Whilst it's not surprising that a town on the edge of one of the world's natural wonders has invested in tourism, it's important for visitors to remember the boat trips and cave tours all pale into significance when compared to the sights and sounds emerging from the waterfalls themselves.
The real tourist attraction is the privilege of being able to stand and appreciate the sheer power and might of the Niagara River as it forces its way into the Niagara Gorge. This breathtaking and humbling experience is completely free of charge and a stark reminder of the true force of nature. We hope this Things To Do in Niagara Falls USA post inspires you. Happy travels!