Unique Things About Niagara Falls

Waterfalls are geological formations that have attracted humans for centuries. They are proof of the power and beauty of nature.

Niagara Falls in North America is visited by more than 13 million tourists each year.

Did you know that Niagara Falls was created due to glacial activity at the end of the Ice Age? There are many unique things about Niagara Falls and fun facts that you may not be aware of. Read ahead to know some of them.

Niagara Falls is a collection of 3 waterfalls

American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls are the names of the three waterfalls that form Niagara Falls. The former two are on the US side and the latter is on the Canadian side.

Niagara Falls is located on the border of 2 countries

Niagara Falls is on the border of Ontario province in Canada and New York State of USA. Niagara River divides the two territories.

Niagara Falls has 2 namesake cities

Cities on either side of the border located next to the famous waterfall are also named Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, NY.

Visited by many heads of states and celebrities

Niagara Falls is a favourite with politicians, heads of states and celebrities. Winston Churchill visited three times. Other famous people who visited Niagara Falls are:

Charles Dickens
Oscar Wilde
Thomas Edison
Abraham Lincoln
Queen Elizabeth
Mark Twain
US presidents James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Teddy Roosevelt
Marilyn Monroe
Princess Diana
…………and many more

Niagara Whirlpool

Niagara Falls is not the only attraction on the Niagara River. Downstream from Niagara Falls, there is a natural whirlpool and class 5 whitewater rapids which are big tourist attractions.

Spanish AeroCar or Whirlpool AeroCar

This attraction is one of the oldest in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It is a cable car that takes passengers across a section of the Niagara River called the Niagara Whirlpool. Designed by the famous Spanish engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo, it has been operating since 1916. Numerous modifications have been made (like the roof) but the mechanism has been the same.

A Popular Honeymoon Destination

Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations. One of the daughters of Aaron Burr, the 3rd vice president of the United States, spent her honeymoon in Niagara Falls in 1801. Jerome Bonaparte (napoleon’s brother) honeymooned in Niagara Falls in 1804. There are many hotels with special suites and packages for honeymooning couples.

Generation of hydroelectric power

Niagara Falls is a large source of hydroelectric power for the provinces of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in USA. Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric power generating stations in Canada and Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station in Lewiston, NY near Niagara Falls have an approximate output capacity of 2171 MW and 2700 MW of electricity respectively.

Fish falling over Niagara Falls

Fish from the upper Niagara River fall over the Falls and over 90% of them survive the fall. In fact, some visitors to the Cave of the Winds have been struck by falling fish!

Largest Aviary in Canada

Bird Kingdom is the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world. It has hundreds of tropical birds like parakeets, lorikeets, owls, parrots, etc.

Niagara River is not truly a river

The Niagara River flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, making it in reality a strait. A strait is a naturally formed, typically navigable waterway that connects two larger bodies of water; it is a channel of water that lies between two land masses. So, the 58-km Niagara River is actually a strait.

Position of Niagara Falls has changed over the years

Niagara Falls is thought to have shifted 11 km upstream over the space of 12,000 years. Each year, as more rocks break loose under the Falls, it recedes upstream. Diversion of water to the power plants has halted the erosion somewhat.

Oldest State Park in the US

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in USA. On the American side, Niagara Falls is located in this park. It was established in 1885.

Maid of the Mist – Oldest Tourist Attraction in Niagara Falls

This boat ride that takes passengers close to the base of Niagara Falls has been ferrying passengers since 1846.

Niagara Parkway

You can drive along the entire length of Niagara River by driving on Niagara Parkway (Niagara Falls, Canada), which runs parallel to the river. The drive is one of the most scenic drives with Niagara River, Gorge and waterfalls on one side and the Niagara countryside and the city of Niagara Falls on the other.

Niagara Falls was the scene of many battles

Ever since its discovery, fierce battles have been for control of the area as it was an important trade route. Niagara Falls was one of the battle sites during the War of 1812.

Get married over Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls was famous as the honeymoon capital of the world. It is still big with couples. There are helicopter operators that arrange for marriages to be performed while flying over Niagara Falls.

Unique Niagara Falls Attractions

Some of the unique things about Niagara Falls are its attractions. Some of these unique things/attractions are:

Maid of the Mist boat ride (US side)
Cave of the Winds (US side)
Journey behind the Falls (Canada side)
Whitewater walk (Canada side)
Spanish AeroCar (Canada side)
Clifton Hill (Canada side)

Niagara Falls is close to Niagara wine country

The Niagara escarpment with its unique climate is ideal for wine growing. You will find many wineries in the Niagara countryside just outside Niagara Falls on either side of the border. Do not miss a winery tour on your Niagara Falls visit.

People plunging over Niagara Falls

In October 1901, 63-year-old Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to attempt a dive over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She was successful! Over the years, many daredevils attempted the same feat in various contraptions, some with tragic ends. There were tightrope walkers too! In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first person to tightrope across the Niagara Falls in 116 years and the first person to walk over Horseshoe Falls.

Hotels overlooking Niagara Falls

Unfortunately, Niagara Falls USA does not have any hotels directly overlooking Niagara Falls. Some like The Giacomo offer views of the upper Niagara rapids. On the Canadian side, there are many hotels with rooms that offer spectacular views of the Falls.

Cave of the Winds walkway is reconstructed every year

This activity in Niagara Falls State Park, USA consists of wooden walkways that take you to the base of Niagara Gorge and Bridal Veil Falls. Every winter, the walkways are dismantled and stored away. This is done to prevent damage in the harsh winter.

What Makes Niagara Falls Unique?

There are waterfalls in the world that are taller, longer and more voluminous, but what makes Niagara Falls famous is how easy it is to get to logistically.

While most waterfalls are deep inside rainforests or on inaccessible terrain, Niagara Falls is right in the middle of a bustling city. It is close to major cities like Toronto in Canada and Buffalo in USA.

Niagara Falls is an affordable tourist destination. Plus, it has been a preferred destination for honeymooners for centuries and later became more of a family destination.

The beauty and majesty of Niagara Falls has been written about and spoken of by many famous people – making it a destination that many want to see and experience firsthand.

Niagara Falls has many tourist attractions besides the Falls itself. Casinos, waterparks, kids’ activities, shopping, restaurants, resorts, wineries, and interesting neighbourhoods make it a place you can return to again and again.